A London street performer felt the wrath of a bypasser – after she spotted her ‘cash or card’ donation sign.
The harpist, who posts on TikTok as @Robyn.hearts.harp, was playing a version of Careless Whisper by George Michael, when the furious woman approached her on the high street in the suburb of Harrow.
In the video created by the harpist, the woman, who is only heard and not seen’ is heard exlaiming: ‘I’m going to report you to Harrow council’.
Attaching subtitles to the video, London based harp player, Robyn tweaked the caption to say: ‘I’m going to report you to Karen council’.
After being accused of illegally begging, Robyn continued calmly playing, and simply responded with ‘alright’.
Robyn, a London-based harp player who regularly posts footage of her busking on TikTok, shared a video of her being angrily approached by the woman in Harrow
The woman then asked if she had permission to be playing on the street, the harpist hit back confidently saying ‘yeah!’.
Assuming she was begging, the boomer continued to berate her saying: ‘I’ve never seen a beggar or anyone begging asking people to put it on their card’.
The harpist patiently assured her she wasn’t begging and was just performing the instrument with payment made by card or cash optional.
Unconvinced and persistent, the complaining woman struck back. ‘You have to “give tip for £2”, that is begging, don’t you know the difference? I’ll ask Harrow Council if you’ve got permission and then they can arrest you!’
Cool as you like: the harpist, who was playing Careless Whisper by George Michael, remained calm in the face of the accusations of begging
The harpist’s TikTok fans were quick to her defence, saying her playing added to the ambience of the high street in Harrow
After confirming twice she did have permission to play, all Robyn could do in response was laugh before her confronter begrudgingly left her in peace.
According to Harrow Council, busking is permitted in designated areas as long as musicians have a license to do so, with two-hour slots available which have to be booked in advance by artists.
Fines can be given to artists who don’t follow to rules or perform within the permitted areas, both of which are on St Ann’s Road in Harrow, where Robyn was seen playing.
Robyn’s TikTok fans were quick top her defence, with one apologising for the rudeness of the woman.
One said: ‘Busking is so hard, and people are impossible. I am so sorry. You play beautifully.’
Another added: ‘You’re so relaxed in your approach with this idiot. Fair play to you, it adds to the ambience of the area. Keep doing what you do!’