Anyone been to San Francisco lately? The "traveler" population is out of control.
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Anonymous
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We just spent 4 days in San Francisco and I gotta say there was some serious culture shock. I hadn't been for about 14 years, used to go yearly as a child/teen and the difference was striking. I remember seeing "hobo" types there before, people who train hopped and eccentric feral types - this was something else entirely. The city is teeming with packs of young adults and I was alarmed. I am not talking about homeless people, my heart goes out to people in that situation and expect there to be more in any major city, this was something else entirely.
Is this a new type of culture attractive to teens, a product of unemployment rates being high, or what? Is San Francisco just a mecca for them? When they would ask for money they were polite about it, then when we'd give they would be really rude and it was almost scary a couple of times. Front desk at our hotel called them crusties when my DH mentioned one encounter. Example from our first day - there were 4 pretty dirty "kids" with a couple of dogs and one held his hand out and asked my DH: "Sir, can you spare some change." My DH handed him a $20 and said, "Get yourselves something to eat, do your dogs have food?" "Yes, Sir, okay." We started to walk away and we get "Hey, what about the rest of us." "You can afford more." "Just $20, your purse is worth 10 times that" and we got heckled by them for about a block while they followed us. One of the dogs started barking and growling and we heard "He loves the taste of rich assholes" We saw these types of exchanges happening over and over. We saw one man hand a group two pizzas and he got a "F*ck you I'm vegan" and "give us the cash" I handed a girl about 8 dollars, all I had in cash and was about to ask her if she wanted to get some supplies at the little market before she said "Thats it? F*ck your day!" I was pretty shocked and we stuck to pretty touristy areas and the marina district, but saw them every where we went. |
Anonymous
| We were there four years ago and it wasn't like that. Just mostly overun with your typical San Francisco older or drugged up homeless people. Nothing like what you described. |
Anonymous
| Meth. |
Anonymous
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This is a growing problem in Seattle, too. For this type, it's a lifestyle choice -- they could just as easily be back on the couch in Petaluma, playing Xbox at Mom's house.
Walk right on past, seriously. Then give what you can to small-overhead non-profits that use best practices to get help to those who actually need it. |
Anonymous
Maybe its a summer thing? The staff at the hotel did say its a problem though, especially in some areas, like haight, mission and just about every park. |
Anonymous
That is terrible. I understand the want to explore and travel but this doesn't seem like much of a life. Homeless charities are close to my heart and seeing those kids (heh I feel old saying that and I'm not) pulled at my heartstrings. I had a feeling it was a lifestyle choice though. I hope they don't fall too far into drugs and smarten up and get off the streets at some point. This must be overburdening homeless shelters trying to help actual people in need. |
Anonymous
| How stupid are you to actually give money to these people?? Grow a backbone and walk on by! |
Anonymous
Why is giving money to someone who appears to be in need stupid? Especially someone with innocent dogs in tow. Why so rude to the OP? I think it is clear that they were not aware that this was a problem in the northwest. |
Anonymous
And you are so smart and just bursting with good will aren't you? |
Anonymous
You betcha. |
Anonymous
Well apparently if you give food to homeless people you are an asshole, according to DCUM. |
Anonymous
At least they were trying to help someone they thought needed it, instead of just being rude to strangers on the internet. |
Anonymous
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Huh? I live in SF and can't figure out where you were. The Haight? The Mission? That's where most of the crusties are.
BTW, I never ever give money. When they ask, I say "No, sorry" without stopping. If I'm carrying leftovers from a restaurant I will offer them. I've been turned down once in ten years. You were giving too much. Give a dollar or two. Not a $20. |
Anonymous
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San Francisco's homeless problem is a serious one. Its pretty heartbreaking and just getting worse with the influx of the crusty punks.
For such a wealthy city this is shameful. 
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Anonymous
Finally! A smart person on this thread who appears to have no patience for the PC wimps here. |