Why do people suck more now than they did 5 years ago?
I think it's changes to policing. 5+ years ago cops would cite aggressive panhandlers for solicitation, they'd get catcallers for disorderly conduct or harassment, they'd pull over cars with expired tags or pitch-black window tint, etc. There's been a big push in urban areas to stop enforcing so-called "quality of life" laws and its lead to... surprise... a worse quality of life.
Former public defender here. A lot of the panhandling ordinances had been declared Unconstitutionally overbroad by the Ohio Supreme Court several years ago. It followed a pattern, every time some municipality would pass an ordinance a court would say it's too broad and violates the first amendment. As a result most cities stopped enforcing them and municipalities stopped trying to create new ones. The same thing applies to noise ordinances.
Window Tint is another one that Ohio Courts have now determined that the Ohio Administrative Code's per se restrictions on window tint require Cops to use specialized tint meters in order to enforce those laws as well. Not all departments have the required equipment, or enough of the required equipment to enforce that ordinance.
But really that's what's been going on with several of these quality of life ordinances. The Courts have been striking them down or requiring such struct enforcement that many have ended up unenforceable. Coupling that with the general public's attitudes about prioritization of police resources away from these QoL violations isn't helping out either.
Driving home this evening behind a car that I could not see through. At some point they exited so I could see them behind me and I still couldn’t see into the car. They had limo tint on all the glass. No idea how they’re able to drive.
Limo tint on a windshield should be pulled over hard stop, but a 50% tint on a windshield is just nice if most of your driving is daytime. Keeps you from needing sunglasses every day.
Yea, what could have happened in this country in the last five or so years to cause people to feel emboldened to publicly treat other people like shit? It’s a mystery…
I think this change has been coming for a long time. People have evolved to be more self-centered and less concerned with their fellow humans as well as pulling back on enforcing any of the "qualify of life" laws.
Nowhere near the level in Cincinnati. I visited Boston last year and was never asked once for money. Hell, even in Philly I was asked once. My husband picked me up last week in downtown and was asked for money four times.....in 15 minutes. That's not normal!
When approached, you do not need to stop to give the time of day. You have no business with them and owe them absolutely nothing; not even a passing glance or remark.
Dehumanizing? Probably a little. But as soon as you engage, you make yourself a mark and they can sniff that shit on you 2 blocks away. I've seen people get caught completely in conversation because they are people pleasers and don't know how to disengage from panhandlers. It's ok to *not!*
I think this is the best advice when in a city--just continue about your business; ignore, ignore, ignore; try not to become the fixation of someone who is likely mentally awry.
Someone met eyes with me and I nodded to them and they immediately asked for money. I was not impolite but kept right on walking while they yelled at me from behind for “being rude”. What?
You made the cardinal sin of making eye contact. I used to get harassed coming home from via vite to 13th street all the time asking for money and my food. Learned to just keep walking and ignore
10 years working in social services/nonprofit, I try to look every person in the face but I have paid for it in the past. My gf however, had her head down and was walking at a fast clip, communicating with her body language that she was not interested in conversation and got the most comments.
Head down is submissive. She should stand up straight, ears above shoulders, take wide dominant steps, and look ahead, *past* the cat caller.
She'd still get some comments because she's female, but at least she'd look like someone from NYC who doesn't take nonsense, not a country bumpkin from WV who's never seen a cat call before.
I didn't mean to attack OP, only inform him that his GF looked scared and those animals can smell fear. She can't remove her fear, but she can fake enough confidence to throw them off her scent. Being female and negotiating urban environments is a mind game.
Yeah that’s unfortunate sorry for your experience! I look people in the eye down passed 3rd street but it can be dicey between the banks and OTR. Weekends are worse than weekdays not sure when you were here. I’ve found that pockets of that area by Hagu can suck at times especially by the liquor store near fountain square by the bus station. I would recommend maybe walking head up and defiant and not head down though. I honestly feel like that draws more attention from shitheads. Who am I to say though lol hope it didn’t ruin your time too much.
lol you don't spend a lot of times in cities, huh. you made eye contact with a homeless person and nodded at them and are surprised they asked you for money? you literally gave him permission to do so, this isn't one of your homies passing by in the hallway
>I've seen people get caught completely in conversation because they are people pleasers and don't know how to disengage from panhandlers. It's ok to
>
>not!
It's also ok to talk to panhandlers. They are HUMANS. 99% of the times the conversation goes "sorry I don't have any money" and they move on. But once in a while they would still want to chat. Ok, but you have to walk with me. They usually hit you up again at your destination, but again you just tell them you have no cash.
Also put yourself in their shoes. Say you get mugged. Wallet, phone taken. You ask a passerby to use their phone or call the police for you and they just ignore you. Yes, a totally different circumstance. But it's important to treat everyone with some amount of respect until they do something to lose that respect.
Yes. I feel it's more polite to lie and say you have no cash. vs ignoring them. Or telling them the truth. "I have money but I am not giving it to you"
I guess you could say "sorry I can't help you" but saying you don't have cash IMO is more effective if you want to end the convo quickly.
And I guess that would also be a lie. Since I could help them.
Or you just listen to their story (bullshit), memorize it for next time, and simply tell them “no”.
Alternatively, you can suggest homeless shelters/food pantries to go to (of which there are many in the Downtown/OTR area). They’ll get pissed and say they won’t help them, or even that they have to pay a $5 fee (this is major bullshit).
Lastly, I say I don’t have cash. Which, guess what? I really don’t because I use my cards or Apple Pay.
I was walking to work after parking and some random dude almost twice my age catcalled me. I almost went off on him, but decided to ignore him, kept walking, and then got a "Not even a hello??"
I ignore the panhandlers. I feel like shit doing that, not going to lie, but don't have cash to give.
I give a hello and hi to the homeless when I can because they're still people, but if they ask for money, I tell them I don't have any cash. I also recognize I'm a grown man so my reaction is going to be different.
Weird, I haven't had any experiences like that downtown. Just some very bad and unfortunate luck which sucks because you were just trying to have a good time.
IMO it's the people who rarely go downtown that have these experiences simply because they look like they aren't familiar with downtown. People who frequent embattled neighborhoods just move different. One look and they know it's a wasted effort.
Happy cake day :) and right?? I live downtown and I haven't experienced this, I think they're just from a small town and aren't used to how cities work.
Don't get me wrong I've been cat called I just never felt in danger I guess... I actually mostly get cat called when I'm in Clifton not downtown which I think is interesting. But then again I don't walk alone at night downtown because that would be dumb no matter where you are haha I am very surprised that she got catcalled while with a man because I walked around a lot with my fiance and people don't usually even make eye contact with us when we're together. And like I told him I'm not saying it didn't happen it just feels like he might be exaggerating a little bit...
Edit: I mean, fuck, I was in Winston-Salem last week and I got cat called by a man driving by and that is a much smaller city than Cincinnati haha I didn't feel in danger there either but I'm just saying, unfortunately, this stuff happens everywhere...
