We sat down for a vegan paella at one of our favourite restaurants in Barcelona, a place we return to specifically for this dish. Plant-based options are still surprisingly difficult to find on many restaurant menus, but that’s a topic for another post. The restaurant overlooks one of Barcelona’s most beautiful squares: Plaça Reial, the Royal Square.
Just off La Rambla, the square is a popular stop for tourists and locals alike. Its constant flow of visitors attracts a colourful cast of entertainers, buskers, and artists who perform among the outdoor tables. Interestingly, the word “busker” is thought by some to derive from the Spanish verb buscar — “to seek.” Whether or not that is true, Plaça Reial is certainly a place where many come seeking something.
Let them entertain you?
As you enjoy your meal, a lively array of “seekers” performs around you. Opera singers belt out arias, musicians play their instruments, dancers spin and breakdance, and jugglers keep objects airborne with impressive skill. All this creativity is offered in the hope of earning a few euros from appreciative spectators.
One such hopeful approached our table and advised us not to leave our phone unattended. Having delivered his helpful warning, he promptly asked for a contribution. We handed over a few coins, which he received with a measured degree of gratitude.
Passing the hat
Not far away, a caricature artist appeared visibly frustrated when he failed to sell a portrait he had been sketching for a family. Later, however, he found more receptive customers. A couple purchased one of his drawings, and his mood improved as quickly as his fortunes.
Certain acts are appreciated more than others, and some hats are filled far more generously. More often, however, performers are ignored and the moment they pass the hat can feel awkward, even intrusive. It seems to me that many people simply don’t know how to react when asked for money and, as in the case of the caricaturist, may feel as though they are being hustled.
I don’t know what the regulations are regarding street entertainment in Barcelona, but most performers don’t stay in one place for long. They move on, seeking a more receptive audience elsewhere.
Time to reflect
I was sitting with my back to a man who had been juggling nearby. When he eventually came around collecting contributions, I explained that I hadn’t seen his performance. He reacted sharply, telling me that he was 67 years old and had served in the army as a sniper. He even held up a photograph as proof. The encounter left me feeling uneasy and ultimately prompted me to write this post.
It struck me that while some people perform with professional passion and dedication, others may do so out of necessity. For them, street entertainment may be less a choice than a means of survival. We will most likely never know their stories.
Meanwhile, we are the fortunate ones, sitting comfortably at restaurant tables, being served and entertained – whether we appreciate the entertainment or not.
I don’t usually give money for unsolicited performances unless I feel they have earned it. But reflecting on that raises an interesting question: what makes one performance worthy and another not? To someone relying on the kindness of strangers, surely any contribution has value.
The next time you find yourself in a similar situation, perhaps consider giving a little. Not necessarily because the performance deserves it, but because the person might.