Chinese tycoon Chen Guangbiao takes 250 homeless people to fine dining for lunch but crowd became an
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[quote]NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) – A Chinese tycoon treated hundreds of homeless New Yorkers to a fancy lunch at the Boathouse restaurant in Central Park on Wednesday, but the event apparently didn’t go as smoothly as planned.
About 250 residents of the New York City Rescue Mission were served sesame-seed-encrusted tuna, beef filet and berries with crème fraiche, thanks to recycling magnate Chen Guangbiao, who serenaded the crowd with a karaoke rendition of “We Are The World” and performed magic tricks.
During the luncheon, Chen promised to give each guest $300 in cash, but Mission director Craig Mayes said that was never the arrangement and those attending were told, 1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa reported.
“No cash, everybody understand? No cash. Everybody understood?” Mayes told guests.
The agreement apparently involved a donation to the mission supplying goods and services to its members. The rescue mission feared if cash were given directly to members it would be used for alcohol or drugs, WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond reported.
Chen had several people on stage with him holding the money before it was apparently given back and some of the guests stormed out of the restaurant when they found out they would not receive cash in hand, Papa reported.
“The four people who went on stage, it was a masquerade, this whole thing is a sham,” one guest said.
Lorna Richardson told CBS 2′s Vanessa Murdock she traveled from Hempstead on Long Island by bus and then by train to Central Park with her teenage son hoping to get some money.
“I needed that money. I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs. I have bad credit. I would like to get an apartment and pay off some debt,” Richardson said.
Through an interpreter, Chen said he was going to the mission to sort everything out, Papa reported.
Chen had placed ads in the Times and The Wall Street Journal to announce the event. Saying he wanted to invite 1,000 “poor and destitute Americans,” his photo was printed next to an image of Lei Feng, a soldier in Mao Zedong’s People’s Liberation Army who is characterized as selfless. The caption read “China’s Lei Feng for a new era.” Some of the waiters’ outfits on Wednesday were replicas of Lei’s uniform.
In an interview on “CBS This Morning,” Chen said he wanted to disprove the cliche image of rich Chinese spending money mostly on luxuries.
“I was not born into a rich family or a family of government officials. When I was 4 years old my brother and sister died of hunger, so I achieved my success through confidence, self-motivation and my hard work,” Chen said.
But Chen’s American ambitions surpass philanthropy.
Earlier this year, the 46-year-old businessman wanted to buy The New York Times. Times chairman Arthur Sulzberger, Jr., said the newspaper was not for sale.
Chen, whose worth is estimated at $750 million, has been deemed eccentric from his theatrical antics.
To protest air pollution in Beijing, he stood on a street corner handing out containers marked “Fresh Air.” Chen also rushed to the scene of a massive earthquake in Sichuan and handed out cash to victims.[/quote]
[url]http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/06/25/chinese-tycoon-treating-250-homeless-new-yorkers-to-lunch-in-central-park/[/url]
so basically, he got cockblocked by the white folk.
I'd rather eat 100 low quality meals than one expensive meal.
[QUOTE=zakedodead;45217655]I'd rather eat 100 low quality meals than one expensive meal.[/QUOTE]
I think it was a show of generosity, if i read the article correctly he would be donating $300 dollars per person to a homeless charity if i'm correct.
Tasting freedom and being left on the streets again. But maybe it will motivate them to reach that standard again.
Does something nice and gets slated for not being nicer, okay
He should just start some job options up for these people that can get them going all over again.
[QUOTE=Revanold;45217983]Does something nice and gets slated for not being nicer, okay[/QUOTE]
I think the issues arose because they were told they would get cash; the charity objected to that because they thought it would all go on drugs and alcohol.
He wanted to give them money, but whoever organized it was like "no"
[quote]About 250 residents of the New York City Rescue Mission were served sesame-seed-encrusted tuna, beef filet and berries with crème fraiche, thanks to recycling magnate Chen Guangbiao, who serenaded the crowd with a karaoke rendition of “We Are The World” and performed magic tricks.
During the luncheon, Chen promised to give each guest $300 in cash, but Mission director Craig Mayes said that was never the arrangement and those attending were told, 1010 WINS’ Juliet Papa reported.
