Things that don't belong in West Plano... (Dallas, Austin: crime, neighborhood)

[rachiepants]

First thing I want to put on this list are the groups of people who, presumably for some charitable organization, take over all corners of an intersection and ask that drivers' spare change be put in the white bucket they're toting around.

I found this to be not only commonplace but also readily accepted when I lived in Austin, but here in Plano I don't want to see it. Forgive me, but I can't help but question the legitimacy of the group. Occasionally they may dress it up a little bit...but someone in jeans and a t-shirt, holding a bucket at an intersection, appears more homeless than philanthropic.
I assume a faded picture of a needy child taped haphazardly to the bucket is supposed to convince me otherwise.

I have no problem with the firefighters and their boots, btw...just so's you don't think I have a problem with charity in general. The fire truck parked nearby covers all my legitimacy concerns.

Thoughts? Anything anyone else would like to add to the list?

[Big G]

Lakewooder.


oh wait, that's things that don't belong in a thread ABOUT West Plano.

[MaryS80]

Is this a joke, or are you that full of yourself? I'm so tired of people from West Plano and Frisco being a bunch of elitist snobs who are offended if they dare have to associate with the common folks.

Who knows if they are legit, if you don't like them or don't think they are legit than don't donate, simple enough.

[stan4]

No, I don't care for these people on the street, either. It just ruins the ambience of the whole area and makes me feel unsafe.

Ever think we moved to West Plano to get away from those things?

[jimithing78]

Uh, I live in west Plano and the only people I've ever seen on the corners are fire fighters collecting money for Jerry's Kids. Do you see these people a lot? What cross streets are you talking about?

[stan4]

I saw those people, too. Tollway and Park. With some raggedy cans, walking in the middle of the street and on the corner.

[MaryS80]

Originally Posted by stan4

No, I don't care for these people on the street, either. It just ruins the ambience of the whole area and makes me feel unsafe.

Ever think we moved to West Plano to get away from those things?

There is this little thing called the real world and as much as you all want to wish and pretend that you lived in perfect little Utopian bubble, you don't.

You could easily lose your job, or get injured and be unable to work, and unless you have substantial investments or savings than you could easily be broke, poor, or struggling.

Don't for one minute think you are better than anyone. How would you feel if someone looked down on you and thought of you as somehow less of a person?

West Plano might be moneyed, but with attitudes like that you have a lot to learn.

I'm no bleeding heart, but the one thing that irks me is a holier than thou attitude.

[stan4]

Originally Posted by MaryS80

There is this little thing called the real world and as much as you all want to wish and pretend that you lived in perfect little Utopian bubble, you don't.

You could easily lose your job, or get injured and be unable to work, and unless you have substantial investments or savings than you could easily be broke, poor, or struggling.

Don't for one minute think you are better than anyone. How would you feel if someone looked down on you and thought of you as somehow less of a person?

West Plano might be moneyed, but with attitudes like that you have a lot to learn.

I'm no bleeding heart, but the one thing that irks me is a holier than thou attitude.

Hey, Miss Really Holier Than Thou,

I grew up with unspeakable poverty around me. People lived in ditches. Had no clothes. Not like poverty in this country.

So I spend and have spent a lot of time and money helping people in those situations.

I don't think it's too much to ask to pay a little extra to live in a nice place, with less crime, and with pretty surroundings. That makes me neither oblivious nor heartless.

Get over yourself.

[rachiepants]

Originally Posted by MaryS80

Is this a joke, or are you that full of yourself? I'm so tired of people from West Plano and Frisco being a bunch of elitist snobs who are offended if they dare have to associate with the common folks.

Who knows if they are legit, if you don't like them or don't think they are legit than don't donate, simple enough.

I don't even care if it sounds elitist. I'm telling you that when the community just accepts it, it becomes very commonplace before you know it (i.e. San Francisco, Austin, urban areas of various cities). I shouldn't have to ignore it...last I heard Dallas had an anti-panhandling ordinance. I'm sure Plano, in all its elitist glory, must have something similar on the books.

Maybe when someone squeegees your windshield at the stoplight you would finally be bothered by it?

[MaryS80]

Originally Posted by stan4

Hey, Miss Really Holier Than Thou,

I grew up with unspeakable poverty around me. People lived in ditches. Had no clothes. Not like poverty in this country.

So I spend and have spent a lot of time and money helping people in those situations.

I don't think it's too much to ask to pay a little extra to live in a nice place, with less crime, and with pretty surroundings. That makes me neither oblivious nor heartless.

Get over yourself.

Just because you pay extra money, or live in a nice area does not mean you exempt from the ugly side of life.

Obviously those people are going to your neighborhood because thats where the money is. It would not make much sense for them to go panhandle in a poor area.

I just think its extremely stuck up, and arrogant that you feel somehow bothered or put out that you even have to look at these people. Maybe we should just round up all the lowly untouchables and kill them so your poor eyes and perfect little West Plano doesn't have to be burdened by them.

Crime can and does happen everywhere, so if you think otherwise you are only fooling yourself.

Your attitude disgusts me, and nothing is going to change that.