What NOT to do in NY...
Aug 23rd, 2003, 02:26 PM
#41
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With the WTC issue - there has to be some compromise and empathy from those who live in New York and those who visit New York.
I was due to go to New York on the 14th Sept 2001 for a vacation on the eastern board of the US. I cancelled it as the planes were either grounded or very delayed. Millions around the world were shocked on 9/11.
A year later I rebooked and came back to New York, a great city I had visited before. I felt compelled to visit the site. Not to buy souvenirs or to take photos. Just to be there - and remember. I know there is no memorial there yet but it understandable why Americans outide NY and foreigners like myself would wish to be there.
It seems a shame that the NY authorities can't control the vendors etc and make it more dignified as I can fully understand the feelings of those who are upset by such make-a-buck opportunties out of a tragedy.
I do remember than New Yorkers were glad that tourists were returning back to their great city. Personally I hope they rebuild towers along with a memorial, and continue business as normal, in defiance of those who wish to kill and destroy democracy through terror.
I was due to go to New York on the 14th Sept 2001 for a vacation on the eastern board of the US. I cancelled it as the planes were either grounded or very delayed. Millions around the world were shocked on 9/11.
A year later I rebooked and came back to New York, a great city I had visited before. I felt compelled to visit the site. Not to buy souvenirs or to take photos. Just to be there - and remember. I know there is no memorial there yet but it understandable why Americans outide NY and foreigners like myself would wish to be there.
It seems a shame that the NY authorities can't control the vendors etc and make it more dignified as I can fully understand the feelings of those who are upset by such make-a-buck opportunties out of a tragedy.
I do remember than New Yorkers were glad that tourists were returning back to their great city. Personally I hope they rebuild towers along with a memorial, and continue business as normal, in defiance of those who wish to kill and destroy democracy through terror.
Aug 24th, 2003, 10:17 AM
#42
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...and back to Tavern On The Green...
My daughter & I stopped in for a drink ($21 plus tip for 2 Pina Coladas) during an afternoon walk through Central Park. I just wanted her to experience TOG, since she was just moving to NY. While we were there, my daughter was offered a job as a cocktail waitress or food server (whichever she preferred). I'm not sure if the shift manager was just excited to see a clean-cut, attractive young person who looked like she might have some work ethic or what, but I thought that was interesting.
So, my daughter, being a student at AMDA during the day, thought that a job at TOG might be just the ticket. She went there for an interview, was told at that time that they "weren't hiring"...then a few days later received a phone call, telling her that she was scheduled to work that night, and to be there by 7:00.
When she called back to ask about dress code, the manager who had left the message about reporting for work that evening replied: "Dress code? Um, what job did you apply for?"
Being a trooper (and an experienced wait-person) my daughter reported for work. She was supposed to shadow another waiter, and help out when possible. She worked there until midnight that night, working her ass off...for no pay. (Yeah, she's naive) She stuck it out, because she wanted to prove that she could. But she never returned. She tells me that TOG management is completely disorganized. She says she is sure she could make decent money there, but the place is CRAZY. (and not the good kind of crazy.)
Just a little insight on why TOG may not be living up to it's potential.
My daughter & I stopped in for a drink ($21 plus tip for 2 Pina Coladas) during an afternoon walk through Central Park. I just wanted her to experience TOG, since she was just moving to NY. While we were there, my daughter was offered a job as a cocktail waitress or food server (whichever she preferred). I'm not sure if the shift manager was just excited to see a clean-cut, attractive young person who looked like she might have some work ethic or what, but I thought that was interesting.
So, my daughter, being a student at AMDA during the day, thought that a job at TOG might be just the ticket. She went there for an interview, was told at that time that they "weren't hiring"...then a few days later received a phone call, telling her that she was scheduled to work that night, and to be there by 7:00.
When she called back to ask about dress code, the manager who had left the message about reporting for work that evening replied: "Dress code? Um, what job did you apply for?"
Being a trooper (and an experienced wait-person) my daughter reported for work. She was supposed to shadow another waiter, and help out when possible. She worked there until midnight that night, working her ass off...for no pay. (Yeah, she's naive) She stuck it out, because she wanted to prove that she could. But she never returned. She tells me that TOG management is completely disorganized. She says she is sure she could make decent money there, but the place is CRAZY. (and not the good kind of crazy.)
Just a little insight on why TOG may not be living up to it's potential.
Aug 27th, 2003, 12:45 PM
#43
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DEFINITELY the Today Show for the Friday Concert Series!
Trust me, I was there in June! Had a great time, but just wince every time I think of all the other things I could have been doing. Things I missed out on doing!
Trust me, I was there in June! Had a great time, but just wince every time I think of all the other things I could have been doing. Things I missed out on doing!
Aug 28th, 2003, 11:26 AM
#44
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As to the original question:
in my opinion, if you think you will like something, you probably will.
A "tourist trap" technically is an attraction which does not deliver what it promises to provide for your money, and thereby exploits the visitor's lack of knowledge about the place he is visiting, as well as the fact that he is not a potential repeat customer.
The only things here I might put in that catogory are the theme restaurants which are visited by no one who lives here. But -- I also imagine that they give some visitors pleasure, so I don't know if it's right to call them tourist traps, better only to regard them as tourist-only attractions.
If someone wants to avoide "cheesy" or "tacky" or "tastelesss" -- maybe a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, or a religious retreat, would be the best idea. New York is full of fabulous excess and vulgarity, as well as finer experiences, and that's a good piece of the vitaility of the city.
I could definitely do without the tiresome abuse of people who want to visit the WTC site. I hope anyone coming here will do as he/she sees fit, up to and including the purchase of a photograph or something from one of the people selling things down there.
in my opinion, if you think you will like something, you probably will.
A "tourist trap" technically is an attraction which does not deliver what it promises to provide for your money, and thereby exploits the visitor's lack of knowledge about the place he is visiting, as well as the fact that he is not a potential repeat customer.
The only things here I might put in that catogory are the theme restaurants which are visited by no one who lives here. But -- I also imagine that they give some visitors pleasure, so I don't know if it's right to call them tourist traps, better only to regard them as tourist-only attractions.
If someone wants to avoide "cheesy" or "tacky" or "tastelesss" -- maybe a visit to Colonial Williamsburg, or a religious retreat, would be the best idea. New York is full of fabulous excess and vulgarity, as well as finer experiences, and that's a good piece of the vitaility of the city.
I could definitely do without the tiresome abuse of people who want to visit the WTC site. I hope anyone coming here will do as he/she sees fit, up to and including the purchase of a photograph or something from one of the people selling things down there.
