The Tesco Express located just across the street from the Thames Valley Police Station has a one man security team. Unlike in the states where we dress our security guards up in short-sleeve moron suits this older man wears a sport coat and pants. He is older and as I’m checking out he makes small talk with a woman buying Tesco brand cider. His age makes him feel unapproachable, somewhere between forty and fifty, but before walking out I take my chances.
“Excuse me, I’m doing research about the homeless population in Oxford. I wanted to know if I could hear your perspective on the homeless in Oxford.”
“What, what do you mean?” His accent is thick. Now that I’m closer I notice the solid icy blue of his eyes. He’s balding, but the stubble hair of his beard threatens to grow all the way up to his eyeballs. His mustache is grey and well groomed.
“I mean I just wanted your perspective, being a security guard and everything.”
“So your research is about theft by homeless people?” He hides his teeth sheepishly. I think he’s embarrassed of his English, but he seems to want to talk to me regardless.
“No, not quite. I just came to Oxford and I’m surprised by the number of homeless people here. I just wanted to know about your experience with them.”
“They’re not a problem for me really. I mean I have no animosity towards them. I’m just doing my job.”
“What do you see when homeless people come in here?”
“The homeless don’t buy food. Maybe a biscuit or something, but they head straight for the alcohol.” He laughs a little and raises his hand in front of his mouth in between each sentence. I don’t think he has many people try and talk to him.
“What kind of alcohol do you see them buying most?”
“Ciders. I think that’s where a lot of them start. They drink ciders and they think it’s not a big deal, but then they start drinking them every day. Like that woman that was in here earlier.”
“You know that woman?”
“Yes. I know her. She comes in here a lot. The last time she was in here with a man, but now she comes in alone. I asked her about it and she said she left him. She says he has a drinking problem, and that’s why she left her husband, so that’s why she left him.”
“And she’s homeless?”
“Yes. She says she is now homeless. She stays in a shelter.”
“Do you know any other local homeless?”
“Yes there’s a local guy who we watch go up and down here.” He motions to the window. “He tells people he needs a certain amount to get a bus ticket.” I laugh. I’ve already ran into that guy. I thank Adam and he tells me about the shelter around the corner. I tell him I’ll be headed there in no time.
Word Slurpee 