Most Common Mistakes Newcomers Make (Chicago, Addison: gated, deal, money)

[marothisu]

In my 5 years in Chicago - I think it's gotten better downtown though there's still people there panhandling. When I first moved here, there would be people sometimes even pan handling near Rush & Oak. 4 summers ago I used to come out of Le Colonial and have a few guys try and give me a shoe shine and other guys rap for money to me. One guy near Rush and Delaware back then told me to commit suicide because I didn't give him money.

I haven't seen that for about 3 years - none in that area at all, but in the Loop during work hours in some spots it's still annoying, though I've seen a decline in the number of panhandlers there too.

[oak317]

Originally Posted by marothisu

In my 5 years in Chicago - I think it's gotten better downtown though there's still people there panhandling. When I first moved here, there would be people sometimes even pan handling near Rush & Oak. 4 summers ago I used to come out of Le Colonial and have a few guys try and give me a shoe shine and other guys rap for money to me. One guy near Rush and Delaware back then told me to commit suicide because I didn't give him money.

I haven't seen that for about 3 years - none in that area at all, but in the Loop during work hours in some spots it's still annoying, though I've seen a decline in the number of panhandlers there too.

I wonder if this actually happens more often in the nicer neighborhoods. I've seen some regular panhandlers in Lincoln Park and also in Hyde Park. It would make sense for them to go where there's more money.

According to this article they can make $80-100k. That's unbelievable.

[MassVt]

Originally Posted by jwaiter

The merits of relative stability/sanity aside, Vancouver was the worst city I've been in for sheer numbers of street people, it was ridiculous.

You've got to remember that Vancouver and San Francisco are both ridiculously expensive, which would at least partially explain the problem...

[oakparkdude]

Originally Posted by MassVt

You've got to remember that Vancouver and San Francisco are both ridiculously expensive, which would at least partially explain the problem...

Its also a lot easier to be naked and crazy in those two cities compared to Chicago, due to the climate.

[buccsmf1]

Originally Posted by Aleking

i love only driving my car once or twice a month but i absolutely need it

what? so rent a zip-car 1-2 times a month.... I'm sure it would be much cheaper than depreciation, parking, gas, insurance, property tax, repairs.... etc... etc... etc...

[5thgencincy]

Common panhandle scam, esp. near Metra station - "Our car broke down, so we just need $5 for the train to get home", posing as mother and children. Sounds so legit, until you hear it the 3rd, 4th, 5th time.

Common theft- 2 person team, one to distract/bump, the other to grab your loot. Common in revolving doors, subway doors. Also, snatch-and-run ladies purse from floor/chair in restaurant. Not sure how to prevent that one.

Aggressive panhandler in fringe area: blocks your path, says "I'm not here to hurt nobody, not kill nobody, just need ..." My reply- "Darn right you're not, with that cop over there." Works best if cop actually is over there.

A native Chicagoan once told me that in a seriously dangerous situation, eg. armed attack/abduction, tactic of last resort (if you can't escape) is pull down your pants (if you're a guy) and yell and scream like a crazy person. Theory being armed attackers prefer not to mess with a mentally ill person.

[southkakkatlantan]

Originally Posted by emathias

Lived without a car in Chicago for 15 years now. Never had a problem getting a job, dating, anything. I do rent cars occasionally, but as far as *owning* a car - absolutely optional here unless your job requires one.

Zipcar.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by oak317

I wonder if this actually happens more often in the nicer neighborhoods. I've seen some regular panhandlers in Lincoln Park and also in Hyde Park. It would make sense for them to go where there's more money.

According to this article they can make $80-100k. That's unbelievable.

Geez. Maybe I should take up panhandling.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by 5thgencincy

Aggressive panhandler in fringe area: blocks your path, says "I'm not here to hurt nobody, not kill nobody, just need ..." My reply- "Darn right you're not, with that cop over there." Works best if cop actually is over there.

Yesterday afternoon a panhandler in front of the Jewel at Broadway/Addison rather aggressively shoved his styrofoam cup in my path while I was walking by. I went off on him and started yelling about his being too aggressive and that I was going to call the cops.

His reply: "Are you a stool pigeon?"

[5thgencincy]

Originally Posted by andrew61

His reply: "Are you a stool pigeon?"

Haha, oh yeah now he's pissed off.