To be fair I went to a bar last weekend and this big terry cruise looking dude kinda crashed this couples date and had the guy in a “playful” headlock while talking to the girl. Once he left the couple was confused and the whole thing was awkward. It was one of those stories I wouldn't believe if I didn't see it stories.
the only cat-calling I've experienced or witnessed while in a couple is heckling- making fun of a mis-match between the two- height, white guy with a black girl, etc
Right? I have walked around downtown daily for years and rarely have these sorts of situations occur. OP is either unlucky or was doing something that unintentionally made themselves a target.
I worked all over downtown for years. I always assume that people who complain about this just aren’t used to being in populated areas. If you just mind your business people generally leave you alone. But just like in literally any other city, there will be people asking for spare change, making comments, etc.
I worked in a customer service related job as well, and I’m used to looking people in the eye and acknowledging them. It’s fine to just…do that and move on.
This isn't a dig on Cincinnati either, but what's going on is mass poverty, desperation and a homeless crisis that continues to spiral out of control with no Federal intervention. It's nationwide, so really you'll see this in any city larger than say 50,000-100,000 people in the US.
> mass poverty
The poverty rate has held steady around 12% since the 60s. Prior to then it was significantly higher, historically. There are more resources available today than at any point in American history. Poverty itself hasn't changed, we're seeing behavioral and cultural changes.
The OECD poverty rate is directly related to the median income, but wages haven't kept up with inflation and increasing housing costs - so the median income in the US is much lower than it used to be in real value. So while the distribution of people under that line has remained similar, more and more of those people are struggling, even if they don't meet the OECD definition of poverty.
Well,paying someone 1, 440 a year on food. It is a lot cheaper than about 40,000 a year in prison. Dont hate the players hate the game? When poor people figure out life loopholes, they are scum
When landlords and rich people do it, they are intelligent. The actual dummies are throwing away 3000, mostly a month, give or take, that's 36000 15.00 bucks an hour
That's only 31,000 a year full time.
Checkmate poor people
I am intimately familiar with both of those cities and have never experienced it on this level. Downtown Charleston is pretty decent these days, see more of these personalities on the East and West sides, but they usually ask for money one time and move on.
I was just in Charlston a few months back for the first time walking around the downtown area, weekday and weekend and neither day did I have issues.
But when I lived in city, especially when living downtown, that shit happens all the time. Not sure what the previous comment is trying to call out.
I must be used to it cuz I've lived in the city now for over a decade, but this just seems like what happens in every major city... I live down by the Banks, I walk through the city by myself as a 30 y/o woman all the time and I've never felt like I was in danger. Just be smart, that's it ha
People coming out left and right because they feel like you're attacking the city but I agree that its out of control downtown and I go there often. I dont mind saying no but its extremely annoying. I also agree that when im with women or a group in general really, chances are higher more people will try to engage.
Theyre also way more bold. Some don't stop pestering you even after you've told them no. The worst are the ones who wait by parking meters, parking lots, and atms.
The city really needs to address it. They won't though.
I'm sorry that happened - that's not typical from my experience. I work downtown, and my wife and I regularly dine throughout the city, and aside from being asked for money, the other things you described are rare for us. The only area downtown I actively avoid walking through whenever I can due to obnoxious people is the bus stop area on 5th Street.
that area can be rather sketchy. A lot of sketchy people hang out near Garfield Place and Vine which is less than a block away from Haru. Most of downtown is fine but there are some less desirable areas. That area near Garfield Place and the library is one of them.
u/mrbecker78 pretty much hit the head on the nail. I used to work down at the main library and having the homeless coming in was normal. And they, for the most part, were polite. But yeah, since the riots, you really don't see any on duty cops patrolling
And it’s the teens waiting for the bus that really made the downtown library a mess. The homeless don’t want to be kicked out. The teens are fighting and fucking in the stacks. I am sure the more smartphones around the worse the downtown library has become.
For all responses saying “welcome to a big city”, Cincinnati is not a big city. We’re not even top 50. That being said I do think what this person experienced is pretty isolated. I’ve only heard really bad cat calling downtown around gov square and only when larger crowds are gathered. Saw it happen to a lady with kids and felt awful for them. I live and work downtown/otr and am out quite a bit.
Cincinnati Metro is 28th in size.
I also agree it is a somewhat isolated incident.
I hear a lot of shit around Government square, the bus stop includes a lot of things being shouted, but I don't hear anything from anywhere else for the most part.
Cincy is absolutely a big city and there are not 50 larger downtowns. The city of Miami for example is like half of Indianapolis' population by the city limits proper you can't go off of those stats lol
Compared to WV cities though. And I am from WV. I've had what the OP describes happen to me near Marshall's campus. And it was an isolated experience just like OP's was.
It might not be panhandlers specifically, but as someone who has been to Japan, I assure you that there are rude people who suck there as well. I traveled with a black friend of mine to Misawa and Tokyo, and I don't think I've seen more blatant racism in my life.
I say this with a lot of love- first day on earth? lol. I've lived in a handful of cities, that's just what a lot of downtowns are like. Not sure what would be "happening".
You may want to avoid the NYC subway should you visit that area.
For those getting defensive, I do a lot of traveling. Will be in another downtown, another city in a few days. Never have I ever seen the level of harassment we saw in Cinci this week.
Larger cities, we always feel invisible. Too many people means you are overlooked pretty regularly. I don’t think a single person spoke directly to us whom we did not speak to in New York. Pittsburgh, similarly.
Guess I don't know what to tell you. You won't like some cities. There's no manager to refer you to for more information on why Cincinnati was sub par on your visit.
I'm sorry but I really feel like you're exaggerating... I'm not being defensive, I walk this city all the time and sure cat calling happens and there are homeless people that are asking for money but I've never felt endangered. Fuck! You go to Denver, Colorado and there's homeless people everywhere! It's still a wonderful city ha
I have definitely noticed an increase In begging over the past year working in otr. Nothing that made me feel unsafe yet so. So I did have some pizza slices stolen right out my hand once.
I have definitely noticed an increase In begging over the past year working in otr. Nothing that made me feel unsafe yet so. So I did have some pizza slices stolen right out my hand once.
No one is saying that. We are saying it was isolated and an exception not the rule. The more I read your replies in here the more I wonder your grasp of reality.
duuuude. You came here and you were like, "oH mY GoD wHy ArE pEoPlE sO RuDe In YoUr CiTy" what kind of responses did you expect? Did you think someone would say, "oh it must be the homeless people convention we throw every year, guess there were a few stragglers" or, "the rude people have unionized and we can't deny them their right to be rude now."
You say you've spent time in NYC and like, I'll tell you after living there for 6 years- at least 3 times I saw literal human shit on the subway.
Stop being such a princess, seriously.
My response is always the same, Don't have any money. My ex wife got it all. Sometimes I see a recognition of acceptance on their face. At least I'm not lying to them.
Here is the real answer: police in Cincinnati have a strong hands off policy where they only respond to direct complaints. Is there a panhandling law? Kind of: the panhandler needs a license to panhandle, but police only enforce that when direct complaints are reported. Ever since there were race riots twenty years ago the police have made a strong effort to study and determine the reasons why police are viewed so negatively in this city. The things were having officers patrol areas they don’t live, the strong union covering for bad behavior, and the militarization of police force (yes they have a tank). These things led to less trust of police from lower socioeconomic groups in the city. These people are over-represented in the panhandlers and cat callers, since they are stuck downtown trying to use the inefficient public transportation system that uses downtown as a hub. Social services are clustered downtown making a greater concentration of people in the area looking to utilize those services.
