Spare a Smile? :)

Spare a Smile? :), a photo by JOn's ~=:-) view on Flickr.

I often see beggars, or many would even be classified as con artists. Most are just trying to get something for nothing. Many live in better homes, and drive nicer cars than the people they are begging from.

Occasionally I come across one that actually does something to deserve the money they seek. This is one of those.

Creativity, and humor will often get me to give a dollar, or two.

It is not uncommom to have hundreds of people on a corner on a busy day in front of Bally's, here in Vegas. This young man was sitting under a bit of shade, just out of the path of all the busy passers-by. He had a tiny cardboard sign which said "Spare A Smile, Thank You"

He was not harrassing anyone. He was smiling, and saying quietly to each person who passed, "Can you spare a smile?"

He never shouted, keeping it to a normal conversational tone. Most would hear his voice, and glare at him, or step a few feet further away as they walked past, thinking he was just begging for money. Occasionally, you would see one that actually listened to what he said, or actually read his sign. He did have a small bucket one could place money in if they wished, but he never asked for the money.

He was simply asking for a smile. most would not even give him that. A rare few Did a double-take, and would give him a smile. Often, you would see people hurry on by, and some would throw a coin in the bucket.

I thought he had a very creative approach. I gave him acouple bucks, and a smile!

How about you? CAN YOU SPARE A SMILE? ~=:-)