PalQ

It seems everywhere i go in Europe i see, or often hear in the distance, a lonesome bagpiper, clad in Scottish Tartan costume, piping away. And i just don't care for bagpipe music - at least not the solo pipers - now pipe bands are different. It's just that this wailing sound travels so far you can't escape it. And whilst i may enjoy hearing the ubiquitous piper piping away when i emerge from Edinburgh's Waverly train station because it is Scotland, i don't cotton to hearing the sound all over Europe.
Much like the Inca bands that once inundated every European tourist mecca, it may have been a novelty at first but now becomes an irritation!
In the popular book on Ireland i read that year - can't think of name, the author pointed out that bagpipes were originated in Ireland, and the Irish exported them to the Scots, "who never got the joke"!
Am i the only old crotch who feels this way? What do you think?

P_M

I saw a bagpiper on the observation deck of the tower in Munich. (sorry, can't recall the name of the tower) Tourists would come up to him, give him money, and have their picture made with him. To us he seemed really out of place, and we wondered why anyone would come home from a trip to Germany and be anxious to show off pics w/a bagpiper. Obviously we passed on this photo op.

Although it seemed a bit odd to find a bagpiper in Germany, I suppose he's making an honest living so I can't complain. Bagpipers are like any other street entertainer, you can either pay them or ignore them.

Pausanias

I like them, at least in Scotland, and since having been to Scotland.

Not sure I'd want to hear them in Rome, or for too long anywhere.

I stayed in a hotel room overlooking the Zocalo in Mexico City once. At first, I enjoyed the sounds of the "Aztec" drummers coming through the window. After a few hours, though, I wished I'd brought a rifle.

PalQ

I agree with all you say - it's just that you can't ignore their wailing sounds that travel so far. But yes i don't begrudge their effort to make some coin - it's not a piece of cake playing all day - all that blowing! I'm not for banning any street entertainment as this is a large part of why we enjoy Europe so much.

Worktowander

The pipers don't bother me - I'm one of the rare few who loves the way they sound.

But I wholeheartedly back the sentiment on this bumper sticker:

"Play an accordion, go to jail."

P_M

I must say I felt sorry for the guy on the tower in Munich. It was very cold and windy on that tower, and if it's true that they wear nothing under the kilt....well, you get the idea. He must not have felt very good about himself that day.

PatrickLondon

"A gentleman is one who knows how to play the bagpipes - but doesn't".