Yesterday I got a flashback to the past when a deaf/dumb fellow  
walked into my shop.  I didn't think the deaf/dumb tactic was a  
thing anymore.

My shop is partially dark, (reduced overhead lighting during  
lockdown) and cold (reduced heating). I thought it was unusual  
that someone wouldn't respond to my "Hello".  He just comes up  
to the check-out counter and proceeds to pull out 3 different ID  
cards and lay them out. They looked rather worn from being  
stored in a pocket.  I did not look very closely, but one of  
them had the words "deaf", "hearing", "please", "give".

I didn't look any closer for more details.  I just said "I don't  
have time for this."  Meanwhile, while standing in front of me,  
the fellow looks around the store.  He made no attempt at eye- 
contact.  There was no attempt to even communicate and  
appreciate my time or consideration.  This is why I thought this  
was a pathetic performance and possibly a scam.

The last time this sort of thing happend was over 8 years ago. A  
couple of singers with their guitars came into my shop,  
accompanying an apparrently a deaf girl. The premise was that my  
dollars would help pay for her livelyhood, or act as a tip for  
their wonderful unsolicited music, or something. At first I  
thought that maybe someone was delivering a singing telegram.  
But the request to pay for the performance combined with the  
begging really pissed me off more than anything.

At times like this I wish I could brandish my Crocadile Dundee  
"you call that a knife?" machette, or call "Tiny", my doberman  
with a spiked collar, to escort these types out the door.

--- OpenXP 5.0.48