Friday, February 18, 2011

I Just Don't Get People

Yesterday I went to lunch at Del Taco, while I was finishing up a young guy comes up to me and ask if could have my left over fries. I said sure as I was going to just throw them away. He took my entire tray and walked over to another table, sat down and started eating the fries. I noticed that he has several backpacks and assumed he was homeless. He couldn't have been more then 18 or 19. So when I got up to leave I walked over and asked if he wanted more food that I would like to buy him lunch. He hesitated for a second but then smiled and said Thank you that would be very nice. I told him to come up to the counter and he can order whatever he wants. He informed me that the employees don't like it when he approaches the counter. I was like okay I'll go order if for you.. I asked what he wanted and he said "just a burrito or a taco is good".. very humble. I ordered him a entire meal and figured I'd wait for it and then take it over to him. Well when the order was ready the woman who gave it to me (I assumed she's a manager) said.. "are you buying a meal for that guy". I looked to where she was pointing and said "yes I am". She looked at my and said in a not so nice tone.. "I wish you wouldn't feed him" I was shocked.. it was as though she was talking about an animal.. "don't feed the animals" I just looked at her, grabbed my food and walked back over to the kid and handed him the two bags of food and his cup for his drink. He was smiling from ear to ear, he shock my hand and said Thank you several times, I smiled and nodded to the woman who was glaring at me and exited the building.

Now I don't know the history of this guy and Del Taco, and I don't care.. all I know is this young man was hungry and willing to go up to a complete strangers and ask for their left over half eaten food. No one should ever had to do that. It only cost me a little time and a few bucks to make this guy smile and that makes me happy.

12 comments:

  1. You have a great heart my friend. That puts you on my list of awesome people.

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  2. Good for you! I always prefer to give food, too, instead of money. Then you know you're feeding a person, and not a possible drug habit. :)

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  3. I can understand why management would respond how they did. I'm not saying it's right, but I can understand. However, as you brought out, the way he behaved was different than he could've. Asking for leftovers, rather than for you to just buy him food, showed a different kind of attitude. Way to go Kenny. Not everyone (as shown by the employees) would've responded with the kindness that you did. Two thumbs up.

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  4. Way to go Kenny

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  5. well it is always wanderful if you are able to do some thing nice for some one else

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  6. That's our Kenny. And that's why we love ya!

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  7. Thank you all for you kind comments but I wasn't looking for praise (not that I mind praise) I was more disappointed in the attitude of the employees.. Just because he's homeless and hungry doesn't make him any less of a human being.

    And yes Ben I too can understand why the employees wouldn't want homeless hanging around their establishment but these people are hungry, what better place to get some food by hanging out at restaurants. I can't imagine ever being so hungry and not being able to get food, it just brings tears to my eyes thinking about these poor people being so desperate that they hang out at food places hoping to get leftovers. I've even seen some dig through trash cans.. it's very sad, no one should ever go hungry.

    This guy did not ask for money.. he just asked if he could have the eight or so fries left on my tray. He didn't bother anyone, he was very clean and very polite.

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  8. Yeah it is definitely sad that a lot of people find it easier to ignore or dismiss those that are less fortunate like this guy. The truth of the matter is that if things had gone differently any one of us could have ended up like this guy so we should try to help where we can especially when they are as nice and polite as it sounds this guy was. Great job Kenny I am sure you made that guys day.

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  9. Great Job Kenny!! And as far as that employee goes...I can understand their reasoning, but Food and Clean Drinking Water are Human Rights. It would serve those employees well to read the Charter of Human Rights!!

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  10. Seriously?? "I wish you wouldn't feed him".. What kind of !"#%! would say that about someone who is obviously in need?

    Any way.. At least your kindness more than makes up for that nimrod.

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  11. That little guy will remember your kindness and hopefully do the same for someone else one day when he gets his life back in order. It's nice to be nice! :)

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