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This is also a cultural dispute. In Korean culture, elderly people believe they should have privilege because of the fact that they're older. They don't realize their culture doesn't apply in America.
That's one of the biggest problem with new immigrants. Culture clash.
What baffles me is the fact that these people have nothing better to do than hang out at a MCDONALD'S for over 12 hours. Those restaurants aren't that nice.
The Flushing McDonalds closed in October of last year unexpectedly with no notice to patrons. (One can only imagine what would have happened had there been notice.) A local politician acknowledged that the five year long struggle with the elderly Korean group probably had something to do with it.
The store's employees were reassigned to other McDonalds stores.
A Burger King nearby -- also populated by lingering Korean seniors -- went out of business shortly before the McDonalds store.
According to it, commercial space in that gentrifying area was leasing for rates higher than midtown Manhattan. That requires high volume / turnover in a fast food operation to turn a profit.
25% of elderly Asians live in poverty in NYC. Many are here as the result of chain migration. They have little to no Social Security income. Many live in subsidized housing and depend on SNAP benefits for food.
I am an on again/ off again Meals on Wheels home delivery volunteer. More than half of my deliveries are to Korean seniors. While some rent closet sized rooms in private residences, most live in a subsidized
senior complex.
Due to their limited English proficiency I don’t know much of their backstories beyond occasional boasting they have adult children who own small businesses and big homes in the suburbs. I suspect many worked in the background of a family business and their meager wages were not declared.
Not clear to me if they choose to not burden their families or the families prefer not to have aging relatives live with them when there are eligible low income senior welfare benefits.
The McDonalds by the train station in the Chicago burb of Roselle has posted signs about time limits etc. or at least did a few years ago.
They had a lot of elderly people that would just drink coffee and use the Wi-Fi all day.
There is a library just blocks from there where they could probably get free Wi-Fi.
Most homeless shelters require guests to depart by 7:00 AM. Libraries in walkable communities throughout the US have found themselves in the daylight homeless shelter business, especially during winter.
Then there are the older adults who park themselves for the day to socialize.
Locals oftentimes resent their libraries being monopolized by homeless and/ or ethnic elderly and the increasingly common need for security. A percentage of the homeless and elderly demonstrate dementia/ mental illness.
Others view the situation as a demonstrated need for places designated for daylight sheltering, socialization and hot meals.
Most homeless shelters require guests to depart by 7:00 AM. Libraries in walkable communities throughout the US have found themselves in the daylight homeless shelter business, especially during winter.
Then there are the older adults who park themselves for the day to socialize.
Locals oftentimes resent their libraries being monopolized by homeless and/ or ethnic elderly and the increasingly common need for security. A percentage of the homeless and elderly demonstrate dementia/ mental illness.
Others view the situation as a demonstrated need for places designated for daylight sheltering, socialization and hot meals.
All good points. Civic centers, libraries etc. are just what makes do when you don't have the funds to do more. Imagine how bad it is in places like CA, FL etc. where the weather allows for a more substantial homeless population.
That's one of the biggest problem with new immigrants. Culture clash.
Assimilate
These are not necessarily new immigrants. As it relates to Koreans, most are here as the result of chain migration. They may have worked behind the scenes in family small businesses. Their low wages were not necessarily reported or taxed- thus little to no Social Security Benefits.
As an aside, my in-laws immigrated in 1950 from Eastern Europe as a part of the Displaced Persons settlement. Despite being multi- lingual, they chose not to learn English. They settled in an ethnic community. They managed to be employed, paid taxes, bought a 3 flat and became citizens- no need to assimilate.
Their ethnic church provided opportunities for socialization.
All good points. Civic centers, libraries etc. are just what makes do when you don't have the funds to do more. Imagine how bad it is in places like CA, FL etc. where the weather allows for a more substantial homeless population.
Florida has an abundance of cheap motels and trailer parks creating unique opportunities to shelter the homeless. School buses make routine stops to pick- up/ drop off children. Land values ( demand exceeds supply) in the Bay Area and LA county are not conducive to cheap anything, thus the tent cities.
The management of the Mc Donald’s ( now closed) was the source of that now 5 year old remark.
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