In Homeless Nation, it really does matter where you are from. That is, which economic, ethnic, cultural and social strata you were associated with before you made your entry into what at first appears to be the dark side of the moon.
Whatever lifestyle, what ever your level of understanding of the nuances which separate people in the outside world, you need to learn to be flexible in Homeless Nation, because it's unlikely you will be associating with the same kind of people you associated with out there. Unless you were in a nut house.
But even in Homeless Nation there are cliques and pecking orders and yes, snobs.
The thing to do is to figure out which clique or rung on the pecking order or snobs you want to hang - or if you prefer, socialize - with.
This is important because you will definitely be associated, in the minds of the law, and future possible employers and with whichever clique or group you choose to be with, as being one of them.
First there are the old-timers. People who have been on the street for so long, they have forgotten about life on the other side. Some of them even have some money coming in, but they prefer that sleeping spot under a favorite bush in the park, and the once-a-month blow-out in a cheap motel with some other old-timers, and then the rest of the month eating at feeds and begging a few quarters here and there.
Avoid them.
Then there are the chippers. The people who blast in and out with nary a clue as to what they have gotten themselves into, primarily because they are very young and the thing that landed them in Homeless Nation was an ill-timed remark to a parent or a spouse.
They like the illusion of the freedom of the streets compared to the discipline, the rituals or obedience required to live in any reasonable domestic situation. They leave soon, usually after a missed step into the dark side of homelessness has left them with a black eye and a longing for their favorite dinner at home.
Avoid them.
And how about those shelter rats. They are a hybrid of the old-timers and the criminal fringe and they slink from shelter to shelter, using up their allotted nights staying in what can only be described as the hotel from hell plus danger. This situation can become too easy for you and instead of finding your way out of Homeless Nation, you will find youself on a hampster wheel of flophouses with fancy religious names.
Avoid them and the shelters.
The criminal fringe. Most of their conversation revolves around how to secure the next four-pak, or rock, or blow or chieap liquor. Most of them have tats. Prison tats. They are high on the police radar and for good reason as most of them are frequent fliers into the nearest jail, and have prison time to boot and are habitual offenders. They will give you the shirt off your own back, and your wallet with it, and cut you for both if they have to.
Avoid them. In fact, run from them.
The snobs. Most of them have some kind of income. And they hang together, too.
But they go to movies and read and find time to do things which will prepare them for re-entry into the real world, like staying off the four-pak, rock, liquor cycle and showing respect for the dignity of others.
And they are usually actively looking for employment and are convinced they will find work even if it takes forever.
They do not beg for money, or hustle for money, and they usually do not like to loan or give money. And they do not steal.
And when they attend feeds and other events meant to help them, they show respect and thnakfulness for the good people who go out of their way to give of themselves to lend a helping hand.
They are shunned by the criminal fringe, the shelter rats and the old-timers because they are viewed as, well as snobs.
Stick with them.
In all likelihood, you probably shared some similarities in the outside world.
Like, decency and honesty and integrity. And a good work ethic.
Funny, even in Homeless Nation there is social ladder, up and down.
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