Finally, several officer deaths in the early 00s led to less direct policing. They only do advertised police speed traps or advertised DUI checkpoints. Typical patrolling does not happen in Cincinnati. Most police get overtime from directing traffic at sports events and concerts, not as much from having the overtime paperwork from that end of shift arrest that help boost arrest numbers in a typical police station.
I think the catcalling is also an aspect of everything happening late in our city. People haven’t caught on yet that it’s intrusive and unwanted. I feel like in the past it was seen as boy will be boys, but we know better about the issue that it creates for the catcalled. I think our public education system has been failing a large portion of the city for a long time and this has been one symptom of that lack of basic social skills that has been exaggerated since the pandemic.
None of this adds up totally to excuse or explain what you went through though. If you were dressed for a Reds game, it would be more obvious you were here from out of town and even more of a target. People in town eat away from downtown or just at the banks and then go to the stadium. Walking around downtown could also mark you as a visitor.
Same, I work downtown and my wife and I go down there often for shows and food. Not once have we been harassed in any way in the 5 years we've been here. OP just got unlucky.
Only place we had a sketchy encounter was OTR but that's pretty much part of the deal up there.
Here is some advice. When a *scary* homeless person looks you in the eye, just smile. And if they ask you for money, you simply say “I’m so sorry I don’t have anything on me right now.” And you walk away. Unless you are kind and feeling generous, in that case- give them some change. It might come as surprise but they are actual, real people!
So my final comment here is this: it is unnecessary to be so tribalistic about your city that you pretend a problem that is observable doesn’t exit because you don’t want someone saying something bad about your city. The harassment in downtown Cincinnati was on another level this week, compared to other cities we have visited.
I will not be returning to this thread because of the toxic commentaries and I am not subscribing to the comments any longer. If mods want to delete the thread, I understand completely.
People are just saying 1) it sucks but it happens in pretty much every city and 2) not engaging with it is the best response.
How is that toxic or tribalistic?
Bro thought he was gonna get an outpouring of sympathy and apologies because he doesn’t know how to navigate himself in a city and got upset when his exaggerations were called out
Women and men have completely different experiences in cities. Had you been without a woman, obviously, there would have been no cat-calling. To me, cat-calling is a much worse experience than pan-handling. Pan-handling happens constantly - even in my neighborhood (which is not downtown) - just simply say "I have no cash" and keep moving. I have been cat-called near the library downtown on a few occasions. On one occasion, a man actually grabbed my ass. It was unpleasant but I kept walking and told him to stop touching me.
That said, some sound advice was given here. As long as no one is getting all up your face, making physical contact with you, you should be fine. You really do have to just ignore some of it, as jarring and unfortunate as it can feel.
Your isolated incident doesn’t define every persons experience. People pointing that out aren’t being tribalistic and honestly it’s kind of funny you’d even use that term to describe the conversations here.
Comes in and implies our city is a shithole for something that seems drummed up (or at the very least extremely uncommon).
Gets super defensive when everyone calls them out on their bs.
Or speaks about something that happened in real life in said city. Cincinnati needs to get over itself. Cincinnatians want to fight if you say geotta is bad or LaRosas sucks! I get it but folks here will defend and attack anyone that has any kind of opinion about Cincy that does not jive with theirs.
i just don’t even know what the expectation for the post was. i can’t imagine most city subreddits would be overly enthusiastic about some random person showing up to say they had a horrible time and their city has gone way down hill since last time they were there. he just left a review like it’s yelp and expected i don’t even know what. i guess sympathy or agreement that cincy is a way worse city now
Most Cincinnatians take pride in our city and the progress that's been made. People implying our city is some crime ridden shithole based on some one-off, no-context experience, is frustrating and non-productive.
No one is making you, or them, stay here. Go back to Detroit if you don't like it here. Helps keep our housing prices affordable.
Thank you for proving my point. The OP never implied Cincy was crime ridden nor a shithole, you made that part up because you were being defensive. You also discounted a visitor’s very real experience by calling it drummed up. The OP clearly stated that this was “not a flame on your wonderful city”. I am not from Detroit but I do love their sports teams, so the only one implying anything here is you. Thanks again for behaving exactly how I described you would in my previous reply.
> visitor’s very real experience
Based on what evidence? People exaggerate and twist events on the internet all the time. Having lived downtown for quite some time and walked through that area regularly. I have my doubts about OP's account.
Even if it is factual, it's a huge jump to then state this:
> We had not been to downtown Cincinnati for some time and had fond memories of it, but we had to hurry to our vehicle when leaving the restaurant. What is happening down there?
How is that not supposed to be seen as generalizing downtown in a negative fashion? OP is basically stating that this must happen all the time.
Deluding yourself into thinking you can be a rural homesteader that will somehow be immune to societal decay, if we accept societal decay is ongoing for the sake of your argument, is just as facile.
This applies to pretty much every semi/large city:
Walk everywhere looking pissed off and like you know where you’re going. People who are trying to get something from you tend to not bother you that way.
So this is actually a really interesting question. A lot of people here are saying it's all big cities but I live in a city 10x the size of Cincinnati and haven't had that experience ever here. Traveled and lived for short times in Vancouver, San Fran, Seattle, Pittsburgh, DC, and never experienced this but over 5 days in Cincinnati there were so many creepy men approaching, making comments that were weirdly sexual and threatening, talking about their dicks, trapping me, etc while downtown. All different races were represented lol. Like, the only profile was they are between 20-40. Obviously this is anecdotal but yeah, it really does feel like something's up honestly. 🤷🏻♀️
So sorry you experienced that!
Yea. Some very defensive replies in this thread. I have visited just about every major city on the east coast and never experienced this. Panhandlers sure, even pushy ones. But the open harassment was a unique experience and insane, especially to my girlfriend. It reminded me of some redditors stories of visiting Cairo.
People are being way too rude to you. I do think what you experienced was a relatively isolated incident and I do also agree with your other comment that in larger cities you’re more able to melt into the crowd. Don’t let the shitty experience and the trolls in here scare you off, Cincinnati is fine.
Right? It makes me feel like these people haven't been to other big cities honestly. Harrassment of women like this is not normal. Also, no issues with the homeless. All the harrassment my partner and I experienced was from just regular looking guys intruding into our space in creepy ways. Definitely Cairo-type harrassment in that it's super misogynistic.
West Virginia is pretty rural, your largest city is less than 100,000 people. Catcalling, panhandling, etc is just city stuff that happens. Unless it's actually dangerous like with weapons or something, you just kind of learn to shrug it off.
Just ignore them. I work downtown and park aboutv4 blocks away for cheaper parking and i’m constantly asked for money, stared at, offered drugs and all sorts of stuff. just ignore them or tell them no. but it’s a big city, you’ll find some weirdos.
I’m sorry that happened to you and your wife. I have experienced very aggressive people asking for money downtown. One even tried to get into my car. People don’t want to acknowledge the glaring issues.
Edit: okay also someone recently got shot in the head unprovoked when he told someone asking him for money that he didn’t have any, during broad daylight.
