Buskers

[Mog]

Do you give them money? For the first time in years I tossed some change at one yesterday. He was playing a song I liked and looked so damned miserable I actually felt sorry for him. As someone who has busked in the past and been abused by little men in wheelchairs for stealing their spot I couldn't help it.

 

[Roobunny]

Yes. Most of the time. Usually if they are good, or look pitiful so I feel sorry for them!

 

[AngelEyes]

If it's a Salvo I usually, or one with a charity, I give as soon as i see it. If someone just comes up to me and asks; "Can I have some money to get some medication?" I won't. I'm not that gulliable.

 

[Syd]

Do you give them money? For the first time in years I tossed some change at one yesterday. He was playing a song I liked and looked so damned miserable I actually felt sorry for him. As someone who has busked in the past and been abused by little men in wheelchairs for stealing their spot I couldn't help it.

Did you ask hecksie how he was????

 

[Karbassiyoon]

i never give any streetworkers money, and buskers are definately better than beggers

 

[utility]

If they are entertaining I'll drop a coin or two, if they are essentially beggars then no.

 

[Karbassiyoon]

the guy in the space suit on the opposite corner to flinders street station is a weird one

 

[Ari]

Agreed above.

Beggers no.

Buskers... well if they are singing a good tune then sure why not!

The thing which gets me though, I live and work inner city so when im walking home from work I get stopped ALL the time to signup for Greenpeace or have a child in a wartorn village or something for a dollar a day. It annoys the ******** out of me!!! I understand they have to do it, but its usually the same people... cant they see I walk the way EVERY day! You would think they cut me some slack.

I once asked one of them why they would pick ME out of a crowd and they said because I look like a 'nice guy'. Oh great!!

 

[Roobunny]

The thing which gets me though, I live and work inner city so when im walking home from work I get stopped ALL the time to signup for Greenpeace or have a child in a wartorn village or something for a dollar a day. It annoys the ******** out of me!!! I understand they have to do it, but its usually the same people... cant they see I walk the way EVERY day! You would think they cut me some slack.

Yes they annoy us in Adelaide too, usually right when you're rushing to an appointment or racing for the bus. I've never understood the principle that by stopping and annoying you you'll be interested in what they have to say.

 

[Mattlowry]

Its all about the comedy for me. I wont give to beggers, musicians but if they do a funny act i will usually give something. I will give to one of those charity tins if i have some change in my pocket and have time too.

Never give to beggers though.

 

[Mog]

I find a curt "******** off" works wonders on charity vultures.But if it's a christian thing to look after kids in some third world country I make a point of asking them if their "looking after" kids included lessons in contraception and issuing of condoms, and not just conversion.

 

[Pantsless]

I walk everywhere with earphones, so that usually stops them from approaching..

Except for the guys that stand in your line of sight and wave...I ignore them also!

My problem with giving money is not because I'm tight but because I never carry coins in pocket. I hate hearing the jingling sound coming from coins or keys etc.. So if I wanted to give money, I would have to get my wallet out. Then they might see I have $10 in coins and I'm only giving them $1. They might get a bit shirty.

Now for beggars...OK..you get these people come up to you and say "I need money for the train" You jump over the barriers and if you get caught, you give a false name..not that hard....

 

[Carlos]

Like most people have already stated, if they're entertaining or talented, then i'll chuck them some coin.

If a begger comes near me, i turn into full on self righteous lecturer mode and chew their ears off about the fact they have options in life and dont have to resort to that. Especially as most of them are dressed exceptionally well for someone thinking they deserve a hand out from me.

 

[Mog]

If a begger comes near me, i turn into full on self righteous lecturer mode and chew their ears off about the fact they have options in life and dont have to resort to that. Especially as most of them are dressed exceptionally well for someone thinking they deserve a hand out from me.

Private school kids slumming it and pretending they are part of the real world.

 

[nicolbolas]

i might be a little strange here in regards to beggars, have been known to "sponser" a street kid who used to come to coffee outlet at MC where i worked, would often buy him breakfast and a coffee in mornings, and some days i even paid his bond for hostel for a good nights sleep. This kid was a addict, got some help from a few people, cleaned himself up and found a job, i like to think i had a hand in this.

i tend to help those that at least seem honest about what the money is for. If they ask for money for a ticket, and i say they can have mine, but knock it back, then no money exchanged. Even had a guy ask for money for a bottle of VB on the train, said he was an alcoholic and was really struggling, not my place to give a lecture to him, but at least he was honest.

in regard to buskers, payment for entertainment, pure and simple

cheers

 

[Watto]

Buskers are rarely entertaining so no.

 

[Ricketts]

i never give any streetworkers money,

you give them other things.

 

[Port1978]

Sometimes....if they're good enough. Like the busker who played the Port song on GF night in Melbourne so we could sing along.

 

[Ricketts]

Like the busker who played the Port song on GF night

did he have teeth?

 

[hawkeye23]

you give them other things.

Stop it you two!

 

[Port1978]

did he have teeth?

Yeah, think he did.....couldn't have been a Port supporter then.

 

[Total Package]

Buskers are usually people who live on the Dole and can't be stuffed getting a real job so do busking to supplement their dole. I never give to them.

 

[BomberGal]

I walk everywhere with earphones, so that usually stops them from approaching..

Except for the guys that stand in your line of sight and wave...I ignore them also!

My problem with giving money is not because I'm tight but because I never carry coins in pocket. I hate hearing the jingling sound coming from coins or keys etc.. So if I wanted to give money, I would have to get my wallet out. Then they might see I have $10 in coins and I'm only giving them $1. They might get a bit shirty.

I know what you mean. Although the headphones never stop them. Most of the time they just do some extravagant arm-waving to get my attention. Usually just keep walking though. Got pulled up by a Red Cross guy the other week who thought I was over 21 (cool! ), but then stopped talking to me once he found out I was 18.

If a busker is playing something good, if I have any spare change, I sometimes give it to them. But I don't often have change that I won't be needing. As for beggars...I usually have to turn them down too, although now and then I give in. Problem with growing up in the country is that one of the things they say about the big bad city, is "never, ever, ever give money to strangers." It's like a mantra. Kind of puts you off.

 

[PAFC2004]

If they are half decent, and don't ask for it, I might consider it.