Post #247298 by Tom Slick on Mon, Aug 7, 2006 1:23 AM

Maybe this reply/post could be slightly off the topic, but I think alot of people here are failing to see that tiki lifestyle is your own interpertation of paradise in some exotic far off place. This thread shouldn't stab at people's attempts to build tiki bars, but in fact,show the ugly side of merchandise out there being sold off as tiki. There are even Grand Members on here praising the fact that Target, Big Lots, and such are carrying tikis and the like in other threads, and I personally feel that it is all just "made in china" mass produced garbage! I am not a purist by any means, and I think that the term "tiki purist" is a term used too loosely here on TC. I mean if you want to get technical about tiki, there would only be a handful or so of true tiki idols/designs that would have any religious signifigances in the true aspect of the culture. Point being when "tiki" went mainland successfully in the latter 50's in areas such as Downey,Rosemead,Lakewood and such cities in So Cal, it was done by the creativity of mostly white non-islander artists who incorporated "their own idea" of what tropical paradise meant to them and thats what I think the tiki lifestyle is all about...Artistic interpretation of paradise. If there is any such thing as a tiki purist,then in their world would be void of Shags,Boskos, Crazy Als,and Bamboo Bens. I for one would never throw a "Party City" tiki party, but if you live in the midwest and that is all you know tiki to be, then enjoy your party and cheers to you for having tiki spirit while you learn the curve of poly pop when reading TC topics!
I also have to agree with BBT that there should be a topic started that deals with "Tiki on a Budget"
Correction- I meant Grog about tiki on a budget

[ Edited by: Tom Slick 2006-08-07 01:26 ]