Controlling the kids: Northwoods Mall's new escort policy

[13Bulldog]

Originally Posted by chs9000

Authenticity has become a key value for people, especially in commercial experiences and there's nothing authentic about the indoor shopping mall where you are literally surrounded by brands trying to sell you stuff. Plus they are UGLY buildings surrounded by huge parking lots. Who wants that?

It's the same reason why airbnb works. Sure hotels are very nice and predictable, but there's a much more authentic experience to be had staying in an airbnb.

This guy gets it.

[Ziggy100]

Originally Posted by chs9000

Authenticity has become a key value for people, especially in commercial experiences and there's nothing authentic about the indoor shopping mall where you are literally surrounded by brands trying to sell you stuff. Plus they are UGLY buildings surrounded by huge parking lots. Who wants that?

It's the same reason why airbnb works. Sure hotels are very nice and predictable, but there's a much more authentic experience to be had staying in an airbnb.

I like outdoor malls, but there's nothing authentic about them. Authenticity is King Street.
There's nothing authentic about a purpose built outdoor mall with fake upper floors made to look like a mixed use community that nobody lives in.

[Sprouts]

That food court usually feels shady. It isn't just the teenagers. I wonder if the security cameras are monitored for drug/gang activity. That area in general has had issues with drug deals gone bad....Walmart parking lot, Olive Garden parking lot, and the mall parking lot.

I remember hanging at the mall when I was the teenager. Grabbing something to eat and shopping with my friends....being respectful.

Personally, I'd rather them step up security and monitoring. Criminal activity goes beyond the teenagers.

[moneill]

Never was a fan of kids 'hanging out' at a mall. I never really made a big deal about it but discouraged my boys when they asked if they could meet friends at the mall. I would encourage meeting some place else to do something. I'm talking ages 12-16.

[Jandrew5]

There's a thing called Amazon, people. No one forces you to go shop at the mall.

[Ledmonkey]

Didn't some crazy person attack one of the food court places the other day.

[jonrd463]

A changing of the times, I suppose. I have fond memories of being a teenager and hanging out at the mall on the weekends. We mainly hung out at the arcade and food court area, and not really in the main shopping areas. It was a meetup with friends, picking up girls (or trying!), and generally having a good time. We always steered away from the people there to shop and didn't have any intent to harass or be a nuisance. Nowadays, with the sophistication of home gaming consoles and computers, the arcade is a relic of the past, so the short attention-spanned youth of today have to find other avenues to entertain themselves. Unfortunately, it's usually at someone else's expense.

I'm all for the new policy. Not sure what good it will do, but time will tell.