As I move about in my travels I encounter many who seem to be struggling mightily to make a living. Of course these people need to provide food and shelter for themselves and often they have no work permit or any social system that they can fall back on.
How to Survive When Times Are Tough!
Some beg, some aggressively try and sell trinkets or designer knock offs of various descriptions, others offer to take your shopping cart back to the docking station in exchange for keeping the deposit and some make attempts to wash the windshield of your car while you're at a stop light or a highway rest stop.
I cannot even imagine how tough it must be to find yourself in this situation and the rate of rejection and scorn is likely very high. Life is so difficult for so many people!
Credit: Àngel García/PRI Street Vendors in Barcelona
Making The Best of a Difficult Situation!
Last week while in Bra, Italy I heard music from a distance. I followed it and found a wandering minstrel / street musician who was quite skilled with the accordion.
I asked if I could film him and his joy was evident. I thought to myself that perhaps this is one of the more socially acceptable ways to provide for yourself when things are tough. He, at least, seemed to garner a lot of self satisfaction while displaying his musical talent! I gave him a few Euros, he smiled and I wondered what his life was really like.
This man had skill and talent and as he walked about playing he was able to put some money in his pocket.
What do You Think?
- Do you feel sorry, annoyed or both when you see people begging or selling on the street?
- Do you ever buy something from a street vendor that you don't really need just to help?
- Do you think that playing an instrument would be a more satisfying way to survive?
I hope that you enjoyed this article on "When Life's Not Easy. From Street Vendors to Street Musicians!"
Until next time,
@kus-knee (The Old Dog)
I feel sorry, but I like when someone is actually trying do to something, no matter if it's taking the cart back or wathever. When I went to school in Milan there where a woman over a railway bridge and she cleaned it up every day. Good weather, bad weather, she still was there. She deserved every euro she raised, and she deserved something more for shure!
Very skilled player though! And I think being a street musician can be a way of living satisfying for the musician himself and also for the people around. They can spread some joy in a grey cold city day, so they deserve some money in exchange!
Anyway something that is scaring me is where the money goes when someone's begging...
Thanks for your nice comment and the experiences that you shared. It is amazing what the woman in Milan was doing. Yes that accordion player pulled me like a magnet with his skilful playing!
Nice Post
ah ah ah devo sempre fare il mio post compilation sui musicisti di strada....
That would be great. This was the third artist that I have featured and whenever I find someone talented I will feature another one. I look forward to seeing yours.
Poverty... Now here's something I can write volumes on, being an expert on being poor. Here's something interesting for ya... A masters student at Harvard decided to do his Master's Thesis in Sociology on panhandling. He dressed up all different ways and went out into Harvard Square to beg. He found that dressing up in a 3 piece suit brought the best results... the more needy he looked, the worse the results- go figure!
That is a very intersting study. I wonder how many of these people could be helped to make a decent living by writing on Steemit. Sometimes, in their country of origin 1 dollar a day would make a big difference.
It's working for me! Lord, I feel like the world's biggest idiot- I bought a new phone so I can take pictures. I took some but I can't find them anywhere! To make matters worse, I'm going to have to get help from my 6 year old grand daughter!!!
A very thoughtful post! My father was homeless for a while when he was younger and he talks about hitchhiking across the US and doing odd jobs (manual labor) to survive. He said, back then in the late 50's, you could arrive in almost any small town and the local sheriff would allow you to sleep in an empty jail cell if they had any free. I'm sure there was more sympathy back then since the Great Depression was so fresh in people's minds. Oh how the world has changed!
I think a portion of these people choose the lifestyle because they don't like the feeling of existing within the confines of traditional modern society. One reason I like cryptocurrency so much is it allows that same freedom without the day-to-day struggle to survive.
Great post, @kus-knee!
Thanks a lot for your lovely comment. I enjoyed seeing you from afar as I watched the streaming of Steemfest. For some reason I didn't catch the trailer for your film project. Where can I see it?
By the way I love the picture that you took of the cobblestones in Lisbon and had meant to add it to my last virtual gallery posting but I forgot to do so! :)
It's great to have you here on Steemit and I agree with you about the freedom that crypto can provide. I am fascinated by Steemit's potential in third world countries where a few dollars actually means a lot!
