Busking is begging?

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Mark Ross
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 04:02 PM

When my partner (She Who Must Be Obeyed) was down in California shopping at a street fair, I hauled out my fiddle and a chair and sat myself down with an open case. After about 45 minutes one of the women from the antique store across the street came over and asked if I would move to the alcove of their establishment. I played there for another 2 hours, made about 40 bucks fiddling away, while SWMBO looked at everything for sale in Downtown Arcata. I have been busking now for over 45 years and I would never consider begging anyone to drop some money in the kitty. I might remind them that the long green is always appreciated, and I always ask the kids who drop in the change that their parents give them, "Is that your whole weeks allowance?"

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,Englishman
Date: 22 Nov 12 - 03:39 PM

Busking is definitely not begging. Buskers offer a service in the hope of remuneration, but it is not asking for charity. Here in Derby a busker's licence is free but they have an audition to show they can actually entertain. I have seen some amazing buskers in Derby and will always give money if I feel they have earned it because I want them to continue to do so. How many husbands stand outside clothes shops while the wife and daughters spend hour upon hour trawling through every bloody item in the place? I would gladly pay a couple of quid to listen to them than the alternative.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,Busker Gal
Date: 14 Jun 10 - 07:27 AM

Busking is not begging. I've busked in the UK for 10 years and most of the people are fine. Buskers provide light entertainment for passers by and brighten up their day if only for a brief moment. People can chose whether or not they want to tip. Buskers come in all sorts of variarties and add colour and life to where they are perfroming. Some buskers have a loud speaker and are not very good and annoy people working near by. Most buskers are considerate and nice. Busking has helped me develop as a performer and I would like to thank all the people who support buskers, every little helps! :-)

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,Cale Freemann
Date: 23 May 10 - 02:05 AM

Here in Australia busking is seen as a legitimate occupation requiring a tax file ABN, anyone who busks knows that busking is an honourable occupation with a very long and illustrious past, troubadours have been carrying the art of music for centuries, in many places in the world the busker is a revered figure and welcomed enthusiastically, my own experience tells me that rednecks and dickheads who have no talent other than to criticise are the only real problem, 99% of people are fine VIVA the ancient art of the Busker...........

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 27 Apr 10 - 09:44 PM

"What do you call those people who have pockets full of money, who watch a show from start to finish and then slink away at the end without paying anything? What right do they have to call anyone beggars?"

Alanabit i call them cheapskates and if they call me a beggar i call them niggardly cheapskates.
the love clown

---

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Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 10 - 04:35 PM

There has been a battle going on between the intellectually deprived and and the intellectually gifted ever since antiquity.

busking is most emphatically NOT begging.

the product buskers produce is intangible and intellectual in nature.

"Intellect is invisible to the man who has none." - Arthur Schopenhauer

i didnt invest so much time and money for my lessons and musical education to be classified as a beggar.

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Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: meself
Date: 23 Feb 10 - 10:28 AM

Once saw a fellow playing on the street with a little hand-written sign that read, "Tone Deaf. Can't sing. No talent. Please help." Edmonton, Alberta.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,June
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:12 PM

In Seattle, busking is legally defined as begging, which is a good thing for musicians and may be one reason why Seattle has such a vibrant music scene. Since it's considered begging, you're allowed to do it. If you tried to sell shoelaces on the street, you'd need a permit, and good luck getting it! But you can support yourself, marginally, by playing music on the street, without anyone's permission. And there's nothing like busking on a daily basis to develop your skills.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Derby Ram
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:48 PM

Busking, I mean REAL busking ie; having a real entertaining talent and sharing it with everyone that passes for potentially no reward, has to be the most submissive, passive and most honest form of exchange known to man and is morally heaps ahead of an apparently legitimate, bone-fide door to door direct salesman (whatever he's selling) or indeed the miserable passer by who clearly likes the music but doesn't offer anything in appreciation (who's legal right and freedom it is, of course, to do so at will).

