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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@catsnknots wrote:

There use to be a well known beggar in Melbourne... you would see him every day all disheveled and holding a poor me sign with his loyal dog by his side..... the police did an investigation on him after several complaints and it was found that he was claiming benefits but living in a very expensive property. They calculated that he was earning about $600 to $700 per day of cash in hand donations from unsuspecting well meaning people. He lived a very privileged life on that money.... and he was good at his job that was begging.... 

I believe it was after that episode that the Melbourne council put in a few more laws about begging. 

BUT on the OP's post, I actually admire some people that do out and busk for a few extra dollars.... that is not begging it is working for cash. Good on her. I hope her hubby finds a job. 

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So the bloke in Melbourne was an entrepreneur

[lloydslights]

I hope her husband was either genuinely seeking prospective employers on that day or at Centrelink or busking as well.

And yes, Boris, through experience of being "taken in" by my former ignorant and compassionate views, I am suspicious.  Sad and suspicious of what human beings are capable of doing to each other.

Like opening your purse to get change, and they steal the purse.

DEB

[silverfaun]

Not knowing her circumstances I can only say "good on her" to do that with 3 children in tow is amazing and brave.

She could easily sit at home on the dole and do nothing but to organize herself and three children is amazing no matter what.

[freddie*rooster]

She could also be puting that $$ up her arm, that's why I would prefer to buy food.

[fourandsixpants]

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

[boris1gary]

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@lloydslights wrote:

I hope her husband was either genuinely seeking prospective employers on that day or at Centrelink or busking as well.

And yes, Boris, through experience of being "taken in" by my former ignorant and compassionate views, I am suspicious.  Sad and suspicious of what human beings are capable of doing to each other.

Like opening your purse to get change, and they steal the purse.

DEB

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I don't consider being compassionate with being ignorant and I never get my purse out of my handbag when giving to anyone on the street. I've never had my purse or bag snatched and have never been pick pocketed. I am a little sad and suspicious of what humans are capable of doing to each other but generally these views are reserved for the real parasites and dangers in society, the idle rich and war mongering governments.

[soul_art]

I really dislike emotional blackmail and that's what this woman was doing.  If she was by herself I would give money, if she was with her children without the sign, I would give money but by using her circumstances to try tugging on peoples heart strings, would make me think before giving money, I'd  have just bought food/fruit etc for the children

Having worked with an agency working with pregnant women/families I am cynical as I've seen/heard it all before.

[spotweldersfriend]

Who knows? One of those kids might end up being the next Diana Krall or Frank Sinatra*


*You'll note I have used the names of artists who can actually sing:)

[lis351]

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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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Are you kidding me??!! Some of the greatest musicians/singers/songwriters ever were drug addled. Some of their best work was probably when they were high. LOL.

[boris1gary]

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@soul_art wrote:

I really dislike emotional blackmail and that's what this woman was doing.  If she was by herself I would give money, if she was with her children without the sign, I would give money but by using her circumstances to try tugging on peoples heart strings, would make me think before giving money, I'd  have just bought food/fruit etc for the children

Having worked with an agency working with pregnant women/families I am cynical as I've seen/heard it all before.

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How do you know that she was using "emotional blackmail".  What should she have done with her children? I would call this jumping to conclusions with nothing to back it up except cynicism, I have also "heard it all before". I have heard all the cynical, judgemental and self righteousness of those that make snap judgements with no real facts, it's a little sad.