Northbourne Ave and dirty windscreens

When my windscreen is dirty I’m happy to shell our a flat fee of $2- althogh I did refuswe to pay once when one bloke left my windscreen dirtier than it was before he washed it.

I’m happy for these guys to make monely honestly. .ther use to be a bearded guy work up near the traffic lights at DFAT in Forrest. He always get out wearing his safety vest and construction hat. I didn’t mind him and also oftern saw him at teh Italian Club of an afternoon. Sadly he killed himself last year. I don’t know what goes on inside these guys heads but but I’d rather think they were trying to stay alive and get themselves sorted out with some extra cash than simply do that job to get drug money.

Good luck to them.

Do the Greens have a position on a heroin trial I wonder?

Granny said :

So they can turn to armed robbery and assault and stuff.

That way we can complain about it heaps and victimise them even more. Hooray!

So they can turn to armed robbery and assault and stuff.

Granny said :

I think we should come down hard on their harmless source of income and let them ponder the alternatives. Perhaps they could earn enough in honest work at Maccas or as toilet cleaners to support their habit.

Why should we do that?

Sorry, Sheepgroper. I am ashamed!

Don’t taint cleaning toilets by comparing it to working at Maccas!

I think we should come down hard on their harmless source of income and let them ponder the alternatives. Perhaps they could earn enough in honest work at Maccas or as toilet cleaners to support their habit.

The problem is it always costs more…and more…and more until it is as ridiculous amount.

Some junkies use rehab as a way of detoxing so they can get back to a manageably cheap amount per day, instead of a thousand dollar a day habit.

Washing windscreens.

Where’s a heroin economist when you need one? 😉

What would be the stats on the outgoings? How much does it cost, to Keep a healthy lifestyle heroin habit for a week? Lets say for a couple who have been doing it a while.

rosie_bubz said :

These people are scammers. They recieve their dole money, which is fair enough, but then, say they wash 3 windscreen at every light change (if red light every 5 min) and work an 8 hour day, thats $288 per day which equals $1440 for a 5 day week.
Thats more than i earn, and yes i could go and wash windscreen myself and i would most probably make a whole lot more than i currently do, but i wouldnt put myself through that. You would have to be on drugs to do that, and thats exactly what these guys are on.

Firstly, no that isn’t what they make but even if they did, you wouldn’t put yourself through that amount of work to get that money.

This shows that you think the return for your work is not enough to switch jobs. Thus basically if it weren’t for the dole money, they’d be working harder than you according to your own mindset.

dexi said :

Right on Granny.

They get sick if they don’t get their medicine.

I wouldn’t know about any of that, dexi, thank goodness, although I have had an ex-partner hold a knife to my throat to try and force me to help him get his hands on some marijuana. Go figure!

rosie_bubz said :

These people are scammers. They recieve their dole money, which is fair enough, but then, say they wash 3 windscreen at every light change (if red light every 5 min) and work an 8 hour day, thats $288 per day which equals $1440 for a 5 day week.
Thats more than i earn, and yes i could go and wash windscreen myself and i would most probably make a whole lot more than i currently do, but i wouldnt put myself through that. You would have to be on drugs to do that, and thats exactly what these guys are on.

Your stats are so overinflated it beggars belief.

When have you seen anyone do 3 windscreens per light change, let alone regularly, even during peak hour traffic?

Right on Granny.

They get sick if they don’t get their medicine.

The drug dealers are the ones getting the money really. These guys would hardly see it. They’re not stinking rich fat cats living in the lap of luxury. They’re people who have nothing.

Sometimes they get sick. Sometimes they can’t work when the weather is bad. And they’re certainly not the only people in Australia getting cash in hand.

dexi, $420 a fortnight dole money is not enough for the person who honestly needs its.
But these windscreen washers are earning a very generous income on top of that dole money.

The dole is $420 a fortnight. Lets not go overboard about how fair the dole is or how people on the dole, have it good or even better than the working. $200 a week.

Yeah, I would much prefer ‘Ice Queen’ to pay a visit to my family home in search of drug money. Dirty rotten window washing scum!

