Lesson learned..

I would not go so far to call it "etiquette" but I would at least guess that when I took pictures of street performers, living statues or similar that a "tip" is expected. Unless there is a big crowd so no one can really see who is doing what. The "enforcement" to tip by that pimp is not exactly the norm, though.

that's what i thought afterward too.... i almost reached into my pocket for some spare change until i saw what a jerk he was becoming

This is one of those "grey areas". If possible, I will usually ask permission to shoot, but there are times when the performer just gets in the shot because they are there. I'm not shooting them and in that event I owe them nothing.

I've had a few times where they wanted me to pay them, and at the same time I would tell them they needed to pay me so we were even.

dave

Not with street performers but at a church in a small Portugese town I've had a similar experience. I was taking photos of blue-tiled walls. I asked permission to take the pictures but after a few shots a person started yelling at me angrily in Portugese. It became clear that he wanted us to give some money.

That would have been upsetting to me . . . But when taking photos of street performers one should usually leave a small tip at least. If they aren't worth stopping to watch or take pictures then move on and leave nothing. Otherwise, give them something. Just common sense IMO.

If you are spending enought time looking at a street performer to start taking picture a tip - a sizable one if there are a lot of photos is definitely in order. This is how these people making their living. Watching and not tipping is cheap. Taking alot of photos and not tipping is just ridiculous.

This is all true in many/most places in the world,,,, so I hope the readers don't get the wrong impression of Portugal. It is one of the safest, friendliest, honest,happiest places in Europe. We lived there for two years (many years ago), and I think tourists even today will find it a great place to visit.

I agree. If you take a photo tipping would be courteous.

mari5: "so I hope the readers don't get the wrong impression of Portugal. "

I don't think anyone will see this as a slam of Portugal. (more a warning to not be a cheap son of a gun )

Portuguese people are very polite, very religious. However, there are many, many illegal aliens in Lisboa.

These people tend to come from Northern Africa or Portuguese-speaking countries like Mozambique or Angola. Some also come from Brazil.

My ex-husband, Rogerio, was born in Lisboa. We went to visit him once and were constantly harassed whenever we ate outside at a cafe by people trying to sell us cheap sunglasses or Hashish. They were not Portuguese. Most looked like they came from Algeria or Morocco.

It was very annoying.

Pepper

If you want to take a photo, it's always a good idea to toss a bit of money in first, then take the shot.

I agree that if you're standing right in front of the performer and snap a picture that a tip would be in order. But what if you were a few feet further back and took a picture of the wider 'scene', still keeping the performer focal to your picture ? You'd likely not have to part with any coins even though it isn't that much different, is it ? Point being that a few additional feet distance and a zoom could avoid tipping as well as some unpleasantness..

I'd still tip. Thats how buskers earn their keep.

"But what if you were a few feet further back and took a picture of the wider 'scene', still keeping the performer focal to your picture ? You'd likely not have to part with any coins even though it isn't that much different, is it "

I disagree, if one is lingering in the crowd and taking photos, they should tip.

That is not to say being accosted/threatened because one didn't tip is right BTW. But tipping is in order IMO . . .

I was standing off to the side but there wasn't really anyone nearby. i agree that going forward if someone is interesting enough to photograph, a tip is a good idea. Now that i think about it... i did tip some talented musicians and buskers in Madrid.. the ones that either wowed me or made me die of laughter



BTW with the exception of this experience we absolutely loved our time in sunny Lisbon.

The whole point is you are photographing them because you think they are doing something you like and want to keep a photo of, so it is something of value to you. They are entertainers and they are working, you have to pay them. I guess you didn't know that they expected it up front. I would hope most don't try to rough people up, though, so I think that was not very nice, but one shouldn't steal from them, which is basically what one is doing if you take a photo without paying them, it's no different than not paying for entertainment you go to or artwork you buy. It sounds like you were pretty much at fault for thinking you didn't have to pay and you try to get out of it when he indicated what you should do. that wasn't very nice, and you yourself admit you were taking "a lot" of photos without paying and were not keeping it brief.

So I think you are mostly to blame, sorry

That is probably the biggest nonsense I read in ages.

One can agree that it is appropriate to give buskers some money when you watch or take photos.
But you most certainly do not "steal" if you don't.
They are by no way entitled to any payment, and not getting paid is an inherent risk when you are a busker. Similar to having a donation box in a church.

The only person who stepped beyond the line of lawful behavior had been the "pimp" who harrassed and yelled at OP.
The (hypothetical) appropriate reaction would have been to call the police and inform them of this unlawful behavior so that busker and pimp got thrown out of the public place they used for their stunt. Obviously not something you are interested in as a tourist with no or little command of the local language.

I have to agree that it's ridiculous to say that not tipping a busker for watching their performance or taking a picture is 'stealing' from them. Contributions to street art or performance, no matter what, is voluntary, and both sides know that. Your decision to give or not is a personal one.

I didn't say it was 'stealing' - Christina is the only one who used that terminology. It isn't stealing, but taking photos and not tipping is definitely rude.

So we have two people at fault in this equation, the rude photographer and the thuggy 'manager'.