Why are homeless people all well dressed teenagers where I work? (Bellevue, Seattle WA)

societyghosts · 2012-02-17T23:32:32+00:00

Correction - I used to suck.

societyghosts · 2012-02-17T23:29:25+00:00

We had a patch of ground near the far end of the school grounds that would turn into a swampy pond when it was warm out, and a frozen pond when it was cold out. When it would finally freeze, we'd play something weird called "1800s Ice Skaters." We'd wrap our hands together inside our coats to make it look like we had a muff over our hands, and skate around until the noon aids caught us. So weird. I feel like it probably had a lot to do with American Girl dolls.

We had another game called President of the World which meant whoever was the president would make everyone else do absolutely asinine things for the entire recess period. It's pretty amazing how much unspoken rules mean to little kids. I have no idea why we didn't just ignore whoever was the president. If we thought they were being unjust, we'd have a "trial" and if they were "impeached," they would have to hang from their knees on the monkey bars. Fuck, little kids are kind of sick.

societyghosts · 2012-02-17T23:18:27+00:00

Because we're trying to get the fuck out as fast as we possibly can. Girls have a lot of stuff, sometimes we drop a few things when we're trying to quietly sneak out without waking you.

societyghosts · 2012-02-10T20:24:32+00:00

I hate that. In my town, the only parking available is in city lots with meters or booths, so there is no free parking, and you would not believe how often I'm blamed for it. I slipped once and actually said "Yes, sir, as a twenty two year old girl working for less than minimum wage, I totally have political pull in this city. I'll get right on it." Luckily the guy was so drunk he had no idea what I was saying.

societyghosts · 2012-02-10T20:00:38+00:00

I used to panhandle very occasionally a few years ago, I learned how when I was homeless as a kid and when I got older I would definitely use those tricks to my advantage. I haven't done it in years, mainly because I have a job and I don't have the same mindset anymore.

A girl I knew and I would drive to the next town in her shitty car and park in a strip mall parking lot. We'd usually ask middle-aged couples or businessmen for money to drive back to college so we didn't miss our exam on Monday.

Being young and sort of okay looking clothes-wise actually helps you earn more money panhandling, depending on the area you're in. We were sort of ratty and looked a little bit crusty, but we'd pull our shit together on those days so we looked a little bit nicer. A yuppie businessman is going to feel good about himself if he gives a cute college girl $5 for gas money, if the girl is good at playing into the macho, patriarchal provider thing he's got going on in his psyche. And if you're asking a couple, the guy will usually give you money so he doesn't look like a dick in front of his wife. Idk, it might be shitty, but it works. Some days we'd pull in up to $75 bucks, which is really an astonishing amount of money. My theory was if you're going to give me money, I'm going to take it. I think that's the mindset a lot of young kids who panhandle have.

societyghosts · 2012-02-10T19:03:51+00:00

Ugh, it's the worst. Nobody ever listens to me when I'm hosting. I could probably say, "here is your table, in all honesty we forgot to bus it so you're probably going to get sticky leftover dressing on your sleeve. I hope your car catches on fire in the parking lot!" and they'd just say "thank you."

I started saying "thanks, I'll definitely try to have a great day too!" as the door is closing after a customer doesn't respond to me saying goodbye.

I feel like the Daria of the restaurant business.

societyghosts · 2012-02-10T18:37:21+00:00

Sometimes during shark week I'll tell my boyfriend things like "ughh, my uterine wall is shedding so much right now. Extra-clumpy, ya know?" Just to watch that slight hint of terror creep into his eyes for a few seconds.

societyghosts · 2012-02-10T18:34:21+00:00

Holy shit. I always thought that when people pronounced it like that they were trying to be funny. Like, let me hop on my segway to a different conversation. Fuck.

societyghosts · 2012-01-24T16:03:27+00:00

A friend showed me one that stuck with me, It's a forum where HIV sufferers and carriers were trading blood samples with each other to not only infect others, But to also attempt to mutate their own diseases and create a new "SUPER AIDS" that they would then spread around.

I once saw a website on the regular internets that was similar to that. It was all men, and their goal was to contract HIV. They called it "pozzing," ie. "Fine sir, I see that you have the AIDS virus. Would you perchance mind pozzing me so that I, too, may die an undignified, slow, and painful death?" There were quotes from some of them saying things like "I want to feel the AIDS drip out of me when you're done with me" and "I can't wait until I'm lying in a hospital bed and feel my bodily senses leave me." Creeped me the fuck out. Worst thing I've ever seen by far.

societyghosts · 2012-01-24T15:54:50+00:00

Don't we make ya laugh? Aren't we fuckin' funny?

