The other morning I was riding the Paris metro and, as usual, I was minding my own business. I am trying to make the most of the commute by reading a report. The train stops and some clown gets on a few feet from where I was sitting. He loudly announces in French that we are in for a concert. He then whips the cover off an accordion and proceeds to go to work on this thing. I’m not sure if it is possible to play an accordion softly, but this guy wasn’t doing it. So, I give him a glare and move to the other end of the car. Unfortunately, I don’t have the powers of concentration to continue my work until the end of the concert a stop or two later. And, the guy sucked. I’m not sure if you can play an accordion and make it not sound like shit, but this guy didn’t. Then, he comes around to collect money from me. I would have thought my look of disgust and my surrender of my front row seat would tip him off that I was less than thrilled with his performance.
One guy is bad enough but I have also recently had THREE dudes get on a crowded train (standing room only) with 2 guitars and some kind of wind instrument. They sucked too. And they expected people to move out of their way (again, this train is fucking crowded) to make room for the “stage”.
This shit happens all the time and I’m sick of it. I fully understand the economic realities of the world, but please just beg for money on the street. It is less hassle for me, and does not undermine the efficiency of the public transit system. Alternatively, they could play in the stations (as many do) which would still annoy me, but only a fraction as much. A public transport system is for public transport, not commercial activities. People are often trying to work, read, sleep, talk, or listen to their OWN music, a they can’t do that with your loud off key singing and the strumming of God knows what around your neck.
I further extend this pitting to passengers that encourage the practice by giving over money, unless that passenger was truly entertained, which I find unlikely, since these guys usually suck my balls. As for me, one will never get a cent by pissing me off.
That is all.