So, we here at The Angry Pothound have been getting a lot of love from all around, and we must admit, it's a nice feeling. The Dog feels all warm inside, like a fresh piece of coconut bake. Mmmmm, bake. So, as more and more of you become followers, and really feel what we are trying to do here, we discover some serious talent amongst you, some people that might have been bottling that s**t in. We want you to relax, breathe, and let it out. As such, we have decided to introduce guest writers every now and again to throw some words on the page, just to spice things up and offer up different views. It's also a great way to keep things nice and democratic - after all, Communism is more or less dead.
Round 1. Welcome to the ring: PIERRE.
WHY SAVE…WHEN I CAN FETE? by Pierre
Carnival, Carnival, Carnival…the perennial, posterior pulsating, party. It religiously inaugurates every new year, starting with leaking soca in September of the previous year, the soca switch on Boxing Day, and finally the official launch on January 6th. All true trinis and their Nigerian doctors know about it and have gyrated in at least two events that correspond with the season. The music is banal and vapid, yet at the same time infectious and hypnotic. A cactus could write a soca song and it would be a hit. Everyone is everyone’s friend in this season, so long as they don’t spill the other’s drink. It is a wonderful celebration that is a true representation of what Trini culture is about.
Carnival 2KWine, however, is somewhat different from the previous 65 million years of festivities. “How?” you ask yourself while reading this article in your cubicle in work, in a minimized window, with your back erect to block your superiors from seeing what you are really doing. Well…potential partygoers are now being forced to take out a mortgage in order to attend even one event. Ticket prices have reached so high that they qualify for first party insurance.
Why should ticket prices START at $600??? A certain fete I was told had reached $1300 if one resorted to our friendly, neighbourhood scalpers. It is an atrocity that these promoters feel they have the right to extortion. I know that the common defense is the “all-inclusive” title, but never have I been able to eat that amount of food…and I’ve been known to eat when my stomach is full, just because I love to eat. Rampant alcohol consumption would account for a large percentage of money, but it would still fall short of the prices that they are asking for. The argument that it is to weed out the “less civilized” is as empty, or more so, than that of the all-inclusive title. First of all, these less civilized will pay whatever you ask if they want to attend your affair. They are by no means struggling to find the disposable income. Second, if you want to improve the security of your fete, improve THE SECURITY OF YOUR FETE. Guards by the entrance alone can guard the entrance alone.
Considering that we are in “recessionary” times, one would think that the promoters would have some sympathy for those of use who have personal recessions in our wallets. The economy is undeniably experiencing a slowdown, and people should really re-evaluate their personal budgets.
- NB: I do not subscribe to this talk of “recession” in T&T, because we are not in one, nor are we heading into one. Our economy is structured differently to the countries that are (USA, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Spain, UK, etc.). Trinidadian’s like to say: “If it could happen to dem, who is we?”….Well “we” is not “dem,” so put a sock in it. We are experiencing something referred to as “stagflation”… but I digress …
In all attempts toward fairness, I must provide some defense for these unscrupulous promoters. When it comes to consumerism and expenditure, we, the public of T&T, are koonoomoonoos. If it stands still long enough, we will buy it. This is partly the result of an Americanized culture and Ewart Williams’ (Governor of the Central Bank) consistently bad ideas. Nevertheless, all we know how to do is spend money. If you want evidence of this, note the prevalence of car loans and credit card debt. We use credit cards to pay off credit cards … really hoss?
I know people will say that the fetes are still selling out, so the prices can’t be that high, but for the more primitive of the population, there is something called “social responsibility.” Basically business’ have to look out for the people who are their customers, employees or clients. These organizations or individuals who throw the fetes should take the state of the economy into consideration and set their prices accordingly. America is (or was) successful because they treat their population like children. They assume that no-one knows any better.
“Because they will buy it” is not a reason to set your profit margin at 1,000,000%. Help the people save some money dammit. Until then…I’ll just hit up Island Finance to borrow some money to pay off the credit card I used to pay off my credit card I used to pay off a loan I took out to pay for my costume.
Happy Carnival.
T.A.P.'s FINAL WORD: "Koonoomoonoos," Pierre? Nice throwback word. We are loving it so much, that we are McLovin' it.
1 comment:
well said
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