Friday, July 7, 2006

אלץ פאר א פאר דאלאר



Maybe it's me, but I felt bad for this guy last night.

At a Bar Mitzvah I attended I see this guy from the neighborhood, a prominent member of a certain Galicianer Chassidic sect, acting as the "lounge singer", singing with the keyboard player for all to hear. Never mind that in that tiny hall the guy is annoying everybody to death with his loud singing, but he obviously was very uncomfortable at his new job. I know that the guy had tried various jobs, and seemingly was unsuccessful, but this is a bit much, even if you need the cash.

I know that there are entertainers; singers who make their living entertaining people at Simchas, whether Badchonim who also chip in as singers, or regular guys with good voices who decided to take this route on the road to Parnossoh. Yet, I think that for this guy, not the type you expect at a job like this, cash is not always the only reason to do a job, there's a self-respect that needs to be maintained as well.

Yeah, I know you guys will go on about "his courage" to do the right thing to support his family, but c'mon, work at a warehouse or something, or even play in a band, but don't become a lounge singer, please.

A Freilichen Shabbos.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

ay tzigeleh...
you know good & well that a warehouse job doesn't cut it for "our" heimishe size families.
& yes, this guy is doing the right thing by trying to make a living.

However next time you see him, tell him in an איידעלע way to tone it down a bit.

Anonymous said...

i don't know the details , but sounds like the guy is trying to earn an honest living and although uncomfortable gets through it becaus ehe needs to...this is getting rarer every day.

Hirshel Tzig - הירשל ציג said...

N

we know that, nobody's accusing him of dishonest means of survival, I just wish the guy would try something else.

Anonymous said...

tzig,

i say good on him, you think he wants to be doing that? you dont think this guy wishes he had hatzolocho in business or other proffesion? Its not easy to perform infront of people especially heimishe people that he might know.
doing something like this is hard but it is 10 x harder to face your wife and kids and telling them you dont have any money for rent, food, camp, shoes etc.

so next time go over to him and say 'good music, great job you are doing keep it up!' you will make his day

havemeyer

Anonymous said...

Just one more thought on the matter. If all you can do to help this poor chap in פרנסה is to grin & bear it, consider it a bargain. (since you won't have to shell out a few bucks every week when he comes a round to schnorr)

Anonymous said...

I understand how you feel Tzig, although I'm not quite sure why you're embarrassed for him. If he's OK with it why worry?

Also, is it important for us to know that he was from "A Galicianer Chassidic sect", which limits that to two; Bobov and Belz?

Anonymous said...

have u ever not had enough money?

Hirshel Tzig - הירשל ציג said...

Anonymous

have I ever? You've got to be kidding! There's a reason I use "Blogger" to publish this blog, IT'S FREE!