Why should travelers without children subsidize other people's kids?
Jun 12th, 2009, 02:11 PM
#21
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Obxgirl - If you had read my entire post instead of picking out one sentence, you might understand that I was separating the two issues out because one doesn't have anything to do with the other.
Not wanting to be around bratty kids has nothing to do with people whining because they expect to get a deal for cramming a group of people into one hotel room.
Your use of my one sentence to attack the OP on the other issue is rather unfair to me since it had nothing to do with it.
Not wanting to be around bratty kids has nothing to do with people whining because they expect to get a deal for cramming a group of people into one hotel room.
Your use of my one sentence to attack the OP on the other issue is rather unfair to me since it had nothing to do with it.
Jun 12th, 2009, 03:03 PM
#22
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Well I for one don't like the fact that the full tuition I wrote checks for went to subsidize scholarships for lower-income students. (I don't have a problem with the school giving those scholarship from their endowment, I have a problem with me paying full, higher tuition and a portion of it going for that purpose). I guess we each have our own pet peeves 
Jun 12th, 2009, 03:25 PM
#25
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I don't think it's such a stretch as an analogy. The point is I paid more than I "should" have, and somebody else paid less. (By the way, the particular school, a private university, does not hide the fact).
Jun 12th, 2009, 03:51 PM
#27
sf, I disagree with your analogy.
I am empathetic to the very high cost of a uni education but I disagree that it's analagous to how hotel rooms are priced.
And, FWIW, I am writing the big checks this summer too. We qualify for little or no need based help.
Toedtoes, I read your entire post. I agree that you distinguished between two issues. I don't think the OP has been so clever.
I am empathetic to the very high cost of a uni education but I disagree that it's analagous to how hotel rooms are priced.
And, FWIW, I am writing the big checks this summer too. We qualify for little or no need based help.
Toedtoes, I read your entire post. I agree that you distinguished between two issues. I don't think the OP has been so clever.
Jun 12th, 2009, 03:56 PM
#28
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obxgirl -
We're not a childless couple - or at least we weren't - they're young adults now. And we got them their own room when we traveled so we could have some privacy. I understand a lot of families prefer not to do that and prefer hotels that allow kids for free. there are plenty of them. That's where they should stay. Not pick out hotels that charge extra for more people - and then complain about it.
What bothers me is the assumption that "kids should be free" - as if the entire world should pay to support their kids. And, as I said - I'm already subsidizing other people's kids in many ways without complaint.
But I resent the assumption that their kids are my responsibility in terms of vacation. I don;t choose to pay for other peoples' kids vacations (and avoid "family friendly hotels for many reasons - that among them.)
And it's not really the money - it's the assumption of entitlement that bothers me. "We have kids, and they're special, so we're special so we should get stuff for free." They're already getting stuff for free - I'm paying for their kid's education - after having paid separately for our own.
I think people who have children should realize that this is an expensive thing to do. And other people shouldn't have to pay for them. So go to a hotel that lets kids stay for free. But don't assume the whole world will work that way - and that YOUR offspring should be free everywhere.
We're not a childless couple - or at least we weren't - they're young adults now. And we got them their own room when we traveled so we could have some privacy. I understand a lot of families prefer not to do that and prefer hotels that allow kids for free. there are plenty of them. That's where they should stay. Not pick out hotels that charge extra for more people - and then complain about it.
What bothers me is the assumption that "kids should be free" - as if the entire world should pay to support their kids. And, as I said - I'm already subsidizing other people's kids in many ways without complaint.
But I resent the assumption that their kids are my responsibility in terms of vacation. I don;t choose to pay for other peoples' kids vacations (and avoid "family friendly hotels for many reasons - that among them.)
And it's not really the money - it's the assumption of entitlement that bothers me. "We have kids, and they're special, so we're special so we should get stuff for free." They're already getting stuff for free - I'm paying for their kid's education - after having paid separately for our own.
I think people who have children should realize that this is an expensive thing to do. And other people shouldn't have to pay for them. So go to a hotel that lets kids stay for free. But don't assume the whole world will work that way - and that YOUR offspring should be free everywhere.
Jun 12th, 2009, 04:09 PM
#29
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Thanks. You have cheered me up with this ludicrous rant. Now that you have let off a little steam, maybe you will take the time to thank the young families for subsidizing your Medicare coverage.
HTTY
HTTY
Jun 12th, 2009, 04:29 PM
#31
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Thanks Obxgirl. I just didn't want you or others to think that my post was addressing the "children" issue or combining it into the "multiple people in a hotel room" issue.
NYTraveler - I read the thread that I believe initiated this one, and I didn't see any "entitlement" by the OP. (S)he simply asked for a list of hotels that won't charge extra for the kids in the room. I think it's a bit strong to turn that into believing that their kids should be allowed to do everything for free. As per your second post "Either pick a different hotel - or pay your fair share based on how many of you there are."
The OP of the other thread was trying to do just that - find a hotel that would include the kids for free.
NYTraveler - I read the thread that I believe initiated this one, and I didn't see any "entitlement" by the OP. (S)he simply asked for a list of hotels that won't charge extra for the kids in the room. I think it's a bit strong to turn that into believing that their kids should be allowed to do everything for free. As per your second post "Either pick a different hotel - or pay your fair share based on how many of you there are."
