Trash Taste Had a ʀᴀᴄɪꜱᴛ Experience in Detroit

[@PhantasyStarved]

As a native Detroiter, the fact that Garnt had a run-in with some crazy racist in Royal Oak of all places makes me laugh my ass off

[@E_D___]

as someone who doesnt know anything about Detroit, can you explain?

[@vannanalabomba]

As someone from the suburbs, I'm not surprised at all. It's like 50/50 north of 9 mile.

[@curtismcelwain6213]

I live in downtown and it's either a wild day of crazy people or everyone is crazy friendly. Never an in-between 😂

[@lazer2521]

@@E_D___ royal oak is considered a more affluent city than Detroit. No Detroiter would even consider calling Royal Oak apart of Detroit, it's a completely different city. Different people. More stuck up.

[@rachelosiria7865]

@@lazer2521 yeah usually the police in Royal oak arrest homeless people to make the city look better 🤣🤷🏻‍♀️😂 to be honest I'm surprised he even found a homeless person in Royal oak they don't last long

[@nurbz0788]

An older, homeless Japanese guy approached me and some friends in a California parking lot at night, asking if we could drive him to McDonald's and buy him dinner. He told his whole story about being stuck away from Japan because of the pandemic, and seemed genuine, but we ended up giving him the "sorry man" He cut us to the CORE when we started to leave, saying "Have you EVER helped someone?" I felt genuinely bad for him, but he didn't understand how abnormal it is to request a free ride and meal from strangers at night

[@mitacestalia7532]

Honestly, helping people like that always gambling for me considered I was scammed once. For me it's either giving my money and think it's charity or don't give at all so at least it gives me mind peace.

[@salmon1461]

did you at least give him some money for the meal ? lol especially when it " seemed genuine ".

[@nurbz0788]

@@salmon1461 would've given some cash if I had any. Haven't carried cash out here in forever

[@shhs7954]

Was he really Japanese? I'm surprised. Because as a Japanese, it is an uncomfortable behaviour. Japanese proverb: 'A samurai does not eat, but a toothpick.'(「武士は食わねど高楊枝」Meaning proud and emaciated.)

[@Yunglex313]

My thoughts on the matter are seriously skewed because the majority of population of homeless people in Detroit are mostly crack heads and scammers. Had this one guy who would always ask someone for a quarter on the bus, everyday, regardless of if he needed to make fare or not.

[@thatrainbowquickie8395]

That's crazy to me that Joey had to learn how to talk to homeless or crazy people, it's just something I must've learned growing up then

[@royalfun1031]

Yea Idk how to but u just do

[@impaledm4936]

@T3cadeus Even though we got it in Australia, you don't come across them very often unless in the city, I think I've only seen one or two at maximum.

[@HEADASSLOOKINGAHHH]

@thomasandrewclifford i could be wrong but heard somewhere that in Japan some people go out of their way to beat homeless people or just fuck them up.

[@FrenchDinosaur]

@@HEADASSLOOKINGAHHH that does happen, yeah. But it's also important to say that those are very rare and isolated cases. Also, correct me if I'm wrong, too, those also happen in the US. (I've only been to, I think, 3 states)

[@nocturem]

​@@HEADASSLOOKINGAHHH that's not really a uniquely Japanese thing most countries with a homeless population also has a issues with people who will seek them out to beat or murder them cause its a vulnerable group that doesn't have any protection from the police. Two groups serial killers usually start with is the homeless and sex workers cause they are vulnerable groups that society doesn't adequately protect or care for.

[@URLoveable224]

As an American, there's one interaction with a homeless person I have never stopped thinking about. One time me and my family were in the van and there was an old homeless man in the parking lot with a huge beard and raspy voice. He was talking to my dad who was the driver. I don't remember a lot of what he said since it was years ago now but he kept offering my dad a cigarette and my dad kept saying no until we realized that he kept repeating everything because he kept forgetting he'd said it. The only way we could leave was to drive away while he was talking because he would just keep greeting us over and over. It was such a terrible feeling driving off like that.

[@kappadarwin9476]

It is a terrible feeling. I gave a homeless family 30 dollars a few days ago because I didn't want to feel like a bad person.

[@destituteanddecadent9106]

I feel you. There's nothing you can do for that particular individual on the spot, and once you've experienced that helplessness it sticks with you.

[@teh_nagato]

It seems like David Lynch stole this story to the 3d season of Twin Peaks :D (just kidding)

[@ArcAngle1117]

The bulk of actually visible homeless people are mentally ill. Most people who are homeless usually live in cars or couch surf though.

[@desotaku5202]

Unfortunately there's nothing you can do individually. That's why the government should take care of people in need like this. That's where taxes actually should go to. 2 people in my life went homeless for a period of time, one through drugs and the other from cancer. It can happen so fast and all of society judges them like a big sin was committed.

[@Hilo__]

As an American, no one propagates the differences between people who are “leftists” and “rightists” more than Americans. It’s truly a symptom of media swaying conscious perspective for purely monetary gain and Americans falling for it constantly. There is also a lot of it that mirrors a KZbin comment section. The most divisive/hot take comments get the most engagement and often color the perspective of readers in a negative way that minimizes all the nice/positive comments with little to no engagement underneath them

[@drinks-your-water]

Where does your KZbin comment fit into all of this?

[@nateberube7746]

Thank you, I've been trying to explain this to some of my friends and couldn't phrase it properly. Things are ridiculous and people ask why don't I care more. Frankly, it shouldn't matter, usually its about small trifles/scruples that really shouldn't matter, or other things that you can make a snap judgement on but have somehow been blown why out of proportions. I know I am over simplifying in one degree of another but thats just how I see it.

[@karebushmarebu233]

More like the USA propagates the differences between “rightists” and “centerists” more than anyone else’s. Like it’s sad but many American don’t seem to realize that even someone like Bernie Sanders would be considered centre-left at best in Europe. It’s sad but true, anyways good luck my American friend, I hope things get better

[@rashotcake6945]

@@nateberube7746 If you don’t care about tiny culture war bullshit squabbles, that’s understandable, but when people say “they don’t care about politics” at all, that’s always just straight up bs. Bc politics are everywhere, the personal is political.

[@Quindroid]

God, it’s is SO annoying when people tell you to pick a side

[@JohnathanJWells]

Guys you were not in Detroit, you were in Royal Oak, 40 minutes from Detroit. Everyone was just too nice to correct you.

[@ThatMagicPie]

Was about to add that. There are parts of Detroit that are alright, but Royal Oak much more nicer in terms of appearance. But hey, always glad Michigan can let me down.

[@JohnathanJWells]

@@ThatMagicPie Such a weird part to be racist too. Royal Oak is very progressive and diverse, what kind of stupid asshole decides to be a racist moron there?

[@zivens.2407]

Lol been getting hate for a while for pointing out that they weren't in Detroit at all. I'd say RO is more like 25 minutes out from the middle of Detroit, but yeah. It's still not the city. It's very frustrating to constantly see suburbs labeled as the actual city when the culture in some of those places is quite different. Don't get me wrong, some of the neighborhoods in Detroit aren't pretty to look at, at all. But most people in the city are used to the melting pot of any and everybody being in the area, because it's a big city lol

[@Demetoriusu]

@@zivens.2407 Yup. Just about every area in Michigan is 25 minutes apart from each other. People bring up Detroit since that is the most common place in MI. It's rare for people to bring up areas like Warren, Royal Oak, Madison Heights even Highland Park.

[@alexstowe6243]

Royal oak and music theater are in a super nice area. This was just some rogue crazy person. I walk around down there all the time and have never had anything close to an issue

[@NekoWinters]

You did go to the most racist "we swear were not racist" state

[@TheRealGigachad1848]

They should have went to the most racist "yeah we're racist" state

[@sekaihunter9378]

@@TheRealGigachad1848 so...Texas?

[@corrinflakes9659]

@@TheRealGigachad1848 Arkansas?

[@ahumanperson1638]

@@TheRealGigachad1848 Alabama

[@followerofmanus1]

@I post cringe when I feel like it Florida

[@hangry3102]

Joey's "fear" when he was asked for money by the homeless man was culture shock guys. He wasn't criminalizing the homeless guy, he was just confused and startled by something pretty much foreign to him.

[@Gatherway-Duo]

How low we have fallen when countless homeless people just wandering around major urban centers is no longer a problem that needs to be fixed and instead is just "the culture."

