S. Fr'iscans: how do you survive the panhandling? (Oakland, Berkeley: mover, neighborhoods)

[mamysan]

We've heard about neighborhoods like the Haight and the 'Loin. How do you survive it on a day-to-day if you have to be in these hoods for work or home?

[ferretkona]

After a while you recognize each other, you see their gambit. A nod is all you need to say hi after you know each other. I have sat elbows to elbows in cafes with them. Who cares?

[dlyoung123]

How to deal with pan handling? Lets see. You grab the pan which you will find somewhere in the vicinity of the stove in your kitchen. Which is sometimes also called a skillet or even a sauce pan. By the handle. And with your soon to be meal in the big round metal part... Place on the burner which you will find atop your range. Then set heat to the required setting and wait for the prescribed number of minutes. Use care not to get burned. Then with hand protected by an oven mite. So you do not get burned... Grab the pan with your strong arm. While turning off the burner which is below the pan. With your other arm. And serve:-) Just had to say that....

I just explain to them I live on social security and have less cash than what is in there cup. Which most often is true. Frankly I rarely encounter them. Even in west Oakland. Have had maybe three sightings since I moved here in April. Oh and one sighting just south of the tenderloin back in 2009 when I was checking out the city. Maybe I have just been lucky or something. But I just have not seen it being a problem. Save for the panhandlers them selves. Just wished they had more help so they wouldn't have to live what to me. Well I would rather be dead than be in there shoes.

[CAVA1990]

You develop what i call the "Berkeley stare" which means looking right through the panhandler as if he's invisible.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You develop what i call the "Berkeley stare" which means looking right through the panhandler as if he's invisible.

HAHA Wow! People have told me that I do that. Never knew there was a "Berkeley Stare" though LOL

[OakAve2OakLand]

"Survive" panhandling? Please...give me a break.

I guess you have no REAL problems in your life. Grow up.

Or, maybe you'd like to experience the other side of the pan?

[mayorhaggar]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You develop what i call the "Berkeley stare" which means looking right through the panhandler as if he's invisible.

Yup...just ignore them. If they get too close, tell them to step off.

Same thing for Greenpeace canvassers.

[tstieber]

After reading an article that quoted homeless people as saying they welcome a smile and a nod because most people pretend they're invisible, I started doing that unless they seem crazy. Seems to make them feel nice not to be ignored, and they aren't pushy about money.

[steel7]

Some pan handlers (mooches) earn pretty good money. I cant give what i dont have.

[ssmaster]

when i first moverd to SF a pan handler grabbed me and said give me some money.

in my naivity i just assumed that this guy was trying to engage in strong arm robbery so of course I clocked him , put him down and made clear he should never touch me again

imagine my surprised when i was admonished for this.
No it was explained to me that what occured was something unique to SF called "aggresive panhandling" where pan handlers can grab or intimidate pedestrians.

didn't i feel silly!!!
i had never heard of "aggressive panhandling"
just because that behavior is strong armed robbery in every other city i have lived
dosen't make it the case in SF of course.