Eye Contact 10.10.2012

Last night I walked from my car into a neighborhood grocery.  I passed by a person selling Real Change.  This 'spot' often has particularly pushy and hostile individuals panhandling or harrassing you in the parking lot and it can be pretty threatening.  As usual, I put my head down to avoid eye contact and opening myself up for a hustle.  Even though I walked passed this person from behind and didn't even see their face. 
I was only in the store for a minute, but I thought how degrading it must feel for people to constantly avoid looking at you.  It's not that they are looking at something else and don't see you, but they go out of their way to intentionally not look at you.  I didn't buy anything and I didn't have any cash, but as I walked back out I looked directly into this woman's eyes and said, "Hello.  How are you tonight?" and gave her a smile.  I will admit I am still not comfortable being harrassed, hustled, and threatened by panhandlers.  Something told me that avoiding this person wasn't right and turned me around in a matter of minutes.  When I looked into this gentle, middle-aged woman's eyes, she just smiled and continued to hold up her copy of Real Change.  I didn't have any money to give her, but I am really thankful I was able to give her respect as a person.