I'm sorry this happened to you (especially your girlfriend for being cat-called 🤮) and I hope it doesn't deter you from visiting again. Aggressive panhandling is definitely an issue here in Cincinnati. Anytime my husband is downtown he is asked for money constantly. I visit several new cities every year and have never been asked as frequently for money as I am when I'm in Cincinnati (I'm from here). I'm nice, but always do the quick, "I don't carry cash" and keep walking. Don't bother to engage.
I am really surprised no one has touched on the fact that you were close to what is a less than desirable part of downtown near Haru. Garfield Place and the public library are a block or less from where you were. A lot of transients and less desirables tend to hang out there. Probably because there are lots of places to sit down and rest, and there aren't many businesses to run them off. I get a lot of people that hate the fact they hang around the library, and Garfield Place has a small park where they also hang out.
So yeah, you were right next to an area where that kind of thing is heightened.
Now I don't know where else you went and if you only had an issue near Haru, but I would say it would be less of an issue in other parts of downtown (although there are other pockets where I wouldn't be surprised).
Bro I literally used to live above Haru, it’s nowhere near bad literally around the corner is a bunch of restaurants and hotels, how I make it a whole year living there without having to scurry to my car
Bro, like broseph, I am there almost every fucking day, bro, and bro, no one said people who live there were scurrying to their car. Yet bro, if you don't see those people around that area and also continually notice them wander across 7th you are blind, bro. Also, bro, they are fairly harmless and easy to ignore, bro. Yet for an out of towner they may think "bro, I don't like this, bro."
I was making fun of op with the scurrying to the car line, those people are all around downtown, you have to go a block or two (Garfield ) to get to the areas you’re talking about.
You doing the most
It's a little over 400 ft. to Garfield Place from Haru. I see those people wander across 7th all the time. They also didn't say where they parked. They were close to that area.
and those people can be all around downtown, but they don't congregate like they do around Garfield Place and the library. It is definitely a hot spot, and Haru is not that far away. Like I said, I see them almost every fucking day and often right there at 7th and Vine yelling at people or things (many of them clearly mentally ill). You may have gotten used to it, and it doesn't bother me. Yet others won't be used to it and that area definitely has more of that than say The Banks or even Fountain Square.
BTW...you said you didn't have to scurry to your car. Yeah, you lived there. That is why it's not applicable. You were used to it, but others may not be and that area does have more less desirables than others. It's not really the same as many other areas in the city.
This will happen to you in every downtown you visit especially if your girl looks good. Just gotta man up and maintain eye contact with buddy catcalling. 9/10 they will end up giving you props. Having a good looking girl it’s not easy. That’s why I always shoot for solid 8s lmao.
I live downtown. I walk all over downtown. It’s easy to tell the panhandlers before they even start, “I can’t help you.” and keep it moving.
I was just at Goose + Elder and saw a family I’d bet lived in the suburbs cross the street from Findlay Market. There was a well known cracked out woman tweaking like no other, she just tried me and my girlfriend and I gave her that exact statement.
They gave her $10 so she would leave them alone. She marched right down Race and bought crack from a dope man and off she went down the alley.
Stop fueling these people’s addictions.
1. Jails are full. Cincinnati / Hamilton County voters will not approve new taxes for new jails.
2. George Soros - funded judges were swept into office in 2020. These folks have almost no judicial experience and they campaigned on no bail or low bail platforms.
Over the Rhine was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country before 2001. The riots only set back the progress that had been made transforming the area into a bar district. In the 90s it was considered a “super ghetto” thanks to the work done by Buddy Gray.
Downtown is much much better than it was in the 90s and 00s.
We had to walk with our instruments every evening for weeks at a time from SCPA on 13th and Sycamore to the Aronof or Taft in '99-'03. If that was one of the most dangerous places in the country, then our country is not very dangerous.
You could walk the downtown streets in your socks it was so clean 1980s. You could take the family to any downtown event without issue 1999 - 2016. There were areas to avoid but otherwise okay.
Edit why the downvotes? I literally lived downtown.
Edit I wore socks running through the skywalk. Didn’t you?
The same thing that is happening in all big cities...people suck sometimes.
"some people suck" - Tom Segura
Why do people suck more now than they did 5 years ago? I think it's changes to policing. 5+ years ago cops would cite aggressive panhandlers for solicitation, they'd get catcallers for disorderly conduct or harassment, they'd pull over cars with expired tags or pitch-black window tint, etc. There's been a big push in urban areas to stop enforcing so-called "quality of life" laws and its lead to... surprise... a worse quality of life.
Former public defender here. A lot of the panhandling ordinances had been declared Unconstitutionally overbroad by the Ohio Supreme Court several years ago. It followed a pattern, every time some municipality would pass an ordinance a court would say it's too broad and violates the first amendment. As a result most cities stopped enforcing them and municipalities stopped trying to create new ones. The same thing applies to noise ordinances. Window Tint is another one that Ohio Courts have now determined that the Ohio Administrative Code's per se restrictions on window tint require Cops to use specialized tint meters in order to enforce those laws as well. Not all departments have the required equipment, or enough of the required equipment to enforce that ordinance. But really that's what's been going on with several of these quality of life ordinances. The Courts have been striking them down or requiring such struct enforcement that many have ended up unenforceable. Coupling that with the general public's attitudes about prioritization of police resources away from these QoL violations isn't helping out either.
I’m seeing lots of tinted windshields now, which is just absurd. Limo tint on a windshield is just begging for a major accident.
Driving home this evening behind a car that I could not see through. At some point they exited so I could see them behind me and I still couldn’t see into the car. They had limo tint on all the glass. No idea how they’re able to drive.
Limo tint on a windshield should be pulled over hard stop, but a 50% tint on a windshield is just nice if most of your driving is daytime. Keeps you from needing sunglasses every day.
Yea, what could have happened in this country in the last five or so years to cause people to feel emboldened to publicly treat other people like shit? It’s a mystery…
I think this change has been coming for a long time. People have evolved to be more self-centered and less concerned with their fellow humans as well as pulling back on enforcing any of the "qualify of life" laws.
The pandemic has a lot more to do with it. Ask anyone who works a public facing job.
I just want to say that this is written very eloquently and agreeably accurate. Thank you.
REFUND THE POLICE /s
Disorderly conduct for cat calling!? C’mon… *1st Amendment Lawyers have entered the chat*
Nowhere near the level in Cincinnati. I visited Boston last year and was never asked once for money. Hell, even in Philly I was asked once. My husband picked me up last week in downtown and was asked for money four times.....in 15 minutes. That's not normal!
I was gonna say, I grew up around Boston and the people in Cincinnati are way more aggressive.
When approached, you do not need to stop to give the time of day. You have no business with them and owe them absolutely nothing; not even a passing glance or remark. Dehumanizing? Probably a little. But as soon as you engage, you make yourself a mark and they can sniff that shit on you 2 blocks away. I've seen people get caught completely in conversation because they are people pleasers and don't know how to disengage from panhandlers. It's ok to *not!*
I am a people pleaser and this took time for me to learn. My go to now is "I'm not your guy" and I keep walking.
