I know some people think buskers add a lovely, musical atmosphere to an otherwise dull and grimy place (in the TTC’s case, perhaps just a good scrub down would suffice) but generally, I find that the people who believe such things are chumps. I do, however, agree that buskers come in ranging skill/irritation levels: from melodically gifted- to laughably appalling-to the criminally insane.
Alas, no matter which way you cut this cheese (and believe you me, it is a stinky one) a busker is essentially a person who asks you to pay them for performing their HOBBY in public. Busking is not a valid job. That’s right, it constitutes a hobby, as most legitimate, professional musicians do not perform their music for quarters beside a street-meat vendor.
There are two standard types of buskers. The first are the sort that are clearly homeless and somehow feel that playing a guitar and asking for change is less like begging than just straight out asking for change (it really isn’t). This type is thoroughly annoying but not really enraging, as you don’t expect much from them anyway. I guess it is kind of nice that they are putting forth some bit of effort, even though that effort is essentially misguided and could have been directed much more effectively (like, hey, get an actual job maybe?)
The second kind of busker really, really, really, pisses me off. They enrage me to the point where I fantasize about throwing a Molotov cocktail into their guitar case.
This sort of busker is clearly homed, clearly sane and clearly capable of working a mediocre job they don’t really care about. Yet somehow, they seem to think they are above all that. Apparently buskers are under the impression that they shouldn’t have to work a 9 to five job just to do silly things like pay the rent and put food in their mouths. But...what? the rest of us should have to? While they screw around on the cello all day long? What balls!
What exactly is the point of busking nowadays anyway? Most people braving the TTC are clutching Ipods and blasting music into their eardrums in hopes of drowning out that sort of racket. Come on Busker, do you think this is how you are going to catch your big break?
Since there is no forum on which to register a formal complaint to the buskers of Toronto (and the world) I think a more personal approach is required. I suggest writing a personalized letter to be delivered to the busker of your choice. It would probably be a good idea to write something misleading on the front of the envelope, something which entices the busker to open it up unwittingly and unaware of the reproach that awaits him/her inside. Photographed bellow, is the letter I plan to deliver to a deserving local busker.
Dear Busker,
If you want people to give you money for performing your hobby in public, where were you when I finished my sudoku book on the train? And how about my roomate, did you slip her a five when she finished knitting her scarf in the park?
