Post #135220 by hewey on Wed, Jan 12, 2005 8:07 PM

I have been throwing this idea around in my head for a while now. I reckon this is just the place to get an interesting discussion going.

Would you prefer the Tiki culture to be mainstream and popular or would you prefer it to be underground and little known?

If it was mainstream there would be tiki everywhere and it would be celebrated in the streets. I'm only 22 so i never experienced the whole poly pop sensation 'in the day'. Tiki bars would be in abundance. Bartenders would treat polynesian drinks as a fine art, instead of asking what the hell is a mai tai.

Conversley, there would be the hangers-on who dont have a real affinity for the scene but are rather there cause its cool. Witness the plethora of Von Dutch and kustom kulture as a whole. Kids who wouldn't know the difference between a lead slead or jalopy and a bar of soap. But what the hell would I know? I dont carve, i have no tiki mugs. I have an original edition of the kon tiki, some hibiscus shirts, and some small tikis...Does that make me a 'true tiki-phile', whatever the hell that is?

If the scene is underground then you know people are here cause they dig the scene. Whether it be bright shirts, heady cocktails or primitive art - there is something here that attracts them like sailors are drawn by the sirons. Also, there is something about earning your collection by trawling garage sales much like putting together a sweet wagon from swap meet parts.

However, tiki would not be as available. Less to buy means prices are more. People look scared/confused when you show off your tiki passion.

Jeez I talk some garbage. Looking forward to hearing your comments.