Being hit up by 'homeless' in a retail store (Palo Alto: business, race)

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by Exitus Acta Probat

These sorts of stories, which I've heard innumerable times, are why I don't give a damn about anybody anymore, other than my immediate friends and family members. And that's rather sad, I suppose.

I help people when I can, I just don't have 'sucker' written on my forehead. Someone asks for gas money, I go get a gallon of gas in my gas can for them. Someone says they are hungry they get a bag with some fruit bars, cookies, chocolate drink, a razor, comb, toothbrush and a pair of socks (total cost $3) The ones who really are needy act like it's Christmas the scammers walk away

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

Not quite sure of the relevance of that tattoos and the coins in that story...

Well they were the ghetto types of tattoos. I guess everybody's idea of style or what looks good/bad is subjective. But, when you plaster yourself with a bunch of tattoos like that it's mostly for attention. It's like you are just saying "I don't care what society thinks of me" ...but then I believe that sometimes those are the types of people that care most.

[LuckyGem]

The closest I've come lately to being solicited inside of a store was yesterday in the parking lot of a Hawthorne CVS.

A woman approached me, she looked like a semi-clean hippie. While I was grabbing my reusable bags from the trunk of my car, walked straight up to me and asked for change. I don't like being walked up on, that's for sure.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by LuckyGem

The closest I've come lately to being solicited inside of a store was yesterday in the parking lot of a Hawthorne CVS.

A woman approached me, she looked like a semi-clean hippie. While I was grabbing my reusable bags from the trunk of my car, walked straight up to me and asked for change. I don't like being walked up on, that's for sure.

Reminds me of this lady that hit me up for money in NoHo arts. I believe she was asking for "A $1 for the bus"
Before she asked me for money I didn't see her as homeless and she actually looked kind of trendy or like a hipster . It's interesting how some people have no shame. It's not surprising to me anymore though.

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by jm1982

Well they were the ghetto types of tattoos. I guess everybody's idea of style or what looks good/bad is subjective. But, when you plaster yourself with a bunch of tattoos like that it's mostly for attention. It's like you are just saying "I don't care what society thinks of me" ...but then I believe that sometimes those are the types of people that care most.

or they were just really, really stupid when they were younger. I have a friend whose 22 year old son got huge holes in his earlobes. I don't know what you call that but you probably know what I mean. Well he finally grew up and is realizing that his ear holes don't appeal to employers. His parents told him they would loan him the money to get them repaired so he is now trying to find a Doc who will repair them for a reasonable amount of $

[2sleepy]

Originally Posted by jm1982

It is frustrating that the LAPD don't do much...except in situations where their lives or perhaps lives of others are threatened. I believe a lot of the reason is because of the message/marching orders that are given from 'above' ...the higher up officials in the city government.
.

peaceful panhandling is a first amendment right. It's a good thing LAPD doesn't try to stop it because it would result in a huge lawsuit. Reno tried to ban all panhandling and got spanked hard. You can prohibit aggressive panhandling which means blocking a person on the sidewalk, touching or threatening a person, or creating a condition where a citizen is forced to stop due to the activities of a panhandler.

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by LuckyGem

The closest I've come lately to being solicited inside of a store was yesterday in the parking lot of a Hawthorne CVS.

A woman approached me, she looked like a semi-clean hippie. While I was grabbing my reusable bags from the trunk of my car, walked straight up to me and asked for change. I don't like being walked up on, that's for sure.

I really do not like being ambushed like that either, and that's a fairly low tactic for somebody to use, because they know in the back of your mind you're thinking, "I better be nice to this person or they might do something to my car."

[Exitus Acta Probat]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

peaceful panhandling is a first amendment right. It's a good thing LAPD doesn't try to stop it because it would result in a huge lawsuit. Reno tried to ban all panhandling and got spanked hard. You can prohibit aggressive panhandling which means blocking a person on the sidewalk, touching or threatening a person, or creating a condition where a citizen is forced to stop due to the activities of a panhandler.

I wish LAPD would at least get rid of the loiterers, especially the ones on private property.

[fluffythewondercat]

There was a nice-looking well-groomed young guy in a business suit panhandling on the median next to the left turn lane from El Camino Real onto Alma in Palo Alto all last week.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's back this week. Judging from what I saw, it pays pretty well. His race might have had something to do with it.

[sacreole]

I was panhandled inside the Ontario Mills Mall food court earlier this year by some lady while having dinner with my co-worker. I thought that was pretty brazen of her to panhandle inside a mall of all places.