The OP of the other thread was trying to do just that - find a hotel that would include the kids for free.
Jun 13th, 2009, 01:39 PM
#33
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Lately I have seen adults get even on this issue. Several times this year I have seen 4(4+?) adults sharing a room, once at a 5 star resoty.
My kids dont require nearly as much service as some of these 'thrifty' travelers. So why should my kids, who ration soap and hot water like its 1943, have to subsidize a bunch of towelhog cheapskates?
My kids dont require nearly as much service as some of these 'thrifty' travelers. So why should my kids, who ration soap and hot water like its 1943, have to subsidize a bunch of towelhog cheapskates?
Jun 13th, 2009, 02:03 PM
#34
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hee hee MomDD. Nobody who got on seemed to care. We all talked about the landmarks we could see. It was really pleasant.
BTW I noticed on the way up which floor was the lowest that had a view and pushed only the buttons from there up so we didn't have to stop on the low non-view floors unless someone wanted to get on.
BTW I noticed on the way up which floor was the lowest that had a view and pushed only the buttons from there up so we didn't have to stop on the low non-view floors unless someone wanted to get on.
Jun 13th, 2009, 05:14 PM
#37
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Happytrailstoyou -
We're both a long way from Medicare coverage. And even when we're old enough to get it we will have paid for it and more with all of our taxes - Social Security Meidcare, Federal Income, NYS Income, NYC Income, real estate plus an 8% sales tax. We have the highest taxes in the country - and pay them willingly - because this is where we want to live. (And our SS benefits won;t be sucked out of your poor children's pockets - since we've provided for our own retirement.)
And I have no problem giving to charities for the needy - we are regular contributors to several very worthy causes.
But nowhere did I sign up to pay for other people's kids vacations. that's like asking me to pay for their summer camp or their music lessons. If you have kids you pay their way - or not - as you prefer. But don;t complain that other people won't pay more than their share so you can have something free.
As I said above there are plenty of hotels where kids are free. People who don't want to pay for their kids should stay there. Not pick out hotels that choose NOT to let kids in free (perhaps this isn't their desired clientele or ambiance) and then complain about those hotels trying to gouge them, as if free hotels for their kids is their right, not an optional benefit.
We're both a long way from Medicare coverage. And even when we're old enough to get it we will have paid for it and more with all of our taxes - Social Security Meidcare, Federal Income, NYS Income, NYC Income, real estate plus an 8% sales tax. We have the highest taxes in the country - and pay them willingly - because this is where we want to live. (And our SS benefits won;t be sucked out of your poor children's pockets - since we've provided for our own retirement.)
And I have no problem giving to charities for the needy - we are regular contributors to several very worthy causes.
But nowhere did I sign up to pay for other people's kids vacations. that's like asking me to pay for their summer camp or their music lessons. If you have kids you pay their way - or not - as you prefer. But don;t complain that other people won't pay more than their share so you can have something free.
As I said above there are plenty of hotels where kids are free. People who don't want to pay for their kids should stay there. Not pick out hotels that choose NOT to let kids in free (perhaps this isn't their desired clientele or ambiance) and then complain about those hotels trying to gouge them, as if free hotels for their kids is their right, not an optional benefit.
Jun 13th, 2009, 05:20 PM
#38
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And I'll give up now. since obviously there are some people on this board who do think that everyone else should pay for their kids.
Just hope these kids aren't the same ones who go through life expecting make-up tests when they don;t do well in school, or extra projects to raise their grades, or expect everyone else to do their work when they get a job.
(We just had to let one of those go - when he reported late to work 4 days in a row - after being put on probation for chronic lateness, as well as not pulling his weight in group assignments. Maybe he was riding up and down in the hotel elevator all day and missed the lesson on the need to turn up on time for work.)
Just hope these kids aren't the same ones who go through life expecting make-up tests when they don;t do well in school, or extra projects to raise their grades, or expect everyone else to do their work when they get a job.
(We just had to let one of those go - when he reported late to work 4 days in a row - after being put on probation for chronic lateness, as well as not pulling his weight in group assignments. Maybe he was riding up and down in the hotel elevator all day and missed the lesson on the need to turn up on time for work.)
Jun 14th, 2009, 05:10 AM
#39
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Today's bratty, idiot kids will grow up to be the executives that will be in charge of the hospitals and nursing homes that you will no doubt be using in your "golden years". They will be the administrators of the banks, government agencies, grocery stores. They will be cleaning your streets, picking up your garbage and maybe even teaching your step-grandchildren.
Jun 14th, 2009, 06:04 AM
#40
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I understand the complaint issued by the OP. I don't really share the concern about this, but I do often wonder about the "single supplement" levied on group travel so often. It's the same thing, only different.
I understand operators do what they think will bring them the most income. It suits some, bothers others.
Now, NYTraveler, you'll have to explain this a bit more:
"Sort of like the old white guys complaining about being discriminated against now that they have to compete on a (somewaht) even basis with women and minority group memebers."
I understand operators do what they think will bring them the most income. It suits some, bothers others.
Now, NYTraveler, you'll have to explain this a bit more:
"Sort of like the old white guys complaining about being discriminated against now that they have to compete on a (somewaht) even basis with women and minority group memebers."
