Why are unemployed homeless people always in a hurry???

[WingedHorse]

Pet peeve of mine. Either walking or driving downtown, see countless people looking homeless and unemployed.

They cross mid-block, rushing across the road. If they do cross at a corner they usually do not wait for the light to change. They cross quickly against red lights, yellow lights, and in the face of impending traffic.

My question: What is the rush? Where are they going so fast? Does it matter if they get there 15 seconds later?

Rhetorical question, I know.

 

[WingedHorse]

I do not cross mid-block, rushing across the road. I do not cross against red lights, yellow lights, and against impending traffic. No matter where I need to get to, or when, I do not put myself or others in danger of an accident to get there.

My point is that the majority of people I see rushing across the road in an illegal manner appear to be from the homeless and unemployed segment of society. They appear to have a total disregard for their own safety, and the safety of others, in order to get somewhere fast. This is not an attack on homeless and unemployed people. I come from that segment of society. This is a question of why many of those from that socioeconomic class feel it necessary to endanger themselves and others to cross a downtown street.

 

[Perbster99]

Some of them are high and not able to make good decisions. That's why the city changed the speed limit on Hastings in dtes to 30 km an hour

 

[vancity_cowboy]

most of the homeless used to be kept in mental hospitals

then some bright light beaurocrat in england (probably) did the math and presented a plan to his political masters showing how much more money they could steal from the government coffers if they just quit housing those pesky mentally incompetent people, and they turned them out into the street

in short order most of the rest of the western world followed suit and thus began the 'epidemic' of homelessness

so instead ask yourself, 'why are mentally incompetent people always in a hurry?'

 

[Caramel]

so they dont miss the bus!

 

[Lady Companion]

Homeless people are just like anybody else - some walk slowly, and some more quickly.

I think the scenarios you are describing largely involve those with addiction issues or other mental health challenges.

Many homeless people are somewhat agitated and anxious (whether it is PTSD, C-PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, schizophrenia, or other natural or artificial chemical imbalances). A likely bi product of being homeless, and quite possibly a contributing factor as well.

Being in perpetual motion is soothing for many people. It helps to burn off cortisol and elevate endorphins (contributing to a sense of well being), and for many has the psychological benefit of feeling a though they are being productive by moving quickly. It's a physical manifestation of trying to get 'un stuck' from their current life situation.

It's amazing how making eye contact, smiling, asking their name and having a brief conversation can turn their whole day around. I actually had a gentleman a few months ago begin to cry when I asked his name. Nobody had asked him that in 17 years!

I doubt many of us would fare as well as any of them do if we were subjected to the extreme isolation, loss of self worth and abuse that they take each and every day.

 

[Ms Erica Phoenix]

Homeless people are just like anybody else - some walk slowly, and some more quickly.

I think the scenarios you are describing largely involve those with addiction issues or other mental health challenges.

Many homeless people are somewhat agitated and anxious (whether it is PTSD, C-PTSD, depression, anxiety disorders, OCD, schizophrenia, or other natural or artificial chemical imbalances). A likely bi product of being homeless, and quite possibly a contributing factor as well.

Being in perpetual motion is soothing for many people. It helps to burn off cortisol and elevate endorphins (contributing to a sense of well being), and for many has the psychological benefit of feeling a though they are being productive by moving quickly. It's a physical manifestation of trying to get 'un stuck' from their current life situation.

It's amazing how making eye contact, smiling, asking their name and having a brief conversation can turn their whole day around. I actually had a gentleman a few months ago begin to cry when I asked his name. Nobody had asked him that in 17 years!

I doubt many of us would fare as well as any of them do if we were subjected to the extreme isolation, loss of self worth and abuse that they take each and every day.

Classy response from an incredibly classy lady. Most people can stand a reminder once in a while that "there but for the grace..."

 

[sevenofnine]

for one think being homeless means your out side main stream,\
so why should they give fuck,

thing about it,
on this web site they have rules. ok

but im cheating on my wife im breaking the law, and could be arrested, but Im suppose to worry about the rules on perb,
what can they do to me ban me and sp will go click when I call her, please,

im homless I run across the street, so a cop tickets me what a joke,
so I get hit by a car, hey ,
I get a warm bed and food, maybe I can sue the bastard,
please do hit me,

simple you have very little to loose, nothing actually

and there is a lot of competition for those pop cans and a place in line at the shelter

 

[Lo-ki]

That area on hasting is a DISGRACE. I drive there once in while and thank my lucky star I didn't end up there.
The way I see it we created that issue. I came to Vancouver in the early 90's and it was nowhere near that bad.
It reminds me of "Fields of dream".. If you build it they will come. The more we build for them the more will come.
I am not an expert but a place like Riverview is where these people need to be. Where the would get treatment, housing, food. All there needs in one place.
For now we have Zombie like people walking downtown. Maybe not all but the vast majority. In this day an age this shouldn't even exist.
But hey... Vancouver has well over 10 million $ of bike lane.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

a buddy of mine decided to give a lecture to a couple of these territorial types one morning on the way to work. he decided to shut up and fuck off when the lit cigarette butt bounced off his cheek!!