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January 08, 2008
Sinful Vegas, But Always with a Smile
In a blog post last week, I talked about how Las Vegas has no soul or spirit. Because the city is full of industry icons and techies this week, CES week isn't really representative of everyday Vegas. And while I still think the city feels soulless, here's a reason to come.
The quality of customer service in this country is sub-optimal and seems to be getting worse. Whether it's the outsourcing of airline telephone banks, filthy public restrooms, or rude or indifferent people behind the desk looking out at you with half-closed eyes too bored even for contempt, it can be disheartening to have in front of you a modern day of phone calls and errands.
Come to Vegas. People who work at the resorts and casinos are friendly and eager to help. It seems that as soon as a question forms on your face, someone shows up and asks if they can be of service. From what I could see, this treatment isn't reserved for the folks who look like they have money, but is available to everyone.
In addition to the benefits in helping you get things done, find your way, save time, etc. etc., it's also a wonderful positive boost to be on the receiving end of someone's self-respect and pride in their work.
Also noteworthy and welcome is that in the heart of The Strip, the casinos themselves feel like they're tucked into a corner of the resort, only one of many options for play. Move away from The Strip and the gaming rooms still dominate.
The transformation of The Strip into an adult DisneyWorld makes the contrast with the seedier side of town more interesting. Drive up Industrial Road, which parallels The Strip to the West. One long block away from the glitter and shine, the Eiffel Tower and pirate ships, and you have the "gentleman's" clubs and railyards and dimmed streets.
It reminds me of Acapulco more than 20 years ago, where the tourist strip along the horseshoe bay was two streets deep and behind that was another world, full of waist-high trash, open-air toilets, and skinny cats and dogs running to and fro.
In Vegas, every time you pass a car idling on the shoulder you figure they're having sex or doing something that could put them in jail for awhile. That underbelly thrill is another reason to come. Seedy, relentless, devouring, restless, rootless and nocturnal with a nighttime sky you can read by.
January 8, 2008 in America The Free, Conference Highlights, Travel | Permalink
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Comments
Hey, as a Vegas resident, I can tell you thet there is much more to the "seedy side" of town than meets the eye. For example, too bad you weren't here last Firday for "First Friday"!
http://www.firstfriday-lasvegas.org/
A great night out, if you ever get a chance to make it.
Then there are the burbs, which are pretty cool here compared to other cities, and the people you meet.
There are so many wonderful and weird places in Vegas, I've lived all over the world and really enjoy living here.
BTW, I put together a quick guide for CES attendees form a resident's perspective - http://bbenz.typepad.com/softwaresoapbox/2008/01/a-las-vegas-res.html
Posted by: Brian Benz | Jan 8, 2008 10:40:08 AM
Brian,
Thanks! It's always great to get a wide range of perspectives. I wish I'd seen the CES guide before my last night here. See you at the Bloghaus, perhaps!
Posted by: Ray Lewis | Jan 8, 2008 4:13:14 PM
Keep in mind, in addition to the sometimes-absurd majesty of the Strip, there's a whole valley of 2 million people who call Vegas "home." We raise kids here, do mundane jobs here, and otherwise live like folks just about anywhere else. Except we can play a few quick rounds of video poker when we buy our groceries.
There's information and links about Life in Las Vegas (and information for anybody interested in moving here) over at my site: http://www.bridgetmagnus.com
Posted by: ShortWoman | Jan 8, 2008 5:41:08 PM
Yes, that's the Vegas I remember.
Posted by: j.brown | Jan 11, 2008 11:48:54 PM