So, I was a reading a wikipedia article (yeah, I'm a geek) on busking (street performing) and was surprised to find that it has been banned or restricted or that there have been attempts to do so, and yet often panhandling is tolerated (but yes, I'm well aware that there have been laws against panhandling as well)

I personally cannot stand panhandlers at all, especially aggressive ones. I refuse to believe that there isn't anything you can do besides hold up a sign saying "I'm hungry" or asking people for change. Even just a tiny bit of some forethought or attempt to make the panhandling more entertaining changes them from being a nuisance.

Some of the more amusing ones (though they still can't really be called street performers) was one lady who made a design of a peace sign out the of the coins she received and another guy who was dressed up as a ninja and held up a sign that said some thing along the lines of "ninjas killed my family, I need money to avenge them."

I don't really think that there should be any prohibitions or very little on street performing, but much more on panhandling. Oh, but those obnoxious people outside stores asking for donations should completely be banned.

Coming back from my trip to France, it's really a pity that you don't see more street performers in America and yet so so many panhandlers; not exactly helping our image of being lazy.

So discuss:
- What have been some interesting street performers you've seen or particularly interesting panhandlers
- Bad experiences with panhandlers
- Against or for regulations or bans for street performers or panhandlers
- Do you give money to panhandlers? Street performers?

The only time I've seen any panhandlers or street performers was when I was in Washington D.C. on a school trip. There are none around here in my small town. We weren't allowed to give money to any, though.

It would be awesome if there were street performers around here. xDD

- What have been some interesting street performers you've seen or particularly interesting panhandlers ~
o3o Actually, the first time I ever saw panhandlers or street performers was when I went to Washington DC. They were in the town around museums.
They didn't really beg for anything, I just saw some them either signs or buckets I think. And people were out walking around trying to sell things like sunglasses. :]
- Bad experiences with panhandlers
I've never had a bad experience with them yet.
- Against or for regulations or bans for street performers or panhandlers
..Depends..some of those people actually do it because they need it, not because they are lazy and dont want to get a job or something.
- Do you give money to panhandlers? Street performers?
No, not a good idea because you dont know if they would use it for good for themselves. I've never givin (in person) homeless or pandhandlers anything. I think what would be funny but a good idea, if those pandhandlers were holding out a bucket and asking for money to buy food or clothes or something, instead of giving them money, give them some stuff they said they needed. XD

The only people I have seen sitting outside of stores asking for donations are Food pantries and The salvation Arm's Toy Drive. Both of which are generally respectable organizations that help those in need. Especially the salvation Army's drive, as it helps children and they really have no control over their place in life.


As far as street performers, they tend to obscure sidewalks which can cause problems when there is a high level of foot traffic. There is also the 'noise' factor. The first 3 times you hear someone playing dixie on violin, it's charming. But by the time you have heard it 30 times it gets old. very old. The businesses in the area often get.. well bothered by the 'noise'. It's all well and good if they have talent and you like the songs, but if they just keep playing the same thing, and loud at that it can get to be a nuisance.

Pan handlers, while they make me a tad nervous, at least are quiet, so perhaps that is why they are left to be more often?

Don't get me wrong, I love to watch a talented street performer on a nice day when I'm down town. I adore music, being a musician myself and I love to watch others of talent express their own love of music. But I have seen instances where it is not done in a manner respectful of the establishments in the area, and I can see how they might become aggravated over time.

As far as giving to pan handlers... never cash. The rule of thumb when someone is begging because they are 'hungry' or something of the sort is to offer something that fulfills that need, not cash. A box of Cigs if they smoke, or a hamburger... or a bottle of water... sure, that's something that they can use now. Cash on the other hand might go towards drugs. Also, some of them panhandle because they have found it to be easy money, not because they are actually poor.... so offering food, clothing, etc.. fills the need if it is there without funding someone's big screen TV >.>;;

When I lived in Seattle, down on 2nd and Pike I think, there was this guy who would set up on the corner, complete with electric guitar, loudspeaker, and microphone and he would just sing his country songs. Across the way there was tent revival type thing and a place to hand out needles and condoms. Up the street there was a guy who had a dog trained to hold a cup and beg for change. He would only buy dog food with it and he made his money for his things elsewhere doing odd jobs and stuff. Lots of street artists and things there.

I don't mind those panhandlers that ask once. Its the ones that follow you or approach you while you are putting gas in the car that bug me. I had one ask my eight year old for a quarter. And to my shock and well... I was filled with pride as well... he told the guy to get lost. Who panhandles an 8 year old?!

I understand that they are under extreme duress. I have been a step away from being without a home myself at one point in my life but to bug a child for money, that crosses the line.

- What have been some interesting street performers you've seen or particularly interesting panhandlers
I've never seen panhandlers. I wasn't even familiar with the term until i read this. x_X
i guess my equivilent would be sales or promotion people dressed up in odd costumes and roping you into something you don't want.

- Bad experiences with panhandlers
^ haven't had any. I avoid people like that at all costs.

- Against or for regulations or bans for street performers or panhandlers
I don't think the town nearest to me has any. I've often seen people busking.

- Do you give money to panhandlers? Street performers?
I never have, but i might do. It scares me to go upto people like that for some reason.

