well having been a busker , and a very successfull one, half my life. i have a mixed reaction to beggars. they do often try to take your busking spots and generally have much consideration for the musicians. and i have learned the hard way you never give money to beggars anywhere near where you busk--they will come back again and again and tell all their friends, moreover they often make much more than buskers on the same spot--and in toronto all the subway beggars i knew had disability and a subsidized apartment. sort of makes the busker who is trying to malke the rent quite pissed off that the beggar can't find his own spot.

on the other hand i give money to beggars often, especially here in the maritimes where they are not so ubiquitious and usually really are broke do to problems often beyond their control. i do it while travelling too.

occasionally you find one or two who do get it, that you are working a spot and will wait untill you are leaving to beg--i'll help those guys.

however in toronto most of the subway beggars are substance abusers and mostly fairly young and strong men, because they intimidate threaten and assault the old , handicapped and women who try to beg in the subway--so remember if you give money to toronto subway beggars you are helping a bullying cartel--and yes they do have organization.

it's no accident that old lady on the street at dundas and yonge doesn't beg in the subway--and she destreves the help. she has several handicaps , is seventy and supports a granddaughter--but the toughs in the subway never let her down there.