Want to Take a Picture in Times Square

Here's a quick tip for all the tourists visiting Times Square: think before you take pictures with somebody.

As you walk through Times Square, you will see lots of fun people who want to be in your pictures. You'll probably see Elmo, Dora the Explorer, Mickie and Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, and some great renditions of the Statue of Liberty. All of these will be motioning you to come take a picture with them.

When they see their favorite character, kids frequently get worked up into a frenzy and run over to their hero while the parents snap pictures. Parents even get the kids worked up ("Look, it's Mickie. Do you want to say 'hello' to Mickie? Run over there and I'll take your picture"). What tourists don't seem to grasp is that these photo ops are not free. As soon as the photo is shot, Elmo will be holding out a bag with the explanation that their fee is $5 per shot.

Sometimes tourists realize what that picture will cost them, but frequently they are completely oblivious. I've seen countless arguments between the Statue of Liberty and a shocked tourist who didn't realize that Lady Liberty didn't pose with the kids, and then with mom, and then with mom and dad out of the goodness of her heart. The stunned tourist never expected the statue to demand payment.

I'll be honest, some of the characters really do look cute. Maybe the pictures are worth five bucks each to you. If that's the case, shoot away. But just remember, if you want to take a picture with Tigger, be ready to pull out your cash. Even Tigger needs to feed his family.