"FainaAgain wrote: "I hope you are a female and can offer the world's oldest service job"

"No need to be sexist! There are opportunities for men also. [Or so I am told.]"

Yeah, you got that right. Plenty of men out their peddling their wares.

PS-You could sing instead of beg. You know, have the open guitar case so people can through their change in.LOL

I meant to say throw change, my hands are typing faster than my brain.

Brookwood, I don't think even the best Spanish prisons are offering mixed-sex double rooms...

Zerlina wrote: "I don't think even the best Spanish prisons are offering mixed-sex double rooms..."

Not everybody wants mixed-sex rooms.

Brookwood presumably would. He specifically mentions that he travels with his girlfriend.

Assumptions, assumptions. I see no evidence that brookwood is male.

>>In S.Fran, on Fishermans Wharf, I saw a 'busker' sitting on a curb, with a bucket and a sign:
"Beer Money". <<

That's nothing. I saw one (I think I have a photo somewhere) with a sign "NEED $ FOR WEED".

That would only work in Amsterdam, perhaps. Try it in England, and people will think you're offering to tidy up their garden.

What about "exotic dances" in the streets?

Don't worry, Brook, we'll find something suitable for you :)

In a typical german fashion a beggar is sitting in the underpass every day, playing on his accordeon. Right above him the sign

"This building is decicated to public transport, begging, loitering and making music strictly forbidden. The city of Munich" ;-)

What did you do with the money your mom gave you --- for music lessons?

I figure you can either play a musical instrument on the street or get a sheet and some face paint and pretend to be a statue.

Either way most of your money will come from American tourists, they're the only ones likely to be impressed.

Brookwood is a guy. See his earlier posts.

Brook:

Beating the Euro (in style):

First, you must go to Lima to study with the PPPA....the "peripatetic Peruvian pipers association".....they're everywhere in Europe...just saw them on Rua Augusta in the Baixa, Lisbon...have also seen them in Tours, Strasbourg,Stockholm, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Athens and Florence. If you speak Spanish, they'll teach you to "pipe" or perhaps "bongo"...

I have a theory that these groups (probably 30-50 of them), all gather in Lima on a Sunday morning, and are transported to Paris by the Peruvian government, from where they disperse to dozens of oher cities, and by Monday evening, they're piping away. Two weeks later they fly home for a week's stay, and then go through the same cycle the next week. Unfortunately, their handlers take the bulk of the proceeds...now, that's the job you should go for...PPPA Handler!

stu t.

Aside: Begging is a business. Kantors report that beggar chiefs (managers) regularly come into to change coins to bills or home currency. Their take is impressive.
Years ago my grandmother kept a woodpile. Tramps begging meals or cash were offered employment! Few availed themselves of it I like the Florida beaches...there is a parade of 'can pickers' moving from one trash bin to the next. Best scheme: Trawling dumps for paper to make paper fire bricks!

Your existing airline ticket is a sunk cost and should not be a major consideration in your travel decision.

Living statues seem to be en vogue. No need to speak or do much, no language/artistic/musical skills required, just stand still. You'll need to carry a fancy costume, though, which may be a problem in a carry-on.

The pipers all come from some village in I believe Ecuador, not Peru, and they are out of fashion - now it is a random set of notes and rhythms on a concertina. No tune detectable. I haven't seen the pipers for a few years now.

Best buskers I saw were Mongolian throat singers in the Rijksmuseum tunnel, making full use of the acoustics! Even I threw them a few coins.

oh, just find someone to sue. It's the American way.

I say wink coyly at a possible sugar momma/daddy for a cheap time in Europe.

Brook - it's obvious you haven't been to Europe very often. Begging really is gauche and not acceptable in most refined circles. Besides, you have to be fluent in so many languages. Shoplifting is possibly an idea but is fraught with potential dangers - like having that unintended extended vacation, which may well go beyond your return, nonrefundable flight. Not good.

No, the best idea is to dress as a local and have your picture taken (for a fee of course) by the American tourists, especially the first-timers who haven't read a guide book and have never heard of Fodors. They won't confuse you with real "natives". In Munich, put on the Lederhosen and park yourself in front of the Hofrau Haus, do a little yoddling - and voila (oops, guess that would be in Paris) you're in business.

In London dress like Prince Philip (better yet, the Queen) and walk in, say, Regents Park or stroll down Brompton Rd or anywhere the tourists are - gotta be a winner. Americans would pay BIG bucks for those pictures. Maybe you could even "shop" at Harrods or Selfridges and get some free stuff - much like American pro sports figures [they always get free things like cars, trucks even they're the most likely to be able to afford these things in the first place].

The possibilities are endless - just don't get carried away in Rome near the Vatican.

You are invited to You Tube. Enter -Art of Begging Street Dance, and you will find your answer.

If that is not for you, you may wish to watch Mel Brooks' "Life Stinks" for additional ideas and caveats.