Las Vegas Warns Tourists Not to Tip Street Performers After Fake Showgirl Brawl

Las Vegas has some advice for how not to get beaten up on the Strip for leaving what a street performer feels is too puny a tip for their services. However, it may not be the best advice. Clark County rolled out new digital warnings along the electronic marquees up and down the Strip this weekend, telling visitors they are not obligated to tip street performers. “When watching performances or taking a photo, TIPPING IS NOT REQUIRED,” they read. “If you feel harassed, look for a nearby police officer, or call 911.” New signs warn Las Vegas tourists not to tip street performers and costumed impersonators. (Image: Clark County Commissioner Mike Naft) The campaign is Clark County’s response to what happened to a North Carolina couple who traveled to town to get married two weeks ago. They got a bonus — a severe beating from two showgirl impersonators they had just posed for photos with outside Paris Las Vegas.The impersonators demanded $60 to $180 more than the $20 tip they were offered for their services. According to the police report, Eric Richards and his fiancée, Merihazel Walters, were struck more than 22 times, including blows delivered to the head with a high-heeled boot.For anyone just returning from a vacation off the planet, here’s the video: Signs of a Problem Critics of the new message argue that the new advice would not have prevented what happened to Richards and Walters. The issue isn’t confusion about whether to tip—it’s street performers aggressively demanding one. Richards and Walters already attempted to walk away and still ended up injured. As Vegas content provider Jedi Rich posted to X: “Is it really a tip if you don’t get a choice?”As for the rest of the new message, the couple did know to call 911. That’s the only reason Jennifer Ortiz, 26, and Magdellena Romero, 43, were arrested. (They’re due back in court for a Dec. 3 status check.) The comments below Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft’s X post announcing the new message offered some alternative suggestions.“Why not direct the police to perform stings on the strip and downtown, where undercover officers tip something low like $5, and then arrest anyone who threatens or commits violence in response?” wrote @ToddWitteles. “How about just making a law that it is illegal or you need to buy a Clark county business Permit to operate,” added @AAL2153. Even advising visitors not to stop for photos or performances at all, some argued, would be more effective than informing them that tipping isn’t required. “You guys just need to learn how to walk past people who try to talk to you on the street,” wrote X user @choppppppppy. “It’s really not that hard. Just tell them you’re good or don’t look at them at all and walk away.” The post Las Vegas Warns Tourists Not to Tip Street Performers After Fake Showgirl Brawl appeared first on Casino.org.