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Aeola
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:22 PM

Again in Liverpool just a few years ago there was a chap who ''busked '', and I use the term loosely, in Paradise St./ Church St. area.He had a cardboard cutout of a guitar with strings painted on and he went thru' the motions using the word '' plink plink '' to sound out the tune. People gave him money!! I happened to be in court one day when he was before the Judge, accused of some misdemeaner. He apologised to the Judge and said his days were at an end because his guitar had got wet and was useless.He was presented with a wooden one and resumed his '' busking''. It did add character to the Street!! Oh I forgot , he did have some cardboard CD's for sale!! All true.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,Sue J
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:59 PM

In Liverpool in the early 1970s three busker friends(all good musicians) were arrested for begging, under the Vagrancy Act 1824. This was a law brought to deter begging by, mainly, disabled soldiers injured during the Napoleonic Wars. My friends were all members of the Musicians' Union and the Union's lawyers took up their case and won, arguing that this archaic law should not apply to buskers.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: mousethief
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:43 PM

Not a busker, let me say up front. But the idea that busking = begging is nuts. A busker is providing a service at no charge. If you don't pay he's not going to chase you down, or keep following you menacingly. It's a musical performance offered for free which you can pay for if you choose (and I very often do, even crossing the street if I can hear the music is good). I hope the buskers don't all go away, they make life more musical for all who happen past them and more musical is better better better. Thank you, all you buskers!

O..O
=o=

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,ollaimh
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:17 PM

i've busked for the better part of thirty years. for at least twenty full time. i do traditional celtic music and i have done lots of gigs and some folk festivals here and there but busking is so much funn and a lot less trouble. you don'thave to be hunting for work you don't need a roadie--although it would help. however you do have to deal with ignorant and difficult people, like those who think its begging!!!

you can't be a long time busker without learning to ignore the rednecks.most people are nice.

now i don't look down on begging its also an anciet and honourable occupation, but it's not mine. the people who see no difference are usually ignorant bigots. usually clalss bigots but sometimes with other axes to grind,however you ignore them, they are the ones carrying around their dark cloud, no need to help them.

busking is not beggin. for many it is an alternative occupation. a REAL JOB just an alternative one. you could train a monkey to do most people's jobs, but very few have the talent and creativity to regularily cage money on the street for a performance of any kind. especially to be able to get enough to pay the bills--that takes skill

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Paul Davenport
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 01:11 PM

I think in UK that 'begging' is covered by the Vagrancy Act. In begging, under the act, the approach is for money and no service is offered. In the case of busking the service is provided gratis. The public can choose to engage with the service or to dismiss it. There is no confrontation, no threat and the risk is all on the part of the performer. The performer must NOT ask for, or request recompense. Definitely not begging.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: meself
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 10:06 AM

Good for you, Heath; congratulations. (However, IMO, it's better not to mention the VERY heavy pockets to anyone, unless you want other, 'new-born' buskers moving in on your favourite spot. I would even make a point of not letting too much cash accumulate in the case/hat/tub. And give vague, evasive answers when Nosey Parkers question you about your income. FWIW.)

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Feb 10 - 08:28 AM

Hi Guys. Been busking in Manchester for around a year and a half now. First, when I became homeless thru a nervous breakdown, a redundancy from my £60K a year job and my wife leaving me. I now have my own apartment and a somewhat way less hectic lifestyle!!

I go out most nights to play, not with the soul intention of making money but to have fun playing music. I think my enjoyment shows thru as I always seem to walk away with VERY heavy pockets filled with coinage.

In my case as I am sure of most others it certainly is not begging. I never ask for money just merely play guitar and sing, however should they offer me a few coins I will not turn it down.


Kind Regards Guys,


Heath.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,fiddlinmike
Date: 03 Oct 09 - 09:02 PM

Heres what I learned. You can't do anything about what people think.
They will think whatever they want. Since the word busking is in the oxford dictionary and has its own wikipedia page I tend to go with the english language myself. Fuck em. Don't let the bastards grind
you down. Remember the good.
   Man I've done my part. I have biz cards and have been booked at weddings parties and even street festivals. No one pays a beggar
to come hang out at their event.
   Music excites whatever is inside the listener. An exceeding positive reception tells me more about the heart of the person in
front of me and I am blessed for having met them and makes me try
to play even better less they come again .

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,Bardan
Date: 25 Sep 09 - 11:34 AM

As far as I'm concerned, if I thought I was begging I'd be doing a different job. I wonder how many of the musicians on this group have done five or six one hour sets in a day to audiences who were unfamiliar with folk music? Not all that easy. Sometimes you get real appreciation in a verbal and monetary sense. Sometimes, you have to choose between a bed and a decent meal. I'm not arrogant enough to say I'm a great musician or anything, but I've been playing the fiddle for about fifteen years and I think I've got a decent level together. I see myself as giving people a fairly decent musical experience, maybe a happy moment or something. In exchange, and only if they do enjoy it and can afford it, idon't think it's too much too ask for a tip. Still if they don't want to pay me no-ones making them. In my experience there's a definite difference in the pot if I'm a bit off- tired, hung-over or just playing below par. I would have thought this would generally apply to other buskers and the ones who are less talented are making less cash. I see busking as an art-form in its own right and a tougher one than most. Still I'm always willing to listen to another opinion.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: breezy
Date: 18 Sep 09 - 05:56 AM

Thanks for that Stewart

Artis says it comprehensively


So when a total stranger tracks you down weeks later and places an order for Cds from out of the blue and says listening was a highlight of their holiday, that too is a heck of a boost.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Stewart
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 05:30 PM

Artis the Spoonman is a regular long-time busker in the Pike Place Market in Seattle. He has also busked in many US cities and abroad. I asked Artis to write a piece on busking for the NW HOOT.

