MSGID: 1:153/757.21@fidonet ecad7fd9   
   PID: OpenXP/5.0.48 (Win32)   
   CHRS: ASCII 1   
   TZUTC: -0500   
   Yesterday I got a flashback to the past when a deaf/dumb fellow     
   walked into my shop.  I didn't think the deaf/dumb tactic was a     
   thing anymore.   
      
   My shop is partially dark, (reduced overhead lighting during     
   lockdown) and cold (reduced heating). I thought it was unusual     
   that someone wouldn't respond to my "Hello".  He just comes up     
   to the check-out counter and proceeds to pull out 3 different ID     
   cards and lay them out. They looked rather worn from being     
   stored in a pocket.  I did not look very closely, but one of     
   them had the words "deaf", "hearing", "please", "give".   
      
   I didn't look any closer for more details.  I just said "I don't     
   have time for this."  Meanwhile, while standing in front of me,     
   the fellow looks around the store.  He made no attempt at eye-    
   contact.  There was no attempt to even communicate and     
   appreciate my time or consideration.  This is why I thought this     
   was a pathetic performance and possibly a scam.   
      
   The last time this sort of thing happend was over 8 years ago. A     
   couple of singers with their guitars came into my shop,     
   accompanying an apparrently a deaf girl. The premise was that my     
   dollars would help pay for her livelyhood, or act as a tip for     
   their wonderful unsolicited music, or something. At first I     
   thought that maybe someone was delivering a singing telegram.     
   But the request to pay for the performance combined with the     
   begging really pissed me off more than anything.   
      
   At times like this I wish I could brandish my Crocadile Dundee     
   "you call that a knife?" machette, or call "Tiny", my doberman     
   with a spiked collar, to escort these types out the door.   
      
   --- OpenXP 5.0.48   
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