Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld Orlando stop just short of $80 admission

CoasterDiscern said:
I dont know then, I honestly never hear anyone use the word Indian when they refer to a Native American. Thats just my take, take it for what its worth.

Heres a good question! How come every single piece of government issued documentation that asks an individual to release information on their ethnic background here is Canada, asks the person if they are either Aboriginal or Native American? I have never once seen the word Indian.

Jeff wasn't either. He said the guy was Indian, meaning his original country of origin was India.

India = Indian
America = American or sometimes Native American

*edit: is national distinction discriminatory? Not wanting that can of worms to open*

Yes, and when you word it like that, it makes me feel like I didn't read into the post enough and I should have put a comb through it.

I do understand now. I feel like a coaster god is going to strike me in the back any second now. :)

CoasterDiscern said:
Yes, and when you word it like that, it makes me feel like I didn't read into the post enough and I should have put a comb through it.

You think? Why is anyone even talking about this?

Yes I agree, its completely irrelevant to the topic.

I nominate for Unintentionally Funny Thread of the Year. ;)

So if guest attendance does remain the same next year or even increases, would it be reasonable to suggest another price increase in the forecast?

As sure as the sun will rise.

Lord Gonchar said:
*still banging head on keyboard*

Which, of course, reminds me of this guy...

--Dave Althoff, Jr.

I'm glad I payed $200 for my two-year Season Pass at the San Antonio Sea World. It's just as good for ALL the Florida Parks as well as the parks in California, Texas and Virginia! :)

Will G said:
I think that all amusement parks have to stay in a certain limit or else the amount of people coming will fall alot and you can't have (in most cases) a place that only rich $$$ people can go.

Say it with me: "Discovery Cove."

Another reason why people from India, like people who emigrate here from many other countries, live rather frugally is because they send substantial amounts of money to their families back home. Or maybe they're just saving up to afford a few visits to Florida theme parks.

It's also just in the culture. My parents immigrated from China in the 60's (admittedly, China and India are very different places, but humor me) and they have way more money now than they know what to do with and they still pinch pennies. The one exception oddly enough: travel. They try to keep each trip reasonable, but they probably spend 3 months out of a given year overseas. They've been to all 7 continents and I would bet over 50 countries. Never been to BGT, though (did take us to SWO when we were little).

The Indian people I know aren't sending money anywhere, and in fact I'd generalize that they want many of the same things any of us corn-fed Midwestern kids do. The difference is that they don't go nuts using credit, they don't get ridiculously extravagant, and they save money. (That's probably a terrible over-generalization, but probably fair when comparing to said Midwestern folk.)

I think there's also some generational carryover that comes into play in our respective cultures, something Andy started to touch on. Here in the land of what used to be plenty, I think a lot of people my age and younger grew up thinking that big houses and status cars were "normal." It's like no one ever told them that wasn't sustainable, let alone automatic. I suppose it's the one minor positive of growing up poor, because I didn't have that experience.

You mean we don't all deserve a big house, plasma screen TV with satellite, smart phone with data plan, 2 cars with DVD players, hot spouse with great sex life, and perfect kids whose problems can be solved in 22 minutes of laughing?

You mean TV lied to me!!?!?

Jeff said:
I think there's also some generational carryover that comes into play in our respective cultures, something Andy started to touch on. Here in the land of what used to be plenty, I think a lot of people my age and younger grew up thinking that big houses and status cars were "normal." It's like no one ever told them that wasn't sustainable, let alone automatic. I suppose it's the one minor positive of growing up poor, because I didn't have that experience.

I still think this is the land of plenty. Compared to a huge chunk of the world we still have plenty even if things are not as rosy here as they used to be. Poor here does not mean the same as poor in Mexico, Africa...

As a corn fed Midwesterner I did not grow up thinking of big as normal. Everyone in small town USA where I lived seemed to accept what they had without trying to outdo everyone. My perception has been that it wasn't until my generation grew up and moved out that the notion of normal changed. What caused that shift? Is Andy right with his TV show reference?

We became fat and happy. Literally and figuratively. Big difference between how folks who are looking to eat act compared to how folks looking to be part of the middle class act.

Well the hot spouse part is totally attainable. Some of us can even do it twice. ;)

What caused the shift? As much as people want to blame it on GenX or Millennials or whatever other stupid name is used to describe a generation, I personally think it was the Baby Boomers who did a crappy job of teaching value... of money, work, etc.

You are probably right. I guess I should be thankful that my parents taugh me those values.

ApolloAndy said:
You mean we don't all deserve a big house, plasma screen TV with satellite, smart phone with data plan, 2 cars with DVD players, hot spouse with great sex life, and perfect kids whose problems can be solved in 22 minutes of laughing?

Not all of us deserve it. Just some of us. ;)

One could argue that the trend started as early as post WWII; once everyone fighting comes home to the promise of the "country life" but with city perks (i.e., suburban sprawl). Now the normal isn't to live close to work, but to live in individual homes, have a family vehicles, and drive everywhere. With this added seclusion and feeling of worth comes the residual perks of buying more than you need

There's a good documentary on this (mostly the trend of living, though it touches on the rest) called the End of Suburbia