Post #805075 by telescopes on Sun, Aug 14, 2022 11:16 AM

Tiki welcomes diversity. It can be enjoyed by any group but I am more than aware that not everyone will either enjoy or be comfortable with all aspects or even any aspects of Tiki.

That much is clear and who really cares. Not everything is for everyone.

There is a certain suspension of disbelief that occurs for lovers of tiki - especially old school tiki.

Politically Correct Tiki can never be Tiki if for this only reason: Tiki is not only made up, it is ABSOLUTELY white-washed.

BUT - so are a lot of things ethnically washed.

Pow wows are washed by Native Americans - I suppose you could say red washed. They certainly don't represent the ceremonial gatherings of 200 years ago and their welcoming of all peoples would not have been evident back then either.

Certain aspects of Africanized culture are washed by modern people. Today it is about the welcoming spirit of empowerment and love - back then, that would not have been the case.

Every group finds an aspect of escapism to an imaginary time of romance with the past that just never existed in real life.

I've been to the Trader Vics in Thailand. Make believe is everywhere. And look at how successful TV is in the Middle East. There is NOTHING in their culture to say, "Yeh, that's how we do things". In fact, TV is just the opposite of everything they hold dear... and yet, escapism is necessary.

The dream of Shangri la is not owned by any one group.

Here is proof - Every group of people want to come to America to participate in the "American Dream". This is a dream neither based on reality or reflective of anything resembling reality. Yet, a home in the suburbs with a couple of cars, a lawn, a BBQ, and that idyllic life captivates so many around the world.

Dreams - after a hard day at work, joining up with the spouse or a few friends at a Tiki Bar or restaurant and escaping is just the ticket. Real or not.

I am not Native American nor am I African by descent, but I certainly enjoy attending and enjoying aspects of their culture. I love going to Pow Wows, Kwanza gatherings, and I certainly enjoy my many travels to cultures for and wide around the world. Having been to nearly 30 countries and having participated in many of their cultures and traditions, I feel that they are not really all that different in some ways than tiki.

[ Edited by telescopes on 2022-08-14 11:17:28 ]

[ Edited by telescopes on 2022-08-14 11:20:14 ]