I am so glad to be back on Saipan. Yes, even with the outrageous cost of living and upcoming election madness. I spent my second day on the island of Guahan, driving from Yona to Yigo, trying to occupy my time while my husband was at a meeting. It was nice, for the most part, to drive a longer distance and enjoy the billboardless scenery. I tried to listen to the radio, but after a while I was so disgusted with one of the radio station's promotions that I just turned it off and listened to the sound of the car engine, a better audio entertainment by far than what was on "air".
There was a promotion for the Globe, a hot spot and happening club in Tumon. It was apparently "No Panties Night" at the Globe and the DJ made lude comments about it being "pao pao in Tumon tonight". Now I'm admittedly way out of the party scene and consider myself to be more conservative than the average GenExer. But, this was outrageous. I could go into all the social and ethical implications that this sort of promotion brings, but I know I'd have a barrage of comments from folks who would try to convince me to be more "with it".
No way.
I am glad I live on Saipan, where Porky's promotes no smoking Wednesdays and you can still find a nice place to hang out and have "a few" without feeling like you're in a meat market. Saipan, where the only titillating specials are Naked Fish's hole in one deal and Oleai Beach Bar and Grill's dollar tacos.
Change is a good thing and should be embraced if we are to understand the dynamics of human relationships. Change though, in my opinion, needs to be for the better and I cannot, as hard as I try, contemplate the benefits of having a club full of panty-less females in an alcohol laden environment. What have we come to?
I think of my own children and the things that will become acceptible in their social environment. We have such a heady responsibility as adults. We have the awesome task of preparing them to make their own good choices. We must also prepare an appropriate selection of options for them. Perhaps I am a just a backwards island girl who takes everything a little too seriously. Perhaps the CDC shoud look into bringing their free HPV campaign to the Globe.
14 comments:
1st comment w00t...
Yeah i think that is really messed up. No pantie night? What kind of perverted club prmotes this? I really hope Saipan doesn't sink to this.
Dollar tacos are better.
Not to be too argumentative, but I think going to see panty-less females, which I am sure is limited to adults, is far less damaging than the ultimate fighting bloodsport we have here, with kids in attendance, and is growing all around. I personally think it is also less gruesome than cockfighting as well, which I realize is a long cultural tradition and very popular. I can think of a lot of other things that rank higher as well on my outrage scale: the Iraq War, our education funding, that story of that woman kept as a virtual slave in the Variety, the dead and dying dogs all around and more.
I just find it absurd that sex causes so much more outrage than violence.
Well, as long as you're holding back:) I agree with you on all those counts Jeff. And, I vehemently add that I still thinks it's disgusting to promote that kind of activity.
We should promote free margaritas for our teachers and principals. I'm for that.
Every one is naked under their panties, so its all the same. I see you slowed up on your blogging,
Not!
First of all, cockfighting has nothing to do with our culture. It was something brought over by Filipino workers in the last century.
Second, how many of you were waiting for me to comment on this?
...and oh yeah, I've heard rumors that a lot of girls go commando these days. Just ask Britney Spears.
Lots of things get brought over and become part of culture. Ever heard of pizza?
Yeah, and McDonalds.
Just because something exists, does not make it part of our "culture." Rape, incest, murder, theft, and many other crimes exist, are they part of our culture?
No way.
When I first got here, one of my cousins told me that I'd start drinking and chewing betel nut and that I would become a "real chamorro." Well then, what the hell am I now?
I call that the "culture excuse." When you don't want to change, you just throw up your hands and say, "it's culture."
I say, "it's bullshit."
Things that are brought over get incorporated into the culture and slowly become "normal", hence the term norm. Mores are a different story. No matter what has been introduced to our culture, certain things remain, like respect for our earthly temples, our bodies. Certain things changed too, but they don't have to if we don't embrace them as a society. I will never embrace gluttony, sexual promiscuity or greed.
Is Catholicism part of Chamorro culture, or is that something Spanish and therefore not part of local culture?
Culture evolves, culture adapts and adopts, it isn't something that is only based on some yesteryear when it was supposedly pure of outside influence.
I don't buy your argument at all.
Good, because I'm not selling what I believe. I don't feel the need for everyone to agree with me, and I don't have to agree with you to respect you. Catholicism has become part of Chamorro culture. That doesn't mean that all of what Catholics brought with them from Spain is good and right.
Agreed Boni. Was talking to Angelo, actually.
I'm with you on this post, Boni.
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