I find smoking on patios and people blocking the sidewalks by walking slowly and holding hands infinitely more annoying than panhandlers holding their hands out, and if panhandlers were really walking around slapping everyone, I think the discussion should be more about how we dump our mentally ill on the street rather than how icky the homeless are.

Sure, some can be annoying—one guy followed me home at 4:30 a.m. recently when I wouldn't give him money and others can be a bit aggressive, but most will give you a "have a nice day" if you smile at them and say, "no, sorry" to the request. I find acknowledging them with eye contact and a smile goes a long way. Plus, panhandlers go where the money is—where tourists are and therefore where people who don't see homeless people very often will pay them.

I get why business owners are agitated, but I'd rather arrest people who drunkenly hang out their car windows in the Entertainment District and shouting, "WOOOOOOO!" The charge: Public Douchebaggery, First Degree.

We should probably stipulate that there is no valid reason to give money to a panhandler.

Instead, give money to any of the hundreds of organizations that exist to help the economically disadvantaged, the mentally/emotionally disturbed and the addicted. (Better still, volunteer your time.) Then direct panhandlers to those organizations' services.

Those organizations can see to it that your contribution doesn't get squandered on cigarettes or worse. They are also less likely to be fooled by the many professional panhandlers who currently infest Toronto streets.

Like I mentioned on another site, once you work or live in an area, you begin to get the stories of the homeless people in the neighbourhood. The passive panhandlers do okay. They usually get enough to get by. The aggressive ones are more often than not the ones with addictions to feed. Some of them can make A LOT of money this way.

I've seen many conflicts around Tim Horton's stores. They are a prime hangout for aggressive pandhandlers since they know that anyone buying something has to pay in cash (and is going to have change on them).

It really does suck for owners and management to deal with it. It's a huge strain on their business and time. Businesses like coffee shops don't turn lead into gold. The profit margin is very, very small. People seem to be under the impression that running a Tim Hortons or a McDonalds or Starbucks is a quick way to make a lot of money. Sorry, the real world doesn't work that way. Many franchisees have to open multiple chains just to make ends meat (this is not an exaggeration. Don't believe me? Open up a franchise then tell me how fucking easy it is)

They and their employees are real people that are often working their asses off to support themselves and their families. They don't deserve the fear that surrounds asking someone to leave that is harassing the very people that put on their table.

At the Tim Hortons I go to regularly, I've seen a pandhandler lock one of two entrance doors, holding the other one open. Those who try to ignore him, opting to go through the closed door end up acknowledging his existence further by going through the door he's holding open after failing to open the locked one. Those who still manage to ignore him are then subjected to verbal abuse for their ungratefulness. I've seen him asked to leave on several occasions. Confrontations usually arise, usually with the man stating he'll leave if the management gives him $20. They threaten to call the police. He refuses to leave. He only leaves once the call is actually made. Wandering off before the authorities arrive, forcing the management to explain themselves when they do, or calling back and telling the police 'nevermind'

What do you mean "legitimate theatre"? We Will Rock You is probably loud enough that you CAN eat without disturbing the show, the actors, or other people. Not all theatre is raucous spectacle.