[@hangry3102]

@@Gatherway-Duo America's entire culture is "we need to fix this shit" so I'd say so.

[@e.1419]

And come on, it's ok to be scared. As long as you don't act out on prejudices, whatever. You can't guess the person's intentions, and sometimes there's a lot of homeless people under drugs or alcohol who aren't necessarily in a stavle state of mind. As long as you don't start hurting them, help them or move on and that's it. There's nothing wrong with being wary.

[@lazer2521]

Joey is from Australia. It's not different.

[@Prodigi50]

Australia has homeless people though.

[@Rockastorm]

I'm not going to lie as a New Yorker the first thing you learn is to ignore the homeless people and crazy people

[@onlyonezenn6037]

Yeah who’s teaching them to talk to homeless people??? But Dadius is totally right, if you MUST, you always say “sorry, man” or “sorry no cash”

[@Rockastorm]

@@onlyonezenn6037 yeah you're right about that

[@thequibblez]

Yeah I used to live in St Louis like the big city and they always taught us to not talk to the homeless people

[@Nareto64]

I think it just depends on how big the city is, and whether or not you're in the south. On Long Island, it's a lot more common to see people actually talk to homeless people, but whenever I go to NYC everybody just ignores them.

[@gabrielm.846]

Yea man nice thing to teach, homeless people and mentally ill are less than human beings

[@sabrinacelis8927]

Can we all just appreciate Connor for how thoughtfully he goes about these more serious topics? I love how he looks at the world and all the systems in place that affect peoples' lives. The boys are generally good about the more serious matters but the way Connor does it has really earned my respect.

[@blmnkrnz]

I agree. I remember Connor also strongly expressing his anger at video games that are so non-inclusive to persons with disabilities. He really goes in depth with his answers, showing that he is aware of the things that go on in this world.

[@kayshlarobles6422]

Yes, I was truly impressed as well. I didn't know that monkey brain had it in him. 😅💕

[@noiredautremonde8289]

I want to hardly agree with you but the fact that every time they get into serious topics they have to clarify and appeal to everyone makes me feel a bit sad. How hard has it become for people to give the benefit of the doubt to someone who clearly doesn't have bad intentions.

[@corbiecrow9738]

​@@noiredautremonde8289 I feel it's less about appealing to people and more about telling people this isn't right. I can imagine as a content creator you've probably seen people use things that you've said to push things you aren't comfortable with, and making your stance clear can help with that (although there are always those on twitter willing to say you're the worst person the world has ever seen)

[@Cambiony]

Really appreciate the how Connor approaches these issues from the perspective of the systems and how they affect people and shapes their lives.

[@mjbull5156]

Except Connor is talking a lot but saying very little.

[@queeniegreengrass3513]

@@mjbull5156 give us your own personal analysis of us home ownership then m8

[@Harrymation-productions]

Thank goodness garnt didn’t find out about Detroit style pizza, cause he would’ve lost it otherwise.

[@JACpotatos]

I looked it up. It just looks exactly like Wisconsin style

[@Harrymation-productions]

@@JACpotatos never heard of that?

[@JACpotatos]

@@Harrymation-productions Never heard of it. Probably because it's just Wisconsin style pizza

[@Harrymation-productions]

@@JACpotatos so there basically the same thing?

[@JACpotatos]

@@Harrymation-productions seems so. But seeing as Detroit style uses Wisconsin cheese and the same style, it's probably just Wisconsin style that's sold in Detroit

[@korakys]

Japan used to have a major homelessness problem after the bubble popped in the 90s. I'm not sure how it is now but prior to the pandemic they were on track to have fewer than 10,000 homeless in the whole country. That's an insanely low rate and shows what can be done if the government cares to do it.

[@SWProductions100]

This does remind me of how part of the reason for the relatively insane Japan bureaucracy is due to trying to create a bunch of jobs for people to have, resulting in step by step by step paperwork. While not great - and Japan does have its workplace issues - it probably at least helps keep more people off the streets.

[@bobjones2959]

@@SWProductions100 I wonder what the effect of all those do-nothing jobs are though. If you have a middleman desk job that functionally doesn't need to exist and doesn't add value to an economy, yet still get given money for it, surely that would really devalue currency? Idk

[@sumirejr1]

@@bobjones2959 Depend how wasteful is it, talking from my job experience as an IT, to make it simple just call it developer, implant, and production team. Developer well develop the program, implant setting up the server and get teach from developer how to install the program, production team learn from implant team how to setup the program and do maintenance. Let say there 2 people each team, you would hire 6 people. But technically you don't need 3 team, you only need one team work as those 3 in same times. But most decent company hire 3 because one to make sure there no mistake and you not depend only to 2 people.

[@callmesweet8344]

not alot of Drug addicts in there too.

[@fatboyRAY24]

US is very laissez-faire which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as its made the country the richest in human history, however on an individual level direct government intervention seems necessary to solve problems such as homelessness. Yet, my inner phenomenologist thinks this may lead to unintended consequences with negative effects. In a way, given our size I think its good for us to lag on implementing “risky” reforms and leave the testing to smaller nations, such as those in Europe, who if they were to collapse wouldn’t take the entire global system with it. At the end of the day solid and slow testing on our own soil is the best way forward before going balls deep. I think some areas are actually doing experimental government programs for homelessness, i just can the remember where

[@nicknacks9309]

Conner really defended the homeless. Good stuff.

[@rootbourne4454]

Yeah I was impressed at how thoughtful his commentary was. It’s really easy for people to treat “the homeless” as an annoyance instead of a systemic issue that affects real people.

[@DrDankPhD]

Pleasantly surprised by his very nuanced understanding of the issue, way to go monke

[@Prodigi50]

Connor is pretty good about defending disadvantaged people. He’s said some based things about Homeless, disabled, and poor people.

[@ZackSavage]

If only his understanding of tipping was as based.

[@Prodigi50]

@@ZackSavage What’s his stance on tipping?

[@yasmine3414]

Connor’s really a sweet and empathetic person, i appreciate his thoughts on this topic and other sensitive topics in general. even when he’s out of touch on a particular subject, he recognizes and becomes more accepting

[@sanninjiraiya]

The wildest part about US homelessness is we have ways to solve it that are cheaper than letting the problem continue as is. But we don't do it because people lose their minds at the idea of spending money to save money.

[@oriongold395]

What exactly are these ways?

[@nobleststrive]

@@oriongold395 Literally just giving them a house is way cheaper on the long run. But of course, people wouldn't want to do that because "why do they get a free house and i don't" or whatever.

[@stephensmith7327]

@@oriongold395 I'm guessing shelter homes.

[@sanninjiraiya]

@@oriongold395 this isn't a comprehensive list but some of the ideas floating around with pretty solid empirical support include: Increased access to public housing or the related solution of tiny homes, introducing more price and rent controls along with better land use and zoning regulations, particularly in cities, providing more social services like addiction, treatments or marital counseling to help prevent some of the economic collapses that cause individual families to fall into homelessness, and criminal justice reforms that range from decriminalizing certain drugs (or at least reducing the penalties from a felony to a misdemeanor) to providing more support for people leaving prison so they don't end up either homeless or straight back in the prisons themselves.

[@notgiven3971]

@@oriongold395 as scott said giving them a house is the main way, other preventative measures are to change zoning laws in a lot of areas (currently a lot of zoning laws prevent the making of affordable housing such as duplexes , anything that houses more than one family etc) to allow the construction of affordable housing. This way housing costs would go down (due to increased supply) so less people would become homeless in the first place. Also the reason why just giving them a house is the best way is because it's hard to keep a steady job while being exposed to the elements etc. Also more shelters is a good temporary solution but not a good permanent solution

[@pmmmAMV]

Another thing to keep in mind is that if you're a woman, the risk of interacting with any stranger goes up exponentially. The option of 'just talking to them' instead of trying to avoid contact is a much bigger gamble. If I'm in a relatively populated area, I'll talk to people, but outside that I'm generally not going to talk to anyone outside of like, small talk if we're mutually waiting for a bus or something.

[@DoKuShOsTaR]

Yeah I was wondering about that mindset. I definitely wasn’t taught that as much, but then I remembered that I’m a woman lol. I was always taught to just run from strangers essentially lmaooo. But also it probably differs on where you are what you’re taught at well. Floridian, and, well… Florida can be pretty crazy.

