A Norristown Experience

Its a beautiful Saturday morning, my husband and I decided to take a walk to McDonald's for breakfast. We were less than 10 feet from our front door when we heard "Yo, let me get a cigarette" Excuse me? Are manners considered to be un-cool these days? Perhaps you should try asking rather than coming off as if, we know or worse OWE you. After a quick and firm NO.... We continued our journey which was short lived, in a stern, bold voice we heard "Yo, you just told me you didn't have any smokes"...... Ummmm, no we never said we didn't have any, we simply denied your demand for one. At this point we were both amazed he had the audacity to confront us! With a look of disbelief we continued on only to run into Jabba the hutt's look a like, who proceeded to ask for 5 dollars!!! Yes, 5 dollars. Now we realize the economy isn't back to 100% yet, but that's ridiculous.... Whatever happen to a quarter or spare change? But once again request denied.... And then finally, we arrived at our destination, McDonald's......  And when we first walked in it appeared to be very crowded.......But we were wrong.... Out of approximately 20 tables, each one occupied by one person.... 3 were nursing a small coffee, 2 were sleeping and another was begging for money and cigarettes. We tried the old 'I don't see or hear you tactic'.... but she has seen this tactic before because she then came right up to our table to ask... I will say this, at least she was polite when she asked "Do you have an extra cigarette", although the outcome was no different, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a big fat no, I never leave home without them anymore.... There are so many people who are under the impression that sometimes a pack of cigarettes comes with some extra's, well I am here to set that rumor straight. NEVER.... That never happens. If you are planning to head out today, I leave you with this..... Put a bunch of NO's in your pocket, believe me, you are going to need them..... The way I see it the more we give change, these Norristown experiences won't ever change..... In my opinion, If you can ask "Would you like fries with that: there is a job out there for you, go get one....