Craig Cooper: Got any spare courtesy for our homeless?

Clive Square in Napier is a popular spot with the city's rough sleeping population. Photo / NZME

The sleeping bag was the giveaway.

8am in Napier, on Emerson St on Day 1 of level 4 in Hawke's Bay, and at least one member of our population had no idea what was going on.

On the corner of Emerson and Dalton St, was a confused looking man, clutching a sleeping bag, trying to arrange a few possessions so he could take a seat on a nearby bench.

The country was in lockdown after an outbreak of the Delta variant.

Like many of us do, I looked at him.

He had clearly slept rough.

Like many of us do, I wondered about his predicament but said nothing.

Whatever it Takes (WIT) are preparing to reopen this Napier outreach centre for homeless. Photo / NZME

This was despite the fact I felt sorry at his bewilderment, and wondered whether he knew what was going on and why the streets of Napier were empty.

A week or so later under level 3, a different man sat outside a Napier business.

"Have you got any spare change mate?'' he asked.

Like many, I've conditioned myself over time to ignore homeless people.

It partly stems from a few years living in London. Being asked for spare change or a "pound for a cup of tea?" is commonplace.

A friend once ignored a "cup of tea" request, felt bad, and went and bought a cup of tea for someone.

"I don't want your ****** cup of tea,'' was the response.

People on the street asking for money may give reasons for their need, that aren't true.

Not all homeless people beg though.
Not all beggars are homeless or rough sleepers.

Not all rough sleepers are homeless either.
Not all homeless people are rough sleepers.

There are complexities and nuance beyond what you see in front of you.

"Have you got any spare change mate?'' he asked.

I often truthfully answer, without stopping, "sorry, no".
I don't carry spare change, or cash.

I stopped and said "sorry, no, but I've got a scone?".
His eyes lit up.

"Are you sure?'.

He was grateful for the offer so I handed it over and we struck up a conversation, dominated by my curiosity around whether he knew it was lockdown, and how did he find out.

It was hard to draw conclusions from it.

He told me he knew he could go to "the hospital" for a Covid jab, but hadn't had one.

The notion of lockdown was a little confusing. He frowned in agreement over how quiet things were. He reckoned no one kept an eye on him or his mates.

It turns out that at the time level 4 commenced, the Napier outreach centre for homeless people and rough sleepers was shut.

No doubt, someone who works in this field will have been out there, offering some assistance, even if the centre is shut.

A few moments of reflection can change lifetime attitudes toward people struggling with the confines of society, and those of us conditioned by society to ignore our strugglers.

Small steps though, it seems.

On further reflection, the one thing I am embarrassed to have not offered my hungry mate was the courtesy of asking what his name was.

How rude.