Just read what a pain in the ass I am and the answer is clear. But, If I were in a bar and Hank Chinaski was there and needed a drink....He'd get me to buy Him a drink, in fact, several drinks. I'd stagger out of there later thinking, Wow! what a nice guy that Hank is. Of course he only wanted a drink and knew I needed attention.
That was probably the scenario of many of his acquaintances, just the source of another much needed drink.
A guy like me, like here, just needed someone to listen to them. Oh how we savor the attention of others. Stroke, stroke, stroke.
Bukowski wrote a short story about a benefactor in a bar with plenty of money who ultimately gets thrown under the bus.
I'm sure he got sick of listening intently for hours, for drinks.
It 's no wonder he wrote how he hated people. I would not count on him giving me the time of day, I will continue to buy his books. Thank you very much, I owe you a drink.