Over the years, I’ve had lengthy conversations with friends, colleagues, and strangers about ways to engage with people, especially unhoused people, that will not take an unnecessary stab at their dignity. Make eye contact, respond when they address you. If you’re going to offer money, it is not your business how they spend it. If you’re going to offer food and they don’t want it, that does not make them ungrateful or a junkie or any other story you assign to them with whatever evidence you think you have. Sometimes an interaction may not end well, just like any interaction with any person. Be
...more
