Busking Mother with children in tow

[nicnacs_4u]

Shopping at my local supermarket the other day I came across a young mum playing a flute near the entrance door..with her playing on a rug were her two young children and a baby in a pram.An old hat supported a sign stating her husband was looking for work and with 5 children to feed and cloth any contribution would be great...kinda made me feel sad & disappointed that she had her children there to beg for money(I did give)

I would be interested to see what other`s think

[boris1gary]

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@soul_art wrote:

Did you actually read my post???

Using her circumstances to make people feel sorry for her, her family, is emotional blackmail. 

Why would she have written the sign otherwise?

There was no reason. People passing her by would have given money for her busking, having her children with her makes no difference.  I've seen people with their children busking, no reason they shouldn't be with them but writing a sign like she did, is using them.

You don't have to agree, you can give money to whoever you want....doesn't mean anyone else has to though, does it??

You seem to think anyone with a different opinion to you, is wrong, no matter what the subject.  We're all different, with different views (thank god) so maybe try being a little tolerant of others even if they don't agree with you.

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I don't think anything of the sort, I didn't say you were wrong. I just find the whole concept of judging those that aren't in as good as a financial situation as I am a little sad, that's all. I always try hard not to do it myself although it isn't always easy. 

[soul_art]

Okay, I'm sorry if I read your post wrong.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@paintsew007 wrote:

She could also be puting that $$ up her arm

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Don't be ridiculous freddie. People with a shooting habit can't put notes together, either in a tune or the paper kind, in an organised way-they have no time to wait between fixes either. Burglary is the way for those with a nasty and expensive habit. Fast. Busking is not exactly suited to supporting someone with a habit

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maybe they're organized and planning ahead to make sure they have enough money for tomorrow's fix

Fair enough many people may not consider it music per se, but there are plenty of musicians with alleged drug habits who manage to string a few notes together.

As for the lady in the OP - kudos to her! She's doing something to change her circumstances and I applaud that.

I also agree with and can see the perspective of giving food rather than money, that's good too.

IF the lady is genuine, she will be grateful for any help, be that food or a bit of money to pay the rent as she now doesn't have to woryy as much about feeding the kids etc

Sometimes a kind word can also help, and maybe a small chat, as their biggest concern may be something like a jumper for the baby iykwim, so someone feeling uncomfortable with the cash donation, might even be able to help out in that area iykwim

[boris1gary]

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@kilroy_is_here wrote:
2 lots of unemployment + 5 kids would add up to about $2000 a fortnight in government benefits

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Again, jumping to a conclusion and I just did the estimate on centerlink, nowhere near $2000.

[*crikey*mate*]

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@lloydslights wrote:

Why doesn't she"teach the flute" to students in her home?

DEB

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How does she get the students to begin with? It takes time to establish a student list. It is unlikely she is a qualified teacher, so this will limit her student base (can't offer exams etc), then the consideration that people paying for music lessons are most likely to either be school students or workers, so the time slots would be limited thus limiting her potential income.

There is also the consideration of insurance to have students come into your home.

But a great idea, perhaps she could advertise whilst busking that she can provide lessons for a fee.

[fourandsixpants]

replying to polka:

 freddie*rooster said:

She could also be puting that $$ up her arm

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 paintsew007 said:

Don't be ridiculous freddie. People with a shooting habit can't put notes together, either in a tune or the paper kind, in an organised way-they have no time to wait between fixes either. Burglary is the way for those with a nasty and expensive habit. Fast. Busking is not exactly suited to supporting someone with a habit

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polka said:

Again the common misconception that hard drug users roll around in the gutter and steal from others.  Many of them hold down good jobs, public servants, professional people etc.

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yes polka, I am aware of this, quite aware. ....and I apologise to Freddie here too as I did not mean to jump down their throat about this. Look, a young mother with children is busking-she has a sign that states that her hubby is looking for work and they have 5 kids to feed.......MAYBE they choose not to take welfare benefits and want to earn their keep??