He says it very eloquently HERE.

The following is an excerpt from his article.

"Busking is the most admirable, honourable, respectable, integrated and difficult form of entertainment there is. Busking has no cover charge, no minimum drink, no ethnic, sex, age, religious, or economic segregation and there is no "middle man" restricting material. Busking is presented to everyone, whether they slept under a bridge or on the 40th floor the night before. Busking is performed for fair exchange, i.e., the audience pays what they determine applicable, having viewed and enjoyed the show, they care to contribute at all. However, as essential as the money is, the first contribution an audience member makes is when they stop."

"Keep in mind; before becoming an audience, a citizen has already predetermined a destination, if only strolling. There is no intention to see a show. We are going from point A to point B and along the way there's an act that attracts our attention. Stopping to listen is, straight up, a 100% compliment and contribution to the show. To remain is an addition to the 100%. To applaud is a further addition, to tip is yet again an increased contribution, and to talk of the act later that day, or the next, is an astounding plus from the first determination to stop while bound elsewhere. People often arrive late to work deliberately, miss appointments intentionally, skip classes at schools, colleges, and universities, and some actually change their whole lifestyle and vocational direction. Those are massive compliments and effects contributed to busking. " ... more.

Cheers, S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Sep 09 - 05:05 PM

Wakefield Council apologise to buskers over slanderous allegation of begging.

http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.ListAll&bID=510575094

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,Sonofman www.rebelzpromoter.com
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 04:53 PM

I'm joining this topic late, but having taken time to read every thread am really grateful nonetheless for the information contained.

Having been laid off I put every penny of my severance into building my artistry, recording an album, setting up a webstore (www.rebelzpromoter.com), registering a trademark, coming up with merchandise and now faced with taking my art to the people.

I carry my guitar with me everywhere I go. Whenever the opportunity arises I take it out and play, simply to get as much practice as I possibly can and because I simply love what I do. Music breaks down barriers and I always get smiles and positive gestures from passing folk.

Coming from a conservative background and taking account of peoples perceptions (prejudices), not to mention my earnings in my previous career I have never opened my guitar case to invite donations.

The closest I have come was in The Netherlands where I played outside a music store where my album is stocked (I justified this as legitimate promotion). Still people were happy to pay me for the songs I sang. I found this embarassing and offered a copy of my EP in exchange.

Reading this thread I can feel a changing in my personal perception of street performing.

Perhaps governments instead of frowning and licensing street performers should view the art more in the terms of social workers and should pay for the service, for surely brightening up the day of commuters and the public at large is a public service.

The benefit would be two fold

a) removing the stigma from the point of view of musicians like myself who when I do take out my guitar and play my self penned songs in public bring joy to the lives of passersby and

b) change the perception taken by some on this forum and society in gerneral who look down on and see street performers as beggers.

Regardless, having read this I will take a different view of myself and the next time I feel the urge to take my guitar in public will do so with pride!

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,s-j in newcastle
Date: 11 Jul 09 - 06:07 AM

Funny, am just having a cup of tea before going into town to go busking for a while and came across this thread! I enjoy hearing and seeing buskers when I am out and about I think it adds to the ambience of the city, I dont see it as begging at all. We are not directly asking for money, just if you enjoy/appreciate what we do we are grateful for contributions and yes, quite often I am there out of financial difficulty, but isnt that why alot of people go to work?!
Anyway, weathers not too bad in Newcastle and as well as hoping to make money it's good practise for playing out, trYing out new songs and having fun.
Think will try out Durham for a bit of variety next week!
Sarah

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: meself
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 06:59 PM

How do you like them apples, Mister Chief Constable!

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,The campaign for real busking
Date: 10 Jul 09 - 06:40 PM

Under UK law busking cannot be classed as begging.

This is not an opinion this is fact under UK Law

Source: Butterworths. Law Report. [1983] Crim LR 45

Gray v The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester

"A street musician who played the guitar in a passageway and was given coins by passers-by, was held to be not guilty of the offence of placing himself in a public place to beg or gather alms created by Vagrancy Act 1824 s 3. His conduct did not fall within the section because (i) he gave value for money, and (ii) passers-by were not forced to deal with his activities."

