Ollaimh, I had a funny experience in Montreal. I've only busked one hour there, and it wasn't an ideal location (I didn't go there to busk, just had to wait for a friend and thought I might as well play). For the first half hour, lots of people smiled at me, but nobody gave me a cent. Then I tried the one Quebecois tune that I know, and during that one tune, three people gave me money, and a guy driving by with his window open pulled over to ask me the name of the tune. Coincidence? Maybe. One of the very few times that I've had the impression that it mattered what I played.

Larry, since you're feeling ignored, I'll ask my question here: you've mentioned a few times the idea of "our ancient preconstitutional rights to the streets". I don't understand what you mean by this.

Sure people have been busking for a long time, but I don't see why that in itself should mean that we have the right to busk without any intervention. I mean, people have been practicing medicine for a long time too, but I doubt many people would argue that this means there should be no regulations as to who does what where.

I'm on your side - I don't want to have to do the audition or license thing, and if I were empress, busking wouldn't be regulated. But I recognize that this is simply because I don't want the hassle and expense of dealing with regulations - not because I feel I have an inherent right to busk without regulations.

Marion