I didn’t realize this until I was on a subway the other day, nobly trying to reconnect with the hoi polloi to get some humility back, when the conductor made this announcement:
“Soliciting of any kind is illegal, especially lousy singing.
“Please don’t give them anything.
“If you feel like helping, you can locate the organization of your choice and give respects.”
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I was really surprised by this–especially considering his unprofessional little joke–but my response was immediate and twofold:
*How terribly nasty, when these poor folk are merely resorting to desperate measures in an attempt to eke out a few bucks to put food on the table.
And:
*Yay! Please make those horrible, screechy musicians go away! I’m so happy this isn’t legal!
Mind you, I’m all for music–and also for begging–but to descend on a captive audience that’s innocently trying to sit there, read a book, and quietly get to one’s destination seems a bit out of line.
Especially when it’s “lousy singing.”
Am I the grinch?