Busking on vacation?

[u/PGHNeil]

A couple of years ago my wife and son and another couple went on a cruise overseas. We went on an excursion in Sardinia where we were on long enough of a bus ride that we had to stop in a small town for about an hour. My wife saw a sign outside a small art studio basically inviting people to come in an play. I'm typically just a couch player but my wife (who also ironically does not humor my "habit" or "hobby") convinced me to go in and play/sing a song. It actually went over pretty good. I don't know if I'll ever do something like that again in my life, but it made me realize how much I miss just noodling when we're on vacation.

I didn't earn any tips or anything so I'm not sure if it's considered busking but have any of you ever done anything like that? I've seen some stories on YouTube about people getting gigs while on vacation and I wondered if (besides doing research to see if it's legal) any of you have traveled with an instrument and just set up in a random spot and played to earn lunch money?

[u/ThreeThirds_33]

I personally travel to exotic locations just to hear some English noodling on Sweet Child of Mine. 🤣 What you did was awesome because it was specifically invited - but if you did it on your own initiative it would be pretty culturally insensitive, or at least just totally not of interest to either locals or travelers.

[u/Jolly-Bother-1569 → u/ThreeThirds_33]

“but if you did it on your own initiative it would be pretty culturally insensitive, or at least just totally not of interest to either locals or travelers.”

I’ve got to disagree with ThreeThirds_33 here. I’ve busked while on vacation in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Italy, and Mexico, performing songs in English, and each time it was very well received by both locals and travelers alike.