[@cozyninos]

Was technically homeless for 2 weeks because of lease issues. I’ll remember writing final essays in a hotel days before Christmas. Didn’t have a place till Jan. Forever grateful I had family that took us in in the meantime as well.

[@darkjelly944]

It's not just the American system that's creating more homeless people, it's also the increasing neglect of mental health in America that's exacerbating the problem. Most homeless people (At least the one's that I've seen/interacted with) seem like they suffer from various extreme psychological disorders and addictions that make it nearly impossible for them to make any progress towards... anything. Schitzophrenia, Clinical Depression, Borderline Personality Disorder, Drug Addictions, Alchohol Addictions, any of these left untreated can easily ruin the lives of the people suffering from them. They end up making terrible desicions and sabotaging themselves whenever they have an opportunity to improve their situation. It's why homeless people are often identified simply as "crazy people", because they're mental dissorders have been allowed to fester to the point where they can barely function as a human being anymore. At least, that what I think. Also, off topic, but a lot of homeless people reportedly have histories of being abused or growing up in broken homes. So I would say that another potential solution would be to emphasize the value of family in America, to motivate americans to pursue a healthy household more often. Again, just my opinion. I'm not a professional.

[@rowd149]

The issue is that when you say "mental health", people default to thinking of it as a personal problem. It's not, though; it's a massive, systemic social problem that's partly caused by healthcare access (can't get help) and partly caused by homelessness itself (the anxiety/sleeplessness/ill health that comes from lacking housing exacerbates mental health issues), essentially causing a feedback loop that's impossible to get out of from the inside. The only way to solve it is someone from the outside caring enough to break the loop (and since we're dealing with good ol' American Capitalism, "caring" is code for "spending money on").

[@kinghershybar4294]

Also drugs too

[@SomeRandomJackAss]

The "value of family" thing can be a tricky thing, though. Emphasizing the "traditional family unit" or staying together for the kids can lead to bad situations like abuse and the feeling of being trapped.

[@MultiPeyton22]

“It’s not the American system. It’s the American system” - you didn’t need all those words to contradict yourself

[@gateauxq4604]

The government completely destroyed all funding for mental health care for people who can’t afford to pay for it because their mental illness keeps them from being employed so WOOPS out on the street with them

[@beardpandaa]

Most of my patients at the hospital are homeless. I'm a cna on a heart unit. So I had to learn how to talk to homeless people that way. A lot of them are very mentally ill and addicted people who need a tremendous amount of help. But in America, the help they could get costs way too much. So they refuse the help unless they absolutely have to take it like coming to the ER. A couple are stubborn addicts who will take advantage of you at any chance they can get but some are really kind. It can be hard taking care of certain personality types who are also addicts detoxing in a hospital. Sometimes they are super nice until they are done detoxing and become a nightmare. The younger ones who aren't ready to give up the addiction and blame/lash out at all of us tend to be this way. Many of them are elderly or disabled or both. I had an elderly schizophrenic homeless patient that was found catatonic covered in his own feces. Someone called the police and they took him to the hospital. He had the worst case of yeasty dandruff and infections everywhere that I've ever seen. He was skinny as hell. I gave him a shower and couldn't get all the dandruff out. It was terrible and tragic. He needed help desperately. He couldn't take care of himself clearly. He was a sweetheart.

[@sazi]

Oh Garnt, if you think Americans aren't passive aggressive and indirect to the extreme then you were very lucky in your interactions. Being blunt usually associated with the east coast, but being passive aggressive is a very Midwest and west coast thing. It is pervasive.

[@tevinvezina1766]

In Michigan, we're in the middle. Generally the people are nice and try to be hospitable, which might include passive aggressiveness. But at the same time, Michiganders are bold! Remember which state was the first to protest the lockdowns...with all those guns at the capitol building? Michigan.

[@isaachester8475]

Was just thinking this. As someone from the midwest I’ve rarely had a blunt interaction but I can practically smell the passive aggressiveness on some people. Hell even I’m guilty of it sometimes.

[@mondude89]

to be fair american passive aggressive might as well be blunt compared to where they're from and living currently

[@mattm2451]

I feel like people aren't so passive aggressive on the west coast, probably more so than the east coast, that's more of a southern thing tho from my experience. At least what I've been told by my southern family

[@bobtower66]

@@mattm2451 On the west coast they just lie to your face with a fake smile. I'll take the non time wasting blunt any day of the week.

[@shadowboySB]

When I was younger I was told there are three things to never bring up in a conversation; 1.Money 2.Religion 3.Politics

[@j0hndobile802]

Wot bout sports?

[@pribadiramadhan1753]

4。which Shonen is better

[@kurokuma3795]

Ahhh bar rules

[@irissupercoolsy]

haha, in Belgium we don't talk about anything else than money and politics

[@brintesiacirce9414]

Because they don't want you to be aware of the differences between individuals and they want to keep you ignorant of disparity or similarities, so you stay trapped in this bubble of ignorance, thinking your experience is also everybody else's experience. Talking about this stuff is necessary. You learn many religions are similar, how much you should actually pay for something and what your salary should actually be, you stay informed about other political views that maybe you didn't think about. People who say to not talk about these stuff are simply bad communicators and think that disagreeing=ground for fighting.

[@salt-emoji]

7:58 as a native Utahn he's very accurate. Many many inbred skills here.

[@R3dRabb1t]

Hey guys just so you know, the reason that area was so nice was because you guys were in Royal Oak not Detroit. Not all of Detroit is bad, but Royal Oak is a much nicer area.

[@EpsilonTheV]

fax, southfield use to be that way and then EVERYONE wanted to live in southfield

[@manny7662]

@@EpsilonTheV what is Southfield now?

[@koobs4549]

@@manny7662 it’s North Redford at this point

[@seancullen7907]

tipping in America is the weirdest thing like here in nz, you only tip someone for amazing service and usually do large tips if they are deserved less often as a reward, our severs dont live off them they actualy get payed

[@key099able]

Tipping salary is just an culturally accepted scam.

[@Bonzaideke]

Yea why do you think I’m leaving the US

[@bleek9108]

People get a living wage the tips are just a bonus I wouldn't expect someone from NZ to understand that though lol

[@aiwash2766]

@@bleek9108 where, in America? Mate I’ve worked at ihop where they paid me 2$ an hour and told me I’d make most of my money off tips, idk what you’re on about

[@bleek9108]

@@aiwash2766 over 50% of the us population gets paid 12.50 an hour with the other fifty percent under that but hardly dropping below 8 dollars an hour also that “mate” makes me suspicious of wether or not your telling the truth

[@jinxedpenguin]

I'm an American and the homelessness issue is wild. You do learn though that as much as it sucks (especially for me right now since I'm worried about having to move back home due to layoffs), you kinda have to deescalate with homeless people. Some of them are super nice and you can give them a few bucks but a lot of them will sadly take advantage of people they see as giving. Not just homeless people, but panhandlers too. Once, at my first 'real' job (this was in a smaller city in the south), someone asked me for gas money. I was 18 and stupidly was like 'yeah sure!' and used my card at the pump. HUGE mistake. They told everyone at the gas station "YO FREE GAS!!!" and I saw the line forming at the pump. Luckily, I immediately called the gas station and was like "KILL THE PUMP NOW" and ended up only being out like 25 bucks but Jesus. What a jerk move. Also had some dude follow me for blocks demanding I go to an ATM and give him money. Weirdly, in bigger cities even with far more intimidating people, most of the time they'd back off. Also, my worst experiences weren't with actual homeless people (outside of some dude who was obviously on drugs, homeless, and chased my car) but with people who I'm 100% sure weren't homeless and were just panhandlers. Like the aforementioned person who followed me for blocks and the person who pulled the gas station stunt. You get pretty good at spotting that sort of thing if you're from the US and can tell pretty quickly who's actually homeless and panhandling and who's just panhandling. The guy who followed me for blocks was during an event in our city so I'm sure he was just panhandling. The funny thing was, some dudes who were older and also panhandling at the same time (still didn't think they were homeless but they were obviously worse off than the guy who followed me for blocks), when I was like "sorry I have no cash" (but I did smoke cigs at the time, luckily I quit) and offered to give them some cigarettes, they took me up on it and talked to me during my smoke break. Nice guys. I never have a real problem giving people small things, food, water, etc. I don't even have a problem giving a few bucks if I have some spare change. What does piss me off is whenever I hand someone a few dollars and they go "That's it???" So now I basically never do it. I think that's why a lot of people don't give money to panhandlers at all, it isn't because they're afraid of people using the money for drugs or whatnot. It's genuinely because a lot of times people can be rude as shit and demand more from you. It is a dick move. Also another thing you have to watch out for in the US is people at different venues offering you free shit, like bike rides, with "tips". If you're fine with paying (which you should be), then there's no harm but make sure you have enough money 'cos even if it is small thing, like a ride for a quarter of a mile, they'll get pissed if you give them like $5 instead of $15. Which I get but maybe they should just have set prices instead of having it as "tips". Anyway, those are the biggest "scams" I think I've seen from living in smaller cities up to some of the largest cities in the US. Long comment that's also late, so it'll probably get buried but hey, thought I'd add it just in case anyone else comes here from a country that doesn't have as many panhandlers.

