Comments on: Vacation Rental http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/ Scenes from the podium...one pager at a time. Thu, 29 Jul 2010 03:58:38 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Jen http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8445 Jen Mon, 10 Aug 2009 17:49:53 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8445 Oh, RG, people who have never lived in a tourist town and/or worked in the restaurant industry will NEVER get it. No matter how much they may want to feel empathetic, they simply can't understand our point of view. It must be nice to have such blinders. It must be nice to think that the only kind of experience one can have is the one they are having (or expect to have). Just know that there are others of us out there that do appreciate what you have to say and would love for you to continue saying it! Oh, RG, people who have never lived in a tourist town and/or worked in the restaurant industry will NEVER get it. No matter how much they may want to feel empathetic, they simply can’t understand our point of view. It must be nice to have such blinders. It must be nice to think that the only kind of experience one can have is the one they are having (or expect to have).

Just know that there are others of us out there that do appreciate what you have to say and would love for you to continue saying it!

]]> By: Restaurant Gal http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8414 Restaurant Gal Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:01:29 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8414 I write about moments and experiences in my time and very small world. I realize that I.can't expect all my readers to understand that most often, I write very much between the lines. But I always appreciate the commentary. I write about moments and experiences in my time and very small world. I realize that I.can’t expect all my readers to understand that most often, I write very much between the lines. But I always appreciate the commentary.

]]> By: patricia http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8413 patricia Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:15:52 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8413 RG, I'm sure you'll think I missed the point of your post, and I didn't. I get what you were saying. It just seems to me that the longer you're in the Keys, the more anti-tourist you become, and that was what I was addressing. Love your blog, have been reading for a long time. RG, I’m sure you’ll think I missed the point of your post, and I didn’t. I get what you were saying. It just seems to me that the longer you’re in the Keys, the more anti-tourist you become, and that was what I was addressing. Love your blog, have been reading for a long time.

]]> By: patricia http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8412 patricia Wed, 05 Aug 2009 15:14:24 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8412 Walter, thanks for the defense of the vacation renter. As a vacation renter in several geographic areas, including one very similar to the Keys, it's pretty distressing to hear such slamming of the tourists. Yeah, some of us are tacky and we do all the stuff that the locals disdain as "for the tourists" and sometimes we'll even be classless enough to wander into a local bar and ask you to serve us. But as Walter mentions, usually we're in a good mood, we're having a good time, and we'd really like you to be nice to us so we can continue to have a good time. (Note: being nice doesn't- at least in my case- mean sleep with me. The vacation boys you mention sound dreadful. I'm talking about your larger I-hate-tourists vibe.) It's the same in every place that draws a lot of tourists- the locals say we need your money, but we hate you, and we'll smile at you through gritted teeth because it's our job and then we'll say nasty things about you behind your back. It's kind of depressing and makes me not want to go back (even to the FL beach I've been vacationing at for almost 20 years now). Walter, thanks for the defense of the vacation renter. As a vacation renter in several geographic areas, including one very similar to the Keys, it’s pretty distressing to hear such slamming of the tourists. Yeah, some of us are tacky and we do all the stuff that the locals disdain as “for the tourists” and sometimes we’ll even be classless enough to wander into a local bar and ask you to serve us. But as Walter mentions, usually we’re in a good mood, we’re having a good time, and we’d really like you to be nice to us so we can continue to have a good time. (Note: being nice doesn’t- at least in my case- mean sleep with me. The vacation boys you mention sound dreadful. I’m talking about your larger I-hate-tourists vibe.)

It’s the same in every place that draws a lot of tourists- the locals say we need your money, but we hate you, and we’ll smile at you through gritted teeth because it’s our job and then we’ll say nasty things about you behind your back. It’s kind of depressing and makes me not want to go back (even to the FL beach I’ve been vacationing at for almost 20 years now).

]]> By: Mike http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8411 Mike Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:56:58 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8411 Really good, RG, really good! Really good, RG, really good!

