Bus Stop

While at the bus stop, a homeless person, carrying his plastic bag full of stuff that he carries around with him. His clothes were slightly torn. It seemed that he had not taken a shower for few days or more. I can actually smell him. He approached me and asked, “do you mind if I smoke?” I said,”Yes.”  He smoked his cigarette away from the waiting shed. While observing him, he gave me a polite smile. I thought, “he is a respectable man.”

A man in a nice suite sat beside me. He looked educated. He was carrying a laptop. Nice shiny leather shoes. Well groomed. I can even smell the strong perfume that he was wearing. He looked respectable. He looked at me. I nodded to acknowledge his gaze. He turned his head away and started lighting his cigarette.  I noticed that he put it away when another person sat beside. So, I started moving away from him. Actually, he is not alone. I’ve encountered a lot of people like him. They thought people owed them respect.