I was at the gas station. I was putting gas in my car. Two guys were begging for change. One was big and old and in a wheel chair. He asked me for some money, and as I swiped my credit card I told him I didn't have any cash. The other guy seemed to be responsible for pushing Wheel Chair Guy around. I watched as Other Guy asked someone for a handout:

"What?"

Other Guy repeated the question, and was refused to the tune of "I'll get you next time."

Other Guy returned to his partner, Wheel Chair Guy, and muttered quietly to himself, "Liar."

I kind of laughed. I asked Other Guy, "What would you rather hear, other than 'Yes'?"

Other Guy said, "The truth! Just say 'No' if you don't want to give me your money that you worked for. I understand."

I told him that he had quite an enlightened attitude. He said he appreciated me just talking to him like regular people. I said, "You're welcome."

the ethics of assholes

When dealing with an asshole, my ethics can be best expressed by Dostoevsky's
Crime and Punishment.