FIX BAYONETS!

Has anyone else noticed a trend to upscale the message on panhandler’s signs?

For years, the message I’ve been seeing has been something akin to, “Homeless vet needs help, God bless you.” The sign holders were predominantly men, scruffy if not downright dirty. They weren’t destitute transients, though, as I watched several of them finish their ’shifts’ and climb into fairly late model cars to leave.

Lately in our area, there’s been a shift in both message and appearance. The first was a gentleman who seemed to be somewhat manic. His message was “Smile!” No overt request for money but his hat was there for it. He was cleaner than the average and had no hangdog attitude at all.

Then came the rash of, “I’ll be honest, I just need a beer.” type of sign, mostly with the old scruffy appearance but also with a higher than normal number of relatively ‘normal’ appearances.

Now, this morning, I see a lady, rather distinguished looking, neat and clean, standing by the road with a sign that says, “Have a nice day.”

Seems that the panhandlers union is trying to get away from old stereotypes and improve their image, in our area at least. Has anyone else seen this?