There are many things in the world, which I do not understand. And the older I get, the more I realise there are more things that I don’t understand, than that I do understand. And yet, I know I am wiser than ever before in my life.
It is not normal for me to be able to photograph things I don’t understand, so when it happened twice in one week, it gave me pause for thought, and that is why I share it with you.
One morning as I walked I came to the road that I cross. There in the exact middle of the road was a piece of litter. Rubbish. Refuse. Sunlight fell across it, as if to highlight the faux pas. Since I am a light chaser, and there was not a car in sight, it was a shot I could not resist. I actually believe we can highlight inequities more effectively by using beauty than by raging.
the beauty of ugliness
Litter is possibly number one on my list of things I don’t understand. I know the excuses for it, but none of them are valid reasons, in my experience. The very least we can do to help the earth and to be thoughtful of our environment is take our rubbish with us or deposit it carefully.
The second event happened only a few days after the first one, but in a completely different place, Adelaide in South Australia. We were visiting our daughter and while she was at work and my husband was at the reference library, I was doing shopping errands in the city. As I walked down the Mall I saw a woman bend to give a man, who was begging, an apple. He accepted it and seemed to put it in his pocket.
A short while later I was walking passed the spot again, and saw this…
misunderstood apple
The apple. At the time, when I saw the man, something about him had struck me as slightly ‘not quite right’. His beard was a little too well trimmed, his clothes a little bit too clean and tidy. And yet, he was clearly begging. And clearly he was not begging for food. I suppose it is possible he can’t eat apples. I can’t eat raw apples, so I can allow that may be possible. Perhaps my assessment of his appearance was judgemental, thinking that homeless people are all a bit scruffy looking. Perhaps he was being thoughtful and leaving the apple for someone who needed it worse.
Later that same morning I was approached by an elderly man asking for money. Not food. Money. The experience with the first man made me wary of the second one. Not that I usually contribute to street beggars, but it made me wonder. If I gave him money, would he use it for alcohol or drugs or food? Was I being compassionate by refusing—or by donating? How does one know what to do? Soon after, as I passed a mobile coffee and cafe vendor who I believe to be reputable in helping to feed the homeless, I made my contribution to him. Perhaps that was the right thing, perhaps not. How does one know? I have come to believe that it is the intention with which we do these things that matters. Is there compassion and love behind the act?
These are two very different events, most of us have seen many times in our lives. We are confronted with decisions and therefor, actions, or not. After 63 years on this earth, I wish I had gotten beyond my misunderstanding of such commonplace things. But I have not. Share your thoughts with me. Illuminate me.
ardysez 
I don’t understand littering either. Years ago, this problem was addressed successfully through an anti littering campaign in Australia in the 1980s. We probably need another campaign like this for the current generation. Most of the litter along the busy through road where I live, 13 kms from the nearest shopping centre and fast food outlet, all of the roadside litter comes from one source- McDonalds. The litter increases on the weekend as we have a very famous and well attended Saturday market in St Andrews. Tourists and visitors throw stuff from their car windows into the bush- I find this extraordinary. Unbelievable.
On the same topic, from 1999 to about 2008 I worked in a large Catholic Secondary College and when on yard duty, I noticed students dropping litter or found rubbish around the grounds of what is a very beautiful, park environment. When I confronted them, they often replied, with a certain arrogant tone, “that’s the cleaner’s job’. Unbelievable. I mention the type of school, to indicate that this arrogant and ill educated behaviour crosses every class.
with regard to the street beggar, most beggars want money not food. I don’t ever question what the money is used on. I once did, but now that I am older, I don’t make these judgements. I hand out gold coins to those who ask. I suspect the money is used for alcohol or smokes. If I was homeless, which is often the result of a system that doesn’t cater for those suffering from mental illness and other disabilities, I think I would resort to any form of drug abuse. The vicious circle. I can afford, as a middle class person, to go to Dan Murphy’s and buy a fine wine. My drinking is done in the safety of my own home. The street person, once known in Australia as a ‘dero’, drinks publicly because of homelessness, thus incurring public judgement. Give money, not apples.
