Post #140114 by Geeky Tiki on Tue, Feb 8, 2005 1:36 PM

Wow, what price "authenticity?"

Is rayon from Polynesia? Heck, did they even grow cotton? Now I'm not sure what kind of shirt is officially tiki "material."

I don't think they made ceramic mugs, either. No plastic swizzle sticks or ice cubes, for sure.

Already mentioned is that rum is Carribean. I'm trying to find a place that can set me straight on which distilled spirits (which originated in "Arabia") would even qualify.

The Ukulele is of Portuguese origin.

Getting into "official" Tiki compliance would be too difficult - no internet and no electricity. Arthur Lyman or Martin Denny on CD? No way.

Did real Polynesians deep fat fry spring rolls or rumaki and drink Zombies?

At some point, all Tiki purity becomes corrupt. We are trying to recreate something that was artificial/inauthentic to begin with. Tiki was schtick from day one, so how do you keep it "real?" Is getting loaded at a hotel in Palm Springs "authentic" Tiki? (I say it is, by the way.)

Tiki has to have some leeway for evolution and addition/inclusion, or we would have to become "Tiki Amish" in order to properly shun any items or technology made after 1949.

OK, that being said, I vote for Polynesian flavored tropical spirit and spirits as being the standard of Tiki-ness, with all new Tiki somehow incorporating, furthering, or acknowledging those roots.

Remember, Tiki also slyly utilized the juxtapositioning of the 'primitive' with the 'ultra modern', so there was alot of slack built into it in the first place.

Sorry to go long.