# So, I shot a Squeegee Kid in the face today... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 18, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702 "2008-05-18T00:50:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/1 "2008-05-18T00:50:06Z")
with water, of course. or rather, with washer fluid. I really dislike squeegee kids who come running up to my car at a busy intersection when I’m stopped at a red light, and without saying anything, start rubbing a dirty rag or squegee on my windshield, and then expect to be paid. Hate it! almost as much as a telemarketing call, which is really saying something. Have they not noticed that most cars have wipers and washer fluid? if I want my windshield cleaned, I have the means to do it. And expecting to be paid for doing something I’ve not asked for?? Ha! forget that that! it’s extortion, pure and simple. But I bide my time. I wait until he’s leaning forward over the windshield, ignoring my handwaving to get him to go away. Then I hit the “squirt the squeegee kid” button. Squirted him up, real good. 😃 Oh, and don’t get me started on squeegee kids on my lawn … ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/2 "2008-05-18T01:03:21Z")
Time to put your drafting skills to work in Sask.: [Safe Streets Act - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_Streets_Act) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/3 "2008-05-18T01:16:08Z")
Oh, we already have a “stunting” offence in [The Traffic Safety Act](http://www.qp.gov.sk.ca/documents/english/Statutes/Statutes/T18-1.pdf) that would probably cover it: > [@](#): > > **Speeding and stunts prohibited > 214**(4) No pedestrian or bystander shall perform or engage in any stunt or activity on a highway that is likely to distract, startle or interfere with other users of the highway. It certainly startled me when he popped up beside my car… ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/4 "2008-05-18T02:06:17Z")
Hey, you could sue on trespass to chattels and take the squeegee kid for everything he is worth. Er . . . wait a minute. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/5 "2008-05-18T02:51:23Z")
The shot would have been a lot more effective if it came from a .357 magnum. You don’t see many squeegee kids in Detroit or Compton for that reason. When on the mean streets, you got to mean business. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/6 "2008-05-18T03:36:31Z")
This thing on? _tap tap_ Um…hi. I’m Johnny Crash. [cue guitar] \*Well, I see the kid a-comin’ He’s stepping off the curb And I’m wavin’ my hands at him I say, “Do not disturb,” But I’m stuck here in my Chevy Until the light turns green– And that kid just keeps on comin’ Gonna make my windshield clean. When I was learnin’ to drive My teacher said, “By gar! Don’t ever let a squeegee-er Get anywhere near your car.” So I shot him the kid with fluid Just to watch him cry It’s no way to make a living I gotta wonder why.\* “Squeegee Kid Blues,” ladies and gentlemen. Thank you, and goodnight! ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 8:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/7 "2008-05-18T08:33:30Z")
Bravo! ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/8 "2008-05-18T12:54:13Z")
Next time the kid will have tar on a rag, just for your window. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/9 "2008-05-18T17:25:20Z")
Bravo, **Spoons**! you’ve captured my leitmotif perfectly! ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/10 "2008-05-18T17:35:21Z")
There are squeegee kids in Regina? Is the entry-level employment situation there not roughly the same as here? There are Tim Horton’s here offering _attendance bonuses_. Eyes about popped out of my head when I saw that on the Now Hiring sign. Attendance bonuses! When I was doing entry level jobs my attendance bonus was that I didn’t get fired. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/11 "2008-05-18T18:09:17Z")
they tend to be hitchhikers, or “hanging-out” kids who seem content to hang out on the mall and ask for spare change. the way they dress I wouldn’t hire them, dang kids. [**Piper** is particularly grumpy and old this weekend.] ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/12 "2008-05-18T18:10:50Z")
[QUOTE=Muffin] Hey, you could sue on trespass to chattels and take the squeegee kid for everything he is worth. Er . . . wait a minute. [/QUOTE] to add insult to injury, his squeegee would likely be exempt from seizure under a writ because it’s his work tool… dang kids! get a job and earn some money so I can sue you for intentional startlement! ---