When I was homeless for 9 months after the bushfires of 2009, I was a recipient of much charity. The salvos gave us food vouchers. They never asked us ( we look and act like middle class people) if we were deserving of the vouchers. They never do. This is what I love about the Salvation Army. They do not judge people ever. At that time we were very needy. Meanwhile, the Department of Welfare and Bureaucratic Nonsense often did question our right to the benefits that were offered to all those affected by the fire. Because of the way we spoke?
These are some of the things that I have learnt along the way. My views are based only on my experience only. I am still learning.
Sorry for the long comment Ardys. Your post today struck a deep chord.
LikeLiked by 2 people
As always, I learn a lot from the comments stemming from my writings. Thank you for taking the time to write such a good comment, Francesca. I think I told you once, I was standing near a rubbish bin and watched someone who was even closer than myself, throw rubbish on the ground rather than take two steps to deposit it into the bin. Now that I’ve read your account I can see even more the complexity of the issue. I value your opinion of the care given by the Salvation Army, one of my favourite organisations to contribute to. I wish I had had Eha’s Father’s lessons about giving to others…very good approach to life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LikeLike
Francesca – came on to comment: after your brilliant writing and a video we all in Australia well know, I have nought original to say except to fully agree with you . . . thank you so much for expressing what most of us do think . . .
‘Funny’ story re part of my v early childhood in N Europe. Ar age 5 I got my first pocket money: 1/3 each to spend, to keep and to share with those less fortunate. My military lawyer father gave me big latitude and Tallinn had a lot of ‘beggars’. He was a wee bit shocked when I took him to my favourite one, insisted on spending my bit on a bowl of soup in the charity soup kitchen and wiggled my fingers at the lovely guy to say ‘no vodka with this’ 🙂 ! My Dad actually manged to get the bloke a farm job . . . luvverly . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an amazing upbringing you had Eha. And what a father. Great memories and an important message about teaching charity to the young.
LikeLike
Thank you for your reply, Francesca – yes, he was the bestest teacher in the world! BUT: I hate the word ‘charity’ . . . at the other ‘end of my time’ I still love to HELP others . . . understand why they may be in the situation they are . . . and ask ‘what can I do’ with my limited resources ?’ The socalled ‘giving’ totally pales in the significance of what ‘I get’ emotionally : quite selfish really . . .
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely, luvverly story, Eha. My parents taught me many things, but I guess they thought the lesson of giving/helping others would somehow be learned from watching them. I’m sure we did to some degree, but giving to ‘charities’ or homeless was never something they demonstrated. They gave to members of the family, to church and to individuals as circumstances presented themselves, but it was not anything as clear as the lesson from your father. After I had long been grown, I learned from the minister of our church of my father’s gift of a Christmas tree to a woman who had a number of children and no husband/father. My Mother was a nurse for the local doctor in our town and she did many extra caring duties for others, and I suppose those were the kinds of situations I learned from. I don’t remember homeless people in the town where I grew up, but I’m sure there must have been some. Thank you Eha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember these ads. They were around when I first came to Australia in 1983. I especially like the emphasis put on kids looking like they are having a good time binning the rubbish. Thanks for the blast from the past, Francesca!
LikeLike
What a broad, brave topic. I don’t understand either, and you’ve expressed it beautifully. But each of us make our own choices and can only hope to do right firstly by ourselves because after that it gets complicated… For me paying forward as you did works or assessed (which I think is a kinder, fairer term than judged) giving & letting the recipient make their choices has all I’ve been able to manage… Over the years I’ve shared well received half sandwiches, lots of gold coins and a few notes, contributed to programs and charities, and been conned a few times too but with the best of intentions I’m sure. It’s easier when you’re familiar with the area and community, much harder to know in unfamiliar places. I’ve also berated a few people for littering, lazy thoughtless b*st*rds!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Dale. I like your idea of giving to others and letting them decide how they use the contributions. I suppose there is more dignity in that scenario, than might be if they are told how and what will be given to them. Even if they choose to do more harm to themselves, it is their own choice in the end.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A most difficult decision to make, donate or not.The ones I see on the streets of Chester I do tend to give a small amount to because there seems no option other than outright refusal and I’d hate to see someone grow hungry.