“No cash, everybody understand? No cash. Everybody understood?” Mayes told guests.
The agreement apparently involved a donation to the mission supplying goods and services to its members. The rescue mission feared if cash were given directly to members it would be used for alcohol or drugs, WCBS 880′s Marla Diamond reported.[/quote]
[QUOTE=The Aussie;45217766]I think it was a show of generosity, if i read the article correctly he would be donating $300 dollars per person to a homeless charity if i'm correct.[/QUOTE]
To be honest, I'd say it were more a publicity stunt. It's nice for them for a day at most. Then they're back on the streets and hungry. Whereas the guy who hosted it will bathe in the glowing reports of generosity from the media for weeks.
If he really cared about them he would actually try and get them out of their situation - which is very hard to do [I]even if[/I] they're very motivated, which a lot of them (but not all) are.
"Free meal? I was told there would be fucking money, what a rip off."
[QUOTE=bravehat;45218136]"Free meal? I was told there would be fucking money, what a rip off."[/QUOTE]
Yeah if you were told there would be money and didn't receive it you would probably be mad also.
[QUOTE=zakedodead;45217655]I'd rather eat 100 low quality meals than one expensive meal.[/QUOTE]
it's more than that, it's a matter of dignity. being treated well and fed well in an environment like that can do a load of good.
what the director should have done is (after seeing how upset everyone is), take the funds from Chen, and then set up basic "accounts" at the rescue mission and purchase things / pay off bills for the attendees with supervision. that way, the guests maintain the funds and they guarantee it doesn't go for "booze and drugs"
[QUOTE=zakedodead;45217655]I'd rather eat 100 low quality meals than one expensive meal.[/QUOTE]
100 low quality meals wasn't an option though
I help local homeless people when I can but I've been shocked with their responses and it has hardened me a bit to their plight. I routinely buy a cheap taco meal for obvious true homeless and disabled, both mentally and physically. My brother is severely autistic and my mom was an advocate case manager for people with disability so I've been around it my entire life and can really feel for those people that were just given a raw deal from birth. Well one time, I pull up to this guy at an intersection rolling my window down to talk to the fellow and he asks for money for food and has a sign asking for that, and I tell him I'm going to Taco Casita (a dirt cheap taco bell style restaurant that I love) and I'd gladly get him some tacos and bring them back to him (they are only .75c a piece.) and he told me in response, "I'd rather have Arby's." I drove off without saying another word.
[QUOTE=Ajacks;45219314]I help local homeless people when I can but I've been shocked with their responses and it has hardened me a bit to their plight. I routinely buy a cheap taco meal for obvious true homeless and disabled, both mentally and physically. My brother is severely autistic and my mom was an advocate case manager for people with disability so I've been around it my entire life and can really feel for those people that were just given a raw deal from birth. Well one time, I pull up to this guy at an intersection rolling my window down to talk to the fellow and he asks for money for food and has a sign asking for that, and I tell him I'm going to Taco Casita (a dirt cheap taco bell style restaurant that I love) and I'd gladly get him some tacos and bring them back to him (they are only .75c a piece.) and he told me in response, "I'd rather have Arby's." I drove off without saying another word.[/QUOTE]
Clearly Arby's is the pinnacle of cuisine desired by the homeless.
[QUOTE=Ajacks;45219314]I help local homeless people when I can but I've been shocked with their responses and it has hardened me a bit to their plight. I routinely buy a cheap taco meal for obvious true homeless and disabled, both mentally and physically. My brother is severely autistic and my mom was an advocate case manager for people with disability so I've been around it my entire life and can really feel for those people that were just given a raw deal from birth. Well one time, I pull up to this guy at an intersection rolling my window down to talk to the fellow and he asks for money for food and has a sign asking for that, and I tell him I'm going to Taco Casita (a dirt cheap taco bell style restaurant that I love) and I'd gladly get him some tacos and bring them back to him (they are only .75c a piece.) and he told me in response, "I'd rather have Arby's." I drove off without saying another word.[/QUOTE]
Well, Arby's [B]is[/B] pretty damn delicious.
