| Author | Message | ||
     Francisco New member Username: Pacopancho Post Number: 13 Registered: 5-2008 |
what is the attitude in argentina about hawking (ie. selling something directly on the street to the public)? Do you need a licence? Are there many hawkers? What about beggars? Are there many? Do people tend to give to them? Do they tend to sit down with a sign, or approach people directly with stories? What about busking? Is it common? Do you need a licence? Do people feel happy to give to buskers? | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1671 Registered: 12-2004 |
There are many street vendors who try to sell goods in public venues such as pedestrian Florida st. Goods may include paintings or a performances -busking-. Yes, some people offer money to artists who perform, sometimes to jugglers who perform on red lights while the cars are waiting. I am positive this is regulated and requires licensing, at least the part of street vendors but like anything in Argentina enforcement is a different story so there may be some without a license. As for beggars, you will most often see the children, not the adults, asking for money. Many prefer giving them food instead but the kids would not always take it just to avoid getting beaten down by their parents who are expecting coin. It is also common to see children begging inside restaurants or food places, specially close to marginal zones like Villa 31 in Retiro (wow, wikipedia has an entrance for Villa 31). | ||
| Francisco New member Username: Pacopancho Post Number: 14 Registered: 5-2008 |
thanks, Roberto, for your information. I am keen to hear more about it from other people's points of view. From what you describe, however, it seems that Argentina is a fairly tolerant place. | ||
| Arial Intermediate Member Username: Arial Post Number: 222 Registered: 10-2006  |
Francisco, I almost never give to beggars. I believe that people should work if they want money. But I do donate to the performing artists--the guitarist in the subway, the singers and tango dangers on the street, the mimes. I don't consider it begging. They have the hat or the pan there but they contribute something of value. I like to encourage them and so I carry money in my purse reserved for them. But they have to be good. If it is obvious they have put little effort into what they do, it is okay with me for them to practice there but I don't contribute. | ||
| Roberto Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1687 Registered: 12-2004 |
There is a strange dichotomy in argentines. We are actually somewhat intolerant. You can see this on TV on some of the political shows. You can also see it in the streets how people argue and think about the government and perhaps in the government itself. In circles of friends this comes up as arrogant, know-it-all behaviour. In general, our intolerance takes the shape of being judgmental. But as a society, there is a certain looseness that comes as a result of lack of enforcement at many levels. So although there is the appearance of a 'relaxed' place where everything (or many things) goes and that you can get away with some things (possibly true) there is a bit of intolerance running in the background. Add this to our schizo side and you have a perfect mix for TANGOS. |
