Serene British harpist plays on the street, effortlessly disarms demented Karen accusing her of begging: 'You have to tip £2'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
May 20, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Not all buskers are created equal. I'm sure we've all had a shopping trip or a ride on the subway made more stressful from time to time by somebody caterwauling into a microphone for tips. That being said, there are also plenty of genuinely talented people who make the world a brighter place by choosing to share their musical gifts with the general public. 

Whether the public actually appreciates that is another matter, as one British harpist recently had the misfortune of finding out. While playing a beautiful rendition of George Michael's 'Careless Whisper' on the street, she was harassed by a Karen who accused her of begging and claimed that she was going to report her to the council.

The harpist dealt with this intrusion with enviable calm, and the internet was impressed by her reaction. That crazy lady is doing nothing to dispel the stereotype that many British people are miserable. 

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  • 01
    BRYN BORANGA @BRYN_BORANGA Follow actual video of a British person arriving in Heaven
    via BRYN_BORANGA
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    via robyn.hearts.harp
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    Tom Rowsell @Tom Rowsell .3d Replying to @BRYN_BORANGA Her serene indifference is inspiring
    via Tom_Roswell
  • 04
    Tamara Sword @tamsword • 3d Replying to @BRYN BORANGA how the UK treats the creative industries in a nutshell right there
    via tamsword
  • 05
    bong laur@frongychair 3d Replying to @BRYN BORANGA and @postoctobrist in britain, if you hear someone playing music on the street you have to give them £2 on your card or the council arrests you The Joe Rogan Experience
    via frongychair
  • 06
    Cassis @cassisnouveau .3d Replying to @BRYN BORANGA How has she never encountered a busker before? Did they let her out for the first time in her life?
    via cassisnouveau
  • 07
    Allen Ayres ❤ @Allen Ayres 3d Replying to @BRYN_BORANGA "Karen Council" couldn't be more appropriately named and it doesn't sound like even they would be bothered.
    via AllenAyres
  • 08
    Brad Sea @BSEAondeck • 3d Replying to @BRYN BORANGA The best part of this is the Karen Council. What a perfect name for a group that would police street harpists.
    via BSEAondeck
  • 09
    Emmy @Emmmyalluu .3d Replying to @BRYN BORANGA U CAWNT PLAY MUSIC AND BEG FOR MUNEY
    via Emmmyalluu
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    .ZKDID™M ✔ @ZKDID. 3d Replying to @BRYN_BORANGA That's kinda depressing as it doesn't look staged for once
    via ZKDID_
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    Orthodox Tao 正教之... @OrthodoxTao Replying to @BRYN BORANGA Follow I would think that there are more important problems in the UK for the old ladies to be concerned about than street performers
    via OrthodoxTao
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    Rumi @rumikhanx 3d • Replying to @BRYN BORANGA I pass this talented harpist quite often (in Harrow, not Karen) She's always got this peaceful vibe to her, and just does her thing really well. I'm impressed she kept the tune going without having this ridiculous conversation throw her off.
    via rumikhanx
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    Lily Kitsune 18+ @lilyxkitsune. 2d Replying to @BRYN_BORANGA that harp ain't hurting nor bothering anyone why's she so pressed
    via lilyxkitsune
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    Ehsan • @immy_terial 3d British affliction, I fear. Crab mentality, also known as crab theory, [1][2] [a] crabs in a bucket (al mentality, or the crab-bucket effect, is a way of thinking usually described by the phrase "if I can't have it, neither can you". [3] Live crabs in a bucket シ 240 维 Look up crab mentality in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. The metaphor is derived from anecdotal claims about the behavior of crabs when they are trapped in a bucket: while any one crab can easily start to
    via immy_terial
  • 15
    Miles McCormack @Superi Miles 3d Do genuinely hate the people of this country sometimes. I just don't think you get this small minded meanness anywhere else, it seems distinctly British to just decide to take your own pathetic life out on someone doing their best
    via SuperiMiles
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    NJ @NoJusticeMTG ⚫ 2d I bring you harp She's bringing harp! Don't let her get away! - break her legs!
    via NoJusticeMTG
  • 17
    Hanch Tarchup Jr. @misharipov - 3d Watched a few videos by this uk parkour group and every other one had an old british person coming up to them going "get off of there! thas private proparty! what yor doin is very schewpid and illegal!" They see a young person having fun and have this drive to snuff that out
    via misharipov
  • 18
    Devon Gillespie: Viola A... @devronius Follow The fact that the subtitles changed Harrow Council into Karen Council is sending me so hard
    via devronius
  • 19
    BOI @Bolverk15.2d Actual footage of the old Lady reporting the musician to the city council
    via Bolverk15
  • 20
    Princess Space Catt @LiToast ⚫ 3d This video so perfectly encapsulates the british attitude. Doesn't understand what she's looking at (a busker) so getting angry on the assumption they're "begging" (homeless/ poor) because they can't imagine a world in which someone might just want to perform music for tips.
    via LiToast

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busker Music twitter crazy people Twitter Thread shopping harp British stupid people argument funny twitter karen tiktok
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