Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!- Page 5
Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Bwayfan4
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/06
#100re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 6:30am
Marona, I agree with you. It's funny, I don't live in NY but I'm there so often that I don't really consider myself a tourist (although I guess technically I am).
Even I have noticed more and more of those obnoxious tourists who are rude, show no common courtesy to others, and seem to have no common sense whatsoever. I used to come into the city hours before my show started and just roam around...now with all of these obnoxious tourists, I literally get to the city an hour before the curtain rises...I come for the show and leave after.
Unfortunately I think rude obnoxious people with no common sense is becoming an epidemic in this day and age...can we please start thinking about people other than ourselves!?!?!? And while we're at it..."please", "thank you" and "excuse me" are not taboo...USE THEM!!! (and teach others to do the same)
This is the end of my rant...
#101re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 6:50am
Bwayfan4, since you don't live in NY, you ARE a tourist for New Yorkers, and thus, you are subjected to the generalisation ! You may be the perfect respectful visitor, but some people put you in the same bag as those obnoxious people you are describing ! That's what I've been saying ! You prove exactly my point ! I would be perfectly fine with the term SOME tourists are rude, silly, etc. But it's TOURISTS and that affects me and you as well !
And shermanslave is right ! I apologise for the threadjack ! Maybe I had too much time on my hands ! I promise to stop here ! Love ya all !
#102re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:11am
When I read comments from people who say "they came from a long distance to only find there is nothing to see" makes me laugh. There are a lot of other shows that are still running. Go see something else. At the moment there isn't anything anyone can do. You will get your money back for the show you had originally wanted to see, but since you are in the city, you might as well see something else. You will probably be pleasantly surprise seeing something you wouldn't necessarily have thought of seeing.
It is funny seeing the photo of the bewildered tourists looking at the TKTS Board. There are countless of "off-Broadway" shows listed, but tourists shy away from them most of the time. Go see one of those shows, or suck it up and go see Shakespeare at Lincoln Center, that is bound to be just as stimulating if not more so than Legally Blonde or Jersey Boys.
I didn't get to see a show last night that I had purchased a ticket for, but I sucked it up and did something else. There are millions of other activities a tourist can do. Go for a walk in Central Park, go check out the Village, go to Zabaars. I know that people came a long way to see something but sometimes there are things you cannot control.
Before moving to NYC, I was visiting when the Musicians went on strike, closing down many shows. I was disappointed but it passed, and found other things to occupy my time. I went to a museum or to the top of the Empire State Building. It was fun.
"Love the Art in Yourself. Not Yourself in the Art." -- Stanislavski
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 08:11 AM
Lynnespock2
Broadway Star Joined: 5/14/04
#103re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:14am
i have no issue with tourists. They bring their enthusiasm as well their dollars to my city and I welcome these people with open arms.
Would I be disappointed if I were to go to London and didn't get to see the show I had tickets to once I was there? Sure, no issue that the tourists are hurt by the strike, but so is anyone who works in the theater, owns a business that needs the patrons of the theater for their income, hotels, restaurants, pedicabs, etc.
Do they disrupt my life? No and I hope when I travel, the people of that city don't think of me as burden or some sort. I hope that the tourists continue to enjoy the beauty and culture of the city of my birth.
Live long and prosper.
Marriage equity now!
Updated On: 11/11/07 at 08:14 AM
DoranC
Understudy Joined: 11/4/07
#104re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 9:24am
"New hospitals and schools are not built with tourist dollars. They are built with tax money, which I and other locals pay."
Tourists pay taxes to the city of NY. Anyone who has stayed in a hotel in NYC knows that. (I assume there is general sales tax in NYC as well, isn't there?) As for your jobs paying the taxes, the point I first made in this thread (in response to those who were making fun of Iowa) was that many of the jobs (theater workers, restaurant, hotels, taxis, etc.) effected by the strike wouldn't have existed in the first place without the tourists. The locals might be paying the income taxes, but tourists are paying the locals. Obviously not entirely, but for those working in the Theater District, significantly.
I agree with the basic premise made in the original post that the local media shouldn't have just talked to tourists, but--when you are talking about the theater industry--so much of it comes back to the tourists, doesn't it?
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#105re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 9:26am
If tourists pulled a strike, Broadway would be down the crapper in a heartbeat.
Maybe they should.
