What do you answer when asked "Why do you love Las Vegas so much"?

You know, the question from those who find out you enjoy visiting Las Vegas and give that look of
'But I don't understand'.
Co-workers, friends, family and/or the random associate who will inevitably ask what it is we see in that place.
Has it ever happened to you? How do you respond?

 

"Until you go.....you'll never know."

 

Pretty much everything, resorts, dining choices, atmosphere and the amazing selection of gaming places.

 

Yes, I've gotten that question before, many times. I don't even try to explain anymore, especially to family and co-workers... even if I have a winning trip, I still get the snide looks and remarks like "you must have a gambling problem" or "surely you can spend that money on more important things" etc. Yet, they will go on a 7 day cruise or a trip to Disneyland, but it's "not the same". I'm sure they've spent more $$ on their trips than I have, but since I gamble and they dont, they believe their trips are "justified" well-earned vacations as opposed to mine.

You cannot convince these people that it's just what you prefer, no matter how you try and explain it. Some folks have their minds made up already and you just can't change their way of thinking, so I don't try anymore.

 

Isn't it funny, in the DisneyWorld days when we took our kids once or sometimes twice a year for about 15 years, my colleagues always said "how wonderful, what great vacations you take" to from the very first time we went to Vegas, after both daughters finished college, it changed to "Las Vegas? Really?" or some variations like, "Vegas, again???, or "what do you see in that place?".

Early on, I started telling my colleagues, if they asked, "it's my getaway place that I love and can zone out from work and vacation without a care in the world". I speak the truth - Vegas is still my happy place .

Our daughters and sons-in-law think it's cool that we 'do' Vegas and have taken them along before our grandsons arrived.

 

I've learned who I should just to lie to. "I'm seeing family, old college buddies, etc."

 

I am going to have to think that way too..my coworkers just don't get it, and as nice as they are, I really don't want to say that I keep going over to Vegas!

 

Yes, yes and YES my friends. Agree on all of your points. Which is a BIG part of why I love the VMB so much.

 

Can I cut and print your response and use as a handout whenever I get the Vegas "stink eye"?

I agree 100%, well said.
I try to explain that Vegas is so much more than gambling yet people just don't understand.
I have 6 casinos within a 30 minute drive, that I never visit. My friends visit weekly, but I'm the one with a gambling problem!

 

We try to take 2 to 3 mini vacations a year. With free rooms and drinks even considering the "cost" of gambling our Vegas vacations are the least expensive.

So I just tell them free rooms and I get away from the business for a week.

 

My answer has evolved so much over the decades. Last trip, I made a point of doing a "locals' venture" (presumptuous on my part, to act as if I know how they live their lives, but bear with me). I'd been asking bartenders where they themselves hang out, and I was able to cobble together a series of answers over the course of time. My most recent Vegas venture was a conference up front followed by four days on my own. Once I was on my own time, it was...win four grand at Dino's (Royal Flush $1 Triple Bonus Bonus), hit up a tequila joint near Fremont I'd heard about, head to Atomic Liquors, ask THAT bartender where to go and wind u pat Oak and Ivy in the Container Park, roll into the El Cortez to take in Kenny Epstein's situation with a good live jazz band, eat a steak at Oscar's, then a roll through Fremont East for piano bar karaoke, rooftop DJ, and a few beers (because I CLEARLY needed more alcohol). Damn it was great (thanks in part, admittedly, to Dino's contribution to my revelry).

Now I'll freely acknowledge that I wouldn't have given an even vaguely similar answer 20 years ago. I would have drooled and then puked and then shouted SEE WHAT I MEAN and then puked again. So both times were great, and I "loved" both of them, to use the term in the OP's question.

God willing, I'll have a different, and even better answer, another 20 years down the road.

 

We just say we enjoy being called by name, asking if we still drink (whatever), and how are you sir, shall we start with French onion soup as usual? We also say you pay for it and I won't lie I like it. It is our get away. If you are drunk no one knows you and you can cuss like a sailor when you just miss the royal. And then hit max play and order the next drink.

 

I don't get free hotel rooms anywhere else, that's why.

 

Why not?

RICHARD

 

My answer has evolved over the years... I now reply "if you have to ask that question you won't understand the answer." Get lots of blank looks but it usually shuts them up. Also, when asked how I did gambling wise I always answer that I lost my ass no matter if I won or lost because that's what they want to hear.

 

I always tell them there is so much to see and do outside of gambling and there are so many restaurants that you can eat at something new each time, sun, pool, etc.

Also our rooms are always comped.

 

I find it amazing that anyone can make comments on how you spend money you earned.

 

to those that understand, no explanation is needed,

to those that do not, no explanation will do

 

You shouldn't have to lie. If they don't get it, it's not your problem. I also get the Vegas again. The best response is it's my favorite place and that should be the end of it. As long as you're spending money you earned it shouldn't be anyone's concern how you spend it.