I will say, a lot of times the people doing that job are homeless from the area and it's the only thing that will ensure they get to eat for the day - at least that's the case where I live, since the number of homeless far exceeds the resources available to help them. While I agree that it REALLY sucks that someone has to do that in such cold weather, it may have been that it was the only way for her to get a nice meal or a place to sleep tonight.

The one near my house has an older folks standing outside waving that stupid sign. Yesterday it was an older lady, late 50s, early 60s, by the looks for her. Out in the cold and rain. Today, I saw an older gentleman, early 50s or late 50s, and he was barely moving. I can barely walk down my driveway and cross the street to my kid's school, and they want them out there dancing and waving those stupid signs. I ended up stopping and giving that guy some hand warmer packets from Wal-mart. He seemed really grateful, but either didn't know English or didn't want to speak. Heck, maybe his mouth froze shut for all I know.

I agree its stupid, but just to point out liberty tax service literally hires people solely for this job. They are not employees who do anything else, they just stand outside with the sign. So no going outside, no work, no money. I'm fairly certain they chose to go outside rather than refuse to do the job they were hired for.

There's a guy doing that same thing on a street corner nearly every day when I'm driving to class, at roughly 7 am.

To be entirely honest, I would do the same thing if given the opportunity. I have no problem subjecting myself to the cold, even if I hate it. I need the money very badly.

The county I grew up in is dirt poor. We're talking 15% unemployment rate, entire public schools of 450 students getting free lunch, my old high school 98% of the 1300 students are getting free/reduced lunch, has the highest TANF and food stamp rate in the state and it's not even the largest county and almost every house hold is affected by SSI both retirement and disability, unemployment, TANF, and Food stamps.

In my hometown 2 liberty tax offices opened. Well, one is open year round the other opened up inside walmart Jan 1-April 30th. Between them they hired 13 people to wave the signs 7am-dark. The unemployment office had 317 people show up hoping for one of those 13 slots.

It's money. Frankly if I needed work I'd hold the sign and put on the outfit rain or shine.

If some nutter is willing to do the job then good on them. I do think the company should consider how that might reflect on them though.

I worked as a waver in Vermont last near, including on cold and snowy days. I can honestly say that the company treated me better than most. I would do it again this year if I had the time. My manager happily scheduled around my day job, I was allowed to wear as many layers as I needed under my costume, I got to move around outside, I could listen to my own music, I was allowed to take a ten minute break inside whenever I was cold and they even did my taxes for free! The expectations were low, the job was drama free, and the pay was decent. That said, one of the best days was when someone gave me a hot coffee from th