Whats with the People Holding Signs on the Street Corner

Is it just me, or does it seem like every retail establishment these days feel its necessary to send one of their low-level employees to dance around like an intoxicated hobo on the street corner holding a sign? What the hell is the going on with this, and when did awkwardly dancing and flailing your arms about become an acceptable advertising ...

The full story is here:
http://www.delsquacho.com/blog/2009/01/29/whats-with-all-the-people-holding-signs-on-the-street-corner/