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missriggie · 5 years

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All That and a Bag of Chips

This past Sunday I had the pleasure of attending a private performance of a good friend of mine (and a great inspiration in some of the hardest times in my life). After his spectacular show, I got to catch up with some old mates, who had a surplus of Sprinters Chips (or crisps for you British readers), two bags of the Aldi-brand 20 packet varieties that were a burden to be sure. I offered to take this bag off their hands so they weren’t lugging these beasts around the city and all the way back home. But I couldn’t very well eat them all myself. That’s a tall order, especially since there were plans to hit Oporto before another gig that I was to attend. Plus, there was no way the bouncers would let me in with contraband items, even if they were harmless bags of chips. I figured, why not spread the love? Feed the people along the way? So that’s what I did.

My go-to recipients at first were obvious: the homeless that dot the streets of Sydney. Someone once told me that the first signs of a corrupt society was the presence of homeless people. I won’t get into political a political tangent, I am writing this as a more of an observation for Sydney’s overall attitude to the people around them, but my heart goes out to these poor people. ‘Much good that does’ I think sarcastically, most don’t have a choice, don’t have family or friends they can live with or at least talk to. A home and a meal is something so many people take for granted, and these people don’t even have that, only able to beg, or give what they have in exchange for surviving another day. I am aware that there are some lost and confused souls that become dependent on drugs to take the pain away, and curse those trying to help by giving them anything other money to feed their habit. It makes me sad to think what could have happened to cause such a drastic turn that only makes it worse for them. I hope, one day, they do find the means of rehabilitating themselves and getting back on their feet, if they aren’t given a chance, what hope have we if we ever walk in their shoes down the line? *knock on wood*

Even so, there were still hearts warmed by the offer of a snack to get their mind off it. Rotted teeth or no, a smile is a smile, and it’s precious to see one given to you.

Once I had reached Redfern station and on my way to the next venue, there was still a hefty amount of chips in that bag, so I offered some to passers-by. There were some takers, some shakers, one that amused me the most was an adorable French man suspicious of a camera or a prank of some kind. When I had assured him that there was nothing to embarrass him, just a chance to lighten the load, he promptly took five packets to share with his friend. Of the 20 packets, there were about thirteen left. We boarded the train, and I walked through three or four carriages, giving away free chips only three seemed happy to take some. Among the takers was a zenned-out musician – you know the kind, friendship bracelets, V-neck shirt and a Keith Urban hairdo. I must have interrupted him in the middle of thinking through his next song, but to him a bag of chips was a godsend. But the most grateful to receive one was an older man as I was getting off at Wynyard, insistent on getting a packet of original flavoured chips. ‘You’re a generous woman, God bless!’ he said to me. A choosing beggar, perhaps? Well, another smile in my pocket, so I went on my way. Ten packets left to go.

It was the walk down Pitt Street where our journey took a turn, where I received the dreaded Sydney Side-Glance. While a person giving out free food is not as common nowadays, in the minds of Sydney-siders, there’s always some agenda lurking behind. A catch, an eye for an eye, as they say, and who can blame them? Everyone is in their own head and suspicious of any kindness or generosity shown to them, because it keeps them safe. Like that Frenchman, cautious it was a prank of some kind. What if they were laced with drugs? Poison? Cholesterol? Well that last one is a given. Though it is disheartening. When someone wants to spread happiness and you look down upon them, over and over again, you stamp out a light that may never glow again, and the world gets darker because of it. I was lucky to have so many people polite enough to decline and still acknowledge what I was doing. But there were those that looked at me as though I was a pebble in their shoe, an ant at their picnic. Not a nice thing to feel after coming out of a charitable high.

So I turned back again to the people on the street, three who only wanted one packet each, and a cute little dog that stayed by their side. With all the chips gone, it was the end of that ride, and off to Oporto for dinner with my partner.

Was I charitable and kind? Was I being self-righteous? Or am I just too lazy to carry a bag of chips around? I mix of all three I guess, but you can decide that for yourself. Plenty of people have done so already.

Anyway, that was my weekend.

How about you?

- M

#thoughts about life #Sydney #bag of chips #blog post #riggie rambles

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