You know you're in a recession when...

...there are 3 more people begging for money in your neighborhood than there were last month.

Taking a stroll around Jackson Heights I am amazed by how many people were asking me for money. About one person per block. Our homeless/beggars used to be limited to 1 sleepy and mentally-disturbed man; a woman on crutches; and an older gentleman parked outside the subway station. We've got and extra 3 now: a youngish man in sneakers and his female companion, and an older latino who seems to be a little off his rocker.