The city of lights is best known for the plethora of casinos and the many attractions that are built around them. Like so many American cities, the easiest way to travel from A to B is by car, and it is exactly in the Las Vegas parking lots where you will find a strange phenomenon that is unrelated to gambling.
What is known as the ‘parking lot shoe prints’ are a peculiar example of copycat behavior that some claim can be tracked back to the mid 90’s at the stratosphere hotel. If you ask patrons in the parking lot what these prints are for, you will get as many different theories as you will get answers. It could be a good luck charm for those entering the casino, it could be young people showing off, or it could simply be people who want to add their print to the many others found on the walls.
These prits are a perfect illustration of what is called ‘collective behavior’, where unrelated individuals act seemingly as an organized group. Another example of this behavior is how you can initiate a wave in a sport stadium without first discussing with all those present.
These days the practice has spread to most parking losts in the city, with the owners reacting to them in different ways. Some establishments do not mind the practice, while others might ban you from the location if they catch you doing it. A good way to guess is to see wheather or not the casino cleans their walls.
Know Before You Go
The photos are taken at the STRAT, but you'll find the same behavior in any other parking lot. To the point where many native Las Vegans think that this is a thing everywhere.
Follow us on Twitter to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders.
Like us on Facebook to get the latest on the world's hidden wonders.
Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook