Crazy Gratification

There is a guy with dreads in a wheelchair on the corner with "the cup." He yells out, Have a Good Day! Enjoy Your Day! I usually feel like, "Okay, at least he's being positive about wanting money." Then the other day I hear him yell, "There are some extra beds in the loony bin! Space is available!" I laughed outloud.

The other day, my friend, Michael Deep, was walking down the street and he sneezed. Out of the shadows a man covered (except for his face), says in a low, throaty voice, "God Bless You." Michael says, "Thanks." He continues walking and stops at a crosswalk. The man is right behind him and says, "Hey, man, did you hear what I said, I said, "God Bless You!." Of course, expecting Michael to give him money for his "kind remark." Michael turns around and says, "I don't owe you ANYTHING." And then very sincerely says, "God Bless You" and walked on. The man shrugged and turned back where he came from.

Since when did providing a little human kindness, or more importantly, receiving a little human kindness cost you something?