[@MindfulProgramming]

It's not only the people at the top who are interested in housing price inflation. Every person who grinded for years to afford a house are then incentivized to view it as an investment to increase in valuation. Zoning in the USA contributes to this as well. Cities don't build enough, leading to an endless sprawl of suburban mazes. This method necessitates car-ownership, another huge expense on each and every working person. There's also community hearings, where these people show up to prevent the construction of any new apartments.

[@TheKeksadler]

There's a lot to it. I've never entirely understood the whole "housing as investment" mentality, but it's because we've built a system that sort of *makes it* one. I mean you can borrow against your mortgage. That alone basically makes homes an investment. But even just in terms of home value, it can be seen as an investment in that it allows you to use it to buy an even better house or a different house if you need to move for work. I hate the mentality it has spawned as a lot of people don't realize housing prices have outpaced inflation... even outside of big cities. It often feels like some form of mass psychosis.

[@Ash_Wen-li]

Exactly. And unfortunately Canada is following suit with these issues, albeit just not as extreme

[@scotcheggable]

Why would you want to live in a city

[@MindfulProgramming]

@@scotcheggable city living is a diverse and varied experience. Suburban living is boring to me. In a good city, you don't need a car. Less cars make areas much safer and quieter. And each block has its own identity with local shops and history. Imagine taking a short walk/bike/bus/rail to the school, library, gym, Cafe, bar, or grocery store, to me that sounds relaxing. Plus people *could* still build equity in co-op housing or condos rather than just renting. But renting can be fine too. There are trade-offs to city living and it's not to everyone's preferences. Many people save up to go on vacations to go walk around, like Disney or other theme parks, cities like Las Vegas, New Orleans, NYC, Tokyo, all the beautiful cities in Europe and around the world. And then we all return to our grind hives. I just think we can do better! Screw yard work, screw car maintenance, and screw shoveling snow from the driveway, I have better things to do with my time and money

[@scotcheggable]

@@MindfulProgramming and in return you get to live in a city, which smells like piss and burning fuel, has homeless people and druggies om every corner, is increasingly dissociated from real issued, and cesspits of criminality and corruption. I've been to many cities and every single one of them was a disgusting hive of misery that everyone there pretended to ignore while talking about how they go to nightclubs every night to drink themselves stupid and how they need to see their therapist.

[@josephoyek6574]

"There is an in-bred skill." -Garnt, 2022

[@kailfran]

The reason you don’t see a lot of homeless people in Tokyo is because the police and government are constantly kicking them out. If you want to see a lot, go to the riversides in Tokyo. You’ll find a lot of tents and boxes there. It’s kind of like a little village. I found a lot of them just biking along Edogawa River.

[@gwest3644]

One vibe I’ve kinda got about Japan is that they seem to care much more about looking perfect than actually helping people. Sadly many American cities have also adopted this attitude, including mine.

[@paulhamrick3943]

People don’t realize how much stronger the “civil rights” culture is in the US. And that civil rights culture affects how we don’t institutionalize people.

[@krystalayala8451]

I remember studying in Tokyo and saw some homeless people in ikebukuro. There were two and I bought some donuts for both but got very different reactions. The first elderly man was extremely grateful. When I bought him food he said “for me? You really saved me. I can actually have breakfast this morning.” And the second was an older lady that took my donuts and said “I need money. Not donuts. Give me money.” And I said I’m sorry I don’t have any I only have food. She scoffed at me and said “what am I supposed to do with donuts I can’t buy a train ticket with that.” I remember that encounter from time to time. It really shows the two sides of humanity.

[@thisisme7191]

wasn't your detroit show actually in royal oak? that's why it was so nice, royal oak is has one of the highest costs of living in southwest michigan

[@tevinvezina1766]

So they weren't even in Detroit? lol

[@ethanthompson431]

Yeah i was gonna say, they didnt even go to detroit as far as i know

[@mjbull5156]

@@tevinvezina1766 Royal Oak is a suburb of Detroit a few miles north of the city limits. Unless you pay attention to the boundary signs,, there is no visible delineation between the city and inner suburbs.. It is definitely part of the Detroit Metropolitan Area.

[@tevinvezina1766]

@@mjbull5156 Sure, Royal Oak is a few miles north of the _city limits_ , but if you're in the actual city (downtown) then Royal Oak is 14 miles away. You can easily tell this just by the names of the roads - 6 mile > 7 mile > 8 mile etc. are each 1 mile apart. Additionally, each city has a different area code with Detroit being 313 and Royal Oak being 248 and are also located in completely different counties, with Detroit being in Wayne and Royal Oak being in Oakland.

[@mjbull5156]

@@tevinvezina1766 Yes, I know, I worked near Royal Oak for several years,, but someone just visiting the Detroit area are not likely be aware of the distinctions.

[@csgoergodirl6607]

As an American this was very interesting to hear an outside POV on what America is like

[@JACpotatos]

They never visit the normal places in the states

[@AABloodyAA]

@@JACpotatos bruh the USA is abnormal lol

[@JACpotatos]

@@AABloodyAA So you've never traveled

[@freeway1823]

@@JACpotatos What do you mean they toured basically the entire country.

[@JACpotatos]

@@freeway1823 They spent maybe a day or two per city in big cities, with most of that time spent working or preparing to work. Their only real experiences in America seem to be LA

[@daviegravy8322]

What pisses me off about the himeless stuff is a massive amount of them, as in hundreds of thousands are ex veterans that many loose everything in a divorce, which divorce rates in the military are extreme

[@howdycowboy247]

Yes, and so many people who flee domestic abuse and end up on the street. We have such a massive problem

[@huntersuper98]

The family court systems everywhere are known for being extremely one sided towards the woman. There are hundreds of thousands of stories of well off capable guys losing their kids to their crazy, addict ex all because she's the mom and seen as more valuable as a parent despite both the mom and dad being just as vital towards a childs development. Luckily we are seeing a slow but consistent close in that gap over the years.

[@marcell_forchannel3985]

Sorry your typo make this post ... maidenless

[@honeyswann]

I feel like because of all the domestic abuse , abuse in general, and neglect for veterans is why people try to fight the nuclear family setting. It’s the cause of a lot of homelessness in America along with other economical problems so people feel the need to change it to solve it.

[@samuraijosh1595]

@@cykes5124 nuclear families are the most common type of families even now in japan, korea, singapore, etc. How did these countries end up with such low homelessness?

[@blmnkrnz]

Everything that Connor said in this video about homeless people made me respect him so much more. I know they say they don't like politics (or talking about it), but the issue of homelessness in the US is undoubtedly political. Why else has the horrible system been unchanged if not for politicking? I may not be from America, but I come from a country that's absolutely been ravaged by Americans. Homeless/street people are so much more hostile here in the Philippines. And even then, I know not to blame them-essentually victims of the system-for the suffering they're already going through.

[@chickenisindeedmystyle7316]

I think a lot of people don't see stuff like homelessness as political; just a human rights issue

[@kappadarwin9476]

@@chickenisindeedmystyle7316 It is both. A lot of people view homelessness as a political issue. Republicans hate the homeless because they hate welfare and believe in the whole "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps" myth but if you look up the actually meaning of the phase it means doing something that is impossible. Democrats don't want to do it because then Republicans would accuse them of being soft on crime. This hurts the Dems in tight elections because of NYMBs (Not in my back yard) voters who can swing for the Republicans just on the fear of Homeless people moving into the area.