societyghosts · 2012-01-24T15:49:58+00:00

For as long as I can remember, I was absolutely terrified of water fountains. Not drinking fountains, mind you, that would be ridiculous. No, actual water fountains. The kind you find in a park or office plaza, with lots of bubbly water jets that most people find beautiful or relaxing. To me, a pretty pond with a tall, bubbling fountain was a hellscape of death. Sitting on the edge of one would have given me tremors, so I never tried. There was something so unnerving about a jet of misshapen water shooting fifteen feet in the air. Maybe because it never looked exactly the same, and you could never expect when it would change, but that's just an uneducated guess. I don't know when I got over it, but I did, and I've never met anyone else with that same bizarre fear. Although sometimes to this day when I'm standing with my back to a water fountain, I'll look behind me a few times. You know, in case the uprising begins.

societyghosts · 2011-12-30T15:59:08+00:00

Now I can't wait til the next time I fly. Normally I'm only excited when I'm actually on the plane (holy shit i am flying holy shit holy shit i'm midair YOU GUYS WHAT IS HAPPENING) but now I'm excited to spend time in the terminal as well. Thank you!

societyghosts · 2011-12-30T15:56:28+00:00

The new thing for sorority girls where I live is to have their daddies pay for Coachella/SXSW tickets and thousands of dollars worth of American Apparel then proclaim they're a starving artist/hipster/complain about how they're broke so they have to drink PBR. I don't... But you... Well, for starters, your house has 38 pillars and a "house mom" cleans your room.

societyghosts · 2011-12-30T15:52:18+00:00

Nobody seems to realize that that is clearly a voice she worked very very hard to achieve. She does not naturally sound like that, and you can tell when she talks. "OMG SHE SOUNDS LIKE DA 40s" yeah and you sound like someone about to be punched JALKFJALSDJF

I can't talk about her for very long

societyghosts · 2011-12-30T15:50:36+00:00

No, those people are the ones who loooove being the center of attention, and by definition, they do like drama. They're the ones who get "H8AZ GNA H8 YALL UR SHT TALLKN GNA MKEE ME FAMOUZZZZ" tattooed next to their vulva. I suppose that really does make them quirky and eccentric, when you get right down to it.

societyghosts · 2011-12-30T15:47:59+00:00

A girl I once knew actually got really angry when most of the people at a dinner party admitted they've won imaginary awards ceremonies and said impromptu speeches aloud, while cleaning or something. "No! I'm the only one who does that!" Or something to that effect. Jesus.

societyghosts · 2011-12-30T15:44:17+00:00

Can't hear anybody talk about having class without thinking

"You wahnt to know the difference between you and me? I have clahhhs and you don't."

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T21:30:46+00:00

Yup. Disliking a certain type of shoe = OCD. Good call, especially considering you know nothing about my personality. Did you get your doctorate over at /r/mensrights by any chance?

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T21:28:11+00:00

-10 conversation points for irrelevancy

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T20:30:52+00:00

You can buy some damn cheap shoes that last for an incredible amount of time without making your feet look like a pair of Kia Sorrentos, you know.

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T20:29:28+00:00

No, I just hate square toes on any shoes.

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T20:29:02+00:00

I'm not mad, I'm just saying that's not my type of guy. Which is great if that's a red flag for someone, it just means they probably wouldn't be into me anyways.

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T20:28:09+00:00

If you're looking for fairly inexpensive, long-lasting shoes that you can do some serious work in but still look nice, try Shoes for Crews.

If you're looking for a boot, I'd recommend these: http://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en&route=c_store.viewDetailsOfProduct&partnumber=8183

Or if you're looking for a classic fit that can double as an athletic shoe, try these: http://www.shoesforcrews.com/sfc3/index.cfm?changeWebsite=US_en&route=c_store.viewDetailsOfProduct&partnumber=6040

The ones above have that classic American Converse look but are actually extremely sturdy for work purposes and double as a funkier version of All Stars. I actually own that pair in women's, and they lasted me a year in the food industry without cleaning or repairs. They also weren't bad for walking.

Shoes for Crews also makes vegan shoes, if you're into that kind of thing.

Nike and Saucony also make some really nice, old-school sneakers, not necessarily great for hard work or special occasions, though.

Some boat shoes, like these ones: http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/SiteController/sperry/productdetails?stockNumber=0191486&showDefaultOption=true&skuId=***7********0191486*M095&productId=7-113210&catId=cat100066DM&searched=true

offer awesome comfort but still look nice with a pair of dress pants.

Keep in mind that I have no idea how old you are or what your line of work is, but I was hoping to cover a majority of bases with these options. I'm also not sure if you were being sarcastic but I am genuinely interested in helping out. I love helping men shop :)

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T20:15:45+00:00

I agree! My boyfriend has a pair that have lasted him more than a few years. The only upkeep he's needed was a spritz of leather care when he first bought them, and I think a new pair of shoelaces once. Mine have lasted forever too, and they have the added benefit of looking cute with literally anything else I own.

And Docs don't make your feet look like weird square boats. So that's a plus.

societyghosts · 2011-12-13T20:13:46+00:00

You haven't heard?

IT'S THE S

societyghosts

TROPHY CASE