Visit to DC brings the unexpected
 

I met up with a friend of mine who took a family trip to Washington, DC during President's Day weekend. One of her kids was begging to visit DC so they made a family trip with her husband and two kids.

After checking into the hotel (major upscale chain) they began to notice many people wearing leather. Later a guy walks through the restaurant sporting a leather jacket, pink spandex and a black tutu. She makes an inquiry at the hotel desk. The hotel employee states they cannot say what is going on as instructed by hotel management.

They head to town and return to the hotel a few hours later. The number of unusually dressed people has increased so she goes back to the desk to demand an explanation. There is now a crowd of irate people at the desk all demanding an explanation. She and others escalate to the manager. Finally the hotel admits the are hosting an "alternative lifestyle" convention.

It turns into a mess with many requesting refunds, etc. My friend did get reimbursed for the hotel charges only after contacting corporate.

How would you have reacted in this situation? Did the hotel manage it properly?

I know your particular situation involved children. That being said and having just returned from Mardi Gras I would have complained to management that there gathering was boring!

Mgmt. was probably correct in not notifying guests of who the other guests were. It might have brought discrimination lawsuits against the Hotel.

OTOH, the manager should have had staff refer all inquiries to him and he should have explained the situation and offered a discount or refund on the spot. Don't wuss out and leave the high school clerk to act stupid and catch the heat from irate customers.

But should the customers have had advance warning of who the guests were? No.

A leather jacket and pink spandex? How gauche! Everyone knows pink spandex ONLY goes with sequins!

I disagree for the following reason...

Most folks, on the guise that "their" lifestyle is something that everyone should have to put up with...are taking it to the edge and over...

Not to pick on anyone in particular... ;)

But first, it was the earing...then it became the necklace with the seagull on it and a few feathers...

Then it was the eyeliner (David Bowie-esque) and then...

You name it...pants without cheeks...

At what point does public display reach distasteful or down right rude?

Ever? Never?

The old addage, "You never wear your stage-makeup off stage." doesn't appear to be the standard anymore...you can, and in most cases it seems to be the norm, still run around in your pajamas and no one is suppose to notice.

It's like a newer version of the "Emperor's New Clothes" - only now, when the child notices that the "emperor" isn't wearing anything, the people don't wise up...they kill the child.

And they say we havn't advanced as a society... :rolleyes:

I don't.:D

Kids are pretty resilient. After all, most of them grow up watching sex and killing on TV every day, all in the comfortable surroundings of their family rooms.

Most of those parents were probably nervous about their kids asking embarrassing questions.

Pink before Easter?!?!?!?!?!?

How Blackwell!!!!

Gimme a break! Mummy and daddy are all atwitter because some folks are dressed funny?

I don't care if some equals one or a thousand at the hotel. As long as they're held to the same standards of behavior as everyone else (I don't care if you're with the alt lifestyle crowd or the Swedish Women's Volleyball Team or the St. Francis of Assisi Nun's Choir, your party gets too loud we ask you to tone in down in consideration of our other guests) then their presence is simply a non-event.

Mummy and daddy need to grow a set and parent. Yes, Muffy, he/she/I'm not sure is dressed differently than anybody you have seen this side of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Isn't it splendid that we live in a world that accepts people no matter how silly we might think their appearance is?

Were they properly accessorized?

Oh you fashion rebel you!:P

I can't agree more. If I see one more person wearing khakis and a blue oxford button down, I might lose it. The worst part is that they think I have to tolerate the offense to my sensibilities.

Could someone, somewhere, take a picture of this??? My mind just can't get past the the part of the blue oxford button down...am I that fashionably retarded?

I guess so.... :(

what no belt?????