A man who chooses to live as an urban nomad will commonly be interpreted as irresponsibly homeless, an addict (i.e. alcohol or drugs) or as a dangerous neurotic with little or no propensity for contributing to society. Years ago I encountered a homeless person as I strolled towards the city bus station clutching a plastic carrier bag containing a ham salad sandwich and a beverage. For whatever reason I felt morally compelled to impulsively offer my purchased food stuffs to the man. His response in kind is one that remains vivid in mind ever since and has subsequently shattered my conceptions of the act giving alms. By now you’ve probably anticipated that the character in question divulged that he was in fact not homeless though I assure you that what transpired was comparitivly negligable but humbling no less.
The man’s wiry frame was draped in green exterior consisting of misfit textile layers including a three quarter length coat, fingerless gloves and a hooded top which cloaked his head and the sides of his face. Stereotypically the individual certainly fit the bill in terms of fashion. His grey beard masked the drawn and aged façade of a man who looked to be in his mid fifties.
How many prejudices did you instantaneously make about this man? If 'wizard' was one of them then you need to rid your abode of all 'Lord of the Rings' paraphernalia.
Upon tendering the sandwich I had subconsciously visualised his overt graciousness in reciprocation of my quaint semblance of compassion that I imagined was a thing so seldom in his day to day life. In hindsight I wonder whether I was serving my egocentric self rather than the stranger himself. To my dismay the nomad made an inquisition querying the contents of the sandwich:
“Is it chicken?”
To which I conveyed and replied “No, it’s a ham salad sandwich.”
Finally the man responded “It’s okay. I only eat chicken” and walks onwards.
Admittedly I felt a little sheepish after acting so impulsively but even more so I was offended by the rejection and disgruntled by his subtle confidance. I found myself recalling the archaic adage of how beggars cannot be choosers. I have since corrected my skewed notions on the dynamics of the interaction. First and foremost the man begged for nothing at all. It was I who interpreted his trajectory and solicited his unconditional acceptance. In doing so I formed the prejudice that as a socially inferior individual he would naturally be receptive of whatever items I could impart irrespective of how trivial or irrelevant the items themselves may be. I had elevated myself to an obnoxious plateau from which I believed my own social status to be an imposition over his. In my vain attempts to appease the man’s lifestyle I had instead discounted his very privilege of preference.
Take from this story what you may though ironically I am indeed gracious for the silver haired man who taught me to afford all individuals a non-patronizing credibility without prejudice based on their societal echelons.
A stubborn chef attempts to prove once and for all that ridiculuous food aesthetics do not impair ones dining experience but fails miserably when hospitalized for a dislocated jaw.
Irish Spud 