IanB, regarding asking for change: it doesn't happen often, but I think it's perfectly reasonable. Today somebody just had a $20 and wanted to give me $2, but I hadn't accumulated $18 yet, so he gave me the fresh herbs he had just bought at the market. So now I've been paid in bread and in mint... I'm just hoping for somebody to pay me in raspberries, which I'm too frugal to actually buy myself!

Am I the only one who couldn't care less if people look into my case? What harm does that do? If it does nag at you, I suggest that you make an interesting sign or find an appropriate picture, and put it in your case - then when people look you can assume that that's what they're looking at. My intuition is that you'll play better if you're not annoyed at your audience.

Not really etiquette - but a general question: do you find that your income reflects how well you're playing, or what tunes you're playing? I've noticed that a good day in the case isn't necessarily a good day on the fiddle, and vice versa.

Marion PS I haven't run into my wheelchair-driving friend again yet.