<p>I notice that certain homeless populations are friendlier than others, i.e. the ones around UChicago are hostile and chased me for a block and the ones around NU are approachable (one even treated me out to lunch). How about the ones near UPenn? Are they harmless at least?</p>
<p>Interesting coment on the various populations. I do not know about Philly and Penn, but in SF, my son gave change to a homeless person who responded by curising him out and throwing it back at him. After growing up close to NYC and traveling there often, S was stunned by this reaction. Of course times have changed and things grow tougher every day.</p>
<p>I tend not to give any money unless I’m compelled by the person somehow. I only give food when I have some extra but most reject it.</p>
<p>New Haven homeless people are very unfriendly.</p>
<p>Boston homeless people are alright for the most part, but once in a while you’re get one with something really wrong in the head and he or she will go nuts… i imagine it’s the same in philly.</p>
<p>I’d just like to comment on the incredible fact that we are discussing the merits of different homeless populations on an Ivy League forum. Get off the computer and go help them.</p>
<p>yeah because we can just go out and solve the homeless problem</p>
<p>I’m curious as well</p>
<p>“I’d just like to comment on the incredible fact that we are discussing the merits of different homeless populations on an Ivy League forum. Get off the computer and go help them.”</p>
<p>Anyone else see the irony in this?</p>
<p>But anyway, homeless people vary. Some are going to be nice, others are going to scream in your face.</p>
<p>The ones in Philly are…tricky. They have good back stories and use props. I was sitting outside of Cosi and one approached me and gave me this long story about being a real estate agent and had a business card and was wearing a suit. lawlz</p>
<p>
??
You can say this about everything, but things are not so simple. At the very least, only those with a social work degree or something comparable should really be able to work with these populations to avoid making things worse for them and for you (i.e. dangers involved, psychological issues you might not be prepared to handle, the fact that your money could be used to fund dangerous habits, other things that could put you in vulnerable situations). The extent I’ve done is advocacy work, but you can’t possibly expect me to work on homeless issues 24/7.</p>
<p>Since we’re already on the topic, I was actually thinking about this the other day…I’m sure that there must be some profitable way for an aspiring entrepreneur to take homeless people off the street, feed them, and get them working for him, training and feeding the homeless person until they are skilled enough to merit a salary…all while making a profit. I guarantee that homeless people would be willing to work for significantly less than other people, and they could turn turbines, work in factories, and do plenty of unskilled labor until they get on their feet. It made some sense to me…I dunno. Anyone see any potential in this?</p>
<p>Well I think you need to pay them at least minimum wage. I don’t think you can just pay them with food. There are also plenty of other people looking for minimum wage jobs that are much more reliable than most homeless people (most that you see on the street, as I’m sure you know, have enormous trouble with alcohol and/or drugs, and many have mental problems) and so it would be more profitable and easier for someone to hire more stable people. Many of the clean homeless people already have jobs, and just can’t make ends meet (I know this because I lead dinner at homeless shelters during the week). So if you were to do that, I think you would have to pay them minimum wage as well as give them benefits that would cost you lots of money. Also, by taking homeless people off the street you run that risk of getting alcoholics, drug addicts, and people with mental health problems, who can give your company hell. Many of the clean/sane people without homes already have jobs. All of this gets harder in a sloppy economy too. </p>
<p>I don’t really make much sense, but I don’t think it would work, haha.</p>
<p>I gave food to a homeless guy once, only to have him take a bite and throw the rest out into the street. I’ve also been followed for like a block and a half by a dude who knew I had change since I had just gotten food at a food cart. I could tell more stories but I’m lazy.</p>
<p>For the most part, I simply ignore the homeless guys now because whenever I’ve tried to help out, be it food or change, I get a very rude response like 90% of the time.</p>
<p>My former roommate who almost decided on UPenn said he was put off by the hobos walking around, though I must say he’s been sheltered all his life. He’s amazed that people could go into the city by themselves lol.</p>
<p>Please, no more posts. We have a winner for the most pathetic thread of the week . . .</p>
<p>do the hobos ever ask for sponge baths</p>
<p>hey what’s the hobo/student ratio like at penn, harvard, yale, and princeton?</p>
<p>excuse me, gbesq, but you don’t find the hobo/student ratio relevant?</p>
<p>The hobo/total student ratio 4000/24107 or .166</p>
<p>However, if you want the hobo to undergrad ratio…
4000/10275 or .389</p>
<p>There are approx 83 hobos for every 500 students.
There are approx 160 hobos for every 411 undergraduate students.</p>
<p>However, I would imagine there would be a significantly lower percent of hobos in University City.</p>
<p>The statistics were collected from the following sources:</p>
<p>[Project</a> H.O.M.E.: Facts on Homelessness](<a href=“http://www.projecthome.org/advocacy/facts.php]Project”>http://www.projecthome.org/advocacy/facts.php)
[Penn:</a> Facts and Figures](<a href=“http://www.upenn.edu/about/facts.php]Penn:”>http://www.upenn.edu/about/facts.php)</p>
<p>[YouTube</a> - South Park - California Love - With Lyrics](<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMsr0cLnQPI]YouTube”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMsr0cLnQPI)</p>