Hello.
We were thinking about doing the San Francisco City Guides walking tour of the Haight on Sunday morning, but I saw a previous post from someone who was uncomfortable in the area because of aggressive panhandling. I believe they abandoned the tour because the wait for the tour to start was so uncomfortable. I know no one can predict whether this is going to an issue this Sunday, but some general advice would be good please.
Thank you
Lisa

seriously if panhandlers freak you out don;t come to the haight. for good or for ill (and I'm not about sparking a political argument) panhandlers have been allowed in the Haight since the 60's. When you say "aggressive" i don't know what you mean exactly. I've lives here for over 20 yrs and they are a PITA<but no one has ever accosted me physically or gotten on my face when I just walk by.

The tour does not walk dowh Haight St itself. It starts at the public library, and someties there is a vaigrant there "sleeping it off".

BTW, I saw many panhandelers in London the last 3 weeks. If they don't bother you there, then they won't bother you in the Haight. Just stay off Haight St itself to minimize encounters.

Stu Dudley

Thanks Stu. I don't have an issue with panhandling, it was the use of the word "aggressive" by the person in that previoius post which prompted my question.

I'm cruious what the "previous post" was - if you are standing around in a group how aggressive could a panhandler get?

"Agressive" is subjetive. If he/she grabs me or even touches me - I would call that agressive. If he steps towards me and asks for money but doesn't shout or insult me - somebody might call that agressive - but I would not. If he/she shouts or insults me - I would say that's in the middle.

I have never been touched, insulted, or shouted at by a panhandler in San Francisco or London.

Stu Dudley

I was reading Stu's recommendations post and this was the one which prompted the question. I am satisfied now that I have nothing to be concerned about and am heading out now to explore some more.
Thanks
Lisa


LoriNY1on May 13, 08 at 5:34pm


Stu, what great information. Wish I had this, I just returned from SF and the wine areas. two things I would like to note -

1. I found the Haight to be a horrible area. I wouldn't call the folks hanging around on Sunday mornings as aging hippies, I would term them 'homeless' and quite aggressive. DH and I intended to take the walking tour, but just didn't feel comfortable hanging around waiting. Alamo Square was worth the looksee....

2. Off of Dry Creek Road in Sonoma, we found a wonderful cluster of wineries. Turn at the Family winery sign, go up the hill and you will find a parking lot with several small producers. Our favorites - PapaPietro Perry - wonderful Pinots, Pederson - nice cabs, and Amphora - lots of good Pinots. Would have never found them if John at Ferrari Caranos didn't tell us.

Ditto what Stu has posted about aggressive being subjective. And to add that in 20+ years of living 4 blocks South of Haight street I have never been touch, grabbed or otherwise been involved in aggressive panhandling. Indeed, in 30+ years of living in SF I can't recall even being yelled at. Here is a for tourists dealing with panhandlers; Ignore them. Don't make eye contact, don't seize up when you see them i.e. don't suddenly clutch your purse, don't make comments to your friends, don't apologize for not giving them anything, keep walking, talking and doing what you were doing.

mztery, if you truly are not about starting a political debate, maybe it would be wise to refrain from making blanket statements such as panhandlers have been "allowed" in the Haight. Just a thought.

@sab - "allowed" as in, there ARE parts of town where people sitting on the street or asking for money etc would be gently or not chased away. I rarely see panhandlers in true Pac Hts or the Marina for ex, and even rarely enough in Noe Valley. So the fact that so many panhandlers find their way to the Haight and aren't shooed away to me says it's allowed tacitly or otherwise. And my DH has lived here even longer that I have and has seen the same thing.

And there are parts of town such as Pac Hts and the Marina that are extremely affluent and get very prompt responses from the SFPD.

BTW are you forgetting that the "Sit/Lie" Ordinance was initiated in the Haight?

reTW are you forgetting that the "Sit/Lie" Ordinance was initiated in the Haight?


and you see how much it's enforced?