Hustle and flow: Will pose for tips
My gaping over the extreme extravagance of Rodeo Drive in
Beverly Hills, Calif., was suddenly interrupted:
“Excuse me, would you like to support our high school
football program. We are selling these candy bars?”
“How much?”
“$10.”
“For a king size candy bar? Really? No thank you. We’ll just
give you a donation.”
And we gave him $4 and walked away.
Even if I thought he was legitimate, I wouldn’t have given
him $10 for a candy bar that I could buy from CVS two for $3.
My intuitive nature, however, tells me he was more of a
hustler instead of a high school football player.
I was actually quite surprised to be propositioned on the
rich and famous Rodeo Drive. It caught me totally off guard. Amid the expensive,
fancy cars, and the exquisite buildings donning popular designer names, this
hustler stood out like a knock off Michael Kors. (I know because I have one).
This got me to thinking: Hustling is everywhere and the
business of it is evolving. Yes, it is a business. Some of these artists make a
lot of money.
Last year while visiting downtown Charlotte, a street dancer
was performing on a corner. I pulled out my cell phone to take a photo and he
pointed at me, then to a sign on a box near his feet that read: A donation for
photos.
Now I didn’t want a photo with him. I just wanted a photo of
him. I was going to tip him anyway – after I took the photo – because I respect
good talent. But his demanding gesture caused me to tip less than I would have.
While in Vegas, several street musicians were a bit
aggressive in having spectators pay first before taking a photo or video.
This perturbs me. Even a restaurant only applies your
tip “after” you eat. Here’s the
deal: If you’re in a public place, people can photograph or videotape you –
without your permission and whether you’re performing or not – and do not have
to tip.
Tipping street musicians is a courtesy, and a good one to
possess. But these artists need to keep in mind they perform at the mercy of
our generosity and that’s a risk they take.
I found myself on this vacation tipping more to those who
seemed to simply enjoy sharing their gifts, those who appreciated the fact that
we paused our hustle and bustle to acknowledge and value their talent.
Now, people who want to take photos with cartoon or super
hero characters are a different story. These people are not performing. They
are simply in costume. If you want someone dressed as Batman to stop and pose
in a photo with you, the Dark Knight is going to ask for a tip. After all, he
has to stop and strike a pose.
But why do we pay to have photos taken with the Transformers
or the Avengers or Michael Jackson lookalikes?
When we’re at Disney World, Mickey and Minnie don’t charge
us for photos. But on the Vegas strip, it’ll cost you to pose with Elvis.
It’s all hustle and flow, and I don’t knock anyone who is trying
to make a living. For some street musicians, it’s a way to expose their talents
or to supplement their income.
For the cast of characters, it’s a way to make easy, quick
money from enthralled tourists.
I respect the game. All I ask is that you be nice about it.
So when planning your vacation, keep a few loose dollar
bills in your pocket not only for the tour guide, the bellhop and the friendly
waitress, but also for SpongeBob SquarePants, the break dancer, the street magician,
Superman, the bagpipes player, the showgirls … and for a $10 candy bar in case
you get hungry.