Poster Emeritus
Bwayfan4
Broadway Star Joined: 10/11/06
#106re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 9:57amGreekmusicalfan...I don't CARE what tourist category people put me in...I KNOW that I am not one of those people MaronaDavies is talking about since I was raised to use manners and to treat others with common courtesy. I'm sorry that you are offended by MaronaDavies' comments...I on the other hand, am not.
#107re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 10:10am
I'm a little late to this thread, but...
As someone who lives and works (theater bartender/Broadway gift shop) in New York, the tourists are mostly fine. I ride the subway every day, and plenty of New Yorkers are just as rude, slow, dirty, etc. as any tourist. There are people whom I see every day on the train platforms throwing garbage on the tracks, the sidewalks, and so on. Generalizations never do any good. Yes, of course, there are tourists who are rude and filthy, as there are New Yorkers who are rude and filthy. I take every single person as a separate entity, they are each responsible for their own actions.
As for the strike, I'm currently out of work at my one job, thankfully I have a second job to pick up the slack. The news media should be seeking out wardrobe people, ushers, bartenders (like myself) to find out how this all affects them. I'm sure people going to see shows are very, very dissappointed, but they can get some compensation (their money back), I unfortunately, will not be paid for the shows I'm not working, and that includes the tips I will not get (except from the damn English, who never tip! LOL).
I killed the boss, you don't think they're gonna fire me over a thing like that!!!!
#108re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 10:51am
I think people have forgotten that this is what is SUPPOSED to happen with a strike. It is supposed to suck for many many people and they are supposed to complain. That's all part of the proccess of getting the contract that the stagehands want (and deserve)
I certainly don't think the tourists are the only people who are affected by this or that they are most harshly affected and as much as I dislike many tourists too I still understand why they would be upset. Some didn't even know the show was cancelled until they actually arrived at the theater.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#109re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 10:58am
These tourists will not be coming back anytime soon Many more will not come. Broadway & this city will feel reverberrations from this for years to come.
I feel sorry for all adverse affected by the with the exception of the strikers.
Poster Emeritus
#110re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:20amI could be wrong, but I don't think the union planned the strike around the 11:00 performance of "Grinch". I think it is awful that Charlotte St. Martin made that statement to make the union members look bad and that they have upset these children. Kids would have been affected by the strike no matter when it started. And I also think it stinks that they are not reporting on the people and businesses that will be affected by this. I don't know everything about this strike, (I am reading everything I can and even streaming NY1 online)but I think I know enough to say that both sides have "a point". But I have yet to see a union member being interviewed about the strike. I can't say I take sides on this because I am not in the industry or at the theaters where these stagehands work. But I will say that if there are stagehands that are on shows that are not needed or are getting paid for not being there for a full performance, than that should be looked into on a show to show basis. But it seems that whenever this contract that just expired was agreed to, the producers had to agree to it so they have let this happen. As far as the producers are concerned, I feel it is about money and how they can get more. Especially since Broadway is generating so much money. Just my random thoughts.
Just give the world Love.
misschung
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/18/07
#111re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:23am
I'm also not really biased toward either side, but how long did they expect them to work without a contract?
today, the Union showed that it is willing to take away the magic of Broadway from children and adults…New Yorkers AND visitors…who had been looking forward to a wonderful holiday time experience at the theatre
Nice
The morning star always gets wonderful bright the minute before it has to go --doesn't it?
DesperatelySeekingStranger
Stand-by Joined: 10/12/04
#112re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:41amSure some tourists were complaining, but I think most were more upset about the lack of notice about the strike. Many could have changed plans, etc, if they knew there would be no shows. How do we know that a majority of them haven't seen the city 100 times over or have no interest in seeing the other shows. Sure their tickets will be refunded, but who refunds their airfare and hotels? Personally it broke my heart yesterday to walk past The Little Mermaid and see crying children. Adults surely understand what a strike is, but how can you expect a child to? It's really tough to take a side when it comes to strikes because on the one hand you want to support those who are fighting to keep their financial well being but on the other hand you hate that their striking does it at other people's expense. Look at the WGA strike. NBC just fired the entire crew of The Office over it. 102 people are now out of a job with bills to pay due to others wanting better finanical stability and their fair cut. How can you possibly pick a side to support? It sucks all around. Actors, other crew, restaurant, tourist attractions, and audiences can all be hit financially due to a strike.
#113re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 11:52am
I asked this on another thread but will ask it here as this thread seems to be a bit more active....
This may be a stupid question, but this "warchest", was this money that the producers got in case of a strike? And they charged us, the theatergoers, more to put some money into it?
Just give the world Love.
