Panhandling can be a lucrative occupation for some homeless people. The average income per day of those interviewed ranges from "pennies" to $65. The panhandlers interviewed for this article worked for six to 14 hours a day and from one to seven days per week.

Location is a major factor in the amount of money a panhandler earns. Areas where people are bound to have money--such as ATM machines and supermarkets--are good places to solicit donations.

"Store 24 has a lot of people coming in and out," Johnson says. "Hang around here and you're going to get a lot of change."

"Ideally I try to find supermarkets and places like that where people may be more prone to share their bounty," Sal says.

Technique is also critical in winning donations. A friendly attitude is vital, the homeless say.

"Even though I'm homeless, people are amazed at how friendly and outgoing I am," Springman says.

Juan says the amount of money he receives depends on the type of sign used.

"If I were to hold out a sign saying 'Spare change for marijuana,' all the people who smoke pot would give me money," Juan says. "If I were to hold out a sign saying 'Donations for a six pack,' all the people who drink beerwould give money."

Then, he points to a sign saying "Phantasmagorical Review."

Juan says: "For 'Phantasmagorical Review,' all the people who don't know what that means will give me money."

'Rich Kids Go to Harvard'

While they aren't always treated well when they get here, many homeless people come to the Square because of its reputation for having generous and wealthy students and professors.

"Harvard Square has money," Johnson says. "A lot of rich kids go [to Harvard]."

Some people drive in from other towns to work the crowd in Harvard Square, says Kristen T. Sudholz, executive director of the Harvard Square Business Association.

"There are people who are scammers," Sudholz says. "They live in Lexington or Concord or Waltham, drive to Alewife and take the train in and panhandle in the Square all day."