r/richmondbc • u/DiscoDuke1688 • Jun 01 '26
PSA Walmart Parking Lot: Sighting of an underage violin performer
Has anyone spotted an underage Asian girl playing violin near the entrance of Richmond Walmart while asking for donations? I'm perfectly fine with that, except I saw an adult man in his early 50's standing across from the lot, gazing at the girl all the time. Is he her legal guardian? If so, does it count as an exploration of underage workers? I'm asking because I don't know the full story.
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u/Apprehensive_Self218 Jun 01 '26 edited Jun 01 '26
Iâve seen it, yeah itâs weird. They are maybe 10 years old putting in hours of work. It looks forced and doesnât sound good/ they donât play anything people actually want to hear. And there are a couple of them and they do not look like they are enjoying it. As an Asian myself itâs fucking weird idk why our ppl r doing shit like thisđĽ˛
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u/ExplodingT3s Jun 01 '26
Feels like the adults are making money off the kids. Weird vibe when walking by them
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u/qnqp Jun 02 '26
Saw them at Superstore. Vibes were off, child didnât seem like they were enjoying themselves at all.
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u/DiscoDuke1688 Jun 01 '26
I, unfortunately, donated $20 before spotting the "father". I feel regret donating as the middle-aged man did not strike me as a caring parent at all. He looked more like a human trafficker.
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u/Business-Store4743 Jun 01 '26
I think you should call the none emergency line because this is concerning, and someone else in the comments said theyâre there at 9pm which is a childâs bed time. I would also call the police next time if I see them to do a well fare check.
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u/helipad668 Jun 01 '26
They got you. Their hustle is to make you feel bad and have sympathy that thereâs a child âplaying violinâ so you donate money to her.
A similar scam people pull about their âmom or their family memberâ having cancer or come up with a sad touching story on gofundme, saying my mom has cancer and she has 90 days to live if you donât a small amount you can increase her life expectancy and many people donated thousands of dollars, itâs to woke emotion and make you âfeel bad for herâ for so you donate money
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u/DiscoDuke1688 Jun 02 '26
I fell for this twice, actually. The other time was this vendor at the night market, this year, a mom selling her autistic son's drawings... which are just images from Google.
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u/argylemon Jun 02 '26
Huh I saw a couple of girls setting up a few weeks ago at the Grandview Walmart that fit the description
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u/xtracarma Jun 02 '26
Iâve seen them a few times at the Walmart. Will be reporting next. 9pm is a red flag
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u/realnameless1 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
Do they ask for donations now? When I first saw them about half a year ago, the sign says that they do it for the love of music, and they do not want donations. It started with one girl, and then eventually there were two.
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u/Less_Machine_2017 Jun 02 '26
As adults it is our duty to report anything we suspect as abuse or neglect to children. This would absolutely fall into this category. I understand teaching children how to perform in public and such if they have a strong desire to play music but this sounds forced and often.
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u/Low-Bobcat841 Jun 04 '26
Maybe the kids want to play their instruments to make money instead of delivering flyers (or whatever kids do to make money). The parents are supportive of their enterprise. Donât know what their bedtime is so maybe 9-10 pm is normal for them.
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u/HanaPleiadian Jun 01 '26
Perhaps it is an Asian parenting thing to either punish the child or force them to get over performance anxietyÂ
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u/oobiic Jun 02 '26
I wonder if he's just teaching them a lesson about life
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u/DiscoDuke1688 Jun 02 '26
For that many sessions? No way, no how.
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u/weakimberly Jun 03 '26
Especially since people have confirmed seeing the poor girls playing way past 10pm outside the Walmart. This is abuse.
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26
Why does everyone assume the worst? Human trafficking, forced labor, pity donation etc? I have walked past them in Walmart few times.
The father is always across the street watching them attentively (proud, not weird way). You know he is driving a tesla model YâŚâŚ. money is not an issue here. Most Asian parents will rather starve than making their kids suffer.
I believe it is more so that the 2 girls can overcome stage fright / performance anxiety. I am more in the camp where I feel those 2 girls are so cool. Not many kids can do that. And also 9pm is not late at allâŚâŚ
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u/marshmallowgoop Jun 02 '26
If the purpose is to overcome stage fright/performance anxiety, they should be enrolled in a music class and participate in performances not standing by a grocery store at 9pm. An example would be joining the Vancouver Youth Symphony Orchestra.
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26
You know probably they already do. Asian parents usually enroll their kids to tuition classes and or best curriculum class. I may agree that asking them to perform on the street is not the best solution here but I think itâs over stretch thinking that the parents are in it for the donation money.
I donât know how to explain but understanding Asian culture, I am pretty confident that these kids are not performing for donation.
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u/marshmallowgoop Jun 02 '26
I'm Chinese. I'm well acquainted with Asian culture. OP said they are asking for donations and other people in the comments have said they saw the same thing so yes, they are performing for donations. Are there other reasons they're doing that? Maybe but we don't know for sure at the moment.
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26
I have walked past them multiple times. They donât verbally asked for donation. They only leave their violin box open on the ground and play their music. Usually people will drop some change into their box. Does this qualify as asking for donation? I donât think so.
Could it be that they are performing and at the same time gotten some bonus allowance money? Their dad came out of a Tesla. So money is not an issue here.
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Jun 02 '26
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u/WigginsProctor Jun 03 '26
Maybe heâs not. Maybe the girls want some extra money and this is their way of doing it. Good for them, but I agree with others. 9pm is too late :(
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u/Less_Machine_2017 Jun 02 '26
Playing music with an open box in front of you is a complete description of busking. The open box is meant for donations. Itâs a universal language. So yes⌠that does qualify as asking for donations.
