Im pulled up outside the bookies yesterday and a Woman approaches the car and asks "Gizz Your Odds"For those of you from Down the Country or India or Africa Gizz Your Odds ,means the same as Any Change Mate in old Dublin Slang .
I know her face but cant remember her name havent seen her in years .I give her about three Euro I have in shrapnel and she says "Thank You Mate " Im just about to say "I think I know you ?When she says "I know you ,you use to drink with my brothers "Now I remember who she is .
She tells me her Brothers are in England and Australia and she has no Family left in Ireland .Then she asks "Are you doing the Taxi long ?" I reply too long .Then she says "The taxi men are very good they always give you something ,they sort of share their tips "I never thought of it like that before but 5c10c and 20c coins usually get thrown into the cupholder and when somebody asks "Any Change Mate "you usually delve in and give them something .
I asked her "What you going to do when all the Taxis go cashless and everybody pays by Credit or Debit Card ?" Her answer was frightening and brilliant ."I have one of them cards and me money gets paid into it every week .I have a little place in town and me case worker can check where I spend me money and make sure I pay me rent .Are people Fucking Stupid every penny you spend and where you spend it is recorded with them cards and the banks wont have any real money so you will have to use them cards .Now when you need a loan to pay a bill or go on holiday or get school books the banks wont lend it to you unless you have collateral ".Do you know what collateral is she asked me and before I could answer she said ."You remember me when I use to have loads of Jewelry Gold Chains and Sovereign rings and necklaces .That was my Collateral I could pawn it when I needed a few bob and get it back when I got me wages but I was stupid I sold me stuff to one of those We Buy Gold Shops on Bolton Street .Now I have no collateral cant get a lend .Did ya ever think why Drugs moved out of the Flats and into the rich areas ?"No go on tell us I requested ."When we couldnt get money from the pawn we got stuff on tic but the dealers then copped on we couldnt pay cos we had nothing to sell so they wouldnt give us anymore credit .They moved out to the rich areas for customers "Then she said "See all the Fuckers who give you dirty looks or abuse when you ask for a bit of help ?They are no better off than me they have no collateral they live in rented gaffs dont own them they own nothing but think they are rich .Think about it a Bank with no money If the Banks have no money who are you going to borrow it from ?They will give you an overdraft at huge interest that they know you can repay or they would not of loaned it to you ,so why the huge interest .They wont lend you money to buy a House that could be your Collateral for a cheaper loan .When I wore Chains around me neck they were Gold with a Gold Sovereign now somebody with a bit of plastic thinks they are better off than you"
Best three Euro I ever spent .Mabey they should be teaching that in school instead of teaching kids about Porn .