These people are scammers. They recieve their dole money, which is fair enough, but then, say they wash 3 windscreen at every light change (if red light every 5 min) and work an 8 hour day, thats $288 per day which equals $1440 for a 5 day week.
Thats more than i earn, and yes i could go and wash windscreen myself and i would most probably make a whole lot more than i currently do, but i wouldnt put myself through that. You would have to be on drugs to do that, and thats exactly what these guys are on.

It’s more honest than having them collect ‘taxes’ from yourself, your home and your family ….

It is not *honest*. They do not pay taxes and still collect a dole check.

Hi big dave
He was an accountant, he turned to drugs when his wife left him, I’m sure most of the windows wipers have a story to tell, they don’t bother me, at least they are doing an honest days work.

Squeegie with a bow anyone?

I have to say that even though these guys sometimes annoy me, you have to give them credit for putting in a hard days work. I myself would not want to be in that position, but these guys are making the most out of what they have. Sure they probably make more than what they say but i think that with the crap that they have to put up with they have earned it. Regardless of what i said about their marketing plans (i was just kidding), they are still out pounding they ashphalt every day trying to get by.

Whilst they are not everyones cup of tea, they are a still people trying to get by. A few years ago when Lindsay used to be at the corner of Wakefield and Northbourne i used to give him whatever was in my pocket at the time and have a bit of a chat with him. Out of the thousands of cars he must have seen, he would always remember mine and say hello. In 2005 or 2006 i gave him a XMAS present and some funny cigarrettes that my mate had left in the car, I think it made his day.

I would urge everyone in this forum to think guys like Lindsay with XMAS coming up and dig into your pockets to help them out or give him a XMAS present.

Clown Killer said :

Welcome to planet Canberra, where anything but the public service is considered ‘not a real job’.

Sorry DMD, but hawking second rate window washes at the traffic lights isn’t a real job. Real small businesses in this town are registered, they have public liability insurance, workers compensation cover and they pay tax. These arn’t optional things for the big end of town, they’re the not-negotiable rules of doing business.

Good to see the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking.

It’s only a ‘real job’ if you jump through all the hoops and red tape.

Holden Caulfield said :

Yeah, because these issues are restricted to Canberra.

What a load of horse sh!t Dmd, haha.

We’re the laughing stock of the country because “middle Australia” is too friggin stupid to realise it is their elected representatives that they send to our fair city that they are laughing at.

Mate they are forced to vote (if somebody says the phrase compulsory attendance I’m liable to flip out by the way). Just because they vote for someone, doesn’t mean they like it.

Besides, I think it’s more the public sector ‘fake town’ mentality, which is unfair really. If you get out of Barton, Russel, and the triangle, there is a beautiful city filled with real people.

jakez (#3) – not sure if that washer dude has the same junkie gf he used to, but one time she started screaming obscenities and abuse at my partner because my partner was allegedly staring at her. um no, she was just gazing out the window while waiting for the lights to change. kerrist.

sometimes it is irritating when they insist on washing the windscreen because 1. we always say no thank you, and 2. invariably the windscreen ends up dirtier than before – BUT at the end of the day i’d rather these guys were there doing that than sitting in civic begging or even worse breaking into houses or stealing cars.

Welcome to planet Canberra, where anything but the public service is considered ‘not a real job’.

Sorry DMD, but hawking second rate window washes at the traffic lights isn’t a real job. Real small businesses in this town are registered, they have public liability insurance, workers compensation cover and they pay tax. These arn’t optional things for the big end of town, they’re the not-negotiable rules of doing business.

There’s a reason they send them here. Nobody likes a pollie, really.

I’d like to see the public transport usage stats in the ACT vs. other states and (1) territory. Also, can you name another state where anything about a flower show has turned up on the Liberals website as a major election policy. Also…it’d be safe to say that canberra has the highest percentage per capita of the rare deluded breed that is the self-obsessed public servant in the country.

I mean honestly, the complaints about squigee-men on here are p*ssweak. Why do you need someone else to say ‘No, don’t clean my windscreen’ for you?

Yeah, because these issues are restricted to Canberra.

