Let me tell you the story of how I was congratulating myself for being such a good guy, when I was actually being a dick.
Last night I ordered McDonald’s and did the curb side pickup. As I was waiting a young guy without hat and gloves approached my window. I wound it down and he said ‘ That he hadn’t eaten in days and could I give him some money’
I, of course, lied and said that I didn’t have any. He then asked ‘ Could I buy him some food?’ I decided that if he really wanted food, he could have the order I had coming. He was thankful, and even went inside to get some condiments
He stood by my window and when the food arrived, I gave it to him and drove away, secure in the knowledge that I had been a very charitable person.
And then I started thinking about it. I had spent more on the food for him than the 5 bucks I could have given him. Why did I make him prove that he really needed to eat? I was judging his need with the old ‘Bet he’s gonna buy booze’
But there he was pounding that burger and fries back because he was truly hungry. Did I give money to my friends with any conditions attached? Who am I to judge a young guy with no hat or gloves while I’m sitting my fat ass in a nice warm car.
Made me look at my own prejudices and wipe that ‘I’m a very good man’ smug smile off my face. He taught me something that was worth a lot more than a meal.
@threadreaderapp unroll
