Quote:
Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Which big American city has the best (i.e., polite, non-aggressive, mentally normal but down on their luck) panhandlers? I say Chicago, but I don't have a lot of nationwide street experience.
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Not to be a homer, because this is not exactly a proud title for a city to have, but in my travels I would agree that Chicago has some of the most docile and creative street folk. We have our share of the aggressive types, but it seems the city takes a more "No nonsense" approach here... They still try to get them help, but won't put up with aggressive behavior.
While I encounter maybe 3-5 a day here around the Loop, I do have to say I was shocked at the scope of the problem in certain cities in more moderate climates, like San Francisco, where I'd see more than that on one block... Philosophical differences on how to deal with the problem probably accounts for a lot of that. Being more charitable sometimes causes more problems than it worth, I guess.
Two of my favorites here are the guy who wears a sandwich board claiming Hart Schaffner and Marx (HQ'd here) did something to him in some vast global conspiracy. He's very punctual as I seem to pass him getting of the L at the same station at the same time most mornings on his way to his post outside HSM...
The other is the Hi Guy. Not sure if he falls into the "homeless" category, but he basically walks around the downtown area with a propeller beanie on his head carrying a sign that says "Hi". That's it. Doesn't hit anybody up for anything, as far as I know.
