How to know you are in a low income area.

[scottobear]

At Wendy’s,  having lunch. 2 shabby looking dudes approx mid-upper twenties on a laptop sit down, without getting any food, I suspect to just pipe free wifi. (Trace minimal torrenting would be what I’d assume.)

As I get up to leave, one of them asks me for fifty cents. I tell him that I don’t have it, and he then asks if I was going to throw out my drink cup. I say no, and he can have it if he wants. He thankfully accepts it and headed immediately to the fountain. 

I’ve not experienced a broke vibe like that in a long time… maybe at the Fort Lauderdale bus station about a decade ago. 

Headed into the Westfield Wheaton, and the patrons there reaffirmed the vibe. Lots of rough folks and every free loitering area is occupied by people in varying degrees of homeless-appearing dress. Either unwashed, maybe a bit mentally ill, too many clothes even for a 50 degree (F) day, skin conditions, or just maybe a bit hard around the edges. 

Too many dollar stores in this mall, and too many cell phone screen repair kiosks. A lot of highly visible mall security uniforms implies to me that they are trying hard to deter crime.

 That said, the food court is clean, and there are a lot of non-rough “civilians” shopping and having a day. I don’t think I’d choose this place to go mallwalking in the future, though. 

My allergist’s office is right next door, and I got there early, thus the free roam here that I’ve not done before.  I haven’t felt this uncomfortable with a region in a long time. 

I’m glad I’m running at a semi shabby vibe myself today. I need a haircut,  wearing old jeans and old star wars tshirt, walking with my permanent limp. 

Until later, dear journal. 

Update.. yesterday here : http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/People-Stabbed-at-Wheaton-Plaza-Police-Searching-for-Suspects-410301205.html

Originally published at The Scotto Grotto (org). You can comment here or there.