The Law Report introduces the idea that busking is value for money, and therefore people gave him coins because of the music not because of need. Busking has nothing to do with need, instead it is being tipped by the public for providing the service of bringing live music into the city centre.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 04 May 09 - 08:14 PM

Meself, 'these guys' are street musicians.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: stallion
Date: 04 May 09 - 05:37 PM

my god breezy you were there!

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: meself
Date: 04 May 09 - 04:37 PM

Don't know how many of these guys are actual buskers, but I imagine some of them are. It seems to promote the idea of busking anyway.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Tug the Cox
Date: 04 May 09 - 04:02 PM

The difference was made very clear in my Youth. On the way to football matches at Millwall, just as the crowd entered A small side road in New Cross, leading to the ground, there were two opportunities to be generous. On one side of the street stood an old guy playing the saxophone, on the other, a one legged chap on crutches, smiling and saying thank you while holding out his hat. The beggar seemed to attract more donations.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,John from Kemsing
Date: 04 May 09 - 12:46 PM

Of course "busking" isn`t "begging". Busking is asking for money having demonstrated a public performance of one sort or the other. Begging is asking for money to tide you over current financial difficulties without preforming a service or entertainment.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: High Hopes (inactive)
Date: 04 May 09 - 12:41 PM

"Let's hope that the forthcoming Cameron government takes a more lenient view of buskers in the UK!"

*picking self up off floor, still slightly hysterical* You did just say that, right?

the short answer to the question, posed, is no.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: meself
Date: 04 May 09 - 12:32 PM

First of all, busking and begging are completely different activities; there is no relationship between the two other than that they both take place in public spaces and involve money.

Second of all - where did this notion come from that there is something honourable about having a "real job"? Having a "real job" means giving up your autonomy and submitting to the authority of another person or group of people. In exchange, you receive a measure of financial security. I fail to see what is admirable about such a transaction. If you need to put yourself in that position, fine, do it, but don't try to paint it as something particularly virtuous. Likewise, if you like to follow orders, go ahead, but don't criticize others who are cut of a different cloth.

I spent many years with a "real job". I certainly do not feel that I am somehow a better person for that. In fact, I'm glad to be back scraping and hustling and not knowing how much money I'll make in the course of a day - and being my own boss.

Those who equate busking with begging, or who claim to, are either soulless automatons or simply jealous of those who have managed to retain a measure of independence.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: breezy
Date: 04 May 09 - 07:13 AM

O K stallion, but now explain the red ribbons and lack of trousers

Well said Sylvia, and its unfortunate that you dont do it any more as you are most talented.

regards to KK, has he performed 'Old Ben' yet !

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 04 May 09 - 07:08 AM

Let's hope that the forthcoming Cameron government takes a more lenient view of buskers in the UK!

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: stallion
Date: 04 May 09 - 06:57 AM

The first time I ever busked was a total accident, I was in a village in Lancashire camping with a mini bus full of blokes, being the driver the treat was to receive a drink from the other 11 on arrival, a pint glass full of brandy was the reward. In the morning I woke up laying on hard lumpy stuff, my pockets were stuffed full of small change, apparently I had sat on the steps of the pub all night singing and someone had put a hat down, when the lads came out of the pub they put the cash in my pockets and carried me to my tent. I had no recollection of any of it, oh we had been to wedding and I had stayed sober to drive to the evening bash.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: SylviaN
Date: 03 May 09 - 02:40 PM

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)

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Don Firth
Date: 03 May 09 - 01:54 PM

And an honorable one at that. It's a tradition that goes back over a thousand years or more.

Don Firth

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: breezy
Date: 03 May 09 - 11:38 AM

Busking is not a 'real job' its not a 'job' at all, its not 'work' in the true sense of the word, its an activity that one can regard as a job , but that is to delude oneself into believing it is so to thereby justify doing it to oneself, but its never a 'real job'.

It is nothing to do with begging, though some buggers may use it as a guise.

Busking is a performing art, requiring many patrons in order for the artiste to sustain his performance over a long period of time thereby making it unnecessary for the busker to get a real job in the true sense of the word.

Still, what do I know ?

Its a form of entertainment, thats what it is.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST
Date: 03 May 09 - 01:46 AM

busking is a real job. we are encouraged to get a business number.
why should we not pay tax?
everyone else does.
begging is when there are drunks trying to play the guitar thinking they are Elvis or something.
I saw a drunk guy last year half heartedly playing in a band at the station behaving like a chippendale performer.
it was a sight everyone obviously wasn't expecting.
scare away the tourist why don't you!!!!

