Winnipeg Adult Education Centre

 This is in response to you who live here in Winnipeg and visitors. Be glad and proud that you can afford to smoke. Say no to those who bum for a cigarette so you don’t kill them with a life threatening inhalent. Don’t feel guilty for saying no, when really you’re actually saving their lives by saying no. And you, the less fortunate ones, don’t bum for a cigarette. Don’t do anything stupid to get one either. I am saying this because, this one person demanded I give him a cigarette when he saw me smoking one. I told him “no” and he didn’t accept my answer, so he violently attacked me. So I hit him back 3 times in self-defense and this is how it happened; me hitting him, him hitting the side walk, and the ambulance hitting 80mph down the street to pick him up. So find a job so you can support your own habits.

Nathon P.

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Can’t Beat em’… Ask Them!

Lets face it, panhandlers and beggars are here to stay. They’ve been with us always even back through history. Right?
Here’s the ticker. It really bothers me when they blatantly get right up in your face. They butt into your conversations and have on occasion become arrogant, intimidating and aggressive. My partner and I experience this two and three times on a daily basis. Usually upon observation, you can spot them a block away. He’s just been turned down by four people and you’re target number five. Most times they want cash for coffee, bus fare or food. They even want a drag of YOUR cigarette. They just won’t go away!
So I figured out how to handle this. The panhandlers probably have more in their hat than you do. Ask them for a couple of bucks. The beggars just want your cash to feed their addictions. When you see them coming get them first. Ask them for a smoke, change, food, and bus fare. And repeat it every time you see them. They get to know you, and won’t ask you anymore. If enough people did this all the time, hopefully they will figure out that they need to sing for their luxuries.

Rose-Marie S.