#114re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 12:03pmI figure some of you guys might get a kick out of some of the responses below this article: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/11/09/broadway-lockout-survival-guide/ and want to add your two sense.
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
#115re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:14pm
In todays San Diego Union news of this strike occupies about 15% of page 6. So I would not be surprised if a substantial number of tourists are only now aware of it upon arrival.
I feel bad for the tourists because my well planned trips are not only are expensive but require a great amount of lost income from work. Yet inspite of that, my greater sympathy is with the local people associated with Broadway in other ways who are also losing jobs and income. The producers will not be the ones to suffer even if they lose quite a lot of money. They all ready have quite a lot or they wouldn't be producers.
I can not get a good read on the merits of this strike. The stagehands may have a very legitimate beef but it's difficult to tell from reading the posts or listening to the news. On the other hand I wonder how many experienced stagehands in other cities would love to apply their skills in NYC.
As far as the comments about obnoxious tourists, I believe it's everyone. What I mean is that I have seen a general decline in simple courtesy over the years. Yet in my mind the one greatest exception to that has been the people of NYC. Before 911 NYC was famous for rudeness. Since then, I have seen a total transformation in the general attitude throughout the city. Courtesy breeds more of the same as does bad behavior.
Yawper
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/13/04
#116re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:29pm
"It's really tough to take a side when it comes to strikes because on the one hand you want to support those who are fighting to keep their financial well being but on the other hand you hate that their striking does it at other people's expense."
Strikes are a tactic of last resort. It's management refusal to bargain in good faith that forces them. The writers and stagehands would rather be working, too, but under fair conditions, which management refuses to maintain or establish. Others out of work are misdirecting their anger if they are blaming strikers, especially since they will most likely, in the long run, benefit from whatever the unions retain or gain in a settlement.
#117re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:40pmAre all the other unions supporting the stagehands?
DesperatelySeekingStranger
Stand-by Joined: 10/12/04
#118re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:41pmThey are only misdirecting their anger if they agree with Local One. There are many people, some more informed than others, who do not agree with the strike nor in what Local One is asking for. Like any strike, other unions may join the picket line in support but it does not necessarily mean they fully back it. Of course publicly many may be for the strike simply to avoid awkwardness, etc once the strike is resolved but I don't fully believe some don't feel animosity towards their crew members. It's easy to blame everything on management but it does take two sides to get where we currently are.
Yawper
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/13/04
#119re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 1:54pmThe bottom line is which side is getting wealthy while asking the other to take cuts. The stagehands are looking to maintain the status quo. The League is looking to increase profits through job cuts. Updated On: 11/11/07 at 01:54 PM
DesperatelySeekingStranger
Stand-by Joined: 10/12/04
#120re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 3:48pmFrom my understanding, while "cutting jobs" aren't they offering essentially a 20% pay increase over 5 years? And I truly do not see a problem with wanting to change how crew calls are done regarding load-in. If you were an employer, would you want to pay someone for a day of work if they were not needed? One of my dearest friends is a stagehand and there have been times where he didn't have to do a damn thing and he got a paycheck. I've also worked on shows where a few things needed to be moved backstage and we had to call a 4 hour crew call. It took all of 30 minutes but they had to be paid for 4 hours. Its these cases where I do not support the strike. If this is the biggest issue they are fighting, how do they not come across as greedy?
#121re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:48pm
I really have little sympathy for the bitching parents outside of The Grinch, the crying kids, the disapointed tourists or even the regular theatregoers. The stagehands are not doing this to be mean. They don't want to be standing on the cold sidewalk all day. They'd love to be working, I'm sure. They need a new contract though. They need to be treated well. They're just as important as anyone in this theatre community of ours and the goddamned producers have got to realize that. It's not all about them.
So here are my parting words to the patrons that called the stagehands "bullies", the crying kids and the old church ladies that wanted to see 'Tasia on Broadway-
Go complain to the League. Not the stagehands.
And here are my parting words to the League-
Solve this problem. You stink.
#122re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:56pmAre the stagehands at the theatres which are still open receiving a substantially better deal? If not, why are they still working?
Mr Roxy
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/17/03
#123re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:56pmAll I can say is those waiting in line yesterday at Radio City for tickets were not too enthused for the strikers. Not one person defended them.
Poster Emeritus
#124re: Who is REALLY affected by the strike? Oh, those POOR tourists!
Posted: 11/11/07 at 8:57pmI'm not sure. All I know is that they have a different contract.
Videos