[@jamespamson451]

@@chickenisindeedmystyle7316 right to what?

[@26curtains69]

@@jamespamson451 a home? Shelter is a human. Comfort is a human right

[@Leo-ok3uj]

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), recognizing adequate housing as a component of the human right to an adequate standard of living. -The Fuxking human rights web page

[@TrevTheMan00]

As an American we need to get rid of that tipping bullshit and pay the servers a living wage instead of 2$ an hour. Tipping should be a sign of good service and respect and not needed for them to live.

[@OnchiBon]

It's even worse when you think off where it originally came from. Back in the days, restaurant owners wouldn't pay minorities and told them, if their service was good enough the customer will tip them. For some reason (greed and lingering racism in the system) it's still this way today.

[@VidiaReePhoenix]

Servers already *do* get a "living" wage. If they don't make a "living" wage through tips, their bosses are legally required to pay the rest so they can meet minimum.

[@johnmcstabby2699]

@@VidiaReePhoenix wow or get this owners can pay their employees a living wage to start with and the second part is bullshit most owners loophole out of paying living wages

[@MrSilk13642]

@@johnmcstabby2699Wow or get this, if waiters are paid a living wage, you'd still be paying the tip money because the food would cost more

[@johnmcstabby2699]

@MrSilk13642 Look at any comparable country where people aren't tipped. You'd be paying roughly the same amount, if not less. otherwise, it's just the business owner's greed, and you can fight that by just not going.

[@nathalykim1263]

really appreciate Connor making sure to humanize homeless people, we're all just humans after all

[@GENERALx5H4DY]

As a new yorker i can absolutely say homeless people are overly demonised, i can even imagine how foreign depicts the Us homeless situation. Aside from that I've also had homeless people try to scam me, an unimaginable amount of time, from guy needing bus fair to get to the next town where his daughters in the hospital, to trying to sell counterfeit gucci on the train, and a guy trying to jump my buddies fiance for not giving him the money she used in a store, that one became a fight and police got involved, it goes on. But the amount of community the people i've met have, they help each other, they know everyone in there towns, they are genuinely good people a lot of the time.

[@yokogoph]

I see it constantly used as a whataboutism to deflect other countries issues that get brought up.

[@jellyfishpeach769]

Homeless are demonized for good reason. I lived in Seattle and the homeless here get aggressive. Homeless have killed and attacked at random. I know that in New York its the same problem. Remember the homeless guy who push a lady into a subway train. The homeless guy who just started stabbing people in the subway for no reason. They earned that reputation. I'm sure that there is some nice homeless people out there but lets be honest most are not sane people.

[@Modeon666]

@@jellyfishpeach769 It's the other way around, I would think. As always, loud minority (aggressive kind), tarnishes overall reputation. I would say it is alright to be on guard, but not demonizing people.

[@jellyfishpeach769]

@ForeverDreamWithinADream Yeah you are right and its not fair to people who are poor to have to deal with both criminals and homeless. Since I notice its the more privileged who think that homeless are not that bad, they can go ahead and take them over to their nicer area.

[@jellyfishpeach769]

@@Modeon666 true but we can't read minds to see whos sane or crazy. And I'm not demonizing them I feel bad for them. I'm just saying the actions of some have caused them to be demonized. Also how is it humane to allow them to slowing and painfully be killing them selves with drugs. They are not in their right mind to ever seek the help they need. Letting them live in unclean conditions with very cold and hot weather, while at the same time of being a danger to others and themselves is not humane or helping.

[@Breezely22]

This is true. There's standard expectations for strangers. Small talk. Smiling. Making people feel welcome. We have a high base level of human decency for acquaintances and strangers. But you bring up something polarizing and all bets are off. You're no longer a stranger. You're suddenly public enemy number 1.

[@ayoCC]

American media really pushed the feeling of talking to a wall by inviting normal citizens to talk about these topics, instead of having a structured look at them. But thats how you keep people watching. It's like fake game shows baiting you to call in by pretending every person calling in is stupid and can't see the answer

[@charlesmurphy5644]

A lot of homeless have mental or physical handicaps. Since they ended state mental institutions people without support systems end up homeless or in the county. My father was homeless when I was in college and I’ve lived in a car for 7 months.

[@bar-1studios]

That's one leading cause. Not mentally ill enough where they're in prison, too mentally ill to hold down a job. Another, really big, seldom discussed contributing factor tho, is divorce.

[@nestharus]

It's even more complicated than that. There have been several economic eruptions that have thrown people out of their homes and with the housing crisis nobody can afford to get a home. A lot of people are living out of their cars and driving for Uber if they have a car. On top of that the funding that goes into helping people gets siphoned off by contractors. There was a recent story that talked about several homeless shelters where the people in charge took almost all of the money for themselves. They'd make businesses and pay the businesses they made to service the homeless shelter and through all of this almost all of the money went straight to them. All of the servicing etc was done incredibly poorly. Rotten contaminated food too : |. There was one guy that was homeless in a Tesla. Lost their house but still had their car. They were very well off but lost their job, couldn't pay their mortgage, lost their house.. and now they're driving around homeless in a Tesla, which is wild. This isn't even the whole picture either. A bunch of homelessness and a lot of our massive drug epidemic was fueled by the greed of the Sackler family : |.

[@MrXMysteriousX]

I've been homeless just after I left the army, so i know it can be rough, but at the same time, you gotta be careful about the "sweet innocent, fell on hard times" thing. I've seen it all, the legitimate down and outs and the posers who do it for the cash or the guys who ask for something then mug you if you say no. I ended up in an area where it was 5 guys and gal.The girl wouldn't talk to anyone but it was clear some kind of abuse was the reason.She never talked but hung around near us, probably for safety- dangerous life style for a woman, after all. Me and the guys, we'd sometimes get talking and contrary to belief, some chose homelessness. Sounds bizarre , i know, but one guy told me it's just the way he wanted to live, he didn't have to pay for anything but food and drink and he could get that at a soup kitchen or a good days begging. Another one joked it was like camping (he had a tent) and that's how he liked it. For others it was the drink or drugs, houses were an expense they didn't want, if they just crashed under a bridge with a shanty style structure they could get as high as they wanted. For me it was financial, a lack of help and family issues. The broader family had been listening to the lies of the relative I'd fought so I had no one to stay with. After around 7 months things changed. Eventually, an old high-school friend felt sorry for me when he saw me one day,; he gave me his couch to crash on and from there I got back on my feet. It certainly is the case that some do in fact match up to "hard times, give them a break" but equally some choose it or lack the resolve to get off the streets. And in most cases you shouldn't remove personal agency from the equation or trust for that matter. Bad stuff does happen but some of it is either your own fault or related to decisions you make. I ended up on the street, partially through my own actions. I got into an altercation with a relative after they'd punched me, I punched back. As a result i had burned too many bridges in the process, as he went on to call me a psycho, despite him throwing the first punch. When I had come out on medical discharge I had little money, no real experience in looking after myself as a normal member of society and no where to call home. After I ended up on the couch of my friend, I recovered mentally enough to the point of being able to do voluntary work, which led to me getting paid employment and then that led to me getting an apartment, and I even met the woman of my life there doing that job, whom I married and had a child with. I'm in my 40s now and that was some time ago but the point is, I saw enough to know that not everyone can be trusted, not everyone wants to stop being homeless and not everyone wants saving. And pro tip; anyone asking you for the time or change is potentially checking you out as a target: it's a distraction tactic.

[@MrXMysteriousX]

@@Kitsunae_Nae Thank you for your kindness and for reading.

[@samvakarian]

6:04 I'm south Korean, grew up in NYC. I had this happen to me the first year of the pandemic, and I've lived at that same address my entire life - on the upper east side. Wasn't even a homeless person, or a visibly mental unstable person. My feeling is that covid really brought out the worst in people.

[@TheCalmPsycho]

I find that identitarianism is the standard ideology for some people who don't get exposure to diverse (not just skin colour diverse) people. Once something is associated with a group, nothing about an individual human being even exists outside of that association with the group identity. The other thing was the constant incessant fear mongering from all sides. Whether it was against Asians for the 'china virus,' people who were skeptical aboot the vaccines, certain policies, even friends and families were broken into warring tribes. At least here in North America, it feels like we socially regressed several decades, and then advanced in a very scary direction that I hope corrects as the world hopefully returns to normalcy.

