Larry, regarding giving up spots to other buskers when they ask: that's the way that I found things to be working in Ottawa, and I like it. But I guess it's the kind of system that only works when everybody honours it; if you're the only nice guy, it wouldn't work for you.

As for never accepting a licence... I don't like the licence idea much either, and I'm grateful to live near a free city. But for people living in places where licences are required, I don't understand what the alternative is (short of not busking there). If you go the outlaw route, what kind of hassles do you expect, and what impact do they have on your ability to make a living? Do you have to change spots every half an hour because cops keep making you leave? I would imagine that you could sometimes say that you didn't know you needed a licence, but what happens when the same cop confronts you more than once? Could you be arrested, or have your money or instrument confiscated? Or are these risks you're willing to take? I'm not trying to be snarky - I really want to know how viable it is to be an outlaw busker (partly because I'm contemplating a move to Toronto).

Thanks Larry,

Marion