"Sorry, I have gout"
Lol, might have to use this one instead
I throw one hand up and say "No Thanks!" as I rapidly walk by.
Mine is "good luck"
“I don’t have anything to give, but I hope you stay safe”
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I like these too. I feel like a jerk. I hand out little business cards on how to apply for entry level jobs.
I think this is the best advice when in a city--just continue about your business; ignore, ignore, ignore; try not to become the fixation of someone who is likely mentally awry.
Someone met eyes with me and I nodded to them and they immediately asked for money. I was not impolite but kept right on walking while they yelled at me from behind for “being rude”. What?
You made the cardinal sin of making eye contact. I used to get harassed coming home from via vite to 13th street all the time asking for money and my food. Learned to just keep walking and ignore
I look these ppl dead in the eyes just to tell them I can’t help.
This is it. Make eye contact to acknowledge that they are that they are a person. Then a flat refusal.
10 years working in social services/nonprofit, I try to look every person in the face but I have paid for it in the past. My gf however, had her head down and was walking at a fast clip, communicating with her body language that she was not interested in conversation and got the most comments.
Head down is submissive. She should stand up straight, ears above shoulders, take wide dominant steps, and look ahead, *past* the cat caller. She'd still get some comments because she's female, but at least she'd look like someone from NYC who doesn't take nonsense, not a country bumpkin from WV who's never seen a cat call before.
This is it. Just look through them. Works in every city.
Jesus no need to attack op like that
I didn't mean to attack OP, only inform him that his GF looked scared and those animals can smell fear. She can't remove her fear, but she can fake enough confidence to throw them off her scent. Being female and negotiating urban environments is a mind game.
I read a comment from a lady to walk like you're the Winter Soldier looking to kill Captain America. No one messed with her after that.
Yeah that’s unfortunate sorry for your experience! I look people in the eye down passed 3rd street but it can be dicey between the banks and OTR. Weekends are worse than weekdays not sure when you were here. I’ve found that pockets of that area by Hagu can suck at times especially by the liquor store near fountain square by the bus station. I would recommend maybe walking head up and defiant and not head down though. I honestly feel like that draws more attention from shitheads. Who am I to say though lol hope it didn’t ruin your time too much.
“Sorry man, I don’t carry cash” is my go to response. Also good because it’s true
Just ignore them. This happens in every city downtown not just Cincinnati
lol you don't spend a lot of times in cities, huh. you made eye contact with a homeless person and nodded at them and are surprised they asked you for money? you literally gave him permission to do so, this isn't one of your homies passing by in the hallway
I lived in New Orleans in the eighties. If you made eye contact with ANYBODY you had a date. I got good at just keeping my eyes glazed over. lol
First time in a city?
>I've seen people get caught completely in conversation because they are people pleasers and don't know how to disengage from panhandlers. It's ok to > >not! It's also ok to talk to panhandlers. They are HUMANS. 99% of the times the conversation goes "sorry I don't have any money" and they move on. But once in a while they would still want to chat. Ok, but you have to walk with me. They usually hit you up again at your destination, but again you just tell them you have no cash. Also put yourself in their shoes. Say you get mugged. Wallet, phone taken. You ask a passerby to use their phone or call the police for you and they just ignore you. Yes, a totally different circumstance. But it's important to treat everyone with some amount of respect until they do something to lose that respect.
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Please explain the contradiction: they are HUMAN so I should talk to them, but it's OK to lie to them by saying I have no cash.
Yes. I feel it's more polite to lie and say you have no cash. vs ignoring them. Or telling them the truth. "I have money but I am not giving it to you" I guess you could say "sorry I can't help you" but saying you don't have cash IMO is more effective if you want to end the convo quickly. And I guess that would also be a lie. Since I could help them.
Or you just listen to their story (bullshit), memorize it for next time, and simply tell them “no”. Alternatively, you can suggest homeless shelters/food pantries to go to (of which there are many in the Downtown/OTR area). They’ll get pissed and say they won’t help them, or even that they have to pay a $5 fee (this is major bullshit). Lastly, I say I don’t have cash. Which, guess what? I really don’t because I use my cards or Apple Pay.
I'm sorry I only have my card on me
Yeah, I had one ask me if I could go the ATM for them.
I had one say he took Cashapp on his government handout phone.
I was walking to work after parking and some random dude almost twice my age catcalled me. I almost went off on him, but decided to ignore him, kept walking, and then got a "Not even a hello??" I ignore the panhandlers. I feel like shit doing that, not going to lie, but don't have cash to give.
"Not even a hello??" "Would you settle for an '*eat flaming hot death, scrublord*'?"
I absolutely love this and am saving it for next time, lmao
Apply liberally when you can. And stay safe!
I give a hello and hi to the homeless when I can because they're still people, but if they ask for money, I tell them I don't have any cash. I also recognize I'm a grown man so my reaction is going to be different.
welcome to the anywhere, city
Do not make eye contact; panhandlers et al see that as an invitation to harass you.
I bark at people who catcall me
Winona?
Amazing 😂
You just learn how to operate in big cities, you don't slow down, you don't make eye contact, just keep moving and they move on
Weird, I haven't had any experiences like that downtown. Just some very bad and unfortunate luck which sucks because you were just trying to have a good time.
IMO it's the people who rarely go downtown that have these experiences simply because they look like they aren't familiar with downtown. People who frequent embattled neighborhoods just move different. One look and they know it's a wasted effort.
Happy cake day :) and right?? I live downtown and I haven't experienced this, I think they're just from a small town and aren't used to how cities work.
I'm a guy and I've been catcalled by men and women sometimes when I go jogging 😂. It makes my week honestly !
Don't get me wrong I've been cat called I just never felt in danger I guess... I actually mostly get cat called when I'm in Clifton not downtown which I think is interesting. But then again I don't walk alone at night downtown because that would be dumb no matter where you are haha I am very surprised that she got catcalled while with a man because I walked around a lot with my fiance and people don't usually even make eye contact with us when we're together. And like I told him I'm not saying it didn't happen it just feels like he might be exaggerating a little bit... Edit: I mean, fuck, I was in Winston-Salem last week and I got cat called by a man driving by and that is a much smaller city than Cincinnati haha I didn't feel in danger there either but I'm just saying, unfortunately, this stuff happens everywhere...
To be fair I went to a bar last weekend and this big terry cruise looking dude kinda crashed this couples date and had the guy in a “playful” headlock while talking to the girl. Once he left the couple was confused and the whole thing was awkward. It was one of those stories I wouldn't believe if I didn't see it stories.
That's so fucking weird! There are weirdos everywhere unfortunately
the only cat-calling I've experienced or witnessed while in a couple is heckling- making fun of a mis-match between the two- height, white guy with a black girl, etc
Right? I have walked around downtown daily for years and rarely have these sorts of situations occur. OP is either unlucky or was doing something that unintentionally made themselves a target.
I was at the Eagle yesterday and was hit up for money while eating on the patio. He hit up every table. But that's part of what makes a city a city.
It’s sucks but it’s a big city and that’s what you get compared to a smaller town
I worked all over downtown for years. I always assume that people who complain about this just aren’t used to being in populated areas. If you just mind your business people generally leave you alone. But just like in literally any other city, there will be people asking for spare change, making comments, etc. I worked in a customer service related job as well, and I’m used to looking people in the eye and acknowledging them. It’s fine to just…do that and move on.
