Busking is playing for tips. It's part of the act. Doesn't matter if you've received a stipend or not. Trying to hit people up retroactively with a "cover charge" is definitely over the top. That's not busking. That's hustling.

The voluntary pay-what-you-can afford donation system IS busking.

Overly aggressive hustling, or playing like a busker but _not_ taking tips, either of those activities damages the environment for unsubsidized buskers.

W-O