Having worked in a "downtown" section of a medium sized city for many years(away from there now, yes!!) I have seen both sides plainly. A man asking for money to fill his "precription" who is unwilling to go to a drugstore to do it with me...a man asking for money to eat and knowing there is mission 2 blocks away...a man asking for money for a meal then being told I will get the food but NO money is given and walking and talking with me and getting that meal.... On and on and on it goes. Like the "deaf" man who scares the old ladies visiting downtown when he points his finger at them and tries to sell one of those "sign language cards" and I see the guy talking about the day's take at a bus stop with another bum, apparently hearing and speaking quite well. Well, I do help but never money. This very simple technique will quickly seperate some of the bums from the ones who really are sincere. If I mess up and help a panhandler, well, so be it. I would rather help the wrong person than not to help the one who is sincere. Still, according to local authorities, about 90% are pros at what they do and not much else...except humans with needs. Some are mentally ill and some are nothing more than cons. I cannot judge the book by the cover. Good post and image...thanks! Tom.