I'm seeing a lot of panhandlers around lately. There is always a guy at the southbound exit at I-5 and NE 145th, but that's been true for as long as I can remember. But now panhandlers are finding other places to stand around with their signs.
For example, at the corner of NE 145th and Aurora, there's a panhandler in a Blazers jacket. He often stands there in the mornings with a sign that says something to the effect that he needs money for himself and his family.
Also, now there is a guy who likes to panhandle by the movie theater in Woodinville. That shopping complex is almost always jam packed, so I bet he makes a lot of money from rich snobs, as well as poor snobs like me. Well, I'm not going to give him any money.
Several months ago some guy tried to get us to give him gas money, and I told him that he was barking up the wrong tree. I don't have a job either, but you don't see me on the street begging for money. I mean, it would probably be more effective, but seriously. (Actually I have two interviews and a potential third one in the next few weeks, so things are a lot better on that front.)
There is often a guy panhandling on NE 124th in Kirkland, over by the Wendy's or Azteca. He will sometimes walk up and down the street hoping for people to give him money.
Of all the people panhandling, I have to say I find the one in Woodinville the most obnoxious. That's because he's not just on the street... he's in the shopping complex, so he's kind of in a parking lot too. When I go to the movies, I don't want to be confronted with some gross man trying to get me to give him money.
Have you noticed more people panhandling lately? Your thoughts?