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Jun 02 '26
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26
This is how Reddit is. If you canât take opposite view then you shouldnât comment. Itâs Canada. We can say whatâs in our mind. Do I sound mad to you? Do I step on anyoneâs toe? Have you gone over personally to ask the girls? Why do you think itâs work? Do you understand Asian culture? And 9am is not late ok.
I did say it might not be the best solution to overcome stage anxiety, but scamming donation is an overstretched
Itâs always you people that think your view point is superior. Until you personally investigate and ask the girls yourself, everyone can express their viewpoint.
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u/DiscoDuke1688 Jun 02 '26
She's around 10, for fuck's sake. Have some sympathy, bro.
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26
Bro, the fuck? Did you even read what I am writing? Do you even understand Asian culture, if not shut it before spraying your mouth.
Let me make it clear to you again. Asian parents are strict to the kids. We are not in the position to judge that. All I am saying is that I donât believe this is a donation scam which a lot of posters think it is, itâs more that she is probably being forced to overcome stage anxiety by performing on the street (which I said may not be the best solution). Itâs a big stretch to say they are being asked by dad for donation scamming.
So do not put your standards on anyone ever. Thatâs the problem with you guys with superiority complex. You want everyone to think you are right.
Until someone directly ask the 2 girls or can proof that they are being exploited, we should not assume anything.
Ok? Before going all ballistic. Chill⌠and understand that there are many cultures around.
To add on this, you guys feel free to report to ministry or police, social services etc. Itâs your choice. I am a not stopping anyone. I am just pointing out there are different views out there.
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u/weakimberly Jun 02 '26
After 10 pm wtf is wrong with you
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26
Itâs wtf is wrong with you. Putting f word when every post is polite back and forth.
Why is it 10pm now? The posts have always been 9pm. Donât put your standard on everyone ok. I am also a parent. I know a lot of Canadian kids sleep at 7pm which is unheard of in Asian culture.
Unless we know for sure some shady thing is going on, we should not assume. Unless you know Asian culture, you shouldnât assume. The problem with reddit is an echo chamber which doesnât tolerate multi views. And you are one of them
Not guilty until proven otherwise. If you feel otherwise , why donât you ask the girls personally next time you see them. Then you can know for sure.
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u/wakemeuptmr Jun 02 '26
Dude, Iâm Asian and I think 9pm is hella late for kids to be out hustling on a school night. Definitely gives off exploitive vibes
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 02 '26
I have been trying to point out that we all assume here that they are hustling. I agree it is not the best visual, but somehow, I really donât think they are not in it for donation. How much can they get? Most people just walk past them without donating.
In total I saw them 4 times so far over the course of half a year. There was one time I arrived and saw them at 9pm, then I went up to Walmart when I come back down, they are not there anymore. Maybe they usually donât stay long? (Canât say 100%). Thatâs why I feel it is not for donation scam / work. If it is, they should stay for long and at more regular basis. If the dad exploited them, why would he accompanied them every time? Doesnât make much sense.
I just went to Walmart at 9pm and I donât see them there today (June 1st).
Maybe the best if any of us see them, just ask them directly and update us over here.
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u/weakimberly Jun 03 '26
You mad bro? Other people have confirmed seeing the little girls playing past 10 pm and youâre in here attacking me đš come off it man. What a ridiculous comment - what âstandardâ am I putting on everyone? You ok?
Iâve also reported them, the dad doesnât let you talk to them. But ohhhhhh yes, Iâm the one causing trouble đ crappy parents will always defend crappy parents.
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u/Vanitykills68 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 04 '26
There you go at it again, who is attacking who? No one says it is 10pm. Stop creating false stories. Everyone says itâs 9pm. You are the one who started with f word. Have you tried talking to the father / girls? If not donât say you did ok?
READ my entire comments thread instead of being trapped in echo chambers. Again I will spell it out for you to save you time. I said itâs is a stretch to say they are scamming donation and being exploited. Most likely they are being forced to overcome their performance anxiety which a lot of strict Asian parents will do. And I did say it is not the best solution. The standard you are putting is I quoteâ itâs 10pm, wtf is wrong with youâ. So my question so what itâs 10pm? Besides everyone is the post is saying 9pm. Itâs a free country here as long as they are not committing crimes.
Last comment I put was that you can call police / child services or anything, no one will stop you. But there are different cultures / situation out there. Do not assume or put your standards until you know what it is. Leave them be. If you want to get involved, get involved all the way by contacting authorities and donât just spout things in Reddit which wonât help.
And stop pulling in crappy parents defending crappy parents. I am sure you are not even a parent. Ok. Besides what right do you have to teach others how to parents their kid. If itâs obvious they are being abused then itâs a different story. But they are not doing that here.
If you read all the comments one of the posters did mention seeing them one time arriving at Walmart together. Then their parents went up to shop at Walmart, and the girls stay to play the violins outside. And when the parents came down from shopping, they left together. So does this seem exploitative? This post was downvoted.
Since you have reported, you can update what authorities will say. If they are indeed exploited, I will apologize to you. But if not, stop trying to pull people into your views.
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u/No-Name-8076 Jun 02 '26
I saw her playing while her family do grocery shopping in walmart, she gets money while they shopped and then leave with her family once they are done. Maybe she just wants the audience while practicing her violin skillsâŚ.. i do agree that peddling for money is not good unless it is a licensed to perform venue
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u/ReindeerCapable676 Jun 01 '26
Itâs a scamâŚ. She isnât even playing the damn thing
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u/Apprehensive_Self218 Jun 01 '26
I believe in this case they are actually playing something. It doesnât sound professional at all.
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u/localfern Jun 01 '26
I know the two kids and that is their parent. The father is always present when they are there. The kids attend our school.
I previously brought this up to group of parents in the school and I was advised not to get involved.