The Sin City Pilgrimage: Money & Ritualized Consumption

My first trip to Vegas just finished and I am ready to share my experiences. For some people, whatever happens in Vegas need not remain in Vegas!!

First,to say the least, it was an interesting experience. First thing that struck me was the fact that majority of the people sitting at the slot machines were old people. Imagine what must be going in the head of the Grand Pa when he is pulling those levers at 4 in the morning. I tried to understand this phenomenon but I am not sure I understand it fully. Some of my friends say that you lose the least amount of money and kill the maximum time on a slot machine. So for all these people, it is a way to kill time. But what about the interesting desire of hitting the jackpot every time you push a quarter in. And what about not hitting it almost every time!!
I observed some of these people and I am not sure if they looked very happy for killing time. Did I just stumble upon the reason why majority of people in this country are not happy with what they have?

Well, I spend 3 hours on the black jack table, lose money and then come back to the hotel. Next evening, we catch a taxi to go to the Monte Carlo Hotel where everyone is planning to meet...and guess which song is playing in the cab?

Money, get away
Get a good job with more pay and you're okay
Money it's a gas
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think I'll buy me a football team

I ask the driver to increase the volume and he asks me:"Can any other song be more appropriate in Vegas?"

The other fascinating thing about Vegas is the whole idea of ritualized consumption. Its as if people have to visit this place every 2 months or whatever and pay their dues in return for the sins..a pilgrimage to the Sin City? For some of my friends, these rituals mean 6 hours a day on the poker table, drinks and visit to the clubs. And it is very ritualistic. Ask someone who has been to Vegas frequently and he will tell you the time he wakes up in Vegas, what breakfast he eats, which places he gambles, which bars he goes to and you will soon know that for them it has a certain routine/ritual to it. Think about Super Bowl every year and what people do a night before it. Chips & Dips, Beer and asking friends to come over to watch the game on a big screen. Think of Thanksgiving & turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. And then think of Halloween. All have a healthy component of ritualized consumption and Vegas is no different. The gambling industry there survives on this mindset where people want to get away every now and then from their normal lives and indulge in things that would not be possible otherwise. From a purely marketing perspective, if you can make the consumption a ritual, there is no limit to what you can do...

Money get back
I'm alright Jack keep your hands off my stack.
Money it's a hit
Don't give me that do goody good bullshit
I'm in the hi-fidelity first class travelling set
n I think I need a Lear jet