I was booked at sand castle festival this weekend here in town.
I set up in front of a restaurant nearby after my gig where I
often eat during the week.

Crate Slug Dan McTavish arrived about 3 hours after I was set up
and started yelling that he has been performing on this spot for
over ten years. His words,

"Get Lost, you don't belong here, I do. I'm going to remember your face!"

One of the restaurant employees heard him yelling and called over management.
The restaurant manager explained to him that I would be performing on that
spot for the weekend. I remained silent and let the manager handle it.

His wife started making threats and begging folks not to tip me, but that
they should tip the silver statue instead for his inconvenience.

A passing harbor police on a bicycle warned her that this was aggressive
pan handling. She continued, the silver statue was pulled aside then given
a citation for some offense.

I was willing to share the pitch but when he and his wife started making
threats, I decided to stand my ground. I wonder my friends, has this ever
happened to you?

I decided to search for him on youtube and lo and behold there he was.
Apparently he has a pattern for this type of behaviour.

Video of said Perpetrator

We are supposed to be united and stand up for all buskers, but this type
of behaviour will either burn the pitch or ruin it for future workers.
I would like to ask you what your thoughts on this matter are?

You handled it like a true Pro, human being and TOUGH Marine! Their words were shallow and cheap: the Universe took care of the rest.

I admire you as a person and performer!

Very kind of you to say so Mr. Clarke!

I really am interested in hearing how other folks have
responded to similiar incidents.

Funny if he has been performing for so long he really is not even that good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y986ObqKask

I don't see him getting an cash. Does he have a partner that bullies people?

It's about the ART man , not about the money! sheesh!

Ok well there is no art there either

Somebody dropped something in the bucket about 3:15 mark (though it was painful to get that far). Amazed he scared more people off than brought them in. His pointing a finger at them really not a good technique. Scares them off. Other crate slugs I've seen make a move as people pass by but not aggressively at them.

I think all of that mercury-based paint has long since gotten to the brain...that was painful to watch.

Owwwwwwwwchhhhh... there's 4 minutes of my life that could have been better spent checking for prostate cancer.

He looks like the illegitimate offspring of Michael Jackson and the Silver Surfer...

Based upon your observations of his "work", you can see why
the restaurant didn't mind having someone new in front of their
establishment.

Having said that my point in sharing this situation that occurred
on a pitch wasn't to strictly bash Dan McTavish for his rude actions,
but to ask how you have handled similiar situations.

I must admit thought that going back to watch him getting a ticket
does give me a bit of guilty pleasure. http://youtu.be/Nh-JTc8Futw

p.s. Someone asked, if someone bullies the traffic? The answer is
yes his girlfriend. She pretends to be a passer by and begs them
to tip him, because he is "Good".

"Do you believe in Free speech? Yes, you say? Great then how about
giving a speech at our next convention for Free!"

I once met a silverman in Bangkok who was a total meanie. He eventually ruined a pitch for performers and managment didn't want any performer anymore.

its hard to take that video serious while hes in costume...

I've always maintained the number one thing that has giving me the most grieve on the streets, hasn't been cops, hecklers, by-laws, etc... but by far.......other Buskers.
Usually not other performers such as magicians or jugglers but the likes of Pan pipe/flute bands, ballooon twisters, break dancers, balloon twisters, portrait drawers, and statues. Not all of course, but some.(I've met some great people in those categories). Dealing with some of these twits has been a real challenge.

Sadly diplomacy, logic, discussion, won't work with this type of person. However I have found that most often they are gutless and will back down when push comes to shove (note the use of most often, not always). But it really isn't worth risk getting into a fist-fight over.

I imagine the artists who do statues there is a some logic in them......but the statues from Pakistan or Romania there would be no logic.

Saw him working in front of anthonys last time I was in san diego, he seemed to be doing okay. good spot there

I've always liked these guys. They perform at Waterfire in Providence.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYMrjc06EyM
(Skip ahead to 1:10 to miss the opening titles, which drag.)