I just returned from Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and discovered an unwelcomed rip-off. At $20-$25 for a show ticket, this price wasn't bad. However, when the theaters start charging 25 or 30 cents for a cup of water, this is taking advantage of patrons. Water fountains should be available without having to buy a 12 oz. bottle of water for $2.00 which is almost the equivalent to what we pay for a gallon of gasoline.

With all due respect, this is a ridiculous thing to complain about. When I saw your title, I thought you were going to tell us about a serious rip-off. If that's the worst rip-off you've experienced while traveling, consider yourself lucky. This should not color your memory of your trip or the show you saw. Please, don't sweat the small stuff.

Where in the world have you been for the last few years? Is this truly a new experience for you? This is not just a Pigeon Forge "rip-off". It's standard everywhere I've traveled (and live). You came off cheap for a few cents for a cup of water. Most theatres charge the soda price for a cup of water because facilities use the cup count to balance the register at close of business. An "ice cup" at a gas station/ convenience store is less expensive, but if you use a full sized cup for self-serve water, you are charged the full soda price.

Yeah, really, Hofstra, get over it. I, too, thought you'd uncovered some scam, based on your title. I'm genuinely curious: where do you live that you enjoy such an abundance of water fountains (which I have always found slightly gross, myself--bottled water is worth it to me)?

It was not my intent to complain about the cost of bottled water. I was just concerned about seeing several dehydrated senior citizens walking from the hot theater parking fields in need of a small, cool drink to refresh themselves. In my generation, we didn't have bottled water readily available and I did not find water fountains in schools, theaters and other public places so bad.

Dear Hofstra,
Thanks for your post.
Its been said before but I'll say it again --
While your post *is* relevant and correct, it was written by you.
Not that there's anything wrong with you.
But had it been written by a certain few other screen names it would have received amazing affirmation.
It could have said *nothing* and it still would have been better received.
Don't take it personally, thats just how it is here.
Thanks for posting.

Thanks, Wanderluster, for your kind comments. It's so comforting to read remarks from people who respect the opinions of others even if they don't agree.

Huh, wanderluster? What the hell are you talking about? Are you saying if someone else complained about a bottle of water being $2.00 that everybody would have agreed?

Obviously Hofstra has never been to any show, movie, or sporting event where bottled water is sold. That price is not outrageous and is in fact quite common -- even cheap compared to a lot of places.

Suggesting that public theatre have drinking fountains is one thing. Suggesting that charging $2.00 for bottled water at a concession stand is a "rip-off" is quite another thing.

Hofstra,
"It's so comforting to read remarks from people who respect the opinions of others even if they don't agree."

I found nothing disrepectful about the previous posters responses. In fact, I think the previous posters are doing exactly what you state in the above quote, so what's the problem?

-Bill

I may be wrong but I think what Wanderluster is referring to is the clique that exists on this board.

no stjohnland, I don't think you are wrong.

Hofstra, I see nothing disrespectful here either. I can appreciate your concern for the well-being of seniors. But I simply can't understand how this is a rip-off or taking advantage of patrons. If $2 seems excessive for a bottle of water, then pay only 25 cents for a cup of water. This is hardly what I call price gouging. As mentioned already, this is not at all unique to Pigeon Forge, so you will probably encounter this situation again.

And then, why aren't there water fountains around? Well, because people are messy, trashy and don't care about trying to keep them clean for others. People dump trash, chewing gum, cigarette butts, spit, dirt and hold their dogs up so they can lap the spigot. Some has to have the almost impossible task of keeping them clean. Public fountains are VERY hard to keep sanitary.
And, I am curious...how can you tell just by looking how the eldery are dehydrated?

"how can you tell just by looking how the eldery are dehydrated?"

Wrinkles?

Their Depends are dry?

Yes StJohnBound and Ronkala,
that is exactly what I meant.

Yes, I think we all knew that's what you meant. I just still think it's absurd to believe that there is a clique here who actually agrees with stupid comments from each other. I've often been accused of being part of the clique, yet I don't know how. I've had disagreements with almost everyone. If someone says something I disagree with, I say so. And so do most of the others so far as I've ever been able to tell. The only "clique" I'm really aware of is a number of people who join together in some ill-place jealousy of not being part of some clique, therefore they try to accuse others of all sorts of "plots". Junior high school silliness if you ask me.

Well Patrick, I for one have not joined in any group jealousy. I was merely commenting on something that is quite obvious on this forum. Personally, I have always found your comments quite delicious and I always look forward to your postings. You always make it a point to respect others' opinions and my opinion is that there is definitely a very obvious clique here. Nobody said you were part of it; perhaps you protest too much that there isn't one??

No, I merely think it is silly to suggest that if some member of some clique posted that the water was a ripoff at $2 a bottle, that all other members of the clique would have clamored to agree, but that since Hofstra isn't a member of that clique, that's the only reason people disagreed with him. THAT IS WHAT I CALL ABSURD AND TOTALLY UNFOUNDED NONSENSE.