I can see how you guys could consider Columbo's manner as being patronizing, but I would like to think that he was just going out of his way to be kind to this down and out guy.
The BIG question about this scene, is why did Columbo open that can of beer if he knew he wasn't going to drink it!!
On a side note...I find it interesting that the 2 of you spell patronizing with an 's'...and I spell it with a 'z'.........either way is ok, I looked it up...but I just find it interesting..........why??...I don't know!!
Ah Cass,
don't you start! I get it enough from Bill Gates' spell check programmes. Americans tend to use z's in words that other English speakers use s's.