You're very welcome! We had them cut the feed on the live stream when we showed the trailer. We're going to be releasing it on Steemit soon.
Thanks, Lisbon was enchanting! We had so much fun exploring and plan to come back soon. After filming season one of HardFork we might come back to Sintra and stay a while.
I really appreciate the kind words. I truly feel we're just beginning to see the benefits that crypto and blockchain can provide. The third world will be transformed the most. Some of the projects on the drawing board for third world countries are mind-blowing. Enjoy your weekend and Steem on!
Wow thats crazy i didnt know you could sleep in an open jail cell back then. being homeless is definitely its own challenge and different people have their own reasons ranging from choice and being lazy or simply chasing a dream to no choice and forced to live on the street. you Never can tell unless you talk to them which some of them have some wild stories lol. I chose to live out of my car for a year at one point in order to save money to buy a house and now i have one! it was definitely its own adventure to say the least lol Thanks for bringing this insightful post @kus-knee
Very talented! Thanks for the show! I say it's all in the eye's of the one in their own situation or "life movie" that they themselves have created! The "life movie" can be changed in an instant through thought and action at any time via the individual. It's really that simple. If you don't like your "life movie" simply change it. This particular gentleman looks to be very happy and at ease just doing something he loves. Isn't this what life's all about. Do we really need bragging rights via our successes in life to what... impress others or do we need to just love what we do, whatever that is, and create? Take Chris Cornell for instance. This very talented musician and father of three who was worth multiple millions and had the respect and envy of many through out the musical world we all know committed suicide at age 52? Why would someone who seems to have it all do such a thing leaving his three ,not adult, children behind? There are so many other examples of this also. I suppose what i'm trying to say is that our happiness/needs are not determined by $, possessions, or approval from others but rather from within ourselves and what we define them to be.
What a lovely reply. I have also found this to be true and I found a living example when I wrote about the Organ Grinder in Lugano.
That all depends on the situation. It's like begging for follows or upvotes. I used to work in a city park and a lady would come by every couple of days to pick up the empty cans and recycle them. She was relentless in her persuit. I heard later she put her granddaughter through college recycling those cans. People are very imaginative when it comes to survival.
I spent much of my youth searching for bottles to take back for the deposit so this resonates well with me.
I was pretty amazed at her determination. As a teen I too collected pop bottles for the deposits. That was how we picked up enough loot to buy what we wanted @ 10 years old!
It's a great education in being self employed!
It would prove useful to a few individuals that want it now! Thanks for a reminder of what it used to be like.
He is a talented accordion player. Here where I live we do not know too many street vendors. On special occasion we may hear a street musician. But they seem to stick with the larger cities (Chicago , St. Louis etc) . However we have many panhandlers who work the interstate interchanges and do quite well. They require a yearly license to do this. I would make better money if I did that! LOL but they are not liked here where I live in fact they are frowned upon. What do I think? Some of them could and should go get a job but you do what you need to do. AS for street musician, they provide a service and enhance the culture of a city. THEY ROCK! Thanks for the intriguing topic and post my friend.
I respect very much your assessment that he is talented because you are a musician. I also agree the good street musicians can add a lot to the culture and vibrancy of a city or town. I love to stop listen and then pay!
For me it totally depends on the street vender @kus-knee , and how they approach me ! Im much more likely to donate some change to the vender that's maybe playing a guitar with his case open to throw your change in , instead of the guy that's asking for hand out and bothering me ! Some of these are pros as well , and can make hundreds of dollars a day like the sqeegie guys in Vancouver that run over and clean your windows when your stopped at a light , they are very fast and most pay them pretty good ! People feel sorry for them , while they make more in a day then I make all week ! 😳😒👌
Off to bed ! Have a great Monday !!
Thanks for including your personal experience in your comment. I have made similar observations.
Your welcome !
Oh super nice version of Piazzolla's "Libertango" !!!
Are good at playing "Name That Tune"? Well done!
Yes I do buy from licensed street vendors. I used to try and help but. Now I don't think giving to panhandlers would help them and local tv station busting professional beggars memory is so vivid.... Support a charity that try to help people properly is probably better.