What a load of horse sh!t Dmd, haha.

We’re the laughing stock of the country because “middle Australia” is too friggin stupid to realise it is their elected representatives that they send to our fair city that they are laughing at.

Welcome to planet Canberra, where anything but the public service is considered ‘not a real job’. The inhabitants of this planet considered flower shows to be important election issues, yet woe betide thee who erects a statue at any public expense. People with mental health problems cause them to avoid buses, yet they will scream loudly at every opportunity about the lack of public transport. Wannabe-revolutionary uni-students will fight bravely for the rights of the working class, yet they complain loudly about anyone with a blue-collar’s dirty, unwashed presence in their beloved crowded, overrated drinking holes.

I honestly wonder if the rest of Australia would give a rats if the ACT air-lifted then dropped into the ocean. There’s a reason we’re the laughing stock of the rest of the country.

Who will give them a job kc.86?
Would you?

darkmilk said :

Oh, and one more for the list:
– not lean on the car while doing it. Particularly in jeans. Especially not on an aluminium bonnet!

I have nothing against these guys if they dont touch my car, but when i clearly indicate that i dont want the windscreen washed, yet they still do it, that is when it starts to annoy me! The wash is never good anyway, i always find myself stopping past the nearest laser wash on the way home when it didnt need cleaning in the first place.

Especially if they wear jeans with a very large metallic belt buckle. Took me ages to get those scratches out. The least they could do is make sure there is no damage to the car they are washing.

I would hate to think how dirty those squeegees are that they use over and over again and how many pieces of gravel end up dragged across my windscreen.

They should really get a real job and start paying taxes like everyone else. It really annoys me that they make money out of something which for the most part is detrimental to your car.

Two days before Christmas 2006 (pulled up directly behind) I witnessed Canberra’s most infamous female drug trafficker (and book thief) ****** ****** as passenger in a car stopped at the Northbourne/Wakefield traffic lights, handing a deal to the windscreen washer guy. She was still being chauffeured while dealing. I never pay those window washers – but I encourage others! I sure am glad these particular addicts don’t need to be out stealing.

I have nothing against window washers at all as long as they respect my right to decline their services.

If I indicate that I do not want my windscreen washed, that is it. End of conversation. Move onto the next person.

If the washer tries to wash it anyway when I have told him not to, my foot may just slip off the clutch for a second. Total accident of course, probably due to the shock of my rights being infringed.

If that bounces him onto the roadway, well, he should have just moved on when told to.

Someone told me once that the Northbourne / Anthill fella’s dad is (or was) a bit of a high flyer. Apparently he (the window washer) used to be an accountant or something similar and decided to drop out of society for whatever reason but is a very clever fellow indeed. I’ve never spoken to him so I can’t vouch for any of this.

What bugs me is they could be buying bupamorphine, a opiate substitute that costs a $1.50 a day, but to shoot it up, they need a syringe and 10 to 40 dollars to buy it on the street.

Save your money Canberra, please, and a free heroin trial, like mike almost got.

Time to drop the bottom of the heroin market before the SLORC (Burmese Military Junta) start massacring the next free Aung Sung Su Ki demonstrators with your monay and all the proceeds from the all the hard nights of window jumping.

Working at a bar is a great front for dealing drugs. Let’s ban bartenders!

Sure they are paying their taxes like good little monkeys whilst collecting their centrelink benefits and making sure they declare their cash income. If you believe that then watch out for the flying pigs.

Washing windows is a great front for dealing drugs. Enough said.

I reckon these guys must earn a bit more that you’d think.

If you wash 2 windows every 5 minutes, and those people pay $1 each for the service. That’s $40 an hour. At 8 hours a day that’s $320.

I’m sure the tax man would take a cut though 😉

Have you ever tried getting a tax recipt from one of these guys?

As far as New York goes, I have no idea if banning windscreen monkeys really helped drop the crime rate but what ever Guiliani did, I’d have to say that Manhattan is one of the safest feeling places I’ve lived in or visited.

Gungahlin Al said :

They’re harmless for the most part…

Well, if you don’t give a sh!t about your car they’re probably harmless.