Yours is a great alternative and if I could persuade a local cafe to provide food/drink I’d happily give my money to them to handle it.
Littering? It seems to be mainly the young and comes from ignorance and laziness. Much stronger penalties for littering would probably help (like a few hours a day collecting litter) but education in schools about what will and what won’t biodegrade could also help, and getting manufacturers to consider using biodegradable packaging also.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
LikeLike
I can remember our daughter coming home from school ‘educating me’ on things like not littering and recycling and the environment! So at least one school was teaching it, 20 or more years ago. That is a long time ago now, I guess, and the schools are so overburdened with extra things they are expected to teach, one wonders what other alternatives there might be? Thanks David, your comments are always thoughtful and caring. xx
LikeLike
Our parish pays for a litter picker 3 days a week because “the community expect the area to be kept to a certain standard”. My reaction is they should learn not to drop litter and pick it up when they see it, but I’m a lone voice. The footpaths around our fields are filled with litter dropped by walkers (most hated are bags of dog poo). Our neighbour had a heap of tyres dumped in his field yesterday and on Sunday someone dumped a car in our lane and set fire to it.
I wish I could write a gracious piece like you have, but words fail me at the lack of responsibility that people have.
I like your idea of supporting the coffee vendor. I have a friend who often stops to talk to people begging. One time, an elderly man said he was always cold and she marched off to the charity shop to buy him an overcoat. She is a good person. I hope that if I regularly went to town and saw the same person over and over that I would stop to talk but I’m not sure if I would.
A thought provoking post to start my day.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your friend sounds very good, to stop and talk to people. I have a friend who offers to buy people a meal and talks to them. She tells me that often doesn’t work as they don’t want food, they want the money. I am very timid around people I don’t know, and in public, so I couldn’t bring myself to do that, but I still try to find ways to contribute. The litter and rubbish problem you describe sounds most unpleasant. What a shame. Eew, dropped bags of dog poo… It is hard to know when someone is dropping litter, if they have no idea of the alternative, or if they just don’t care. It’s hard to believe it is lack of knowledge, and how do we encourage people to care? I’m glad you thought this post was thought provoking. Thank you for commenting.
LikeLike
Litter is so unnecessary! But, I see people blithely toss things in the street, on pavements, on roadsides, etc. – often within easy distance of a trash can. I think it is a social statement of “I don’t care”, a kind of arrogance that they and only they matter. As for beggars, I had my fill of them in Oxford. Many are quite aggressive when you pass by and don’t throw coins down (and many never accept food or clothing). I’ve also seen organised begging where young babies and children are used – often in a drugged stupor to keep them quiet. It is horrible! I don’t include the vendors of the Big Issue in this category which is an organised and actually offers the homeless a way of making a legitimate income. But, beside the Big Issue vendors, it is often difficult to detect who really needs help and who abuses.
LikeLike
Yes, I agree that tossing litter is an arrogant or at least uncaring behaviour. As I said to Lorraine, I do occasionally buy a Big Issue and I do support buskers if I feel they are providing genuine entertainment and putting some effort into it. There is a fellow here in town who blows a harmonica in and out and it sounds like cats in a roomful of rocking chairs and I would gladly pay him if he would stop. But he doesn’t even have his hand out, poor chap. I think he is a lost soul. That is a sad state you described of begging in Oxford and drugging children. I did see a bit of it when we were there. Thank you Debi.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Litter. I will look at the glass half full for a moment. Perhaps the litter was not intentional but was picked up from the intended disposal and carried by winds or rains. Storms carry things great distances. This is so evident when we walk the beaches where we dive. It is so sad to see miles of litter (mostly plastic) along beautiful stretches of remote beaches. Trash even below the water on shallow dives. Now, the glass empty. It infuriates me even to see people throw cigarette butts to the side or out their car window. Intentional littering is so maddening.
