Monday, May 17, 2010

"Why Lie? I Need Beer."

I actually saw one of these signs on my way to the bus stop this morning. It was lying on the ground a few feet from my apartment building. I noticed a punk prowling around (looking on the ground for something?) a few feet away, so I have a feeling it was his sign.

He ought to be ashamed of himself. Not for panhandling, but for using such an incredibly tired angle. I don't remember the first time I saw a "Why Lie? I Need Beer" sign, but I'm sure I found it clever the first time I saw one. The next 500 times...not so much. This kid needs to buy a newer edition of Ye Olde Guide to Clever Panhandling. If you're going to be "retro" about it, you might as well go all the way and stick to "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?" At least that's classy and has some historical merit.

In terms of its retro appeal, "Why Lie? I Need Beer" is the equivalent of going to a thrift store and buying a shirt from 1998.

2 comments:

  1. There's always *someone* who hasn't seen it before, I guess. It wearies me to think that my reaction is supposed to be "Heh heh! Well, I have to appreciate your honesty. Here's a dollar, my good man."

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  2. Sadly, I bet a lot of people still have that reaction.

    ..."I like the cut of your jib! Here: take ALL my money!"

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