As a native East Coaster (born and raised in the New York City Metro area) I may be able to add a little local perspective on this. Aside from the logical arguments for people generally ignoring this performance - in a hurry, not their style of music, etc., the passersby are observing the normal public social etiquitte for that part of the country. The following etiquitte is based on fear and suspicion: #1-Don't talk to strangers, even if they instigate the conversation (they're sizing you up as an easy mark); #2-Don't look at strangers (you're asking for trouble); #3-If you violate rule #2 DON'T get caught making eye contact (now you have insulted them and are REALLY asking for trouble); #4-NEVER, EVER mess with crazy people (they're totally unpredictable). In this scenario rules #2, #3, and especially #4 apply.

Thankfully I now live where more civilized social rules are the norm, but on the rare occasion when I do have to go back East survival instinct kicks in and I immediately revert to my initial programming and act like the rest of the herd.

 

I would have stopped and listened. And if I didn't have any money to give him, I would have told him that I didn't have anything to give him, but his performance was wonderful! He might have appreciated that more than a dollar tossed in his case.

 

And another point was missed....how many of those people passing by played the stereo type card and "assumed" he was just another street musician making a buck..we are conditioned now to treat these as tolerable nusisances and react accordingly...thus the money thrown withput a glance....

 

Maybe displays like this oblivion is why more people don't drive HHRs!