If you are offering a service (singing, juggling, making balloon animals, etc.), displaying a sign saying "Voluntary contributions accepted," is not begging. I've been to many concerts in rented halls or churches where there was no admission charge, but on the program there was note that said "voluntary contributions to cover our expenses* will be appreciated" or words to that effect. I do not regard that as "begging." And busking is essentially the same thing, but on a smaller scale.

After all, if you come into the hall voluntarily or if you stop voluntarily to listen to the busker, you are participating in an exchange. Nobody is holding a gun to your head. You can choose to receive the service, or not. If you choose to receive the service, it's quite legitimate for the person offering the service to expect compensation. If you don't want the service, don't go into the hall, or just walk on by. Offering goods or services and expecting compensation for it is not begging. It's commerce.

Begging is asking for alms and offering nothing in return except a pathetic expression and tone of voice (and perhaps a good feeling tinged a bit with superiority and/or pity). You should hear what Utah Phillips has to say about the kids who hang around in front of the Mini-Mart, accost people coming out, and beg for "spare change." First, he says, "There is no such thing as spare change," then he goes on to say quite a lot.

To put it even more strongly, suppose someone had a card table set up displaying home-made jewelry. If you stopped, looked over the wares offered, and wanted, say, a bracelet, it is certainly reasonable and expected that you should pay the craftsperson for it (and quite probably, be asked for a specific amount). Goods (e.g., the bracelet)and services (the busker's entertainment) are generally offered with the quite legitimate expectation of compensation from those who chose to participate in the exchange.

Don Firth

*And "expenses" often covered the fee paid to the performer or performers.

P. S.: Incidentally, I have no particular personal ax to grind here. I have never gone busking, and I don't particularly intend to. But if I did, I would do so without shame and without feeling that I was "begging."