Montpellier has an abundance of two things:  good looking guys and homeless people.  Those two are generally mutually exclusive unless you go in for that dirty, dred-locked look.  This post isn’t about the handsome folks though.  Just thought they deserved a little mention.  :p

Now, I don’t mind the odd accordian player in the square with his hat out or even the electric guitar dude in the train station who has his amp turned up waaay too loud, and I even put money in the breastfeeding gypsie’s cup, but the other day I had a run in with the most enterprising begging yet.  While dozing on the train I was awoken by a fellow handing out flyers.  Here is what it said:

Hello dear brother,

I am homeless and hungry and I need some money.  Please give anything.  Thank you and god bless.

It was handwritten and then photocopied and cut out.  After a few minutes the guy made his way back down our car to pick up the flyers and money (but I didn’t see him get much) and I couldn’t help wondering why he didn’t try something a little more productive to earn money.  The guy obviously went to some trouble to make flyers and hand them out and then pick them all up, making the rounds on the train…seems like a lot of energy for begging.  But alas, there wasn’t even a sob-story on the flyer.  Perhaps if he had just gone that extra mile …colored paper perhaps?  a special font?  maybe some card stock even!?? or envelopes!! yes, envelopes for the cash!!!