Thanks for your input. It is often difficult to know what to do.
people try their best in the hard times to make a living in any way possible and i agree some ways can be annoying while others become creative in the little they have, iknow of a street boy near my place who doesnt beg like most of his friends but stand outside supermarkets and offer to carry luggages to any destination at a small fee, i always accept knowing how life is tough for them. we as human adapt to any form to survive, no matter the type of work people do always appreciate them for they are doing their best to earn a living. i respect those ones more than those who beg
This was a very kind and balanced reply. Thank you so much!
Only with musics and soul relaxation
This is so true.
I feel sorry. It happens only in tough situation, when people are undone.
Good post @kus-knee
Yes it is a tough situation and hopefully the musician can make ends meet!
I am reading your message carefully and I feel identified in certain part, certainly to the worst situations you have to try to get the best, I do not consider myself going through a bad situation (because I do not live in the streets) but the country where I am forced professional people to look for an alternative to earn extra money. Everything he describes I see in a newspaper in my country, with the difference that here many years ago he got used to burning, money facilitated so to speak.
In case of another group we try to undertake, now with this ink that has made me a couple of times that I found some light at the end of the tunnel, which is why I have worsened it a lot, trying to make the best of the worst as They say and I hope you help me help with that.
Regards
Thanks so much for your sincere reply. I too have often had to re-invent myself and hustle to make a living. I believe that those tough times have, in the end, served me well.
Certainly living in Venezuel must be very difficult right now and I sincerely hope that Steemit will be of some help to you and others there.
Well as we have all had good and bad times, and yes I am trying to put effort and in what I can with my little power to cure content in Steem to help other Venezuelans like me. regards
I wish you blessings and success!
Absolutely street vendors life is tough task & Life is so difficult for so many people. Most important topic you discuss here @kus-knee. I feel like sad condition see their situation. If i can buy something from them I do it. Then after street vendors happy that moment.
Resteemed.
It is so nice to read that have empathy for these people and that you help when you can!
I mostly buy things on the streets from older people that can't work anymore and nobody is helping them. However, i don't like all the others asking for money on the streets while they could go look for a job, but they don't do it, because as they say is easier to beg for money and make more !!!
Yes indeed there is a wide spectrum of situations and circumstances. It is so kind of you to help the older ones.
Well, of cause playing a musical instrument will attract people, but not everybody can play or afford an instrument. Here in South Africa, we have a beggar on every street corner, if it is a four-way robot, you will find a beggar on all 4 corners. Some are very innovative, they will have a cardboard written on it; "Please help, my dog has been arrested for stealing the neighbor's food. I have to bail him out"
You cannot support everybody and don't want to encourage the begging. We have them in the car parks as well. If they help me with my parcels I will give something. It is annoying and frustrating to know that the little you give is but a drop in the ocean. My heart really goes out to them. We do have organizations where they can go for help.
South Africa sounds similar to Italy in this regard. I like the innovative sign. Did you really see that or did you make it up. I can perceive your kind heart but as you say we can only do so much.
Thank you for replying to my comment. No, I did not make it up, you see it all the time. Next time I'll take a picture for you to see. There are all kinds of sad stories written on cardboards, e.g."I am jobless and have 5 children, no food, no money, please help"
You have to draw a line. I was in a shop the other day and a guy asked for baby nappies. An old lady overheard him and said to him: "That baby of yours must be over two years old by now, you've been asking for nappies for the same 3-month old baby for over two years now" Needless to say, he just disappeared!
Good story. If only people would've sincere it would be easy to help. No wasted time in being a detective!
Its nice to know that some people also notices this. Others would just shrug it off. I hope there will be more people who are compassionate towards others and will do something (even in little ways) to make this world a better place 💚
Thanks for your nice reply and for the heart in my favourite color!
Awww this guy with accordeon is very talented!! It's very hard to learn how to play this instrument and he seems a real virtuoso. That's a very big pity that the whole world can't enjoy his performance...
In my country we have a lot of homeless talented people too. They earn money on the street like thus guy. But i feel a big pain when i see old people asking for money. They usually sell flowers from their gardens and i always buy some bouquet . I think if everybody will help little bit them this will change their poor situation. Strength is always in unity!