But after seeing one of these bozos climbing on the wheel of a 4WD and using an aerial as leverage yesterday afternoon, I felt even more vindicated in my generally polite but stern policy of declining their services at every available opportunity.

They’re a bloody menace as far as I’m concerned and I’d be pretty happy if they were outlawed.

The guy at Antill/Northbourne is there most days, but SO many times i’ve cleary said no, No, NO and he does it anyway!! GRR.. that sh*ts me.

..and yes, i do see him walking between the TAB and the lights a lot.

Deadmandrinking said :

JakeZ, I think that bloke needs to get himself to a doctor…he really does not look healthy at all. And yeah, I have noticed his GF sitting around in macca’s reading books while he’s working…then having a go at him when he finishes.

They probably make alright money, it’s true…but – as someone on this site has said before, I think – it’s grueling hard work sometimes, outside all day and dependent on the weather and stuff. In fact, I honestly don’t see why people give window-washers so much sh-t – they ARE working hard, they ARE providing a service and if you don’t like that service, you can say no.

On the fund raiser, I won’t be attending for political reasons (well, because I gotta save up for a big move), but I wish you all the best of luck. I honestly don’t know why you and Matt are liberals. You both seem to have a fairer sense of justice when it comes to the hard-done-by in our society (Matt seems to have some good ideas with public housing) – isn’t that against the official liberal stance?

I am an intensely complex individual Deadman 😉

Don’t forget I’m a heartless libertarian who hates the poor…or something like that.

Thanks for the good wishes mate, I can dig that you and I have different views on politics and different strategies to implement the things we agree on but still be civil.

The guy at the Northbourne / Barry Drive lights (I think his name is Lindsay) was in hospital a few months ago, so he is getting some medical attention I guess. He had a couple of young guys looking after his patch while he was in hospital, so I guess there is some sort of code amongst the guys about who has which set of lights.

The guy at the Antill / Northbourne lights apparently has a gambling habit, he’ll wash windows for a bit, then head into the TAB to put bets on, rinse, repeat…

Years ago the ratty guy at Antill/nthbn had a sign up saying ‘looking for work’ so you can’t say they don’t try.

I generally give em a gold coin if I ask for it to be done – and yeah, sometimes the windscreen really is dirty. The ratty bloke at Northbourne/Antill seems a good sort.

mutley said :

That should, of course, be “pigeon-hole”.

I win points for not being a d-ck about it.

That should, of course, be “pigeon-hole”.

mutley said :

P.S….if you think a ‘real job’ is running around in a suit and behaving like an a-hole, then you really do lead a narrow, ignorant existence.

Thanks for that. I needed that laugh this morning! You need to pidgeon-hole people as much as the rest of us DMD.

I’d rather pigeon-hole you.

P.S….if you think a ‘real job’ is running around in a suit and behaving like an a-hole, then you really do lead a narrow, ignorant existence.

Thanks for that. I needed that laugh this morning! You need to pidgeon-hole people as much as the rest of us DMD.

JakeZ, I think that bloke needs to get himself to a doctor…he really does not look healthy at all. And yeah, I have noticed his GF sitting around in macca’s reading books while he’s working…then having a go at him when he finishes.

They probably make alright money, it’s true…but – as someone on this site has said before, I think – it’s grueling hard work sometimes, outside all day and dependent on the weather and stuff. In fact, I honestly don’t see why people give window-washers so much sh-t – they ARE working hard, they ARE providing a service and if you don’t like that service, you can say no.

On the fund raiser, I won’t be attending for political reasons (well, because I gotta save up for a big move), but I wish you all the best of luck. I honestly don’t know why you and Matt are liberals. You both seem to have a fairer sense of justice when it comes to the hard-done-by in our society (Matt seems to have some good ideas with public housing) – isn’t that against the official liberal stance?

emmy-lou said :

I had a friend who did work experience with them when he was in high school. They make decent amount, though it depends on the weather, of course. The bloke my friend let him keep whatever he made… I think it was about $200 for a week, but he wasn’t as pro as the regulars are.

No. Work experience? Really?

