One of the things I like about Paris is that it’s in your face. What do I mean by that? I mean, nothing is hidden, everything is out in the open. You’re in it. Whether it’s in the city, in the subway, the dog poop, or walking through crowds of hundreds (if not thousands) of people. Compare this to typical US cities where everyone is isolated in the protection of their cars or offices. I know, comparing France’s capital to smaller US cities isn’t fair but it certainly is fun.
So here’s an example from last Friday. It’s a pretty common one but this one had a twist. I left work Friday night about 6:30pm and was on my way to meet my wife in Chinatown for some good Chinese food. On the subway a bum gets on and starts asking for money. I couldn’t understand him very well, which was surprising because most of the bums have their little speech worked out to perfection. Poverty and homeless is a big problem in almost all major countries, but what’s different about it in Paris is that you can’t hide from it. Even if you drive your Mercedes sedan to work you’re likely to come across a bum in between the parking garage and the office. And if you’re like me and rely upon public transportation, you can’t hide from “it” because you’re in “it”.
So the bum gives his story, rather unconvincingly I thought, and when he finishes the guy in front of him gives him some coins. Now all this is typical and an almost daily occurance (sometimes I get the pleasure of several speeches in one day). But the twist came when the bum turns around and walks towards one end of the train to solicit more money and that’s when I see he has a can of Amsterdam beer in the beverage holder of his backpack. Amsterdam is a favorite of the homeless, alcoholics, and bums because it’s cheap and has a higher than average alcohol content. I’ve never tasted it so I can’t give a judgment. And this is one reason that I don’t give money to the bums, because many (if not most) are alcoholics and/or smokers. A bum with a can of beer or a pack of cigarettes just doesn’t tug my heart strings.
Although I could do without the bums on the trains and the alcoholics in the streets, people camping out under tunnels, etc., I do like the fact that it’s a reminder that we should be thankful for what we have and that we should help others. In the US, it was rare to have this shoved in your face like this and the result is people tend to forget about it.
I’ll be exploring this idea from other angles, so follow the tag in your face.
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