I've noticed more panhandlers and hitch hikers in the Seattle area than any other city I've lived in/near. They can cause some discomfort for sure. There are three regular panhandlers that like to hang out at a busy intersection I need to cross through when going to my side job. T here's an elderly lady who always smiles and waves at everyone. A middle aged man who always has his face half covered by a hoody, and a young man who tries to entertain everyone with a drum set and a harmonica. He's not real good but I got to respect his effort. Although a part of me is suspicious as to how badly they need help and why can't they take better care of themselves, another part wishes I could help if I had more to spare.
I always groan when I approach the intersection and I see one of them standing there, and the light is red.
The hitch hikers are as bad as I imagine they can be anywhere, they're just more plentiful here than I've seen anywhere else. A lot of times when they see you're not going to slow down, they'll flip you the bird as you're passing.
Yeah, that
really makes me want to stop and pick them up.