Starving artists have a certain air about them…They’re really hungry!
First, they give out or demonstrate their creativity to the mass public
– hoping to be “discovered.” Whether they draw, sing, dance or sell
something to you that you can’t get a refund for, they’re a unique group
of New Yorkers hoping that something will come from their hours of hard
and thankless work.
Then you have the struggling….vagrants, who clearly aren’t quite right in the mind and feel the need to ask for money by providing a “service” that’s illegal! I can respect street performers and subway acts except when they put the public at risk. Okay, I’m not going to be a complete killjoy. Some consider this free entertainment and a New York City trademark – like cursing profusely or coughing in someone’s face! Dancers’ moves are sometimes impressive, pumped with energy and coolly coordinated. Okay – their clothes are filthy and some of them stink of sweat, but hey, a free show is just that!
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| Panhandlers in "action" |
Unfortunately, they also ask for money – and “panhandle” as us New
Yorkers like to call it. To some commuters, subway performers are less
than entertaining. Y’all want to just enjoy your own music or get some
zzz’s on the train – too bad! You’re THIS close to having a young kid’s
foot in your face as he finishes a somersault while the train rocks side
to side under the L train tunnel!
On the other end of the spectrum, how about those who roam the
streets trying to sell you a “service?” Are they just as out of their
mind and do they need to be taken off the streets? While the Mayor’s
been trying to crack down on subway performers, Police Commissioner Bill
Bratton’s doing his part by cracking down on squeegee men – those
wanderers who come over to your car with their “cleaning equipment.” So
they couldn’t get a legitimate job at a car washing business or auto
detailing place? Squeegee men decided that it’s easier to roam the
streets with imitation Windex and a skeevy handful of rags. Where did
these guys come from? The State University of Window Washers?
Let’s get real – none of these guys who hit the streets every day are unionized and they’re not protected or backed up by anything that’s legal. Unless there’s a “Local Squeegeemen’s Union,” who’s to say they’re not harassing drivers or causing damage to a vehicle?
Another service I’ve seen provided is courtesy of illegitimate
“waterboys.” If you’ve ever been to Gateway Mall when it’s hot out, you
know that there are a couple of guys who stand with a cooler or bag near
Flatlands Avenue right near the
mall’s entrance selling water. Really? Where did this water come from?
This is not a local “service” that should be allowed either! We don’t
know if they refilled those bottles with tap water and shoved them in a
bag. They’re not licensed by the Health Department and they stand in the
middle of traffic shoving bottles in drivers’ faces!
Why would anyone want to buy a bottle of water from a creepy stranger
roaming the streets?
Nothing says, “I just spit in your drink,” like a man who walks around with tattered and filthy clothes, hoping to make a quick buck from a bottle of water. People who want menial jobs like this can work – legally – as vendors at sporting and entertainment events! Why not get a real job so you can rent a hot dog cart and class up that entrepreneur-like attitude? The public won’t feel threatened if you stand in one place and give them an option to buy your goods instead of shoving it in their faces.
Nothing says, “I just spit in your drink,” like a man who walks around with tattered and filthy clothes, hoping to make a quick buck from a bottle of water. People who want menial jobs like this can work – legally – as vendors at sporting and entertainment events! Why not get a real job so you can rent a hot dog cart and class up that entrepreneur-like attitude? The public won’t feel threatened if you stand in one place and give them an option to buy your goods instead of shoving it in their faces.
We can’t forget to tackle the Times Square characters – ready and willing to dress up like all different – unlicensed – superheroes and cartoon characters to make money off of a few photos. Tourists are especially targeted, but cops arrested four costumed men over the weekend and charged them with disorderly conduct and aggressive solicitation. How much is a photo worth and who forced these guys to suit up like Big Bird and pound the pavement?
Let’s get real!!! If they’re going out there dressed up like something/someone who’s supposed to
be friendly, they should ACT FRIENDLY! These guys aren’t employed by a
network, so they shouldn’t be behaving as if anyone’s obligated to pay
them. Kids love the colorful and friendly faces. Since these
“characters” know what they’re doing is illegal, they should stop
expecting anything more than a smile and a ‘thank you.’ Besides, other
than voluntarily standing, being willingly “friendly,” and tolerating
the conditions inside of a hot outfit for hours, what talent do these
guys really have?
Answers anyone…
Answers anyone…
There’s talent, potential and just plain pathetic attempts at making a living providing a service on city streets. Some might get a kick of seeing these derelicts in action – hearing them shout to the public in hopes that a few dollars will be thrown their way. There’s no talent in being a danger, threat or hazard to the public. That’s my two cents (which I’m sure they’re begging for too!).
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