[@samvakarian]

@@TheCalmPsycho that's part of why it surprised me. Where I live in NYC has become pretty diverse. I find it often is the older generations being the problem (at least in my area)

[@samuraijosh1595]

ANTI ASIAN hate crimes have increased by 200%. Despite that, asian female activists in the us are busy complaining about misogyny among asian men.

[@futureanimator522]

@@samvakarian the thing is ppl aren't the same. So, while the pandemic happened. I wasn't searching out Chinese or who tf that did it an wanted to do something to. I just simply go an live. It's just that when ppl don't realize illness like that happens around the world for years by different cultures. They don't k an just like go to Anger an defensive. Which is sad but it's like when 911 happens. Ppl stayed tf away from hijab ppl or middle eastern ppl bc they don't wanna get blown up. Ik it's sad an messed up. But certain chances can't be taken

[@Azraelseraphim]

Speaking of the pandemic there was an Asian kid that was ambushed by a gang of other kids and they sprayed and poured purell on the kid. Happened in the Canada.

[@EpochIsEpic]

The Detroit show was in Royal Oak, which isn’t REALLY Detroit. That is one of the richest areas in the Detroit area. The bad areas are as bad or WORSE than people say they are.

[@Cool30Comics]

From my experience at the soup kitchen, homeless people usually just want to be acknowledged. I understand why some of them lose it mentally now, I couldn't imagine hitting rock bottom and suddenly everyone tries to act like you don't exist. When they're peddling on the street I always try to give them a quick conversation.

[@OhGeeGanksta]

And that is exactly why I defended my bro Daidus when he brought it up. You just gotta basically give them a shrug.

[@mizuki2264]

In london my parents taught me not to even make eye contact with homeless people and to completely avoid them. To know how different it is in america blows my mind.

[@stephanhecht3913]

That's what I do. I'm American.

[@TauroIshikawa]

American here and was taught the same.

[@ThereaalSP]

Thats what i was taught just from experience in la lol

[@mahokira504]

That's sad, even if you don't look at them they still are people....

[@mizuki2264]

However, when they seem like they are on drugs or have been abusing alcohol, it’s not a great idea to attract their attention. I remember a time when my auntie offered food to a homeless man and he started swearing at her, asking for money to buy cigarettes.

[@dominicscreativefilms]

As someone from Michigan and a neighbor to Detroit, I'm sorry you had this happen to you. Most of us are trying our best to clean up our city's image, but then there are those few bad apples that keep shooting Detroit in the foot.

[@bobtower66]

only way to clean up it's image is to burn it all down and start over. Place is a shit hole.

[@arjix8738]

Can't have shit in Detroit.

[@TheRinguDinku5454]

Your governor doesn't help at all.

[@ektran4205]

@@TheRinguDinku5454 the detroit mayor is the problem

[@furlycee]

As someone who is currently working in the homeless nonprofit field in California, Connor is the real MVP. These guys handled the topic so respectfully. It's SO expensive to live in America and the system has failed us in so many ways, even in more affordable states, the minimum wage will not afford you your own place (even a shitty studio apartment). Also, it is true, many homeless come to California because it is easier to survive the winters. We have some promising new ways of tackling the issue that have been implemented in the last year here (we've linked homeless case management to the state medical insurance so we are starting to deal with homelessness like a public health issue now as of 2022), but I think ultimately the main thing that will change the system is an affordable cost of living, which seems out of reach right now.

[@FenixK17]

Malaysian here and it's about the same, there's some demonizing of homeless people here as well as living near the city gave me enough experience to deal with them when I went to America. One memorable event was friends and I (all from SEA) walked out of a family restaurant and into this dark pavement in a strip mall. Guy holding his jacket tight comes out of the shadows of on the pillars and scared the shit out of us. For the 1 second before he spoke, I was sure I was getting my first experience of being robbed. Thankfully he wasn't robbing and he was quickly repeating "sorry, sorry, didn't mean to scare y'all, just looking for some change to get a hot meal". We pooled all our coins and some dollars for him.

[@beckettcullen7506]

In my experience I’ve found that the best way to deal with homeless people is to just be nice to them. Except for the methheads, you don’t wanna engage with la methheads

[@dianelipson5420]

You guys have good hearts.

[@estebanvelarde1]

My boy joey rocking the Vegeta hairline with pride

[@BastardOfTheNorth]

The one thing an Australian always keeps

[@devilix123987]

Hearing the talk about 'dealing with homeless people' was a bit surprising to me, Especially with two fellow brits in the conversation. Often times I'll see a homeless person just greeting you when you walk by, and after replying in kind, SOME of them will then ask you for money (or something else perhaps), and you just reply with the "I'm sorry I don't have any money on me" (I personally don't carry money on me anyways) and they're just chill about it, and wish you a good day. I see a lot of people with this direct acknowledging approach, of course some people do ignore as well. (I've had similar experiences in London, though more people do ignore~) Just even those people who greet you and ask for nothing kinda says something, sometimes just being kind and acknowledging people is enough. Who knows what some people have gone through in life, not even necessarily referring to the homeless either.

[@foomp]

Dealing with the stereotypical homeless person verbally is definitely a good social skill to develop. You not only deal with them without being rude (often something that said homeless person on crack may not even register), but you also gain experience in how to deal with a variety of personalities. I went to the beach once (a VERY common homeless magnet) and had this guy that was clearly out of his mind. Nice enough to chat with, but crazy is riding a VERY thin line from nice to dangerous, so tread lightly. He was talking about how he was a student of Bruce Lee and that he was impressed by him because when he saw this homeless guys eyes, it had the mark that symbolized talent (i.e. "the chosen one" belief). I just kept up a nice enough demeanor and conversation. He asked if he could have a dollar to get some water from this guy that was selling bottled water and drinks out of his cooler, but I factually did not have cash or anything on me. He was cool about it and went about his way. It's a trip sometimes but still very important to remember that crazy is unpredictable. Prioritize caution, especially if you're trying to be friendly (or rude).

[@joehammond9946]

When Joey says “that’s not how you do it!” The look on Connor’s face made me say yeah he gets it. Then when he called out Joey for saying you shouldn’t have to entertain you to get help, I was like damn! Connor go off!

[@arcanedame3015]

Time stamp?

[@joehammond9946]

@@arcanedame3015 Joey starts his story at 13:37

[@H0lland0ates79]

15:05 the most truthful statement I’ve heard in a long time

[@akumayoxiruma]

In Germany, I have encountered three types of homeless people: 1) silent beggars who just quietly sit, kneel or lay at the entrance of shops, in shopping malls or other places usually with a cup to put coins in and often with a dog, 2) talkative beggars who do the same except that they also try to talk to people starting with "Hello.", 3) and silent walking people who are usually 60+ year olds looking into dustbins and carrying around items - but although they are constantly moving, they don't talk to people. A few days ago after I got home from Christmas parties, I saw one elderly woman of the third type opening a black bin and looking through. I said "Excuse me, would you like to take this? Merry Christmas." and handed her a box of marzipan chocolate that I got gifted. She was very thankful and happy about it, and then continued to walk.

[@ayoCC]

I feel like we could be helping them. Most people who should be applying to unemployment aren't doing it out of shame or thinking they can't or don't know how to do it. And thinking that, the longer they wait the easier it is to wait even longer.

[@Gavriel01]

I'm half-filipino and half-white (light skin, Asian features), and it's pretty telling what the culture of a city is like based on how I get treated by random people. On the west coast I may as well be white, but in the Midwest and South I'm often treated as an outsider.

[@machidraws1]

as an american, most people are pretty chill its just the political side left or right if it comes into the conversation people go bonkers

[@hellofrominside8524]

I used to push carts at a grocery store until 11 pm and there was a homeless dude who hung around outside a lot. I remember two times talking to him changed me as a person. The first time was when he walked out’ve the store with some beer at the start of my shift and walked towards downtown. Six hours later he comes back with more money and buys 6 cans of the cheapest, nastiest, American light beer you can imagine that happened to cost $2 for 24 fl. Oz. I’m 19 or 20 and hadn’t started drinking yet and he looked at me and said “Man, I hope you don’t drink but if you do you gotta keep it under control.” I’m 25 now and I swear I probably drink 20% less than I would have without meeting him. One time he asked if I had a spare joint paper and when I gave him a 50 pack (worth about two dollars) and some pocket change you’d of thought I’d given him a thousand dollars. Really put things into perspective for a 20 year old.

