Spider Michaels

As I travel, I always see people working for tips to get a photo with them.  I always try to get a photo with them, if I can.

This article is about those photos.

These first photos are from the Fisherman’s Wharf area in San Francisco.

I’ve seen many “Silver” men in lots of places I’ve been.

Here’s a “Gold” man.

These two guys would slide around on top of their boxes.  It was pretty cool to see.

I thought this guy was pretty funny.

These next photos are from Times Square in New York.

Here I am with Woody from Toy Story.

A lot of people don’t know that they need to tip these people and I’ve read in the paper where the costume characters would get into arguments with tourists about getting a tip for a photo.

I’ve even heard of costume characters getting into fights with each other over tips.

The people that are the Statue of Liberty are cool.  The flag makes the photo even better.

I’m not sure what this guy’s point was, but I wanted a photo with him just the same, lol.

I ran into some more “Silver” men in Times Square.

I wonder how long it takes them to get ready and how long to take off the silver when they get home.

Here’s a guy that would take polaroids and charge for them.

These next two photos are from Battery Park in New York, near the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.

Here I am with another Lady Liberty person.

This guy was the best “Silver” man that I’ve ever seen.  This is probably my favorite photo with people that work for tips.

Here’s a “Gold” man from Amsterdam, pretty close to the Red Light District.  The mask looks familiar, but I’m not sure who he painted gold to match his clothes.  This guy was smart.  He can just take off the mask when he’s done and not have to clean up all that face and hair paint like the other guys.

This guy was in Amsterdam also, in Dam Square.  With the beard, he reminds me of Gandalf from Lord of the Rings, but he’s wearing a gold robe and hat instead of gray.  Maybe he’s portraying Father Christmas.  I wish I had asked.

These next photos are from London.

They definitely go all out for the job in London.

This guy looked pretty cool.

This guy was one of the best that I saw.

I got a photo with a guy posing as a guard.

Then he told my friend to take another photo on the count of three.

At three, he kissed me and it made for a very funny photo.

If you ever get a photo with any people like this, remember to tip because they are working for money and not just to give you a good memory from your trip; although it will be a good memory if you get a photo like these.

Spider Michaels

https://SpiderMichaels.com