Homless

I do not understand the homeless situation in Hungary (and I suspect many other places). I don’t particularly feel sorry for homeless people and I don’t really help them out on a regular basis either. I take the view that their situation is partly their fault and the fact that they remained homeless surely is.

However I do not understand the attitude toward these people. There is a couple in our local park who set up a tent between some bushes. I’ve heard about them before. The guy is apparently a nice person, clean and polite. As I was walking the dog today I met him, he started chatting to me and was indeed all those things.

He told me that someone called the police on them so they were fined $50 (which is about 10% of the minimum wage) and have to go away. I find this disgusting on so many levels.

First of all, had I pitched the tent no one would ever have called the police. Even if they had, I’d just say: “Hey, I live in that building, I’m just having some fun” and we’d have a laugh and they’d leave me alone. If the police were especially strict they would shoo me away, but I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be fined. Where’s the logic there?

Secondly, why do people feel the need to chase them away? They weren’t bothering anyone apart from the visual clash of the tent and the trees (which is a capital offense of course). The guy wasn’t a rambling drunkard who may or may not vomit on you at 10pm. They were just trying to lay low, get away from the cold.

Where does anyone who has a roof over their head gather the courage to do something like that? I was raised in various countries living a luxurious life and I can understand homeless people better and feel more empathy than those who are close to becoming homeless themselves.

I think the attitude of the person who called the police sums up all that is wrong with humanity. The sad thing is that this person is following rules and laws (although so were SS soldiers). There should be a court which deals with immoral and unethical – but lawful – behavior. It should be possible to put people on trial for behaving the way they do.

And of course this wonderful person will sleep better tomorrow night. Well done.