anyone else run into aggressive panhandlers lately?
had a weird experience downtown today and i'm curious if anyone else has run into this person or something similar.
i went into a circle k on queen street and noticed a woman outside with a cardboard sign watching me through the window. when i paid and walked out, she immediately started asking me for money.
she was asking other people walking by, but then she asked me. i had my airpods in and just kept walking. she then started following me and tapping me and actually pulling at my sleeve to get my attention. at that point i turned around and sternly told her not to touch me. she backed off, but stood there staring at me while i put my stuff in my bag from a distance
i went into a nearby sandwich shop to get food, and a few minutes later when i was waiting for my food i ducked my head back out to check if i was being followed, and she had disappeared.
i have no issue with someone asking for money, and normally i just keep walking, but following and physically grabbing someone because they don't respond is way over the line. the fact that she seemed to be watching me before i even left the store also made the whole thing feel off. i dont even look rich. and i dont have any cash on me either.
has anyone else experienced this lately? i'm not claiming she was trying to rob or scam me because i obviously don't know that, but the grabbing was enough to put me on alert. it seems like people are getting more pushy with whatever this is.