LLindaC

GOOD GRIEF Charlie Brown. I got off the EL at Adams and Wabash and had to consult my map to find Jackson. A kind man pointed it out for me then asked for money. Truthfully, all I had was Euros! Needed exchange bank stat..I was panhandled at almost every corner, though politely. But what REALLY ticked me off was all the teens working for Greenpeace at every corner) with the "excuse me, would you like to save Lake Michigan?" "Hello, do you care about the environment?"
After 2 days of this, I was ready to say....NO! I can't find a public john in this freaking city. They are all over Paris! I am going to poop in Lake Michigan, wanna watch?
I applaud Chicago for going smoke free. It's SO SO nice in resturnts and bars! But WTH is going on there with panhandling and bothering tourists? I swear, it's reached a totally new low!!!

tchoiniere

Remind me to bring a baseball bat with me to Chicago next month...

EricH

I walk home from work in DC and some days it feels like a real gauntlet. Especially in the summer, you get to see lots of college students out there being exploited by environmentalists and advocates for children, sustainable development, and various other causes. You'll notice that they almost always work in pairs.

TwoFatFeet

You're in tourist central, and it's the summer. Panhandling and charity mugging happens.

Is there anything you like about Chicago? Do tell.

I hope your stay here gets better, because it's a great city.

LLindaC

Oh I LOVE Chicago! I go once or twice a year. There's so much to love...I think the people are friendly there, the restaurants are amazing, the whole lake scene is a blast. I love flying to Midway, jumping on the Orange line for $2 and being in the city in 25 minutes.Love the Art Institute, the Field Museum, Lincoln Park Zoo, Mag Mile, Greektown, the theatres. No complaints about the city in those regards! I am just wondering if the city is doing enough to help the hungry and homeless? I have never seen the amount of panhandling that I witnessed this week, honestly.

oh...btw...I popped into the Washington Library to print out my boarding pass and Mayor Daly was standing there doing a press conference! Fun~!!!

HKP

If I'm not mistaken, the library has public toilets... ;-)

So does the Art Institute and all museums, plus Macy's and downtown stores, Mag Mile shopping centers as well.

Was preggers in the summer there and learned quickly where all the public loos were.

LLindaC

I know...I was just kidding! We were staying close to the loop and what was funny was that all the places cater to DePaul students around Jackson...the restaurants closed at 4 pm!

marilynl

Summer + any American city = panhandlers and petitions, in my experience. I don't think this is unique to Chicago. I personally dislike San Francisco the most, cause the panhandlers often will NOT take no for an answer.

FainaAgain

Shocking! When I was in Chicago 2 years ago, I didn't see any of this.

cruisin_tigger

Yep, I pass them everyday on my way to Union Station. Its always the same ones so I pretty much ignore them. But I do feel like giving them a hint...if you're going to be panhandling, don't be standing there smoking a cigarette. I'm not going to contribute to that. Then there's the one who stands on a twisted leg leaning on a crutch. However, dude, you can't then be seen later strolling thru Union Station carrying your crutch! Reminds me of Eddie Murphy in Trading Places.
(Linda - shoulda called me, I'm right down the street and could direct you to Jackson. )