I think this is true, also based on my own (different) experience. I both live and work in SOMA, SF, which as far as I can tell was one of the worst ground-zero

I think this is true, also based on my own (different) experience. I both live and work in SOMA, SF, which as far as I can tell was one of the worst ground-zeros when they started shoveling these things on the sidewalks. The situation is far better than it was at first, but my experience as a pedestrian around them is still pretty negative. Some of the Moscone Center (which I walk past daily) conference-goers seem to treat them as a sort of entertainment thing and can be entitled pricks (it is always men) to deal with - I must admit I've become a bit of a grumpy local at the worst of them. I personally really don't care if ever choose to come back to my city - if you're too incompetent, drunk or whatever your problem is to avoid running in to stationary pedestrians, get off the damn thing. But I realize the problem is not nearly so bad elsewhere.