[@moxxibekk]

Handling homeless people does depend on two main factors in the US: your gender (its harder to get them to leave you alone as a woman) and if they are dealing with addiction. The area I live in has INTENSE, very violent homeless issues, and they definitely pick up on who they can mess with and who they can't.

[@williamotani8892]

I know nobody will see this, but another issue of homelessness in California is that most states ship their homeless here saying that we would be their best chance of getting support

[@music79075]

6:33 My dad and my uncle were one time driving cross country and stopped in Gary Indiana for some gas when a guy walked up to them and said "You need to leave" and they noticed everybody was looking at them. LIke children of the corn style. They listened and left.

[@camchem]

I was in Chicago (north side, if I’m remembering correctly) once on a really hot summer day, and a young, exhausted-looking homeless man was sitting on the ground against a fence near a major intersection. He asked me if I had just a couple bucks. He said he was extremely thirsty. And tbh, he LOOKED dehydrated. I only had $1 on me, but I figured he could use it to get some water if he happened to come across a couple quarters. I was worried it wouldn’t be enough, but he actually thanked me profusely. He looked genuinely embarrassed that he even asked me. That moment really stuck with me. I hope he stayed hydrated that summer and continues to stay hydrated.

[@Segafishy]

The Card reader dude reminded me of Mighty Boosh where one of them comes across a Tramp in an Alley and he did the same 'I've only got Card' and the guy pulls out a Chip and Pin machine, probably a smidge before the Boys time. My Hometown in the UK is a perfect example of those in power fueling the problem, the majority of the work was outsourced and most of the housing being built is simply Commuter flats for London, intended more as a temp home in the week and insanely expensive dispite being so small.

[@CamStLouis]

Nice to see another Mighty Boosh fan! That show was so ahead of its time!

[@juanchitaro5380]

I totally understand where Connor is coming from with the comments on the failing system because I used to share that opinion. I used to have a more "problem solving" approach towards the issue of poverty, thinking that there could be government programs that could turn things around. The thing is, no government action or organization will work if the people it aims to help won't use it or have no intention (or capability) to get "back on the horse"; and that is when the government action works in it of itself to begin with. I used to roll my eyes at the idea of homeless people not wanting to work or to have a roof over their heads, but they do exist and they are not few. Some are even unfit for the simplest of jobs, either because of how they've been raised or because of how they've been living for the past few years. And I believe I've seen it all in terms of government aid: you can give people good homes, jobs and regular supervision, but many stop going to work, turn their house into a garbage deposit and let it fall apart, they misuse their money and can't make it to the end of the month (they buy lots of alcohol and other things), etc. People that do this need constant supervision with the most simple of decisions. The whole affair ends up costing so much money and producing so little results that the whole program is cancelled. Homelessness it's a hell of a problem, mostly in societies where it has become it's own subculture. Government actions can help, definitely, but I am more of the opinion that the only way out is the hardest: individuals taking action to make their lives better and selfless people helping them along the way. Community and hard work (and family, if they are around). That is why I am more inclined to help someone who seems to have an intention to get better, and I might even go the extra mile for them (I'm trying not to be homeless myself, after all).

[@noneofyourbusiness3288]

The thing with homelessness is: it is actually cheaper for society to give every homeless person a roof over their head than not doing it (crime rates etc). Housing-first is wildly successful. The only reasons to not do it is a callous disregard for other people and the utility of the threat of homelessness to keep low wage workers in line ("yeah you are doing horribly, but at least you are not homeless" kind of deal). We should 100% house every single person. Not doing so is inefficient and cruel.

[@bryannaing6316]

I think something that impacts how persistent the homeless are in asking for change is how you look and who you're with. My friends are decently big dudes, and when they turn down someone asking for change, they get left alone. On the other hand, I'm a tall, lanky stick. Homeless people seem to think I'm just a prime target, and if I say "No," they pester me for the next minute like, "You sure? Not even fifty cents?" and I'm forced to go through the motion of feeling for cash in my pockets to disagree. They go out of their way to interrupt me when I have headphones on, and it's really annoying. Even then, I don't really blame them. It's annoying for me, definitely, but when you're in a tough spot and see someone who looks like a pushover, I can see why you'd target them.

[@TriggeredWolf3]

Here in the US the main reason we have the “sorry man” reaction in most places is because there’s so many people who fake homelessness for get money and free things. Now don’t get me wrong if they are genuinely nice I will do my best to help them out even if it’s just 5 bucks but in most places (mainly in big cities) it can be pretty hard to determine who’s actually homeless cuz so many terrible people take advantage of homelessness to gain free money, food, etc.

[@ektran4205]

begging/panhandling is a tax free income

[@markmarbun]

Connor needs to be appreciated more in the comments. He approached the topic with so much empathy and def understood the nuances of homelessness. It’s clear that he doesn’t box them as just to stay away from, manage, or to give money to but sees them as people in a really bad situation, whether or not it’s their own doing. Def earned my utmost respect.

[@YokaiPrez]

Me and my friends were waiting to pay for our meals at an ihop when a homeless man came in and started talking to us. He started talking to us about anime when he realized we were anime fans, which was fine until he started talking about Death Note. He was like “You wouldn’t believe what fucked up things I would do to every single person in this restaurant if I had a Death Note.” I wanted to bolt right then, though other than that one statement he was a pretty nice dude, one friend bought him a meal and we watched him from the parking lot to make sure he got across the street ok.

[@naomililith9350]

best encounter i had with a homeless dude was seeing him at a food truck asking for food. the stuff was kind of rude about it and he left. besides what i ordered i also added some fries for him and gave him that. instead of a thank you i got : wheres the chicken??? since that moment my kindness faded real hard.

[@lightningcomet7307]

As someone who grew up in SF Bay Area and seen how homelessness has exploded during the Tech boom, I can tell you firsthand that San Francisco and San Jose are two of the richest cities of some of the poorest people.

[@calvin7981]

I saw the title and cannot say I'm surprised.

[@tokyoblues4512]

went from disliking to liking simply from Connors golden take about homeless people. Classy af

[@musicmeister1313]

love how theyre just tryna have fun but Connor keeps tryna get serious with it😆

[@imarock.7662]

Connor speaking straight facts in this clip. Goddamn. Absolute chad.

[@stayflyxx]

One sad thing we're seeing in the US is the number of homeless due to mental illness. You can't really talk to them, but they need help. Unfortunately families just throw them on the nearest bus and forget. It's sad to see.

[@rafaelgarcia5797]

That guy probably saw garnt not eat the crust and reacted like that

[@jellyfishpeach769]

lol I'm always surprised by people who have racist encounters because as a non- white American who has live in many states I have yet to have this happened to me.

[@rafaelgarcia5797]

@@jellyfishpeach769 are you upper class? Do you speak English without an accent? Would you be considered attractive according to western standards? Do you practice a non Christian religion? If you don’t seem like you’re non American, people will generally leave you alone, but if you stand out then they’ll tell you to go back to your country. Most racist encounters are usually located in small isolated areas with a white majority population. If you live in an urban sprawl most people won’t have xenophobic attitudes towards you, unless you go to hardcore maga neighborhoods.

[@jellyfishpeach769]

@@rafaelgarcia5797 No not upper class or white and I don't have English accent. Yes i'm attractive but not a Christian. I lived in both small towns and big cities. My father is not american. He used to work in a small mostly white town as a apple picker. I went to school there and no white person treated me bad or were racist. Yes there was some assholes both white and hispanic who sometimes said racist things when they were angry or didn't like someone. But I wouldn't say they were racist . I'm also not saying racism does not exist or happen but I'm just saying I don't think its a big issue now a days. Mostly people called racist are just assholes who hate everyone.

[@yush4673]

Americans don't really learn how to deal with homeless people but I think we have more sympathy for them because a lot of us are damn near close to homelessness ourselves or at least know people/family who are homeless.

[@skyl6320]

thank you for not demonizing and defending the homeless connor

[@BackwoodSpiritAnimal]

As a dude from Ohio, this is all correct. Also Connor I'm sure you've been told but our government profits off of homelessness via justifying police budgets and saving tax money from denial of care.

[@bar-1studios]

... You're going to have to cite sources, and not bread tube.

