[HanaShiratori]

I think 99.9999% (rough estimate) of people treat a homeless person like a "normal person" by simply ignoring them. Unless there is a reason why one should start a conversation with another person, the majority of people just don't start any kind of interaction at all. And changing your behavior just because the person is homeless breaks the rule to treat them normally.

[retrac]

I'm not sure. If someone in a nice suit came up to me and asked me for food because they're dizzy and haven't eaten, I'd be both perplexed but I'd probably actually take them and their problem seriously and try to help them. Call an ambulance or if it's just mild hypoglycemia buy them some candy because they forgot their wallet or whatever. I'm pretty sure I don't treat the homeless the same way, though maybe I should.

[HanaShiratori]

Well at least where I live you see people in nice clothes (also suits) every weekend drunk and dizzy. And no one gives a crap about those guys sobering up in some corner.

[retrac]

Police mostly take care of that here, for better/worse. Drunk tank or hospital.

[UIUC_06]

You are assuming that the homeless person is drunk, begging for money, strung out, etc., or otherwise in need of your help.

Those people probably aren't good candidates for a friendly chat anyway. Believe it or not, there are plenty who don't want anything from you.

[redisman]

I’ve met some well dressed druggies in the PNW and they’re not any more fun to talk to. One guy I remember had some big exit and then decided to just do drugs constantly and “adventures”. He was high as fuck and couldn’t hold on to one coherent thought

[iLoveOncall]

But they're very happy to talk to people. Loneliness is one of their main struggle most of the time.

[UIUC_06]

I guess you don't walk around with a cute, friendly dog.

Normal people interact with us all the time.

You might try just being friendly with people some time. It's only weird if you go about it in a weird way.