We sat down for a vegan paella at a restaurant in Barcelona we like specifically for this dish. Plant based dishes are still hard to come by on restaurant menus (more about this in another post). The restaurant is in one of Barcelona’s most beautiful squares – Plaza Real – the Royal Square.
The square is a popular tourist stop, just off ‘La Rambla’. Because of its popularity, entertainers, buskers and artists flaunt their stuff in front of those sitting at tables. The word busker probably originates from the Spanish buscar – meaning ‘to seek’, hence: ‘Seeking in Barcelona’.
Let them entertain you?
While you enjoy your order, a colourful array of ‘seekers’ is busy performing. They belt out opera, play instruments, break dance and juggle. All this creative generosity in the hope of generating a bit of cash.
One such hopeful told us not to leave our phone lying on the table and asked money for his ‘helpful’ advice. We gave him a few coins, for which he displayed a moderate degree of gratitude.
Passing the hat
A caricaturist got seemingly ‘angry’ when he couldn’t sell his work to a family he’d been drawing. He had more luck later with a couple who did like his drawing and his attitude changed for the better.
Certain acts are appreciated more than others and few ‘hats’ get filled more generously. More often, however, acts are ignored and when they ‘pass the hat’ it’s sometimes experienced as a nuisance. It also seems to me that people do not to know how to react when they are asked for money and, like in the case of the caricaturist, feel hustled.
I don’t know what the law is regarding ‘seeking in Barcelona’ (street entertainment) but most don’t hang around for long and move on.
Time to reflect
I was sitting with my back to a man who was juggling. When he came round, I told him that I hadn’t seen his performance. He somewhat aggressively exclaimed that he was 67 and had been in the army as a sniper – he held up a picture as proof. It left me feeling uneasy and made me decide to write this post.
It strikes me that while some entertain with professional passion and dedication some do so out of sheer desperation. For those it’s a way of life maybe not out of choice and we will most likely never know their story. We are the fortunate ones sitting at tables being waited on and entertained (whether we appreciate it or not). I don’t tend to give money for ‘free’ entertainment, unless I feel it’s worthy. But on reflection, what makes it worthy, surely anything we give has value?
Next time you find yourself in a similar situation maybe give a little?