Hi this is the Derby Ram commenting from Sylvia Needham's page.

Busking is not begging. Begging is a form of procuring remuneration for doing nothing in the hope that people will take pity on you for your lowly plight.

Busking on the other hand is, I have always considered and still contend, is possibly the most honest and submissive form of retail transaction.

If I sit in the street, legitimately and play my music for free on the off chance that someone will take a choice to reward me for my efforts because they have enjoyed it - how can that be begging? If no-one chooses to pay for it - then I am giving it away for free.

I do concede that if no-one offers to pay it's likely that you ain't good enough or simply no-one likes it - whatever....but it still can't be begging - it's a voluntary transaction for services rendered on trust.

I have way back in the past busked in the street in many towns and have never asked anyone to pay me for it - payment has always been voluntary and spontaneous.

Fortunately, I don't have to do it anymore but I will defend to the last anyone's right to engage in busking if they have a quaity act to transact.

Tra fer nah
Derby Ram (dislaying his horns)