My Best April - Part 3 (final in a series)

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.

Yep, I had to tip for this photo.