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST, www.ciaobuddha.co.uk
Date: 14 Nov 05 - 01:06 PM

thanks stephen. twisted and wonderful?...there is a cheque and a barrel of oil in the post and on it's way to you!

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 25 Oct 05 - 01:09 AM

Rotflmao!!!!! That is the most twisted and wonderful thing I've ever read!!!!

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 09:34 PM

If soldiering is an honest job then surely busking is an honourable profession. Since busking I've managed to keep my invasions, killings and occupation on foreign soil down to a bare minimum. Not to mention taking polaroids of prisoners of war tied up into embarrassing positions. Though it is hard to quit the latter 100% etc www.ciaobuddha.co.uk

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST,www.ciaobuddha.co.uk
Date: 24 Oct 05 - 09:20 PM

CALLING ALL MUSICIANS.I am a struggling musician who often resorts to busking for a living. YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO LOOK AT MY SITE.......and if you want to hear some of our own music I am willing to send you an MP3 FREE OF CHARGE...just look at the LYRICS PAGE and tell me which lyrics you like the sound of and i will send you the song FREE OF CHARGE.... and I encourage you to send it on to anyone you might think would like it also. Dont worry I wont sue. Even though I do own the copyright. lots of love etc www.ciaobuddha.co.uk

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: DannyC
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 09:24 AM

In Oliver Goldsmith's "The Vicar of Wakefield" one of the characters (the good Vicar's son, I believe) busks his way across Europe and back. I assume that Goldsmith was drawing from his own experiences. I have heard the County Longford native was a fine flute player.

The story mentions:

(1) how his music was enthusiastically received in many different areas;
(2) he found it difficult to get the attention of comfortable, distracted rich people;
(3) in a certain region, the quality of the locals' music was so high that his own music was merely commonplace (Brittany maybe?)

I have held the story in reserve to ward off my own relations' concerns ("...and a grown man - with children of his own!!") about my enthusiasm for the music.

Hopefully, by linking my own efforts to this "Big Name" - the bedeviler of Johnson - a connection to the classical era (and all that stuff) I can add some justification to my single-minded, public pursuit of my music passions. Maybe I can make my kin feel better, for I have no plans to cease my embarrassing ad hoc performances.

Cheers,

Danny

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Bobert
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 08:57 AM

It ain't really Teribus anyway, alan, 'cause the real Teribus is totally incapable of a three word response...

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Stephen L. Rich
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 05:30 AM

Teribus,

    A couple of years ago I was one of the performers in a three day event in Chicago called Buskerfest. The breadth and variety of entertainment was astounding. There was on juggling act that was astounding. They juggled flaming torches (allright you're unimpressed). They passed back and forth between one another (you've probably seen that, too0. They did so while they were on POGO STICKS (I think I have your attention, now)! They decided that the act still needed something, so they rigged up the pogo sticks to shoot flames from either side at seemingly random moments. An act like that MUST be done out of doors! There isn't a fire safety law in the western world that would let them do that inside anywhere.
    Is dropping a few coins in thier hat any worse than paying the U.K.'s television tax so that you can watch Tony Robinson dig up some poor jerk's garden in an attempt to find archaeological evidence of Vikings, or, as in the United States, sending thirty-five bucks to the local PBS station because they just aired a showcase of over-aged rock and rollers who haven't learned any new songs in the last fourty or fifty years?
    Buskers, at the very least, make some sort of effort to provide some entertainment. They provide a service. Admitedly, not a vital one, but a service nonetheless. The fact that it is not part of some organized program does not diminish its value. Beggars walk up to you and say, "Got any spare change?" or something like it. They offer nothing in return. How can you reasonably equate busking with begging?

Stephen Lee

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: alanabit
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 02:54 AM

One can hardly make oneself look more stupid than to join a discussion this long, fail to follow any of the argument and debate and then pronounce a previously held bias, which contradicts all the facts.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: Teribus
Date: 22 Oct 05 - 12:32 AM

Yes it is.

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: IanC
Date: 21 Oct 05 - 03:54 AM

Actually, that's not the original meaning of the word.

Most of the dictionaries give it as deriving variously from the Spanish or Italian buscar/buscare/boscar ... ultimately to seek ... in the 19th century.

There was, however, already an English verb to busk (it appears in the 1828 Websters Dictionary, for example) meaning to be busy or to go around busily. It is still (rarely) used ... as in "He busked about".

:-)

Subject: RE: Busking is begging?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Oct 05 - 08:53 PM

The original meaning of the word 'busk' is improvise.