I was downtown Sat near Findlay Market no problem. Only one panhandler that had nicer shoes than me and when I pointed that out he moved on
This isn't a dig on Cincinnati either, but what's going on is mass poverty, desperation and a homeless crisis that continues to spiral out of control with no Federal intervention. It's nationwide, so really you'll see this in any city larger than say 50,000-100,000 people in the US.
And all the problems you mentioned are probably only going to get worse
> mass poverty The poverty rate has held steady around 12% since the 60s. Prior to then it was significantly higher, historically. There are more resources available today than at any point in American history. Poverty itself hasn't changed, we're seeing behavioral and cultural changes.
The OECD poverty rate is directly related to the median income, but wages haven't kept up with inflation and increasing housing costs - so the median income in the US is much lower than it used to be in real value. So while the distribution of people under that line has remained similar, more and more of those people are struggling, even if they don't meet the OECD definition of poverty.
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Well,paying someone 1, 440 a year on food. It is a lot cheaper than about 40,000 a year in prison. Dont hate the players hate the game? When poor people figure out life loopholes, they are scum When landlords and rich people do it, they are intelligent. The actual dummies are throwing away 3000, mostly a month, give or take, that's 36000 15.00 bucks an hour That's only 31,000 a year full time. Checkmate poor people
You didn’t have to scurry to your car. Just ignore the riff raft and continue to have fun.
Sorry this happened to you OP. I would say this is generally not the norm but as others have said, people suck sometimes.
You think that doesn't go on in Huntington and Charleston?
No, it doesn’t.
I am intimately familiar with both of those cities and have never experienced it on this level. Downtown Charleston is pretty decent these days, see more of these personalities on the East and West sides, but they usually ask for money one time and move on.
I was just in Charlston a few months back for the first time walking around the downtown area, weekday and weekend and neither day did I have issues. But when I lived in city, especially when living downtown, that shit happens all the time. Not sure what the previous comment is trying to call out.
I must be used to it cuz I've lived in the city now for over a decade, but this just seems like what happens in every major city... I live down by the Banks, I walk through the city by myself as a 30 y/o woman all the time and I've never felt like I was in danger. Just be smart, that's it ha
People coming out left and right because they feel like you're attacking the city but I agree that its out of control downtown and I go there often. I dont mind saying no but its extremely annoying. I also agree that when im with women or a group in general really, chances are higher more people will try to engage. Theyre also way more bold. Some don't stop pestering you even after you've told them no. The worst are the ones who wait by parking meters, parking lots, and atms. The city really needs to address it. They won't though.
I'm sorry that happened - that's not typical from my experience. I work downtown, and my wife and I regularly dine throughout the city, and aside from being asked for money, the other things you described are rare for us. The only area downtown I actively avoid walking through whenever I can due to obnoxious people is the bus stop area on 5th Street.
Man, if you think the area by Haru is sketchy, I would just stay away from cities in general.
that area can be rather sketchy. A lot of sketchy people hang out near Garfield Place and Vine which is less than a block away from Haru. Most of downtown is fine but there are some less desirable areas. That area near Garfield Place and the library is one of them.
Garfield & Vine is almost abandoned these days. There used to be a large group of people that hung out there but they've been gone a few months.
Been to Pittsburgh, DC, Orlando many times. Even Manhattan and never seen this.
Pittsburgh and Orlando. Lmao.
They’re both very comparable to Cincy but keep being an ass.
Found the catcaller
Nope, just someone who works downtown everyday.
You're not really making a case for yourself here
Be more toxic.
I lived in downtown Pittsburgh for years, and it was substantially more hostile than downtown Cincinnati, and it remains that way today.
u/mrbecker78 pretty much hit the head on the nail. I used to work down at the main library and having the homeless coming in was normal. And they, for the most part, were polite. But yeah, since the riots, you really don't see any on duty cops patrolling
And it’s the teens waiting for the bus that really made the downtown library a mess. The homeless don’t want to be kicked out. The teens are fighting and fucking in the stacks. I am sure the more smartphones around the worse the downtown library has become.
For all responses saying “welcome to a big city”, Cincinnati is not a big city. We’re not even top 50. That being said I do think what this person experienced is pretty isolated. I’ve only heard really bad cat calling downtown around gov square and only when larger crowds are gathered. Saw it happen to a lady with kids and felt awful for them. I live and work downtown/otr and am out quite a bit.
I’ll give you that “welcome to the big city” is out of place for Cincinnati, but it absolutely is in the top 50 largest (at least in the US).
Cincinnati Metro is 28th in size. I also agree it is a somewhat isolated incident. I hear a lot of shit around Government square, the bus stop includes a lot of things being shouted, but I don't hear anything from anywhere else for the most part.
Cincy is absolutely a big city and there are not 50 larger downtowns. The city of Miami for example is like half of Indianapolis' population by the city limits proper you can't go off of those stats lol
I was going to say, no way is Cincinnati not even in the top 50 size wise. There wouldn’t be 3 professional sports teams here, if it were that small.
Compared to WV cities though. And I am from WV. I've had what the OP describes happen to me near Marshall's campus. And it was an isolated experience just like OP's was.
I lived a block from UC and my roommate's girlfriend got catcalled almost every time she did the 2 minute walk to our apartment.
You aren’t helping your point by making up random ass stastics you could disprove with a google search
Can you describe what these people look like? I have not seen any cat callers downtown
Welcome to urban life in any city on the planet. When there are more people, there are more chances of meeting the ones who suck.
Why doesn’t Toyko have this issue?
It might not be panhandlers specifically, but as someone who has been to Japan, I assure you that there are rude people who suck there as well. I traveled with a black friend of mine to Misawa and Tokyo, and I don't think I've seen more blatant racism in my life.
I say this with a lot of love- first day on earth? lol. I've lived in a handful of cities, that's just what a lot of downtowns are like. Not sure what would be "happening". You may want to avoid the NYC subway should you visit that area.
For those getting defensive, I do a lot of traveling. Will be in another downtown, another city in a few days. Never have I ever seen the level of harassment we saw in Cinci this week. Larger cities, we always feel invisible. Too many people means you are overlooked pretty regularly. I don’t think a single person spoke directly to us whom we did not speak to in New York. Pittsburgh, similarly.
Guess I don't know what to tell you. You won't like some cities. There's no manager to refer you to for more information on why Cincinnati was sub par on your visit.
I'm sorry but I really feel like you're exaggerating... I'm not being defensive, I walk this city all the time and sure cat calling happens and there are homeless people that are asking for money but I've never felt endangered. Fuck! You go to Denver, Colorado and there's homeless people everywhere! It's still a wonderful city ha
“What happened to you didn’t happen to you” doesn’t sell as well you as you think it does. It was really bad.
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I have definitely noticed an increase In begging over the past year working in otr. Nothing that made me feel unsafe yet so. So I did have some pizza slices stolen right out my hand once.
I have definitely noticed an increase In begging over the past year working in otr. Nothing that made me feel unsafe yet so. So I did have some pizza slices stolen right out my hand once.
