This past week I had the pleasure of attending Inman Connect a real estate conference in New York City. In addition to hearing top industry professionals, I got to meet blogger friends I have been chatting with for a couple years.
New York is a wonderful, colorful city, a perfect place for a people watcher like myself. I thoroughly enjoyed just being there.
As my colleagues and I roamed the town we would joke about being tourists. Yes, we obviously were tourists with our unpurposeful stride and the ever-present cameras hanging from our necks. Or maybe it was my constant looking up toward the skyscrapers while trying to take in the contents of every dressed store front.
Whatever it was, we (my friends and I) were marked; green, tourists.
My first clue came when I took out the iPhone to capture this guy who was walking around with a cat on his head. I tried surreptitiously to shoot him, but him being all eyes caught me and moved. He then capitalized on the moment by asking me if I could spare a buck for him and the kitty. Feeling foolish, I grubbed up a buck and then asked if he’d pose so I could get a better photo. After all how often does one see a cat on the hat like this?
On the way to a party we were having trouble figuring out west/east or whatever. During the course of conversation between us friends, a passer-by shouted out the directions, "46th is one street over! Hey buddy can you help me out with a buck or some change?"
Now this was not your ordinary street person, this was a young lady just passing by. I rolled my eyes as Brian Brady dolled out a dollar.
The next day I was alone and in need of a break. At Starbucks I got a Chai and sat down at a table without first properly putting my change away. A guy at the next table saw my bills and asked, "hey lady can you help me out with a buck?"
This time I got annoyed. The Jersey girl in me told him, "hey buddy, get a job!"
OK, so that was a get tough response, I felt bad but I didn’t give in. The whole episode made me think about what was going on here. These folks were just asking. If they asked at least they had a chance at getting what they wanted. I suppose it’s better than never asking at all.
How many times do we get frustrated because we aren’t getting what we want out of life? If you want something, just ask. What’s the worst that can happen?
About the Author
Kristal Kraft
Kristal has been helping buyers and sellers in Colorado since 1984. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of the Metro Denver Real Estate market via blogging and in person while driving around the beautiful Rocky Mountain town of Denver! For fun, Kristal enjoys shooting things with a Canon. Visit Denver Photo Blog
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Kristal Kraft
12 Comments
Can you spot me a $20?
Hey Chris, go sell a house!
I like your take on it and the cat in the hat, er, cat hat is something you can only see in a city; you can’t beat it! Btw, my mini is only about 18,500, can ya spare it?
HA, laughing my butt off at the lot of you in NY trotting around town. Geez but you all must have been obvious, lol… it’s no wonder everybody hit you up for bucks. Ya know what a NY’r woulda toldem dontcha?
But seriously, I think NY is probably one of the most entertaining people watching cities anywhere. Sounds like you all had a grand time, glad to hear it.
FWIW, it was a five.
Great to see you in New York!
Hey Carole you need to hit Brady up, he pays out better than I do!
Next time we go to NYC, Manny goes with us. She can speak the language.
Thanks all for stopping by the blog. It was a great experience!
Ahh, so Laurie is saying NYkers would have said ‘have a nice day?’ Brian, make sure it’s a yellow mini with a moon roof or two
Hmmm, sounds like downtown San Diego when we lived there. The homeless could always hear the jingle in your pocket and would sometimes demand you give it to them. One even told us he was entitled to our spare change. I have never really wanted to visit New York, would rather see Maine or New Hampshire.
Carole ~ Yes you are so right! NYkers did say “have a nice day!”
Jennifer ~ NY is a special place, it really is. Hope you get a chance to see it in a special way like it did sometime.
roflmao, yeah……have a nice day……lol!
Yo Kristal:
Love the photos and stories!
You may have been a green tourist, but I am green with envy. Inman NY sounds like a blast!
Laurie ~ we are here to cheer! Glad you are rolfmao…
Roberta ~ It certainly was. Now I’m very tempted to go to SF in July. And YOU?