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This is one thing I find hilarious in minor ways, yet very annoying and obnoxious in the majority of the case. I experienced this in many different neighborhoods of NYC including mine. I am sure many of the numerous individuals here may have experienced this scenario a few times too many also.
When there is a turnstile "can I have or use your metrocard" beggar who waits along the turnstiles of the subway, asking you and others if they can get a swipe or even if you can buy them a Metro. In the majority of my experience these folks do not appear homeless! Some will ask you every time you see them, others have the audacity to 'pinch and swipe the air' as if you suppose to know what that means (you would eventually get the point). I've seen this among younger individual in their mid to later teens and men in their 50's and 60's.
I've seen this a notable amount of times, day and night. In my particular stop, I've seen the same metrocard beggar keying his apt door shut, when I was walking around him and had time to go to the deli, few minutes later, as I am walking up the staircase, he is doing his "hand swipe to the air" gesture while walking up the same stairs (with shopping items in plastic bag) to folks going up and down, and then waiting at the turnstile asking people getting off or going.
Why make plans to go out and take the train if one cannot afford or even consider buying a metrocard. It's obnoxious...
This is one thing I find hilarious in minor ways, yet very annoying and obnoxious in the majority of the case. I experienced this in many different neighborhoods of NYC including mine. I am sure many of the numerous individuals here may have experienced this scenario a few times too many also.
When there is a turnstile "can I have or use your metrocard" beggar who waits along the turnstiles of the subway, asking you and others if they can get a swipe or even if you can buy them a Metro. In the majority of my experience these folks do not appear homeless! Some will ask you every time you see them, others have the audacity to 'pinch and swipe the air' as if you suppose to know what that means (you would eventually get the point). I've seen this among younger individual in their mid to later teens and men in their 50's and 60's.
I've seen this a notable amount of times, day and night. In my particular stop, I've seen the same metrocard beggar keying his apt door shut, when I was walking around him and had time to go to the deli, few minutes later, as I am walking up the staircase, he is doing his "hand swipe to the air" gesture while walking up the same stairs (with shopping items in plastic bag) to folks going up and down, and then waiting at the turnstile asking people getting off or going.
Why make plans to go out and take the train if one cannot afford or even consider buying a metrocard. It's obnoxious...
Most are not homeless, Just looking for the free ride. They are less of a concern then the ones who sell swipes i think. I had some words one once after i was using the machine and he walked up and hit cancel so i would buy a $2.00 swipe from him. Best advice here: Just keep moving along.
I've thought about saying "give me a dollar for it" and split the benefit, but the response will invariably be the same- they have so many people they can ask, they will ignore and move on.
A couple of weeks ago a woman stopped me on Queens Blvd. asking me how to get to the Bronx. I thought she was asking for directions and I pointed her to a subway entrance nearby (which I had just exited). My metrocard was still in my hand and she grabbed it out of my hand saying that is not what she meant (meaning she didn't need directions). She clarified that she was looking for help to pay her fare as she handed me back my metrocard. She was nicely dressed and definitely didn't look like she was homeless or couldn't afford to use the subway. I just continued on my way which was in the opposite direction and didn't look back. I remember feeling somewhat shocked at the time.
Most are not homeless, Just looking for the free ride.
In Harlem, especially at the 127th entrance of the 125th Street stop, they are clearly not homeless. They are locals and quite aggressive. At least a dozen or so are lined up at any given time, accosting people. My neighbor (social worker) told me that most welfare programs provide a metrocard, and that people commonly sell this for cash, therefore lacking one for themselves.
Someone told me that a person giving a swipe can be ticketed - do not know whether this is true.
At one time I would do this when people asked, I then stopped.
In Harlem, especially at the 127th entrance of the 125th Street stop, they are clearly not homeless. They are locals and quite aggressive. At least a dozen or so are lined up at any given time, accosting people. My neighbor (social worker) told me that most welfare programs provide a metrocard, and that people commonly sell this for cash, therefore lacking one for themselves.
Someone told me that a person giving a swipe can be ticketed - do not know whether this is true.
At one time I would do this when people asked, I then stopped.
I think it is! i know buying a swipe from the illegal sellers can. It's one of those things that create just that little extra stress daily in this city, Just like the folks who hang out in front of convenience stores hitting people up for change-Or beer. Yes, A guy asked me point blank to get him a small budwieser once on my dime.
A couple of weeks ago a woman stopped me on Queens Blvd. asking me how to get to the Bronx. I thought she was asking for directions and I pointed her to a subway entrance nearby (which I had just exited). My metrocard was still in my hand and she grabbed it out of my hand saying that is not what she meant (meaning she didn't need directions). She clarified that she was looking for help to pay her fare as she handed me back my metrocard. She was nicely dressed and definitely didn't look like she was homeless or couldn't afford to use the subway. I just continued on my way which was in the opposite direction and didn't look back. I remember feeling somewhat shocked at the time.
You are a better person than I am. I would have lost my **** if she grabbed my metrocard from my hand, especially considering I was trying to help her by offering directions. Makes me cringe how people like this have no shame.
You are a better person than I am. I would have lost my **** if she grabbed my metrocard from my hand, especially considering I was trying to help her by offering directions. Makes me cringe how people like this have no shame.
As I wrote I was quite shocked when it happened and it was in an area that I don't usually go. But it was in a good area so I would never expected any type of crime there of any kind on a sunny afternoon during a heatwave.
I had some words one once after i was using the machine and he walked up and hit cancel so i would buy a $2.00 swipe from him. Best advice here: Just keep moving along.
WOWZERS!
That takes balls.
Imagine that---your in a rush to get to work and some nut tries to bully you into buying a metrocard from him.
I think I woulda lost my mind.
I think it's a symptom of our freeloading nation- nowadays people seem to expect something for nothing, and have the nerve to get upset when they don't receive it.
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