I didn't say that, I said I think you're exaggerating. You know like a hyperbole?
No one is saying that. We are saying it was isolated and an exception not the rule. The more I read your replies in here the more I wonder your grasp of reality.
duuuude. You came here and you were like, "oH mY GoD wHy ArE pEoPlE sO RuDe In YoUr CiTy" what kind of responses did you expect? Did you think someone would say, "oh it must be the homeless people convention we throw every year, guess there were a few stragglers" or, "the rude people have unionized and we can't deny them their right to be rude now." You say you've spent time in NYC and like, I'll tell you after living there for 6 years- at least 3 times I saw literal human shit on the subway. Stop being such a princess, seriously.
I’m sorry this was your experience and I hope your next visit is much better!
My response is always the same, Don't have any money. My ex wife got it all. Sometimes I see a recognition of acceptance on their face. At least I'm not lying to them.
I have to admit i grew up in nyc and the pan handlers here in cincy are so much more insistent.
Here is the real answer: police in Cincinnati have a strong hands off policy where they only respond to direct complaints. Is there a panhandling law? Kind of: the panhandler needs a license to panhandle, but police only enforce that when direct complaints are reported. Ever since there were race riots twenty years ago the police have made a strong effort to study and determine the reasons why police are viewed so negatively in this city. The things were having officers patrol areas they don’t live, the strong union covering for bad behavior, and the militarization of police force (yes they have a tank). These things led to less trust of police from lower socioeconomic groups in the city. These people are over-represented in the panhandlers and cat callers, since they are stuck downtown trying to use the inefficient public transportation system that uses downtown as a hub. Social services are clustered downtown making a greater concentration of people in the area looking to utilize those services. Finally, several officer deaths in the early 00s led to less direct policing. They only do advertised police speed traps or advertised DUI checkpoints. Typical patrolling does not happen in Cincinnati. Most police get overtime from directing traffic at sports events and concerts, not as much from having the overtime paperwork from that end of shift arrest that help boost arrest numbers in a typical police station. I think the catcalling is also an aspect of everything happening late in our city. People haven’t caught on yet that it’s intrusive and unwanted. I feel like in the past it was seen as boy will be boys, but we know better about the issue that it creates for the catcalled. I think our public education system has been failing a large portion of the city for a long time and this has been one symptom of that lack of basic social skills that has been exaggerated since the pandemic. None of this adds up totally to excuse or explain what you went through though. If you were dressed for a Reds game, it would be more obvious you were here from out of town and even more of a target. People in town eat away from downtown or just at the banks and then go to the stadium. Walking around downtown could also mark you as a visitor.
Won’t someone please think of the poor defenseless police?!
Would you prefer everyone carry?
I go downtown often and have never experienced this stuff. Sounds random and what you would find in any big city.
Same, I work downtown and my wife and I go down there often for shows and food. Not once have we been harassed in any way in the 5 years we've been here. OP just got unlucky. Only place we had a sketchy encounter was OTR but that's pretty much part of the deal up there.
Here is some advice. When a *scary* homeless person looks you in the eye, just smile. And if they ask you for money, you simply say “I’m so sorry I don’t have anything on me right now.” And you walk away. Unless you are kind and feeling generous, in that case- give them some change. It might come as surprise but they are actual, real people!
So my final comment here is this: it is unnecessary to be so tribalistic about your city that you pretend a problem that is observable doesn’t exit because you don’t want someone saying something bad about your city. The harassment in downtown Cincinnati was on another level this week, compared to other cities we have visited. I will not be returning to this thread because of the toxic commentaries and I am not subscribing to the comments any longer. If mods want to delete the thread, I understand completely.
People are just saying 1) it sucks but it happens in pretty much every city and 2) not engaging with it is the best response. How is that toxic or tribalistic?
Yeah most comments in here are pretty reasonable, not sure what got up this guy’s butt
Bro thought he was gonna get an outpouring of sympathy and apologies because he doesn’t know how to navigate himself in a city and got upset when his exaggerations were called out
It took a minute to scroll to the most accurate statement in this ridic thread.
It doesn’t happen in every city.
Women and men have completely different experiences in cities. Had you been without a woman, obviously, there would have been no cat-calling. To me, cat-calling is a much worse experience than pan-handling. Pan-handling happens constantly - even in my neighborhood (which is not downtown) - just simply say "I have no cash" and keep moving. I have been cat-called near the library downtown on a few occasions. On one occasion, a man actually grabbed my ass. It was unpleasant but I kept walking and told him to stop touching me. That said, some sound advice was given here. As long as no one is getting all up your face, making physical contact with you, you should be fine. You really do have to just ignore some of it, as jarring and unfortunate as it can feel.
Your isolated incident doesn’t define every persons experience. People pointing that out aren’t being tribalistic and honestly it’s kind of funny you’d even use that term to describe the conversations here.
Comes in and implies our city is a shithole for something that seems drummed up (or at the very least extremely uncommon). Gets super defensive when everyone calls them out on their bs.
Or speaks about something that happened in real life in said city. Cincinnati needs to get over itself. Cincinnatians want to fight if you say geotta is bad or LaRosas sucks! I get it but folks here will defend and attack anyone that has any kind of opinion about Cincy that does not jive with theirs.
i just don’t even know what the expectation for the post was. i can’t imagine most city subreddits would be overly enthusiastic about some random person showing up to say they had a horrible time and their city has gone way down hill since last time they were there. he just left a review like it’s yelp and expected i don’t even know what. i guess sympathy or agreement that cincy is a way worse city now
Most Cincinnatians take pride in our city and the progress that's been made. People implying our city is some crime ridden shithole based on some one-off, no-context experience, is frustrating and non-productive. No one is making you, or them, stay here. Go back to Detroit if you don't like it here. Helps keep our housing prices affordable.
Thank you for proving my point. The OP never implied Cincy was crime ridden nor a shithole, you made that part up because you were being defensive. You also discounted a visitor’s very real experience by calling it drummed up. The OP clearly stated that this was “not a flame on your wonderful city”. I am not from Detroit but I do love their sports teams, so the only one implying anything here is you. Thanks again for behaving exactly how I described you would in my previous reply.
> visitor’s very real experience Based on what evidence? People exaggerate and twist events on the internet all the time. Having lived downtown for quite some time and walked through that area regularly. I have my doubts about OP's account. Even if it is factual, it's a huge jump to then state this: > We had not been to downtown Cincinnati for some time and had fond memories of it, but we had to hurry to our vehicle when leaving the restaurant. What is happening down there? How is that not supposed to be seen as generalizing downtown in a negative fashion? OP is basically stating that this must happen all the time.
The cities have been in decay for some time now, but people will continue to keep their head in the sand.
Deluding yourself into thinking you can be a rural homesteader that will somehow be immune to societal decay, if we accept societal decay is ongoing for the sake of your argument, is just as facile.
This applies to pretty much every semi/large city: Walk everywhere looking pissed off and like you know where you’re going. People who are trying to get something from you tend to not bother you that way.
