Look at the picture. What do you see?
What is the value the musician is delivering to the passengers?
Would you stop and listen? The following is a wonderful study
conducted by the Washington Post.
Washington , DC Metro Station on a cold January
morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six
Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time
approx. 2 thousand people went through the station,
most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a
middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing.
He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and
then hurried to meet his schedule.
4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar: a woman
threw the money in the hat and, without stopping,
continued to walk.
6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him,
then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him
along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the
violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the
child continued to walk, turning his head all the
time. This action was repeated by several other
children. Every parent, without exception, forced
their children to move on quickly.
45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people
stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave
money but continued to walk at their normal pace.
The man collected a total of $32.
1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one
noticed.. No one applauded, nor was there any
recognition.
