I was reading some of the DN’s responses to their article on Squeegee kids (re the new legislation) and was absolutely sickened by some of the nasty responses from people who think their shit doesn’t smell. While some of these kids may look scary, I have always found them polite and never pushy. If you didn’t want your wind shield done, fine, they thank you anyway. The bums on Barrington Street are far ruder and only get off their lazy arses to run down to Scotia Square for beer or scratch tickets. At least the Squeegee kids DO SOMETHING for their money. AND let’s not forget about that poor woman who was assaulted on the Commons – if it weren’t for a Squeegee kid, she would have been beaten to death.
This article appears in Dec 6-12, 2007.
You know, I hadn’t even thought about it until I read your post and you are right…they have never been aggressive without provocation, as far as I have witnessed. I still think they need to be removed from the roads though, I have witnessed several people rear-ending cars because they were paying more attention to them than the road or cars in front of them. It’s an unnecessary and dangerous hazard that could be avoided by the city helping these kids find jobs or employers that will take them on, some of those kids have gotten tattoos that unfortunately restrict them from many professions (ie. face tattoos) and might need some direction on how to get a job that will treat them with respect, kinda hard when you present yourself like they do…I know that it’s “not fair” but it’s a relevant fact of life that humans base many of their opinions on what they see and those kids made choices that were “in the moment” and not looking further down the road. Unfortunate but it’s reality…I feel bad for them, I made some mistakes when I was younger but luckily I was more prudent with my youthful zeal and only had piercings where you could not see them and they were easily removed after they became more of a hindrance than fun.
Christopher, you have an opinion on everything. Gee you’re some smart.So what the hell do you do all day with your smarts, aside from read Coast bitched and make stuffy comments?
To Jennifer, Wow, someone has a bit of pent-up anger! You’re not only nasty, but as well hypocritcal; as how would you otherwise know this guy has an opinion on everything without spending YOUR entire day reading this column??
No worries! I think she may be mad at me specifically, because we have locked horns once or twice on other postings here, it’s all good! I never really take anything said on here too personally but I am curious about how she came up with “stuffy”, I think that is the last word people who know me would use to describe me! Thank you for the smart comments though…it’s always nice to have that confirmed by a total stranger. (Please note:this is a sarcastic return for a sarcastic comment) 🙂
I wholeheartedly agree with the OP. The squeegee kids are fine – non-threatening, polite, and providing a service. Having lived in other, larger cities in Canada, traffic here is piddling at best. If a squeegee kids – moving in measured judicious steps – is enough distraction to cause an accident, those people probably should not be driving. That or they should put down their cigarette, cellphone, iPod or what ever they are shoving in their mouth while they drive, too. Driver inattention is generally the biggest cause of accidents, not squeegee kids.And the OP is right – if you don’t want to give them money or your free 6″ Subway stamp card or your free coffee voucher, etc (which has always received an extra thanks), then just say “no thank you”. The kids will move on…they cannot make money otherwise.Some of the kids have even done my window for free when I told them – in advance – that I did not have any money. They are kids, with a work ethic…maybe you should offer them a job?