Categories: Lifestyle

Begpackers Perform Illegally On MRT To Ask for Donations

“Begpackers like these just taking a gap year traveling and expect people to donate to them so they can continue traveling.”

The begpacking phenomenon is becoming increasingly common.
Often, they do it in countries where the average income is far lower than what they could earn working a minimum wage job at home.
A begpacker couple singing on MRT in Singapore angered netizens.

The begpacking phenomenon is becoming increasingly common. The weirdest part of all is that they choose to do it in countries where the average income is far lower than what they could earn working from where they’re from.

With that said, a begpacker couple singing on MRT in Singapore angered a lot of netizens. Begpackers are people who travel backpacker-style on a beggar’s budget. They make it feel like people owe them to have a great time.

For example, a tourist couple gained viral attention on social media for performing “Twist & Shout” on a Singaporean MRT. One netizen shared a 45-second clip of the singing pair, asking for cash.

She captioned it:

“Just a normal day traveling on train and met these amazing tourist on board that brought smiles to a lot faces thank you for starting my day right.”

While the uploader clearly liked the act, others were not too happy about the fact that begpackers believe that they have the right to do anything that they want to get money.

Some of the comments read:

“Begpackers like these just taking a gap year traveling and expect people to donate to them so they can continue traveling.”
“These are the useless begpackers, come to Asia and ask money for traveling. Like some here, I too prefer a [more quite] ride.”
“No. I rather enjoy my time in the MRT peacefully and quiet with only my music from my earpieces. Already the aunties next to me talk so loud. Adding to that, a ukulele performance? No F*CKING thanks.”

Apparently, busking without a permit can mean getting penalized for S$10,000 in Singapore, and this law applies both for locals and foreigners. This is where the problem lies since some tourists come to Asian countries without learning about laws and customs, expecting locals to support their wanderlust.