I had a friend who did work experience with them when he was in high school. They make decent amount, though it depends on the weather, of course. The bloke my friend let him keep whatever he made… I think it was about $200 for a week, but he wasn’t as pro as the regulars are.

Oh, and one more for the list:
– not lean on the car while doing it. Particularly in jeans. Especially not on an aluminium bonnet!

I try to avoid these guys if possible, the one closest to where I used to live seemed to remember and avoid my car – after nearly flattening his toes when he tried to do the windscreen without being signalled.

I would pay generously for the service of these guys if I can find one who will reliably:
– use actual car wash instead of dishwashing detergent. From the money I’ve heard they make from this, surely they can spend $10 on the proper stuff instead of $2! (Dish detergent strips the wax coating right off leaving unprotected paintwork. I’d rather spend 5 minuts washing my own damn window than spend 1/2 an hour washing and re-waxing the area around the windscreen and bonnet.)
– not blow cigarette smoke straight into the cabin air intake at the bottom of the windscreen
– not hold up the traffic once the lights change

mutley said :

I just think that he could be out breaking and entering and mugging people in the street, but he has effectively found himself work to support his habit and somebody else’s family. I really respect him for that.

he could also get a real job, pay taxes and function like a normal member of society.

He has a real job. It is more real than the thousands of public servants that inhabit this city.

Deadman: That’s the fella although he has cut his hair short now. He only became so bent over in the last couple of months, I don’t know what happened.

Re Matt Watts fundraiser: Fortunately I like Turkish food so I’m hoping it will be $40 well spent. Besides, I get to listen to Chris Pyne who is my favourite politician….is that a pig in the sky?

JakeZ, is your regular the older bloke with a long pony-tail who always looks bent over and about to die? I feel sorry for that bloke and I admire the fact that in his obvious poor health, he still manages to do what can be a very physically demanding job.

Luther…I don’t need Macdonald’s every five minutes, but they’re everywhere. I don’t need groceries every five minutes, but they’re everywhere. I don’t need a beer every five minutes…well…
The service is there. You can say no if you don’t want it.

And mutley, how is it any less of a real job? There seems to be some kind of regulation to window-washing nowadays (can anyone clarify?), so that may mean that they do pay tax. It’s not really that different to many other kinds of laboring jobs, and the community benefits a lot more directly than from the efforts of many in the P.S….if you think a ‘real job’ is running around in a suit and behaving like an a-hole, then you really do lead a narrow, ignorant existence.

Oh and JakeZ, hope it’s worth $40 for dinner tonight 😉

I just think that he could be out breaking and entering and mugging people in the street, but he has effectively found himself work to support his habit and somebody else’s family. I really respect him for that.

he could also get a real job, pay taxes and function like a normal member of society.

A lady once told me that there was a sad story about my window washer. She said that his girlfriend was a junkie and died of an overdose, and he is still taking care of her kids. She said that he only has one hit a day, and he pays for his habit with the window washing.

I really like him. Once, I signaled no, because I didn’t have any change; and he did it anyway. He said, “You were the only one today who was smiling when you drove up.” Once I gave him twenty dollars, but usually I would give him $2 or whatever change I can scrape up. From time to time I give him five dollars if I have a note.

I just think that he could be out breaking and entering and mugging people in the street, but he has effectively found himself work to support his habit and somebody else’s family. I really respect him for that.

jakez said :

I on the other hand, am not that smart.

Neither is Gary Kent.

Me?

Gary Kent is smart enough to know that if you want to be a successful politician, you don’t come onto RiotACT with your username basically being your real name, and give honest opinions on every topic.

I on the other hand, am not that smart.

In the book Guiliani (as in Mayor Guiliani of New York) he talks about one of his first achievements as Mayor being that he banned all windscreen washers. Apparently the crime stats dropped about 50%.

Ah, yes, the “Fixing Broken Windows” theory of crime prevention. Still controversial, and the data regarding New York’s crime rate changes can seemingly be tied to just about anything you want.

