Post #505160 by Bohemiann on Mon, Jan 18, 2010 3:39 AM

Rob,

Point taken... My comment was based not just on this thread but on a few years of noticing a trend of negative vibes and comments rather than positive. I think efforts to expand Tiki bars deserves encouragement not disdain. It just strikes me that often comments START from that position rather than come to it based on experience or the full measure of information. It's a tough crowd brother.

Here is another "For Instance" My good friend DAVID LANDRY, may he rest in peace, a tiki carver who got me interested in Tiki in the first place, posted some of his carvings here years ago and was slammed for his "DAYGLOW" tikis. It really upset him and his girlfriend and was personally embarrassing for me because I had told him about this wonderful FRIENDLY tiki community. He had other tikis that where more traditional that nobody ever got to see because he never came back here, he was an AWESOME and talented human being and he had A LOT to offer us all and was met with some pretty sharp and downright rude and hateful comments NOT Aloha.

It's O.K. to have high standards and an opinion but often comments come off as uncompromising and ... a little harsh and every once in awhile the comments are hurtful or discouraging to those who might be involved with what is discussed. One can be a "Purist" and be nice or one can be an "Elitist" and hold others in disdain for contrary thoughts or deviations from ...whatever... and BOTH exist here on these forums.

Its an experiential reaction, Pavlovs Poster. Yes, the term elitist is a hard one and was not specifically meant for any one person posting here, but there is no doubt the term can often be applied if you ask those of us that have experienced some form of patronization for a contrary, more accepting, position. I'm o.k. with a "purist" but have no tolerance for the kind of judgmental elitism David and others have endured here.

People at TV and others not embedded in the culture are reading these posts as well and I wonder if the impression they take away are of a Friendly supportive community who love Tiki and Polynesian culture, who exemplify the ALOHA spirit and are encouraging and CONSTRUCTIVE in their comments.

Dont get me wrong...I would rather have a TRUE TV or an FI next door but.... Damn Skippy I will take this one and I am actually thankful that it wont break my wallet and I can share this experience with my 7 and 9 year old girls. There is a place in our world for BOTH this concept AND the True Blue and Purist or not I would not take my kids to the Bahi Hut or Alabi! I have been told that this TV concept will be FAMILY centric and I think this is a VERY important distinction and consideration, after all THEY are the future of Tiki.

Hey Man ! You ARE my friend and I look forward to seeing you again and sharing a Mai-Tai.... anywhere! Matter of fact... I think you need to come on over, there is always an open door here for you and your family to visit ! I smell a CARVING JAM on the horizon!

[ Edited by: Bohemiann 2010-01-18 04:02 ]

[ Edited by: Bohemiann 2010-01-18 04:22 ]

[ Edited by: Bohemiann 2010-01-19 13:53 ]