So why can’t they get real jobs?

I don’t know how someone who stands outside all day in the cold, heat, rain, snow, etc… darting in and out of intersections and washes your windshield could be labelled lazy. They probably do a lot more work in the run of a day than half of the people who I have worked with over the years.

I’m slightly torn on this debate.It does kind of strike me as “lazy” because these people aren’t really contributing to society in anyway.On the other hand .. how about that guy that chased off those punk girls beating that woman on the Commons? If he wasn’t there – who knows what would have happened.My personal favorite is when you see people outside of Tim Hortons, with their cup, standing right beside the “Help Wanted” sign. Clean yourself up and take advantage of the gazillion agencies in HRM that offer career help – for FREE.

I like this topic, it’s nice to see what a lot of people think of it. The only thing about it is most of the people agree and sympathize with the squeegees and that’s where the problems is. We keep giving them excuses. I lived through wars. I saw people die and get blown up. Bullets and missiles whizzed over my head at one point trying to escape. I had my share of family issues. Finally i had no home for a while. Not to mention moving from one country to another several times. I highly doubt any of the squeegee kids went through that so i really don’t see how they can complain. The only explanation is that they see that we sympathize with them and give them excuses to keep doing what they do. With everything that i mentioned, nothing stopped me from being more ambitious, continuing my education and finishing college to come out with a $45,000 a year career that the gov takes 30% from. Regarding the comment about that guy that helped the lady while she was being beat up in the commons. Well let’s not really put the squeegee kids on a pedestal because of that. He just happened to be at that location during the attack. I’m sue all of us would have done the same. We have schools. we have Student loans and we have careers. If you’re parents are divorced, whatever happened to you in your life, it doesn’t mean you should not pursue a better life and better career rather than bothering people at intersections! Let’s not forget there are other people around the world that have it worse than you squeegee kids. Let’s not take what we have here for granted. Others have it worse and have more pride to squeegee cars!

Why wouldn’t they wash windows on the street? It’s tax free money! Do the math… How many cars get stopped at the Quinpool intersection per red light? And how many of these cars stopped give out $2 for a clean window? And let’s say they stand out there for 6 hours. That’s a lot of freakin money! These SK’s probably make more money than we do! On the other hand, if these ‘kids’ let it go so far as to become homeless (ie: they are backpackers, left home on their own, etc.), then they kind of have no choice but to beg on the street now because without a home address, you can’t apply for a job, student loan, or even welfare. But as Coyotex says, even he made it through the tough times. There are things you can do to avoid this situation. I hate to say it but SOME of these people wash windows on the street just because they can, not because they need to.

OH MY FUCK.. THIS IS STRAIGHT OUT OF A SQUEEGEE KID’s MOUTH:KID doesn’t squeegee because he’s out of work or on welfare or homeless. He squeegees, mostly in the summer, because he likes to travel and he likes the flexibility. “Everyone wants to have their own hours, that’s for sure,” he says.This winter, when he’s not too tired from working 10 or 11 hours a day as an $8-an-hour dishwasher, KID will pick up his squeegee to make a little extra cash. It’s a job he defends vigorously.”Some people do some pretty dumb, easy jobs,” KID says. “And squeegeeing is no different from any other dumb, easy job that’s out there.”This is what the coast has placed in their article, that’s where i’m getting it from. Also in their article, they talk about a kid that left home in NB. They no where in the article mention why. They only state that the kid left home in NB and just became a squeegee kid!. Like Fuck off! I’m glad Bill 7 came along. I’m sick and tired of idiots not paying taxes and getting more than what i’m getting. I pay taxes that pay your welfare. And yes.. most of them get welfare and most of them have a place to stay. They’re all out there by choice. If you can’t afford to live and have to squeegee because you’re homeless, how can you afford to have a pet and keep it healthy!!! and I don’t eat out either. Things cost way too much!.. man i’m too pissed after reading that article and actually read why some of the squeegee kids do what they do!!!!!

We all follow the ‘MAN’ eventually, no matter how non-conformist we may profess to be.

Shauna.. I used to feel bad for these ….. I don’t really no what to call them. Anyway, i opted to talk to one and offer food. He was panhandling and wanted some money because he was hungry, holding up a sign, stating that he was out of work and hungry. I offered to take him to superstore and buy him some food. This happened on quinpool road at around 9pm. That particular person refused and said he just wanted the money. I replied: but you’re hungry aren’t you?. he replied, Ya hungry for some booze. The 2 people profiles in the article. I saw them before. I know who they are. and believe me, I have never seen anyone dress in more ragidy clothes than them 2. Yet one of them is a dishwashed at a restaurant making $8.00 an hour, the other will be attending dal next year and is on welfare living downtown halifax. How can you afford to live downtown while on welfare. Another lady i know mainly sits on spring garden road with her blanket, blue in color i think, and has about mid back long dark hair. A little rough looking. DON’T GIVE HER ANYTHING. I know this woman. I used to own a little corner store in fairview. She always came into my store to buy stuff.. she has a common law or husband, don’t remember, Who i met previously. THEY OWN A HOUSE IN FAIRVIEW!!!! If you’re that broke, sell you’re fucking house. I dare that girl that was profiled in that article to post on here why she left home in NB, I bet you anything that she just did. Probably had an amazing family that was looking out for her, who loved her and she just wanted to do her thing. Didn’t wanna listen to anyone. so decided to leave. Heck i’ll go make my own life by panhandling and squeegeeing.

Actually not at all, Cranky. Some just volunteered that information. When i inquired about it, i was told that since they don’t have an address, they can’t apply for a job. Just wondering, has anyone seen the squeegee kids this winter, or any winter really? Weird. I thought you didn’t have a place to live???!! The girl that was profiled on there openly admitted to living in a 2 bedroom apartment in DT halifax for $850 a month, sharing it with a roommate. I left DT because it was too expensive and i make decent $$$. I don’t understand how a Squeegee kid can afford living in downtown. Also they never ask why they’re on the street or why they left home, nor do we get an answer to that question.!