**Author:** ![Savannah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b3f665/32.png) [@Savannah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Savannah)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/13 "2008-05-18T18:13:20Z")
[QUOTE=Gorsnak] There are squeegee kids in Regina? Is the entry-level employment situation there not roughly the same as here? There are Tim Horton’s here offering _attendance bonuses_. Eyes about popped out of my head when I saw that on the Now Hiring sign. Attendance bonuses! When I was doing entry level jobs my attendance bonus was that I didn’t get fired. [/QUOTE] We have squeegee kids and panhandlers galore here in Victoria, and the Tim Horton’s my husband and I stopped at last night was advertising a HIRING FAIR, with leaflets and sandwich board type displays touting the benefits of working there. Help Wanted signs everywhere (mostly in retail, but that’s where I’m noticing it) and still… ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/14 "2008-05-18T18:24:05Z")
Reply to wrong poster. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/15 "2008-05-18T18:25:42Z")
[QUOTE=Gorsnak] There are squeegee kids in Regina? Is the entry-level employment situation there not roughly the same as here? There are Tim Horton’s here offering _attendance bonuses_. Eyes about popped out of my head when I saw that on the Now Hiring sign. Attendance bonuses! When I was doing entry level jobs my attendance bonus was that I didn’t get fired. [/QUOTE] Seasonal jobs have done that for a long time. Around the Wisconsin Dells they needed you to work through the tourist season. Not collecting $1,000 at the end of the year was good incentive to not quit two weeks early. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/16 "2008-05-18T19:03:30Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] to add insult to injury, his squeegee would likely be exempt from seizure under a writ because it’s his work tool… dang kids! get a job and earn some money so I can sue you for intentional startlement! [/QUOTE] Intentional infliction of mental suffering? Forget the “startlement” provision of the statute; go straight for the private tort. (Gah, I’m thinking like an ambulance chaser already! :eek: ) I dunno…having read the applicable sections in Ontario’s _Safe Streets Act_, the Saskatchewan _Traffic Safety Act_’s s. 214(4) seems deceptively simple in comparison. Maybe drafting something new for Saskatchewan is needed, if the squeegee kids in Regina become the problem they were in Toronto. > [@Harmonious Discord](#): > > Seasonal jobs have done that for a long time. Around the Wisconsin Dells they needed you to work through the tourist season. Not collecting $1,000 at the end of the year was good incentive to not quit two weeks early. Yes, but Tim Horton’s is hardly a seasonal job. It’s a fast-food coffee/donut/sandwich chain–think “giving attendance bonuses to McDonald’s workers” and you’ve got the idea. And yes, Tim’s and other fast-food joints, as well as other traditionally low-paying jobs, are offering high wages and various bonuses here in Calgary as well. Hey, southern Ontarians! Come West and get the jobs that need filling! Contrary to what they teach in Toronto schools, you will not fall off the edge of the world if you go west of Winnipeg. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/17 "2008-05-18T19:06:55Z")
[QUOTE=Spoons] Contrary to what they teach in Toronto schools, you will not fall off the edge of the world if you go west of Winnipeg. 😃 [/QUOTE] Yeah. I’d say the edge is right around Lloydminster, myself. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Ice\_Cream\_Man](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ice\_Cream\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Cream_Man)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/18 "2008-05-18T19:51:15Z")
Did he get mad? I’ve always wanted to just set my wipers to high when they come close but there’s some pretty mean looking squeegee kids around here. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2008, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/19 "2008-05-18T20:59:55Z")
Does “squeegee kid” mean anything besides a person who cleans your car windows? There’s an episode of Instant Star (a Canadian show) that has the lead and her friend stop to eat at a Chinese place. The owner comes over all agitated and tells them that “We don’t serve squeegee kids.” This confused me because: a. they were musicians, not window washers - they didn’t coincidentally have any supplies for window washing with them either. b. that seems really rude and randomly discriminatory So are there stereotypes surrounding these kids other than being persistent? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2008, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702/20 "2008-05-19T04:47:10Z")
[QUOTE=Ice Cream Man] Did he get mad? I’ve always wanted to just set my wipers to high when they come close but there’s some pretty mean looking squeegee kids around here. [/QUOTE] He made a ‘gaaah’ noise and ran off. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-i-shot-a-squeegee-kid-in-the-face-today/449702.md?page=2)