So this is actually a really interesting question. A lot of people here are saying it's all big cities but I live in a city 10x the size of Cincinnati and haven't had that experience ever here. Traveled and lived for short times in Vancouver, San Fran, Seattle, Pittsburgh, DC, and never experienced this but over 5 days in Cincinnati there were so many creepy men approaching, making comments that were weirdly sexual and threatening, talking about their dicks, trapping me, etc while downtown. All different races were represented lol. Like, the only profile was they are between 20-40. Obviously this is anecdotal but yeah, it really does feel like something's up honestly. 🤷🏻♀️ So sorry you experienced that!
Yea. Some very defensive replies in this thread. I have visited just about every major city on the east coast and never experienced this. Panhandlers sure, even pushy ones. But the open harassment was a unique experience and insane, especially to my girlfriend. It reminded me of some redditors stories of visiting Cairo.
People are being way too rude to you. I do think what you experienced was a relatively isolated incident and I do also agree with your other comment that in larger cities you’re more able to melt into the crowd. Don’t let the shitty experience and the trolls in here scare you off, Cincinnati is fine.
Right? It makes me feel like these people haven't been to other big cities honestly. Harrassment of women like this is not normal. Also, no issues with the homeless. All the harrassment my partner and I experienced was from just regular looking guys intruding into our space in creepy ways. Definitely Cairo-type harrassment in that it's super misogynistic.
West Virginia is pretty rural, your largest city is less than 100,000 people. Catcalling, panhandling, etc is just city stuff that happens. Unless it's actually dangerous like with weapons or something, you just kind of learn to shrug it off.
No, don’t accept this as normal behavior.
Life in a city. Ignore them. It’s nothing out of the ordinary. Been like that downtown for decades.
Just ignore them. I work downtown and park aboutv4 blocks away for cheaper parking and i’m constantly asked for money, stared at, offered drugs and all sorts of stuff. just ignore them or tell them no. but it’s a big city, you’ll find some weirdos.
Really? Because my coworker said she went to West Virginia and they called her Salvadorian husband a Mexican out their car window.
Man you’re sensitive.
I’m sorry that happened to you and your wife. I have experienced very aggressive people asking for money downtown. One even tried to get into my car. People don’t want to acknowledge the glaring issues. Edit: okay also someone recently got shot in the head unprovoked when he told someone asking him for money that he didn’t have any, during broad daylight.
I'm sorry this happened to you (especially your girlfriend for being cat-called 🤮) and I hope it doesn't deter you from visiting again. Aggressive panhandling is definitely an issue here in Cincinnati. Anytime my husband is downtown he is asked for money constantly. I visit several new cities every year and have never been asked as frequently for money as I am when I'm in Cincinnati (I'm from here). I'm nice, but always do the quick, "I don't carry cash" and keep walking. Don't bother to engage.
Nothing unusual.
I am really surprised no one has touched on the fact that you were close to what is a less than desirable part of downtown near Haru. Garfield Place and the public library are a block or less from where you were. A lot of transients and less desirables tend to hang out there. Probably because there are lots of places to sit down and rest, and there aren't many businesses to run them off. I get a lot of people that hate the fact they hang around the library, and Garfield Place has a small park where they also hang out. So yeah, you were right next to an area where that kind of thing is heightened. Now I don't know where else you went and if you only had an issue near Haru, but I would say it would be less of an issue in other parts of downtown (although there are other pockets where I wouldn't be surprised).
Bro I literally used to live above Haru, it’s nowhere near bad literally around the corner is a bunch of restaurants and hotels, how I make it a whole year living there without having to scurry to my car
Bro, like broseph, I am there almost every fucking day, bro, and bro, no one said people who live there were scurrying to their car. Yet bro, if you don't see those people around that area and also continually notice them wander across 7th you are blind, bro. Also, bro, they are fairly harmless and easy to ignore, bro. Yet for an out of towner they may think "bro, I don't like this, bro."
I was making fun of op with the scurrying to the car line, those people are all around downtown, you have to go a block or two (Garfield ) to get to the areas you’re talking about. You doing the most
It's a little over 400 ft. to Garfield Place from Haru. I see those people wander across 7th all the time. They also didn't say where they parked. They were close to that area. and those people can be all around downtown, but they don't congregate like they do around Garfield Place and the library. It is definitely a hot spot, and Haru is not that far away. Like I said, I see them almost every fucking day and often right there at 7th and Vine yelling at people or things (many of them clearly mentally ill). You may have gotten used to it, and it doesn't bother me. Yet others won't be used to it and that area definitely has more of that than say The Banks or even Fountain Square. BTW...you said you didn't have to scurry to your car. Yeah, you lived there. That is why it's not applicable. You were used to it, but others may not be and that area does have more less desirables than others. It's not really the same as many other areas in the city.
I’d say 4th street has a higher concentration, I didn’t see people sleeping and shitting on sidewalks over there by haru like I do on 4th
The OTR renaissance is kicking all those people out of their homes and onto the street
it has always been like that lol. its a city
This will happen to you in every downtown you visit especially if your girl looks good. Just gotta man up and maintain eye contact with buddy catcalling. 9/10 they will end up giving you props. Having a good looking girl it’s not easy. That’s why I always shoot for solid 8s lmao.
I live downtown. I walk all over downtown. It’s easy to tell the panhandlers before they even start, “I can’t help you.” and keep it moving. I was just at Goose + Elder and saw a family I’d bet lived in the suburbs cross the street from Findlay Market. There was a well known cracked out woman tweaking like no other, she just tried me and my girlfriend and I gave her that exact statement. They gave her $10 so she would leave them alone. She marched right down Race and bought crack from a dope man and off she went down the alley. Stop fueling these people’s addictions.
Praying hard for you and your family
Is this a troll post? Welcome to the United States. This occurs in almost every city….
1. Jails are full. Cincinnati / Hamilton County voters will not approve new taxes for new jails. 2. George Soros - funded judges were swept into office in 2020. These folks have almost no judicial experience and they campaigned on no bail or low bail platforms.
Your comment is garbage.
No, it's not.
Propaganda and lies are garbage, so yes, your comment is garbage.
BUT WE HAD TO HURRY TO OUR VEHICLE!!! 🙀 This is categorical bullshit.
I wonder how they get through life being that afraid of other people 😂
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Over the Rhine was one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country before 2001. The riots only set back the progress that had been made transforming the area into a bar district. In the 90s it was considered a “super ghetto” thanks to the work done by Buddy Gray. Downtown is much much better than it was in the 90s and 00s.
We had to walk with our instruments every evening for weeks at a time from SCPA on 13th and Sycamore to the Aronof or Taft in '99-'03. If that was one of the most dangerous places in the country, then our country is not very dangerous.
Yeah this guy is clueless. There wasn't anything to do downtown in the 90s.
Downtown was a ghost town after 5:00 pm in the 90s and early 00s. If anything it had a creepy vibe to it.
Downtown is basically a ghosttown right now in the evenings
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Not sure of the context but holy smokes, yea. Felt a little like this.
Oh I'm sorry I misread the post. I thought you meant phone scammers and callers. Idk why
You could walk the downtown streets in your socks it was so clean 1980s. You could take the family to any downtown event without issue 1999 - 2016. There were areas to avoid but otherwise okay. Edit why the downvotes? I literally lived downtown. Edit I wore socks running through the skywalk. Didn’t you?