The Busker, the Beggar, and the Latter-day Saint

The busker is the most common nuisance on the metro system in Brussels. There seem to be under ten of these guys, and often they collaborate and play duets. Most of them play the accordion with the clarinet, saxophone and violin also being common, and unfortunately they have a limited repertoire of at most two songs. The same buskers seem to play the same music, and have done so for all the years I've lived here. I refuse to give them money because not only do they play the same song repeatedly, but they play them so badly they do music an injustice.

A new trend has begun though, with a new form busker appearing. This guy comes along with a shopping caddy filled with a battery powered speaker, amplifier and apparently some sort of cheap Casio keyboard that plays a melody he can sing along to with a microphone.

As irritating as buskers are, beggars come second and are common particularly during the winter season. They arrive on a metro carriage and announce that they are homeless and any donation would be helpful. However, I have difficulty donating money since the social security system here in Belgium is so good, they can go on chômage (the dole) so easily and obtain a wage that would help them get back on their feet.

Finally, this time of year also includes emissaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who mostly come from Canada for some reason. These kids arrive in same-sex pairs donning neat suits with little name badges and fashionable tote bags. The guys seem to be prepared to talk to you about being saved, regardless of if you're looking busy pretending to send an SMS or not. The girls don't seem to be so enthusiastic. They're mostly harmless, and I mention them only because I personally despise intrusive religions.

Now, the best way to deal with all of this is to be anti-social. The use of an anti-social device such as a mobile phone or an iPod can help, but you need to master staring out a window in pure nonchalance. I don't seek to scare people away from public transport though: It's not all bad.

Every weekday morning, I can tell if I'm running late to work because I see Rubik's Cube Man at Annessens, heading towards De Brouckère metro station. This guy, without fail, paces back and forth with a Rubik's Cube in his hand, repeatedly shuffling and solving the puzzle. After clocking him one morning, he seems capable of solving the cube in around 25 seconds, so I'm sure Ernő Rubik would approve.

Another example might be Coke Man. I've only ever seen Coke Man on Saturday mornings after he's been shopping. Amusingly, he always has a six-pack of 1.5 litre Coca-Cola bottles, and whilst waiting for a metro he likes to drink a can of the stuff.

Life is amusing at times.