I usually walk from the train to work and see the same people panhandling. I skip those who are smoking and those who are talking on their cellphones while asking for money. I do regularly give a dollar or two to the “Town Crier” who sits in the Common and announces the sports scores from the night before, makes game predictions and gives the day’s weather forecast. He never asks for money but has a cup at his feet and seems to do pretty well. It is my understanding that he panhandles so he can rent a room at the Y or somewhere similar for the night instead of sleeping at a homeless shelter. The fact that he is not just sitting there asking for money makes me feel a little more sympathetic to him.