Posted by
AJH on Saturday, March 07, 2009 2:17:32 AM
While sitting at a Safeway in my hometown, some oddball homeless man from overseas accosted me over my Boston Red Sox baseball cap. Strange homeless men (and ocassionally a few women), some of whom are very smelly, like to congregate and “hang” for very long periods of time.
They generally stink up and make a mess of the place, along with other inconsiderate, non-homeless slobs.
The aggressive gentleman had a peculiar, but quite foreign accent, perhaps something British. Something tells me he was deported from wherever for starting a few tavern brawls. He talked loudly while walking past my table, where I am surfing and posting.
He noticed my cap and asked if I was from Boston. I said no. Then he quickly asked why I wore the hat. Before I could get much out, he then said something about how Bostonians (especially Red Sox fans, I guess) are crazy. (You'll get no argument from me on that.)
I was about to explain why I wear the hat when he said, “Oh, because you're a wanker.” And I just said, what the heck, you know what, “Yes.” Apparently since I am not from Boston I shouldn't be wearing it. False advertising or something.
So like the Seinfeld episode where Jerry admits, “Yes, I carry a purse!” I am now freely sharing with creepy tossers from faraway places who probably should be deported that, yes, I am officially a wanker and expanding my vocabulary at the same time. I knew of his choice word, but have never heard it used to describe me.
I don't think I've ever heard it used in conversation except on the telly. Besides who wants to get in a tussle (or even a conversation) with some crazy foreign dude? (“It's not a purse, it's European!”)
I just posted a review of the place at Google, giving it two stars out of five:
Messy, Stinky Dining Area
Too many really smelly and weird homeless men for my liking. Otherwise, it is a decent store and it has free wifi. I only go in there when I am downtown on business. When it comes right down to it, I would rather shop and surf where the mission folk do not outstay their welcome. At least take a shower and do some laundry! (Yes, there are places to clean up in town, and they are not far away.)
AJH