[QUOTE=Ajacks;45219314]I help local homeless people when I can but I've been shocked with their responses and it has hardened me a bit to their plight. I routinely buy a cheap taco meal for obvious true homeless and disabled, both mentally and physically. My brother is severely autistic and my mom was an advocate case manager for people with disability so I've been around it my entire life and can really feel for those people that were just given a raw deal from birth. Well one time, I pull up to this guy at an intersection rolling my window down to talk to the fellow and he asks for money for food and has a sign asking for that, and I tell him I'm going to Taco Casita (a dirt cheap taco bell style restaurant that I love) and I'd gladly get him some tacos and bring them back to him (they are only .75c a piece.) and he told me in response, "I'd rather have Arby's." I drove off without saying another word.[/QUOTE]
I'd rather have Arby's. Huh. Did nobody tell that genius that beggars can't be choosers?
[QUOTE=JgcxCub;45218081]To be honest, I'd say it were more a publicity stunt. It's nice for them for a day at most. Then they're back on the streets and hungry. Whereas the guy who hosted it will bathe in the glowing reports of generosity from the media for weeks.
If he really cared about them he would actually try and get them out of their situation - which is very hard to do [I]even if[/I] they're very motivated, which a lot of them (but not all) are.[/QUOTE]
You figure 250 guests, $300 each, this guy was about to give $75,000 to the homeless, and it sounds like the money might have been donated to the shelter or whatever program helps these folks, instead of giving them cash to blow on things other than necessities.
That asshole complaining about not having $300 and paying off his substantial debt, yeah, if you can't keep making monthly payments then dumping $300 into a multi-thousand dollar debt won't do anything. By next month, his interest would already negate the payment he made.
Now, if he used that $300 to buy some clean clothes, toiletries and food, he would stand a better chance at actually accomplishing something instead of throwing his money away.
"Enjoy your feast!"
[t]http://i34.tinypic.com/516ceq.jpg[/t]
"Hey, thanks for the free meal, but could you pass me a magnifying glass? I can't see my food." - an attendee at the free meal
[QUOTE=whatthe;45217777]Tasting freedom and being left on the streets again. But maybe it will motivate them to reach that standard again.[/QUOTE]
Money is not freedom.
[QUOTE=Sgt-NiallR;45218044]I think the issues arose because they were told they would get cash; the charity objected to that because they thought it would all go on drugs and alcohol.[/QUOTE]
That sentiment coming from a [i]charity[/i] makes me think the people involved in the charity are just doing it to act high and mighty, not to be charitable.
[editline]26th June 2014[/editline]
[QUOTE=mugofdoom;45221328]Money is not freedom.[/QUOTE]
300 dollars is a hotel room with a shower, dozens of meals, a set of nice clothes, and a disposable cell phone. For the homeless people who aren't disabled, 300 dollars could be all it takes to get them a job and pull them out of homelessness forever.
[QUOTE=Zeke129;45224012]That sentiment coming from a [i]charity[/i] makes me think the people involved in the charity are just doing it to act high and mighty, not to be charitable.[/QUOTE]
Well, to be fair, a lot of the people they are trying to help probably do have drug/alcohol problems. I don't think it's high and mighty so long as they're actually putting the money they're given to work for these men and not into their pockets.
[QUOTE=lintz;45217652]so basically, he got cockblocked by the white folk.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, from what I've read it sounds like the shelter wasn't going to sponsor the event if he gave the cash directly to everyone attending.
At first I was pretty pissed at Guangbiao, but it sounds more like bureaucracy and operational guidelines got in the way more than anything else. I'm [b]still[/b] a little concerned about the whole thing with people dressed up as Chinese soldiers/propaganda karaoke, but eh.
[QUOTE=ewitwins;45224361]Yeah, from what I've read it sounds like the shelter wasn't going to sponsor the event if he gave the cash directly to everyone attending.
At first I was pretty pissed at Guangbiao, but it sounds more like bureaucracy and operational guidelines got in the way more than anything else. I'm [b]still[/b] a little concerned about the whole thing with people dressed up as Chinese soldiers/propaganda karaoke, but eh.[/QUOTE]
Propaganda karaorokw wat
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