How Much Should I tip Showgirls or Other Themed Street Characters?

If I were to get a quick photo on the street with a showgirl or two, or some other themed street character, what would be the expected gratuity and the more generous tip?

We've seen estimates that range from $20,000 to $50,000 per year for Vegas street characters and performers, who rely exclusively on tips. In other words, they make a living, but not much more.

We suspect that actual performers -- musicians, singers, magicians, human statues, impersonators, jugglers, and the like -- make more than the women who dress up (or down in many cases) as showgirls and just stand there waiting for visitors to have their pictures taken with them. And certainly the painters and caricaturists and others who have a product to sell make the most, but they don't rely on tips.

Though not performers in a strict sense, showgirl's have to wear costumes that can be pretty elaborate -- from the tall headdresses all the way down to the stiletto heels, with the bikinis, feathers, fishnets, sequins, ankle and wrist bands, necklaces, earrings, beads, eyelashes, makeup, etc. in between. So it obviously takes a lot of preparation time to get into costume, to say nothing of standing on the Strip or Fremont Street all evening and half the night.

As in most things tipping, we don't believe there's any standard for a showgirl tip. The one time we did it, a few years ago in front of Bellagio, there were two women involved, taking turns posing and snapping photos. They were extremely efficient, so the whole thing took perhaps two minutes total, but they were also so friendly and accommodating that we had no problem handing each $5 bills. They were gracious about the amount and didn't seem the least bit disappointed.

We did notice that as soon as the transaction was consummated, they were off and working the crowd and we remember getting the impression that this pair, anyway, was after high turnover, as opposed to others who seemed to go for the more-time-is-more-money strategy. So if you monopolize a showgirl's time for a while, you'll probably want to tip her more.

How about it? Has anyone in QoDville had experience in this arena? If so, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

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Comments

Cyclone99 Nov-05-2023

Ask up front

If you're going to do that, always agree on a price before you take the picture. Otherwise, they may start demanding more than you want to pay.

jstewa22 Nov-05-2023

Yeah, ask up front

Agree with Cyclone99, we have a somewhat gullible friend who had his picture taken with a "showgirl" on Fremont ST who then demanded $80, plus a tip.  I avoid these people like the plague.

Toni Armstrong Jr. Nov-05-2023

Tipping street performers

I do $5 at the least for taking a photo with someone who’s taken the effort to get costumes and actually put effort into making it more fun. For the musicians I like, especially if I hear them for awhile (rather than just a quick walk by), $20 is common. Curious to read what everyone else does.

thebeachbum Nov-05-2023

Tip Well

Tip well!  One day I might be laying in a Fremont Street circle with a tin cup demonstrating how to take a nap.

Larry Stone Nov-05-2023

alternate advice

the best thing to do is ignore them and keep away as far as possible.

Kevin Lewis Nov-05-2023

FSE performers

I've found that the street performers at the FSE are almost always very talented--especially the musicians. They definitely enhance the experience. My favorite--I've mentioned him before, and I hope he's still there--is the 400+-pound ukulele player wearing only a thong.

As to the "proper" amount to tip, just like in all other contexts where this question is (somewhat tiresomely) asked, the answer is: whatever you want. NOT "whatever is appropriate"--that's too subjective.

Deke Castleman Nov-05-2023

This in via email

I had an experience with 2 of the " Showgirls" referred to in today's QOD. A couple of years ago, we were on the Link and came across 2 performers and my immediate thought was to get a pic to send to my friend Oscar Goodman (just to tell him that he's not the only one who can hang with showgirls). We got the pic and I was going to give them each $20 and they demanded $60 each! They claimed that they had to pay the hotel to be there (we know that's not true) and became loud. In my opinion, something is only worth what someone it willing to pay for it. I felt for about a minute's work, that was pretty generous, but they were pretty demanding and followed us for a little bit. My advice would be to agree on a price before a pic is taken. At $20 for 5 minutes "work," that's $240 an hour! Each! Great costumes and the like but.....

Question of the Day - 05 November 2023

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