You are very kind to buy the flowers. In Italy many vendors walk into the restaurants while you're eating and pressure you to buy flowers. I personally don't like that but I do feel sorry for them because I imagine that they're desparate.
I have met so many people who are working hard for living. In most extreme conditions (temperature reaching above 50C in this part of the world with strong dust wind), away from their families. More than 5 or 6 living in a small room to save money. Life is a struggle to them, but one thing I notice they are happy what they do and try to enjoy on little things.
Cheers!
I find your comment to be fascinating. Where do you live that it is dusty and 50 degrees? Those would be very tough conditions to work in. Compliments to you for your kindness in helping where you can!
Street vendors are one thing, beggars another. Street vendors are al least attempting to do something meaningful to support themselves.Beggars are not. And here we have many nasty beggars. I often buy things from street vendors to give a hand up. I also sometimes buy the lunch or a snack of some kind.
You are very kind and I agree that it is easier to help someone who is helping himself by offering a service or a product.
There is so many untalented talent which was not Discovered before. But many do make a good living by doing their “job” on the streets. So it could be hard to judge, just because we do not know their situation.
You are so right. Every person, every situation is different and we can't know the whole story.
Musicians work very hard on the road. Some people do not know their music. I love this music
I'm glad that you appreciated his talent. I'm sure that he'd be thrilled!
Spesso sono diffidente a riguardo di chi chiede soldi per strada, anche se sono cosciente che molti di loro ne hanno davvero bisogno e non trovano altre alternative valide per guadagnarsi da vivere..
Il ragazzo con la fisarmonica sembra davvero talentuoso, speriamo trovi la strada giusta per poter vivere degnamente, lui come tanti artisti di strada.
Grazie per il tuo commento. Aprezzo molto la tua honestà!
Hiiii dear @kus-knee, nice article in which serious issue about street vendor and beggar is discussed, you convey message in very simple way. I really feeling sad to see begging in streets, I hate professional beggars. I often bought something from street vendors just for his help. Thanks for sharing nice article,..
Yes, you and I have the same feelings. It is not an easy situation.
A good article, I know firsthand that most people who earn on the street are not poor people, they are very well served for a day, and they have a kind of pity look that would encourage passers-by. But I still respect such people, because what would go out into the street you have to decide, not everyone will do it. I could not.
I once saw a documentary which showed some pan handlers in Toronto were making quite good money by playing on people's emotions. Of course this is not always the case and it's hard to decipher.
The musician in the video is talented and he has his story. I just feel that "tough" times can come to anyone however much one plans so when one is trying to offer a service I try to give and I feel I have done my part. Out right begging I have to consider.
Yes I also respect the effort to offer entertainment, a product or a service.
Very good article again, @kus-knee. We all go through ups and downs in life. That is how it works on this planet. Yet, it is how we deal with the difficult situations that separate those who achieve from those who don't.
Thank you for helping us think more clearly Keep up the good work. Upvoted, my friend!
Thanks so much Terry and compliments again on a great job as MC at Steemfest!
Thank you, @kus-knee. You are most kind. Wish you could have been there but maybe next year. All the best to you, sir!
I am most of the time buying from locals and street vendors mate, I think we must all adopt this as it helps these people to get a living instead of giving more money to the big corporations like hyper/super market.
I think that you are doing a great thing!
Its sad that people have to do without the esssentials, its not right
Yes it's good when we can show some empathy for them!
If people showed a little more empathy the world would be a better place :)
life is tough no doubt but the one who never stops learns so much from the hardships
You are right about that!
I feel sorry for them who are struggling and trying to make some cash by selling legit items. I usually avoid giving anything to them who are just begging, because most of them are professional.
I think I haven't bought anything from street vendor just to help them, honestly.
I know that it's not always easy to tell the sincere form the scammers.
Interesting post and job.
Great story. Thank you for sharing!
wonderful
I love helping street musicians who give pleasure and a good mood to people! This is a worthy!
I want to ask you a friend @kus-knee , is this situation in Steemit temporary, that the rewards have fallen? Do you know what's going on?
Agreed with you
Nice post lovely