]]> By: Walter Wright http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8410 Walter Wright Tue, 04 Aug 2009 20:16:48 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8410 Hey, girl, gather round Listen to what Im putting down Hey babe, Im your handy (vacation rental) man.... First of all, we ain't a "breed," we are individuals, and we aren't all snooty and annoyed, at least out here in Hawaii. I can't speak for all vacation rental people (although some folks seem to think they can) but I can tell you what it's like for me. We have a little cottage on our one-acre estate on Kaneohe Bay (now don't get all riled up: we are waterfront, but the mortgage has put us "under water" if you know what I mean.) It sits literally over the water, fully furnished, about 1,000 square feet, one bedroom, couples preferred. I rent it from time to time at a rate that works out to $3,000 a month or so, which is about what I would get if I rented it long term. But this way, we get to use it whenever we want, my daughter and her husband and my grandson or my son and his wife, can come down from Seattle to stay with us, close, but with their privacy and ours intact. We can always offer it to friends. There's a big debate about vacation rentals down here: some people say vacation renters are noisy, create traffic and parking problems, drink too much, et cetera. But I say--and I know, because I have rented long term properties here in Kaneohe and Kailua for 40 years, that it is the long term tenants, and homeonwers, not the vacation renters, who cause the disturbances in the community. Vacation people don't send kids to school, don't use the courts, aren't on welfare, usually have only one car per household (compared to three cars for the typical family.) They usually don't have domestic quarrels, and I never heard of one of them shooting somebody. They are here to enjoy themselves, usually in a pretty good mood. While my daughter says she just likes to hang out at the cottage when she's here (it's peaceful and quiet), most vacation people in Hawaii aren't in the vacation rental units during the day, but out touring around, buying shave ice, playing golf, trying surfing, and so on. And they come from all over the world--usually fascinating people to talk to you if you like. If we like them especially, we can invite them up for dinner or a drink, and if we're busy, no matter, they have plenty to do. Vacation renters generally don't have the time or the facility to make a place really dirty or put holes in the walls to hang up pictures, or forget to tell you about the plumbing backing up because they stuffed something into it. If you do get a bad apple from time to time, we have a way to terminate their rental if they break the agreed upon rules. And in any event, they're here for a week, two, three, a month, even a season,but then they are gone. If they liked the place, they'll send their friends back. AND the rent is paid in full, in advance. The downside, of course, is the cleaning and reservations and turnover--and for that reason most of my rentals are for long term tenants, and despite my invidious comparisons between them and vacation renters, only a handful of long-term tenants out of hundreds I have had have been anything less than considerate, courteous, wonderful people. So if you or any of your readers plans to come to Hawaii either on vacation or for a longer term, send me an email at wrightw001@hawaii.rr.com. We'd love to see you and--as we say out here in Paradise--we'll leave the torch on for you. --Aloha, Walter Wright Hey, girl, gather round
Listen to what Im putting down
Hey babe, Im your handy (vacation rental) man….
First of all, we ain’t a “breed,” we are individuals, and we aren’t all snooty and annoyed, at least out here in Hawaii. I can’t speak for all vacation rental people (although some folks seem to think they can) but I can tell you what it’s like for me.
We have a little cottage on our one-acre estate on Kaneohe Bay (now don’t get all riled up: we are waterfront, but the mortgage has put us “under water” if you know what I mean.) It sits literally over the water, fully furnished, about 1,000 square feet, one bedroom, couples preferred. I rent it from time to time at a rate that works out to $3,000 a month or so, which is about what I would get if I rented it long term.
But this way, we get to use it whenever we want, my daughter and her husband and my grandson or my son and his wife, can come down from Seattle to stay with us, close, but with their privacy and ours intact. We can always offer it to friends. There’s a big debate about vacation rentals down here: some people say vacation renters are noisy, create traffic and parking problems, drink too much, et cetera. But I say–and I know, because I have rented long term properties here in Kaneohe and Kailua for 40 years, that it is the long term tenants, and homeonwers, not the vacation renters, who cause the disturbances in the community. Vacation people don’t send kids to school, don’t use the courts, aren’t on welfare, usually have only one car per household (compared to three cars for the typical family.) They usually don’t have domestic quarrels, and I never heard of one of them shooting somebody. They are here to enjoy themselves, usually in a pretty good mood. While my daughter says she just likes to hang out at the cottage when she’s here (it’s peaceful and quiet), most vacation people in Hawaii aren’t in the vacation rental units during the day, but out touring around, buying shave ice, playing golf, trying surfing, and so on. And they come from all over the world–usually fascinating people to talk to you if you like.
If we like them especially, we can invite them up for dinner or a drink, and if we’re busy, no matter, they have plenty to do. Vacation renters generally don’t have the time or the facility to make a place really dirty or put holes in the walls to hang up pictures, or forget to tell you about the plumbing backing up because they stuffed something into it. If you do get a bad apple from time to time, we have a way to terminate their rental if they break the agreed upon rules. And in any event, they’re here for a week, two, three, a month, even a season,but then they are gone. If they liked the place, they’ll send their friends back. AND the rent is paid in full, in advance. The downside, of course, is the cleaning and reservations and turnover–and for that reason most of my rentals are for long term tenants, and despite my invidious comparisons between them and vacation renters, only a handful of long-term tenants out of hundreds I have had have been anything less than considerate, courteous, wonderful people. So if you or any of your readers plans to come to Hawaii either on vacation or for a longer term, send me an email at wrightw001@hawaii.rr.com. We’d love to see you and–as we say out here in Paradise–we’ll leave the torch on for you. –Aloha, Walter Wright

]]> By: L. http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8409 L. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:42:11 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8409 Hello RG: Nice essay. What an interesting view of the other side (of the tourist trade). Hello RG: Nice essay. What an interesting view of the other side (of the tourist trade).

]]> By: Thomas (VetPsychWars) http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8408 Thomas (VetPsychWars) Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:17:50 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8408 After I got divorced, the manager and day bartender of the place down the street kept me going from day to day. If it weren't for her, I don't know what I was going to do. But sometimes it takes time to get that kind of relationship. After I got divorced, the manager and day bartender of the place down the street kept me going from day to day. If it weren’t for her, I don’t know what I was going to do. But sometimes it takes time to get that kind of relationship.

]]> By: Sarah http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8407 Sarah Tue, 04 Aug 2009 00:57:28 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8407 Thanks for this little slice of life--I wish you were my bartender and I was one of your locals. Thanks for this little slice of life–I wish you were my bartender and I was one of your locals.

]]> By: formercaligal http://www.restaurantgal.com/2009/08/vacation-rental/comment-page-1/#comment-8406 formercaligal Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:53:24 +0000 http://www.restaurantgal.com/?p=871#comment-8406 the keys are lucky to have you...enjoyed reading this :) the keys are lucky to have you…enjoyed reading this :)

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