Tiki and Caribbean. Can they be mixed? - General Tiki

K KuKuAhu Member Kahiki, Ohio Joined: Dec 23, 2002 Posts: 567	K KuKuAhu Posted posted on Tue, Feb 8, 2005 7:30 PM Tiki and Caribbean. Can they be mixed? They always have been. I don't see why that would or should stop. Plenty of Caribbean influence existed in the original tiki craze. So in that respect the answer is yes. Don B didn't travel to Samoa for his rum. But if you mean to ask if modern Caribbean flavors or culture belong in a modern reproduction of an authentic tiki bar, then I'd say no. All of the Caribbean influence that should be seen in an authentic tiki bar is already contained and seamlessly integrated into tiki culture. Drawing in additional influence only dilutes the authenticity. In the end though, I'll side with the folks that say, "It's your tiki, do what you want with it." I don't believe that escapism has rules. I also don't believe that tiki culture is ever going to become mainstream enough (as it was in it's true heyday) that the concept of it becoming diluted will ever be an issue worthy of serious concern or discussion. Those of us that love it will keep it pure enough, those that dilute it too much obviously weren't all that sold on it in the first place and will simply move on to the next big thing. I understand the desire to keep it close to its roots, but exclusivity is just so unnecessary today. It isn't as if we are defending hundreds of tiki supper clubs and bars from being turned into Cheeseburger in Paradise franchises. It's a niche culture this tiki thing. The poly-pop resurgence of recent years is nothing more than a shallow fad in low rent department stores and the entertainment industry. It certainly does not reflect a full on tiki revival. Maybe it just signifies the public finally accepting tiki as a legit pop culture phenomenon. But hell, 90% of the American public still doesn't know what it is all about. So if you want to put parrothead crap in your bar, do it. Just don't try to tell me it's a real deal old school tiki bar. I happen to collect vintage rum ads, signage, and ad related paraphenalia. Most, if not all of it is Caribbean in the geographical aspect. I display it with my tikis as one collection. I realize it is not authentic to have a Rhum Barbancourt sign on the wall of the bar, but I like it and that is all that matters to me. Ahu (Just wanted to take my swing at this dead horse. I like St. John USVI just as much as Kauai, but I still wouldn't play Bob Marley in my tiki bar.) Fraternal Order of Moai http://www.fraternalorderofmoai.org Edited once for plain old bad spelling errors I didn't see when I typed it out [ Edited by: KuKuAhu on 2005-02-15 11:41 ]

Tiki and Caribbean. Can they be mixed?

They always have been. I don't see why that would or should stop.

Plenty of Caribbean influence existed in the original tiki craze. So in that respect the answer is yes. Don B didn't travel to Samoa for his rum.

But if you mean to ask if modern Caribbean flavors or culture belong in a modern reproduction of an authentic tiki bar, then I'd say no. All of the Caribbean influence that should be seen in an authentic tiki bar is already contained and seamlessly integrated into tiki culture. Drawing in additional influence only dilutes the authenticity.

In the end though, I'll side with the folks that say, "It's your tiki, do what you want with it." I don't believe that escapism has rules.

I also don't believe that tiki culture is ever going to become mainstream enough (as it was in it's true heyday) that the concept of it becoming diluted will ever be an issue worthy of serious concern or discussion. Those of us that love it will keep it pure enough, those that dilute it too much obviously weren't all that sold on it in the first place and will simply move on to the next big thing.

I understand the desire to keep it close to its roots, but exclusivity is just so unnecessary today. It isn't as if we are defending hundreds of tiki supper clubs and bars from being turned into Cheeseburger in Paradise franchises. It's a niche culture this tiki thing. The poly-pop resurgence of recent years is nothing more than a shallow fad in low rent department stores and the entertainment industry. It certainly does not reflect a full on tiki revival. Maybe it just signifies the public finally accepting tiki as a legit pop culture phenomenon. But hell, 90% of the American public still doesn't know what it is all about.

So if you want to put parrothead crap in your bar, do it. Just don't try to tell me it's a real deal old school tiki bar.

I happen to collect vintage rum ads, signage, and ad related paraphenalia. Most, if not all of it is Caribbean in the geographical aspect. I display it with my tikis as one collection. I realize it is not authentic to have a Rhum Barbancourt sign on the wall of the bar, but I like it and that is all that matters to me.

Ahu (Just wanted to take my swing at this dead horse. I like St. John USVI just as much as Kauai, but I still wouldn't play Bob Marley in my tiki bar.)

Fraternal Order of Moai
http://www.fraternalorderofmoai.org

Edited once for plain old bad spelling errors I didn't see when I typed it out

[ Edited by: KuKuAhu on 2005-02-15 11:41 ]

Post #140192 by KuKuAhu on Tue, Feb 8, 2005 7:30 PM