Anyone been to San Francisco lately? The "traveler" population is out of control.

[Anonymous]

You should not have given them money. They probably are on drugs and basically all you did was give them drug money.

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/03/should-you-give-money-to-homeless-people/72820/

[Anonymous]

In New Orleans we called them gutter punks. They were always respectful as far as I recall. I never gave any money since I was in college and living on ramen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have not been to SF in 10 years. I saw nothing like OP described when I was there. I don't recall seeing a single homeless person.

I agree with PPs that it's not a good idea to give cash to anyone on the street. I've been told over and over again that you are enabling them to stay on the street if you give them cash. Food is OK, but I've had food thrown in my face, so I don't offer food either. I just don't make eye contact and walk quickly away. Most of the cash they collect is going to drugs and alcohol, not food, OP.

I guess no one should be helpful or try to be compassionate anymore. Just walk away.

PP, do you get off on your compassion? It's been explained like five times that your compassion is misplaced to say the least. You want to engage in street fighting? Be my guest. Just enough about your compassion alrready!

Um no I don't and no one has explained anything five times to me. You do realize different people are posting here right? I just think its sad that the norm is eyes down and quickly walk away when someone needs help. Not necessarily for these "travelers" but in general.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were there in April but didn't notice any. Had no trouble at all.

Visit, haight? Mission? Any of the large public parks? How about the tenderloin or soma?

[Anonymous]

I remember encountering this type in Austin back in the late 90s - the locals called them "drag rats." I couldn't figure out if they were Grateful Dead groupies who fell off the tour, rich kids slumming it, addicts, or all 3. "Crusties" is such a great term, btw.

Short but illuminating AMA on reddit by a drag rat here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/zzphi/i_am_a_drag_rat_ama/

[Anonymous]

Omg really? I was in SF a year and a half ago and didn't experience anything like what you describe. How creepy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember encountering this type in Austin back in the late 90s - the locals called them "drag rats." I couldn't figure out if they were Grateful Dead groupies who fell off the tour, rich kids slumming it, addicts, or all 3. "Crusties" is such a great term, btw.

Short but illuminating AMA on reddit by a drag rat here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/zzphi/i_am_a_drag_rat_ama/

The underground Crustie/Traveler culture is so fascinating (from the safety of my bougie 6-figure job)

If you want to read more, go here. It's bananas: https://squattheplanet.com/

[Anonymous]

Someone should rescue the dogs.

[Anonymous]

Crusty Punks good read....crustypunks.blogspot.com

[Anonymous]

I am visiting San Fran TODAY where should/shouldn't I go??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How stupid are you to actually give money to these people?? Grow a backbone and walk on by!

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.

These young adults aren't "in need" because of anything other than a choice. They choose to train hop and beg for money, rather than look for work and housing. They are choosing to be on the streets. Most of them aren't mentally ill and most are well past the age of being runaways or throwaways. They could come in from the streets, they just choose not to. I'll give money to homeless shelters and other organizations but not to them.

I grew up in the Bay Area and went to U. of Oregon.

The term of art was "transients," not "travelers," (which has its own meanings).

Some started out following the Grateful Dead but ran out of funds and fell off the tour.

Others were runaways or ex cons. Often they would sell a little pot or "loosies" (single cigarets) to help get get money in addition to pan handling. Others dealt meth or other drugs (meth is a huge problem in Oregon).

Often they had a small dog in tow.

They also were major contributors to the rapes on and around the university campus.

The whole phenomenon tends to be quite different from typical DC/mid Atlantic homelessness.

Yes! When I saw the title I thought SF had been overrun by gypsies...guess not...

[Anonymous]

I've gotten sucked into this topic and am reading all these links. While there does seem to be an element of choice by some of these kids, it also looks like alcoholism, unstable/broken/abusive upbringing, foster care, and addiction are rampant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am visiting San Fran TODAY where should/shouldn't I go??

Avoid Haight and the Tenderloin, for sure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

+1

$20??? That blows my mind, even by SF standards. These kids are not truly needy, as a pp said, it is a lifestyle choice. It's not new, either. I am almost 40 and I remember seeing the same deal in Harvard square when I was in college (I did not go to Harvard, but it wasn't SF). Anyhow, I also remember these same kids calling mom on the payphone at the end of the day to come pick them up from the burbs.

Do give to the needy, but don't waste your money on these kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am visiting San Fran TODAY where should/shouldn't I go??

Avoid Haight and the Tenderloin, for sure.

mission, soma, a lot of the parks.