[@pwojo9776]

American Racism compared to European Racism is like what European Badgers are to American Badgers. American Badgers are very upfront with how they'll turn you into hamburger meat, while European Badgers look like they'll invite you into their home for a spot of tea and scones, and then they'll rip your heart out through your knees. American Racism is like European Badgers, they seem all sweet and nice at first, they call that Southern Hospitality, then they'll call you a slur and threaten to string you up the second you mention something like "healthcare should be free" or "i think gender is a choice".

[@SuLokify]

In the US, not too many years ago, it was VERY easy to not be homeless. Jobs were available, and a single unskilled laborer could easily support a family and buy a home. This reality is still in living memory, and although it's not that way any more, it still guides policy on welfare and social programs. It will take a generation for policy and the consensus of the people to reflect reality. In the meantime it's easy to become homeless, difficult to rise above it, and the unconscious attitude is that it's 100% the choice of that person to live the way they are.

[@aajohnsoutube]

This was a good video. Homelessness - drugs are THE big hurdle comparing US to Japan.

[@tevinvezina1766]

Not to mention the $18,000,000,000,000 difference in GDP...

[@nik021298]

@@tevinvezina1766 I don't think a massive GDP is all that important if the living standards of a ton of people and wealth distribution in general is not that great.

[@tevinvezina1766]

@@nik021298 Really? How could the US fund the war in Ukraine if they didn't have such a large GDP? I would imagine that's important to the Ukrainian people. What about keeping troops on the DMZ to keep North Korea at bay? That definitely wouldn't be feasible without the massive funding to our defense budget which relies on our massive GDP. I would imagine this is important to South Koreans and Japanese. Protecting Taiwan from Chinese invasion would be neigh impossible without our GDP. I'm sure the Taiwanese people consider their freedom important. These are just a few examples, but the US can only provide so much to other countries because we have such a large GDP. Lots of our might comes from our military and that comes from our economy - in other words, our GDP is what helps us keep the peace.

[@crow.lady.j.2002]

The hardest thing is when you frind out someone was faking it because they don't want to work instead of being someone who's actually struggling.

[@madalynnelizabeth9824]

As someone from Portland,or I can tell you that people get more help from being homeless than they do from anything else, to the point where other states send their homeless people here. One of the issues is the cost of living here food and rent are extremely expensive here and many other places. Another issue is that unless people truly want help and want to get out of their situation, they're not going to get help or get better. It also doesn't help that it is ridiculously easy to get drugs and that the possession of small amounts of drugs are legal here, and if you have large amounts all they do is take them and send you on your way. Kids are getting easy access to drugs and are overdosing in their school bathrooms, all of this is setting them up to most likely be homeless in the future.

[@OpossumOnTheMoon]

As someone from Michigan, no one wants to admit our state is pretty racist. I’ve had a friend on a college campus be told to go back to where she came from. It’s not great. The homeless thing largely depends on your area. Most of the homeless here are pretty chill. My family has on occasion given them food and I’ll give a couple dollars if I have it on me. It sucks because most are veterans and a lot of people fake it so it’s hard to tell whos really in need and whos just taking advantage.

[@bar-1studios]

Funny how they don't bring up the skin color of the racist homeless guy

[@OpossumOnTheMoon]

@@bar-1studios why would they need too?

[@OpossumOnTheMoon]

@@bar-1studios why would they need too?

[@bar-1studios]

@@OpossumOnTheMoon oh, no. It's more important that they don't. Divulging any extra information would incite a tirade about how it wasn't racist because "racism is prejudice plus power" and those people are disempowered by the systemic racism so it wasn't racist for them to be racist. LOL.

[@OpossumOnTheMoon]

@@bar-1studios oh yeah the rest of the world does not have the same view of racism as the US.

[@Art0fKuma]

As an American, it's still the most embarrassing fucking thing hearing foreign take on how horrible our homeless situation is.

[@roostedmx7690]

The other thing with the homeless is that a lot of them actually aren't. A lot of people eke out a living by pretending to be homeless, and it unfortunately discourages people from wanting to help the legitimately homeless because they act like douchebags.

[@sjeabee5345]

I'm so sorry to hear about that Garnt, when I heard your story I felt shocked and angry. As an Asian American that definitely pisses me off 😡😡

[@futureanimator522]

Bra chill out. At least it wasn't u. Lots of ppl in the states have into situations like that an just cry an whine. Just ignore an keep moving. U can't fix every problem. Things happen just as long as it's none violent. U should be fine

[@vitanipaige4741]

@@futureanimator522 don’t tell folks “to just chill out” when facing discrimination/racism. You are the one that needs to chill tf out.

[@3ndeavor]

@@vitanipaige4741 you need to chill out lol. It's not that deep. People dont actually get violent when it comes to racism anymore, and if you got a solid mental you can rise above any other kind of racism. So get to solidifying. - from a colored person who experiences racism

[@vitanipaige4741]

@@3ndeavor you are obviously trolling. No one says “colored.” Idk if you are a bot, troll or a real person but you are wrong for policing how someone should react to racism which can directly lead to violence against the affected group.

[@3ndeavor]

@@vitanipaige4741 The little tiny corner of your town that you live in isn't representative of the world, and neither is your echo chamber. You don't have the right to police anyone, stop being power hungry and get over yourself. Then get over what perceived racism is in your life and ignore the rest.

[@TheHollowedArtist]

The one thing here in America for me that’s difficult is “do I give them any cash?” cuz more often than not it won’t go to the “right” thing like food. That’s why my grandparents will always give leftovers from dinner or some snack they have. If they take it, cool! If not, you know where that money was gonna go and just say “okay sorry man”.

[@donaldbergin9937]

Tv “if it bleeds it leads” they must show you the most horrific news

[@noahkirkland5844]

Honestly the majority of homeless people I've encountered DO choose that life, a lot of them started doing drugs and realize getting put into a shelter or rehab center means they can't get high anymore, I encounter those people a lot more often then I encounter those who are homeless because of a run of bad luck. Seriously, the amount of times I've offered food to homeless people and they've turned it down cause they wanted money to go buy Crack is insane.

[@jakevellmure1612]

As someone native to the area the boys were in royal oak which is a small city next to Detroit

[@fearthetree]

American here-- I'm always so impressed by people from other countries because they know so much more about other countries than Americans do. Homelessness is indeed a crisis here in the US. And for what it's worth, it can shock us too (the ones who try not to become numb to it). I visited fam in San Francisco recently and the situation there is so dire. I agree you come to feel angry that the government isn't doing more to solve it. About homelessness in Japan (where I lived for 7ish years), I noticed the homeless there would never approach Japanese (looking people), but they did approach me more often than not in Shibuya and Shinjuku. I guess as a visibly foreign person they figured that I would actually give them money (I usually did lol). I think asking strangers for money is taboo in Japan/Asia so they may feel more comfortable asking people they think are foreigners.

[@Yunglex313]

As a born and raised Detroiter, I apologize for that, much of the population that has lived in the inner city spent a long time kind of isolating itself from people of different backgrounds, to the point that they don't see a lot of foreign people. I would imagine it's gotten better due to years of gentrification in the inner city, but yeah, a lot of people from the hood who have spent most of their lives in it, have really fucked up mindsets that would get them easily cancelled on Twitter.

[@zivens.2407]

They were in Royal Oak. Not saying it couldn't have happened in Detroit, but it didn't in this case, fwiw.

[@chimominino]

I really appreciated you speaking up in this one, Connor!

[@dr.deadpool5959]

From the way they described it, that’s just another regular day in Detroit

[@tevinvezina1766]

They weren't even in Detroit lol. Royal Oak.

[@vizari9570]

They didn't not go to "detroit" detroit. They didn't leave downtown. Detroit also is not as bad as people make it out to be.

[@tevinvezina1766]

@@vizari9570 They didn't go to Detroit at all. They were 3 cities away in Royal Oak.

[@victorleon8903]

Yep they were in the suburbs

[@ambermoore3747]

3:01 as an american ive observed the complete the opposite in behavior. americans will either be kind to you and mean it or fake being kind to you as a means to an end or to talk behind your back. id say if anything its more passive aggressive but not overt except with specific people. idk where he got that generalization, sounds like he's mixing americans with the german stereotype. also the homelessness discussion was really misinformed and classist, connor was the only one with vocal empathy or understanding of an awful situation that people are forced into