I have been wanting to try this task ever since it was first created, but until I returned to Guam, I had not the chance. (Only uniforms and PT gear allowed on base in Baghdad and I think panhandling, even the reverse kind, would have been frowned upon).

The very second day of my return, I set up to accomplish two tasks: Public Smear Campaign and Broke in Bizarro World. If you've seen the first of these two, you'll notice my shabby attire and deliberate smearing of condiments upon my person. At the end of Public Smear Campaign, I was ready to be a bum!

I decided against trying Broke in Bizarro World in downtown Tamunig as it is mostly occupied by Japanese tourists. I don't think there's regular panhandling in Japan, much less reverse panhandling and felt the significance would be lost upon passersby. Plus, I have no idea how to say "spare change" in Japanese.

So, I headed to GPO, the "big" mall in Guam. I was ready to go with a McDonald's cup filled with change (nine dollars worth), grubby clothing, and a big cardboard box that said "spare change." (Perhaps not the cleverest of signs, but I liked the double meaning.)

I knew that it wouldn't be easy to give away the change, but I didn't think it would be impossible. I mean, who can't use a bit of spare change from time to time? But, wow - was it tough! I think I gave away a little over two dollars and only because I was fairly persistant.

I was particularily surprised by the reactions of parents - they pulled their children away from me as fast as if I was offering small packets of crack. I also got a lot of eye contact avoidance and quick walking away from me. I tried not to take it personally. I was also a bit surprised by the mall security - I thought they might ask me what I was doing, perhaps ask me to leave, but instead, they happily took some spare change! In fact, now that I think about it, the biggest surprise was that NO ONE asked me what I was doing. My camera woman was quite obvious, and it wasn't something you see every day, but yet not one question. Is there no curiosity in this world?

Anyway, the video is a bit long, but occasionally amusing - please enjoy!