ENTERPRISE

Keith sat on the train from Arnhem to Amsterdam. The ride takes a bit more than an hour. He had a horrible cold. A Roma man, probably from Bulgaria or possibly Romania, walked through the car, laying this note on the little table between the seats. Keith gave him a 50 cent coin and got a welcomed packet of tissues in return.

A month before, Mary sat on the train from Arnhem to Amsterdam. A Roma woman, also probably from Bulgaria, walked through the car, laying a xeroxed copy of this same note on the little table between the seats. When she walked back through, picking up the cards, Mary bought a packet of tissues.

Two months later, Mary sat on the same train. A much younger Roma woman walked through the car, laying a copy of this note on the little table between the seats. Mary smiled at her and pocketed the note. The young woman smiled back.

What would you call this practice? I call it enterprising.

P.S. These folks probably didn't "have a job at the moment." Unemployment rates in some Roma villages and neighborhoods run as high as 98%. Want to do something about that? Let us know!