Busking

Busking, according to dictionary.com, means “to play music or perform entertainment in a public place, usually while soliciting money,” and is not intentionally related to being the king of a bus. Before today, I didn’t even know there was a word for it, and I sorta just called it “performing in a public place for money”, so I have learned something new today! Anyhow, yeah, it’s always awkward when someone comes into a subway car to perform or just beg for money and nobody wants to give money to them. You can’t make eye contact with them or reach into your pocket to get something, because that’d just give them false hope. And that’s bad.

Just yesterday when I was riding the subway, some musical performers came in and started playing loud music, and there was a kid sitting nearby who covered her ears and complained to her mother about the noise. Somehow, I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen anyone publicly express their dislike of subway performers right in front of them.

And then there are those performers who actually have to take the subway somewhere, and they sorta just sit down after they’re done performing rather than exiting the subway car and moving on to the next one. That’s even more awkward. Especially if they sit right next to you, or somewhere nearby. Actually, it’s also annoying when they stand right next to you while they sing or dance or whatever they do.

However, I’ve never actually seen any subway performers/beggars get annoyed that they’re not getting any money, though I guess no one really has an obligation to give them anything (especially since there are lots of ads on the subway that basically say “don’t give money to people on the subway”). Anyway, I don’t like it.

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