This thread is going to regard leaving tips for street buskers.

Use sunscreen when street busking. Especially when performing in the sun. Sun rays can cause extreme damage to the skin.

If you sweat a lot, you might want to bring at least one additional shirt to your pitch.

Look both ways before you cross the street.

Pour water into a bottle, freeze it overnight and take it with you. Be careful opening the bottle the next day!

Ill give some esoteric ones I've been think about.

don't give people too many options - ie say watch this not please watch this etc
justify everything with a because whenever possible. ie/ watch this.....because you will always remember it - tip me ......because I have to pay the land lord etc - always give a because to keep them involved.

if something goes wrong with props/hecklers etc- consider that the show DOESN'T need to go on. Its not like your in a theater etc - if something big goes wrong - its hard to keep going (and some like to hang around to see the train wreck but not tip) - bring the show to an end - do some close up for those at the front - those who want to stay will stay and start again in a few moments once re composed. Any idiot hecklers etc will leave and you can start afresh- the street is so flexible that you may as well take advantage of it when you need.
some will disagree with this but there is nothing worse than doing your show if its not going well and a fresh start can do wonders - rather than toiling on in difficult conditions for a tiny hat - (its enough to make you want to go home early!) - stop - grab the reigns back and start again.
I did a watch steal (making it obvious to all except him) and the guys (moronic and ever so masculine) wife charged up and grabbed it of me like it was stealing it and she with her keen eyes and mind and caught me in the act.
I carried on but the whole thing made the audience unsettled - in such a situation - stop and reform a few min later -


inform them you'd rather not have anything under a certain £££ level ie/ that a handshake means more than 20p - thus you have informed them of an appropriate level of tipping and if your any good - they will meet that suggested level - also don't under sell yourself if you think your show is worth 3 pounds - don't be modest! say so and most will give you two.

Be wary of people who have no experience giving you advice about busking. I speak as someone who knows.

Oh, by the way, my only busker like experience was when I was doing yo-yo stuff while waiting for a parade. I got a small crowd, but didn't think to pass the hat.

Sunscreen will do you a lot of good when you pass out due to dehydration. Remember to drink lots of WATER, not beer, Kool-Aid, etc. but water to keep your hydration up. And if you stop sweating, your in trouble.

Stay away from dark coloured beverages... coffee, tea, cola's they all tend to be di-uretics and you need more water, not less. Sunscreen & comfy shoes...

Watch the weather, it might be a beautiful day but become windy or storming without much notice b/c your busy performing.

Wear white at night
Never believe another busker's hat stories...they rank up there with fish

So Zoob,

How's come you think all fish are liars?

What do ya got against fishes anyway?

I believe anything told to me by a fish.
Seems like the right thing to do.
G

I'm with ya on that one.

Belizeans have a saying, "When fish come from river bottom and tell you alligator has a belly ache, believe him"

I have no earthly clue what they meant when they said that. But I'm pretty sure it means if a fish starts talking to ya, either change your meds or start taking notes.

Isn't this post self contradictory? Just sayin' !!!

Keep a picture of your kids with you. seriously! when ever you have a kid start shouting out whats comming next like,for example, Melon!!!!!!!! or things like. it s in the other hand. As soon as this behavior starts I walk over to the kid pull out my wallet and show him a picture of my little one. I tell him to look @ the picture. this is what I do for a living and when you yell that stuff I don't make as much money and that is like steeling from my kid which I have a big problem with. That has worked like a charm for me whenever those situations come up. If you don't have kids just put a pic of someone elses kid in your walet. or maybe not that is a little creepy.

I love how most of this is is about being in hot weather - we sure as hell don't have that problem in the UK

and yes gaddy it was! lol

Two words Gel insoles

Too true Danny.
Wouldn't go out without them.
G

Does anyone carry around a chair? It seems like that would be a good idea, to get a rest for a few minutes...

I like sitting on things that make me look like "part of the environment", so no, I don't.

Shiny and sounding tricks that can lead to attracting more attention.