Putting the 'touch' on

While we were walking in downtown Seattle the other day, a bum came up to a group of us waiting for a green light. "Hey Brother! Do you have 5 bucks to spare?" he said, with hand outstretched.

Five Dollars?

We all looked at each other. Grins all around. "Wow, when did the price go up?" Spare change, yes. We were used to having the touch put on us for spare change on the street, or even for a dollar. We are assaulted at every corner and usually somewhere in between. But even the seasoned Seattle-ites in the group were set back on their heels at this request.

Of course, this is Seattle where you can't just get a cup of coffee for a dime. The home of Starbucks requires some class - a latte or cappuccino at least. Why should they settle for less? Inflation, for heaven sake. The price of gas is way up. The prices of other 'consumer goods' such as every bum on the street needs are certainly way up as well. One has to make ends meet.