• - What have been some interesting street performers you've seen or particularly interesting panhandlers?
  Interesting street performers? Well, there was this woman and bloke that were set up as a music box. When someone gave them some money, they'd start dancing and such. It was purrdy.
  Ugh, panhandlers, I have some grudge against them. I mean.. go work or something?
  Last time when I was in Portugal (Algarve) the streets were once again filled with panhandlers. They looked so sad, with little children on their arms or whatever.
  Well, we went to eat some icecream on the other side of the street. From there I kept on watching those panhandlers, and suddenly I saw a Mercedes stop where a woman with a child got in and immediantly started changing and cleaning up. She was a rich bastard. o __ o;; That was quite shocking.
  
  - Bad experiences with panhandlers
  Er.. one clinged to my foot once. That was scary, since he looked like he'd kill someone for just some change.
  
  - Against or for regulations or bans for street performers or panhandlers
  I'm for the bans of panhandlers, but the street performers must stay. As long as the show is worth it (I don't mean doing a little dance or so).
  
  - Do you give money to panhandlers? Street performers?
  Streetperformers -- YES.
  Panhandlers -- NO.

Recently public performing (busking) has been made illegal in Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia - there was a big protest about making it illegal to play a guitar in a public park - but Philadelphia doesn't seem to care.

I find people who are at least trying to earn the coins people give them instead of simply begging - if you expect me to give you money at least entertain me or something.

I work on a University campus and we have a problem with some aggressive panhandlers - they assume because there are college students around they have extra money to give them - they tend to hang out near the food trucks where they can target people after the pay for their food.

My boyfriend offered to buy a guy a sandwich when he asked him for money for food - the guy refused and said just give him the cash - my boyfriend said no food or nothing and the guy left all angry.

Many of the homeless in my area have access (food stamps) and so are fed, they stay in shelters at night, and during the day they bed for their beer (or whatever else) money.

I have a hard time sometimes - but I work hard for what I have and I'm sorry they fell on bad times - but I need my money to feed myself, pay my bills, and pay my taxes they pay for their food stamps and shelters. I know if I get a job at the main branch of the free library i will have to deal with a lot of homeless people. During the winter when the shelter closes in the morning they tell the homeless to go to the public library until the shelter re-opens.

Panhandling is seen very often here in NYC [like every block?], but it just isn't allowed on the trains [although it is often done anyways] because the MTA want you to "have an enjoyable experience." I do like more street performers because atleast they do attempt to entertain you in exchange for your donation, especially since I see them a lot on my trips home from school. However, panhandlers make me feel sad in a way when I see them because they don't have anything and need something.

I once had a very negative experience with someone who somewhat of a panhandler, who wanted to sell my mother some tylenol PM. My refused him and assured him that she didn't need it since she worked in the hospital and was capable of getting it for free. He then chased us yelling, "You can't et this for free!" until I was able to convince my mother that we should hide in the grocery store. DX

yeah, the R train sees a lot of business. theres this one mute guy with a old fashioned music box strapped to his chest, who plays the trumpet pretty well. i always give him change if i have any. then there are those guys who play guitar badly and sing johnny cash badly, and ask for money to record their demo. i never give them anything.
i usually give to people who obviously need the money. the regulars who have been on that train for years and are still wearing the same shirt...
one time there was this lady who started scolding everyone, "if you were in my position, you'd want people to give you money too! don't be all high and mighty now, or you will pay for it!!" she stayed on for like, 10 stops. :?

There are some really amazing street performers down in Savannah, Georgia. River Street, one of the main tourist attractions in the town has lots of shops and stuff, but there's like tons and tons of people playing saxophones/singing/playing guitar, and even every so often you'll have a whole band/dancing crowd come around.

I can't imagine why it'd be banned. I think that's horrible they allow panhandlers to beg for food but they won't let people perform in the streets.

I remeber when the power went out in all of B.C. People were crowded on Main Street holding up signs that said "The end of the world is here."

*Laughs* Irrelevant, but halarious.

Just a fun fact, although I'm about to completely kill the statistic: Approximately 70% (I think more) of homeless street bum panhandelers are mentally handicaped or ill and actually couldn't hold any sort of a job, and don't understand the processes of applying for welfare, or the concept of welfare.

You can usually tell that many of them just aren't quite right in the head, too. I'm from a small town, but recently we got our first begger. He's actually vanished from his regular spot lately, so I think he might be dead, but, he's an old man with over grown hair and beard who's always wearing his coat. He sits outside the mall with his hand out mumbling something. You can never really understand him, and I don't think he can understand you, either.

This is some senial old man who had no one to take care of him. Many panhandelers run along this vaireity. Or teens with no education of any sort who were kicked out of home and got addicted to drugs and now live one fix to the next grown up.

So before you go calling them lazy and a nuisance, try to think beyond your own nice cozy heated home and bed with frshly washed sheets.



That said, I love seeing street preformers in the bigger cities.

I see panhandlers all the time in the city. They completely annoy me, and I'm not going to lie if they ask me for anything I usually tear a strip into them and tell them to get a real job and a life.. etc.. That may sound mena but really it isn't that hard to get a job... there are always wanted signs somewhere.

Streetperformers I have way more tolerance for. At least they're doing something to try and make money. The best though is on major holidays in the "party" area of our city there will be fire dancers. Yeah I give money to them, they're damn cool though that's for sure. If I could make money doing that, it would be sweet news.