NO BUSKERS ALLOWED!

Busking is not seen in a good light in Sweden. In fact, it seems that busking is seen as a form of begging.


I have to say I was surprised by this. I come from Oxford, a city where the council have established specific busking regulations and guidelines to ensure the public, the surrounding businesses and the buskers themselves are treated fairly. Buskers must apply for a (free) license and receive a booklet of these regulations, which include where a busker can busk and for how long.


But in this little town in Sweden, no way Mister! I almost got the impression that if I busked in the town centre I would bring shame on myself and my family! Strange. This is a pretty little seaside town, and I can't imagine why there aren't musicians ranged along the harbour (as in Cornish towns in England).


Now perhaps I am not being fair. I live in a Swedish town, not a large city where there is more tolerance. If I started busking in some small towns in England I would certainly get dirty looks! But nevertheless, this is the very first time I have encountered a more restricted, conservative outlook in Sweden. Despite the generally laid-back attitude of the Swedes there are still little pockets of conservative thinking below the surface. Just like anywhere. At any rate, in my town there are NO BUSKERS ALLOWED!  


NOTE: compare this to my post about censorship in Sweden (click HERE). I suppose even the Swedes are conservative about some things!