To assume that this mum is collecting money to buy drugs to then shoot up is very unfair and very judgemental.

...and yes polka, many users on the 'good stuff' do hold down very well paid 'respectable' jobs-busking would probably not support either a heroin or cocaine habit IMO.

When was it deemed a crime to:

1. be seen in public playing music? and

2. be seen playing music in public with your children?

.....what if the mum was a Dad?....would this response be different I wonder???!

I say, good on this mum....she is teaching the children that it is okay to ask for help from your fellow mankind in times of need, by DOING something positive:)

[fourandsixpants]

She could also be puting that $$ up her arm

........................................................................................................

 paintsew007 said:

Don't be ridiculous freddie. People with a shooting habit can't put notes together, either in a tune or the paper kind, in an organised way-they have no time to wait between fixes either. Burglary is the way for those with a nasty and expensive habit. Fast. Busking is not exactly suited to supporting someone with a habit

.........................................................................................................................

polka said:

Again the common misconception that hard drug users roll around in the gutter and steal from others.  Many of them hold down good jobs, public servants, professional people etc.

...........................................................................................................................................

yes polka, I am aware of this, quite aware. ....and I apologise to Freddie here too as I did not mean to jump down their throat about this. Look, a young mother with children is busking-she has a sign that states that her hubby is looking for work and they have 5 kids to feed.......MAYBE they choose not to take welfare benefits and want to earn their keep??

To assume that this mum is collecting money to buy drugs to then shoot up is very unfair and very judgemental.

...and yes polka, many users on the 'good stuff' do hold down very well paid 'respectable' jobs-busking would probably not support either a heroin or cocaine habit IMO.

When was it deemed a crime to:

1. be seen in public playing music? and

2. be seen playing music in public with your children?

.....what if the mum was a Dad?....would this response be different I wonder???!

I say, good on this mum....she is teaching the children that it is okay to ask for help from your fellow mankind in times of need, by DOING something positive:)

[*crikey*mate*]

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@boris1gary wrote:

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@kilroy_is_here wrote:
2 lots of unemployment + 5 kids would add up to about $2000 a fortnight in government benefits

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Again, jumping to a conclusion and I just did the estimate on centerlink, nowhere near $2000.

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even if it is $1000 a week. with 5 kids it doesn't go far!, Not when you have to feed, clothe, pay electricity, gas, heating, water etc

Maybe these circumstances are unexpoected and they're also struggling to try and pay their morgage etc, so as not to lose their house and still have it when they find work and can get back to "normal"

I dunno, that money is not enough to get ahead on, it might be enough to survive from day to day, week to week, but I doubt, for a family of 7, that it is enough to make a change to their circumstances and get them into a position where they can again support themselves and build a future.

[j*oono]

I can't help thinking of the other two kids that might have been at school getting teased about their mum begging at the local shops.

I do not like buskers to be sitting at the entrance to shops.  There is one man at my local one every day.  

I do usually hand over a dollar or two when asked because I don't think anyone should have to have such a tough life.  A really cheeky one scored $5 just recently.

[boris1gary]

another funny one - A couple of weekends ago Mr Boris and I were walking back to the car and we were approached by a couple asking for a couple of dollars. They were well spoken, polite, very healthy and happy looking, I had $5 in my pocket and gave it to them. As we walked away Mr Boris said I was an idiot and a softy, I told him to shut up, that could be us one day. 

Mr Boris replied "Yeah right, as if you would ever go up to someone and ask for money, you would make me do it". 

[freddie*rooster]

No charity would turn a women with 5 children away unless they are habitually wanting hand outs, they would give her vouchers and assistance to pay essential bills. Her husband/partner being out of work would mean they would be receiving Centrelink payments - someone who is prepared to receive money from busking wouldn't be too proud to enroll for Centrelink.