Eric's Beijing Diary

"Everybody wants to get into the act," said Jimmy Durante. At the Beijing Subway stations, a wide variety of people set up their "acts." They are what I call, "passive beggars." They don't shake a tin can in front your face, or pat their stomachs and say, "money." They just perform their act with a hat or coffee can in front of them, so that you can toss in a coin or two.

This young Italian juggler had his act set up just outside the Dongdan subway station. He is traveling around the world with a small group of showmen. He left Italy, and crossed China by train and tall, tall bicycle, and is taking a break in Beijing to get a little rest and, although he didn't say this, presumably to make a few shekels. He was doing pretty well. Ladies, especially, were handing him 5 yuan notes right and left. That's more than I have ever seen them give the blind man with the erhu. Is that fair? Then again, I'll have to admit, this guy was pretty good. Bottom line: people in China just have a lot more disposable income these days, and there are lots of people like him who are trying to syphon some of it off.