Trader Vic's, Dallas, TX (restaurant) - Locating Tiki

B bigbrotiki Tiki Socialite Tiki Island, above the Silverlake Joined: Mar 25, 2002 Posts: 11621	B bigbrotiki Posted posted on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 12:23 PM But it is a reality we have to face. I am sometimes wondering: It being obvious that the general public, especially in non-traditional Tiki states, is not aware of Tiki culture, and is lacking the contemporary context that once was there in the 50s and 60s, does it go beyond the fact that they do not have the "education" that it takes to understand the style, but do they actually feel alienated in an environment that they cannot place anywhere, that does not relate to the world they know? Does it actually make them feel "uncomfortable" because of that? Why does this style that feels so cozy, so wonderfully entertaining and escapist to us, not create the same reaction in more members of the working public? I realize that Trader Vic's prices are not conducive to this economic climate, and that location plays a large part in the popularity of a place, but there are pricey, off the beaten path restaurants that do not have to struggle even today. Another reality is that of the short-livedness of the restaurant industry, concepts get old VERY fast. Tradition does only count to a few in this country.

But it is a reality we have to face. I am sometimes wondering: It being obvious that the general public, especially in non-traditional Tiki states, is not aware of Tiki culture, and is lacking the contemporary context that once was there in the 50s and 60s, does it go beyond the fact that they do not have the "education" that it takes to understand the style, but do they actually feel alienated in an environment that they cannot place anywhere, that does not relate to the world they know? Does it actually make them feel "uncomfortable" because of that?
Why does this style that feels so cozy, so wonderfully entertaining and escapist to us, not create the same reaction in more members of the working public?

I realize that Trader Vic's prices are not conducive to this economic climate, and that location plays a large part in the popularity of a place, but there are pricey, off the beaten path restaurants that do not have to struggle even today. Another reality is that of the short-livedness of the restaurant industry, concepts get old VERY fast. Tradition does only count to a few in this country.

Post #503875 by bigbrotiki on Tue, Jan 12, 2010 12:23 PM