Friday after work I was waiting for the bus home when a woman with an unfocussed air approached me.
S
he kept looking up at the sky then sideways at me then up at the sky, bobbing her head up and down while just standing there silently. I saw she was dressed too lightly for the weather, with an open blouse and obviously no bra ... I was concerned she was going to flash me by accident or otherwise ... and carrying an open sleeping bag.
It didn't look right.
"Got a cigarette?" she mumbled at last. The words were slurred.
"No," I said truthfully, and "I don't have any money" untruthfully. It looked like she was going to beg for money which I don't give to people on the street. I want to help, but not to waste.
She stood there, mumbling and looking up then sideways then up.
I asked, "Do you need help?" I did not know what help to offer but it was obvious something was not right. Surely someone would be along I could refer her to.
She mumbled something I did not understand.
"The Union Gospel Mission can help. It's that way," I pointed.
They had done some good work in the past with some people I knew. This wasn't much to offer but it's all I could think of.
She said, "Got a match?".
"No" I replied. "Where do you live?" Maybe she stayed somewhere that would take care of her and what a relief that would be.
"I'm homeless".
She put the sleeping bag around her shoulder and disappeared into the crowd.
I wasn't going to follow her and more actively insist she accept help from whatever source I could google on my smartphone, but I don't think that I handled this situation well. I don't know how better to handle it.
What would you do?
