Earbuds and Toothpicks

There are many people in the streets who sell 2 simple things: earbuds and toothpicks. Small packs for pennies. The women (its mostly women) who sell them are many ages, from very young girls to young mothers to women who appear to be in their eighties. They sit on the ground, crouched down as they have done since childhood, a hat perched next to them and a small plastic basket with their small packets of goods. We usually buy something from each one we encounter-our flat is fully stocked for whenever an ear or tooth emergency comes up. They never ask for much money, maybe 50 cents for a few packs (10,000VND). We usually just give whatever we have and only take one- it only seems right. Yesterday I couldn't imagine my grandmother sitting there on the ground, waiting for a rich young foreigner to take pity and buy something she doesn't really need. Yesterday she must have been in her eighties, managing to look elegant among her surroundings. She had a lovely face, I imagine she was very beautiful. I gave her 50,000VND ($2.50) for earbuds and she kept bowing and putting her hands together in thanks to me. I kept turning around to smile at her as we walked away, and she was still showing her gratefulness. I know how I felt about the transaction, a mixture of tremendous guilt for what I have, anger at the inequality in the world, sadness wondering what she has been through. But I wonder what her story really is. Does she have family? Does she see the world in a completely different way to me? Why should I assume that it was a sad transaction- maybe it was but also maybe it wasn't. The happiness on her face was so genuine. I don't claim responsibility for that-happiness is something from within, but maybe the simple interaction doesn't have to carry so much meaning. A day of work? or a demonstration of the negative in the world? or the positive? There are so many more questions everyday....