The guys are friendly enough, not aggressive, and every once in a while they come in handy (especially driving in from Sydney and the windscreen is covered with bugs etc). If one acts like a douchebag, register your complain with a vocalization expressing as much, especially if it regards the washer’s possible inbreeding, points out defects in his mother. But in general, I think you’ll find yourself just giving a buck their way and thanking them for a little help on a busy stretch of road.

I once called one over then realised I had no money – oops.

I usually give them about 60c – just a handfull of silver money.

When I drove an ancient bomb they used to do it for free all the time ‘freebie love, freebie’ – I think they had sympathy for me.

I far prefer them doing the windscreen washing than burglary – or even than begging on the bus interchange.

I hate it when they hold up the lights though.

You’re Gary Kent in disguise arent you? 😛

Cameron said :

I once gave one a tenner as I had called him over without realising I had no change. So I had to use the note and I felt cheap asking for change.

I don’t mind them doing their thing, but I do mind it if they go ahead when I clearly tell them not to – whether they seek payment for it or not.

Ten Dollars? JESUS CHRIST!

Yeah I can understand your feeling on unsolicited cleanings. I know people who find that very annoying.

burkes08 said :

The guy who does the Hindmarsh drv and Melrose drv intersection in Woden is really good too. I usually give him about a dollar. I reckon he probably earns good money.

In the book Guiliani (as in Mayor Guiliani of New York) he talks about one of his first achievements as Mayor being that he banned all windscreen washers. Apparently the crime stats dropped about 50%.

That man is such a putz.

If you read the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri you find that the innermost circle of hell is reserved for traitors, mutineers, and Rudy Giuliani.

I once gave one a tenner as I had called him over without realising I had no change. So I had to use the note and I felt cheap asking for change.

I don’t mind them doing their thing, but I do mind it if they go ahead when I clearly tell them not to – whether they seek payment for it or not.

I have never paid someone to wash my windows. One day on Northbourne I signalled to the person that I didn’t want my windows washed. He washed them anyway. I didn’t feel ablighed to pay him so I drove off.

The guy who does the Hindmarsh drv and Melrose drv intersection in Woden is really good too. I usually give him about a dollar. I reckon he probably earns good money.

In the book Guiliani (as in Mayor Guiliani of New York) he talks about one of his first achievements as Mayor being that he banned all windscreen washers. Apparently the crime stats dropped about 50%.

OP: You don’t come to an agreed price beforehand. The washer will walk inbetween the cars and you signal agreement. The washer will then wash the windscreen. You then give the washer whatever money you think is worth it. I usually give about 50c, my fiancee gives about $2, but that’s because she likes/feels sorry for the guy that we go to.

Sometimes they will do it even if you don’t call them over. What happens next depends on the washer. The good washers know that this is a freebie and won’t go for money (I’m sure some people still give though). The bad washers go after money and get indignant if you don’t give it to them.

Like everything in life, there are good windscreen washers and bad windscreen washers. As a rugged individualist I judge people on their own merits and refuse to group. If someone is a dickhead, they deserve to go down. If they are a decent person that isn’t threatening anyone, doesn’t bother me at all. I think it’s free enterprise at its best. At a Young Liberal Policy meeting where there was a policy to ban them I got up and defended them as heroes of freedom and individual initiative…didn’t win that one but got some laughs.

I have never ever seen or heard of the incidents that PBO has given.

The bloke I go to is the one on the corner of Northbourne and Barry Drive with the stooped posture. Interesting guy if you get to know him. Does a lot of free washes and a good bloke. His story was in the Crimes a few months ago. His girlfriend seems like a real bitch though.

I can’t answer Q2 but there seems to be some level of honour in terms of claims to spots.

Window washing 2.1

These guys are the Microsoft of the window washing industry.

Just like getting a virus on your computer and having to pay for the patch to fix it, One will stand at the first intersection with a bucket of sh!t to throw on your windscreen and the guy at the next stop will charge you to remove the problem.

I wonder if you drove off without paying, would they refer to it as a “Drive by”?

They’re harmless for the most part.
Better than drugs.
I just wish a couple of the guys would try something different like – shoe polishing. I’d happily shell out to get a good old-fashioned show polish done.