Homeless/Hungry. I have been caught in that dilemma of not knowing what was the right thing to do until I educated myself on what resources exist where I live for the homeless/hungry. They will NOT go hungry. If anyone is begging in Ann Arbor or Detroit, they are not begging for food. There are meals plenty by city and religious organizations every where around me. And they know this. They want money, most assuredly for drugs. And there are organized rings, assigned shifts. We now either donate our time in the homeless ministries or we give our money to the well established, reputable organizations that can serve these people at the level they need to be served. And it isn’t with money in their pockets on that given day. The burden I feel as I say no is not because I think I am not meeting someone’s need. It is because their life circumstances/choices led them to that point.
LikeLike
Yes, there are many excuses/reasons why the litter can be in places, but I see so much of it that I doubt it is all by chance winds! I could (and sometimes do) pick up a grocery bag full every couple of weeks on my morning walks. We tend to have begging from indigenous people here called ‘humbugging’ and the local wisdom is not to support it as it is often itinerates moving through and not the local indigenous population. I do support buskers and I do buy a magazine occasionally called the Big Issue which is an organised publication put together to help the homeless and people in difficult circumstances help support themselves. I donate both money and clothing to the Salvation Army and other things along the way. Thanks for weighing in Lorraine, I always appreciate your contribution.
LikeLike
Very clever shots Ardys!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sarah! Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure!
LikeLike
Bravo for broaching these sensitive issues. I’m a dog owner and my biggest gripe with litter is dog poop. It’s rare to see a dog roaming free in my locality so I can only assume the human holding the other end of the lead has made a conscious choice to ignore their dogs bodily functions. I speculate that there would be an explosive reaction if they stood in it. There is no excuse, our local council has poop pick up bags at all the bins along the river walkway. Not sure if it’s ignorance or arrogance that results in this behaviour.
When I was working in the food industry we supported needy people with soup and sandwiches, then one day we discovered our offerings in the gutter. I made a personal decision then to support a city mission dedicated to feeding, clothing and housing those in need rather than individuals. They do an amazing job.
LikeLike
Being a very dry climate here, dog poop is not as much of a problem as other places. It shrivels up and dries and I have only ever stepped in it once in all the walks I’ve taken over the years. Chalk one up for Alice. That said, I have noticed lately a new plastic bag dispenser for ‘doggie do’ on my main walking path, and I have seen a couple of people using it, but mostly not. It speaks volumes for the lack of responsibility most people take for their pets, though. If they don’t collect the refuse, they probably don’t care if the dog barks all day while they are at work, or pees on your flowers in the garden or any number of other antisocial activities, and don’t get me started on cats… I can imagine you would be very disappointed to see the food you and others supplied, dumped in the gutter. Thoughtless and wasteful. Supporting missions or other organisations seems a good way to go. Thanks for your thoughts, Sandra.
LikeLike
One of my grandmothers left a legacy of compassion for the poor. She lived about 1/4 of a mile from the railroad tracks in rural Nebraska. Many times when we stayed the weekend with our grandparents, Bums or railway travelers, came to her door politely asking for food. She always told them there was a drinking cup for fresh water at the well just a few feet away, and they could “clean up” there. She would return in a bit with a lovely lunch. Leftover fried chicken or a pork chop, potato salad, and her homemade pickles on the side. Sometimes she brought a small dessert cake when they were finished. She even offered coffee! We kids were not allowed to go outside and the screen door was locked, but we curiously watched and sometimes if the bum was interested he would visit with us… but Grandma said it wasn’t polite to ask too many questions. Her acts of kindness influenced me more than she could ever know. I am inclined to do as you did… make the best decision I can and feel good about whatever it was, not questioning too much how it turned out.
I will never understand litter. It’s everywhere. I generally have a bag with me wherever I go so that I can clean up what I find. I really believe we need to discuss this in schools when children are young… we can change this, by talking about it and doing something!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the way you said your grandmother ‘left a legacy of compassion for the poor’. Lovely. And what a nice legacy she left, offering them such good food, and even coffee! But the best part of course is that she lived the act of giving so that you could internalise that role model. That, I think, is the best teacher for anything, including not littering. Thank you for sharing that beautiful story of your grandmother, Lori.
LikeLiked by 1 person