bethofalltrades

If you live in my neighborhood and see me on the street and say, "Sister, can you spare some change," I will give you whatever is in my pockets.

I don't care if you use it for food, drugs or a ride on the train. If you call me "sister" it's a done deal.

You can call me "miss" with a certain amout of success. Call me "ma'am" and I'll give grudgingly and spend the next fifteen minutes worrying I look old.

Call me "sweetheart" or "honey" without a leer and I'll reach into my pocket, but "baby" is never acceptible. I've been known to snarl "FUCK OFF, I AM NOT YOUR BABY" in response.

You can't call a stranger "baby" unless you're over the age of 80. Or a woman.

Attention pan handlers and hecklers alike: "Snow white," "snowflake," "white girl," "blondie(?!)" and "hey bitch," will get you the finger if you're lucky, a full-scale bitching out if you're not.

And "fucking dyke" will either get you "Yes, but my NAME is Beth" or "Tell your mom I said hi!"

Love,
Beth