Thoughts about the new Gold Class Cinemas at The Domain? (Dallas: rent, buy)

[Cardiff Giant]

I would check that out...if I still went to the movies.

[austinnerd]

Another interesting point is that I don't remember anyone who spoke positively of GCC or the Domain doing so in any type of "elitist" fashion. Rather, the introduction of classism and the stereotyping of those who do/are likely to patronize such places seem to be coming from those who don't see value in those places. I guess it's logical for those folks to speak up and say that they don't find value there, but some then choose to associate various negative attributes on those places and those who utilize them.

As for the whole "kids" thing, it really has nothing to do with kids. There are plenty of parents who do find value at the Domain and at GCC. Really it's down to how much disposable income you have (for whatever reason, kids, mortgage, car payments, beer, crack, etc, etc) and where you place your priorities. A family with two kids whose household income is >$500000 a year and is socking away $100000/year is probably not going to have an issue with $20+ tickets to see a movie every once and a while. DINKS whose household income is $45000 with a mortgage, car payments, three maxed out credit cards, and a bunch of medical bills probably will.

[TexasHorseLady]

Well, I, for one, was just trying to "read" the thread and why it might be getting the reaction it does, based on a long history of observing Austin and the changes in it.

And I do know a lot of people who laughed at the idea of the Domain being in Austin, but obviously there is a market for it with some. It would, still, be more "at home" in Dallas, I think. Nothing wrong with that, it just looks out of place here.

By the way, that proverbial family that you describe, austinnerd? That description fits my family at the time we had one in private school and one in college, to a "t" - except that even then we wouldn't think of paying $20 for a single ticket to a movie. We also had a bit of a problem getting a mortgage at one time because we made too much money not to have any debt beyond one other mortgage and a piddling amount on a credit card, and it really threw the mortgage folks - we had to explain that one to them! I learned better than that in my youth at the knee of people with REAL money, the kind that can buy presidents and small countries if they're so inclined. So, we mess up your assumption right off the bat!

[jobert]

I think one reason it's frowned upon by many is because of it's poor timing. Excess has been out of style for the last couple of years as we've just now stepped back from the abyss of another great depression (yet we're still staring at it). It's lean times as many have dropped from middle class status and has been painful - especially for the "structurally unemployed". I think a development like GCC would have been blown off in better days, but has been seen for it's symbolism by those looking up.

[JayBrown80]

Originally Posted by jobert

I think one reason it's frowned upon by many is because of it's poor timing. Excess has been out of style for the last couple of years as we've just now stepped back from the abyss of another great depression (yet we're still staring at it). It's lean times as many have dropped from middle class status and has been painful - especially for the "structurally unemployed". I think a development like GCC would have been blown off in better days, but has been seen for it's symbolism by those looking up.

But that's the point I am making. WE haven't stepped back from the brink. YOU may have, but I have been doing just fine.

I don't know your personal situation, so I can't comment on that.

What I can comment on is this. Most of the people that are hurting in these economic times are the same people that were barely making it when times were good. I understand that some people have fallen from middle class, but a lot those people were only faux-middle class to begin with. They thought they were middle class because someone hadn't cut up their credit cards yet.

So my question is, why should I, who have lived within my means my entire adult life, now have to deny myself some extravagant pleasures just because other peoples house of cards has come tumbling down.

I know that a lot of people out there are suffering, but thru good decisions and some luck, I am not. Why shouldn't I treat myself, just so some people without any economic sense can feel better about their situation?

If something did happen to me, and I lost my job, or I slipped into poverty, I would be more focused on working my way back up then quivering in silent rage at someone that spends $30 on a movie ticket.

[XLadylawX]

Originally Posted by jobert

I think a development like GCC would have been blown off in better days, but has been seen for it's symbolism by those looking up.

Remind me, what is it's "symbolism?"

[jobert]

Originally Posted by JayBrown80

But that's the point I am making. WE haven't stepped back from the brink. YOU may have, but I have been doing just fine..

When I said "WE", I was referring to the global economy and the Second Great Depression that we all narrowly avoided.

Originally Posted by JayBrown80

I don't know your personal situation, so I can't comment on that.

I'm doing fine personally..I never said I couldn't afford to go to a movie there.

[jobert]

Originally Posted by XLadylawX

Remind me, what is it's "symbolism?"

It symbolizes excess.

[JayBrown80]

Originally Posted by jobert

When I said "WE", I was referring to the global economy and the Second Great Depression that we all narrowly avoided.



I'm doing fine personally..

I know when you said WE you were speaking about Americans as a whole.

That is why I tried to be specific and say that I don't know your personal situation, so I am not talking about you.

[JayBrown80]

Originally Posted by jobert

It symbolizes excess.

"excess" by it's definition implies too much, going beyond what you can afford.

If you can afford it, it's not excessive.