
PHOTO PROMPT © Renee Heath
The tourists were all pasty faced and out of shape, sweating in the sun, fanning themselves with programs. Jim scowled. Not many this time.
His great-grandfather had opened in the early 1950s as people began to explore the West and wanted to have an “authentic” experience. The show, unchanged since then right down to the stupid teepee, was all about expectations from those first few tourists and had nothing to do with authenticity.
The actors entered dancing, whooping and drumming.
The tourists clapped, as always. How Jim resented them. He wanted to quit, but a buck was still a buck.
***
Word count = 100
Friday Fictioneers is hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields. This week’s prompt is here and uses a photo ©Renee Heath. Read more or join in by following the InLinkz “linky“.
We like a performance but not the reality. Humans are funny like that.
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I think that’s true. We just want to be entertained, who cares about culture.
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I always find those put-on shows fake. I suppose they have a purpose but they remind me of a monkey with a grinder performing for chump change. Good write, Trent. Happy moving 😊
Isadora 😎
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Yes, in ways they are like that monkey with the grinder, but there are people who love those type of fake shows. I really don’t know if many of these roadside attractions still exist, but years ago they were everywhere. Thanks :)
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I once saw a white man attempt to enter the dance of a band of Sioux. He was quickly educated in the etiquette involved–he was a spectator, not a performer, and their dance was serious business. We sure can be dumb sometimes.
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Yeah, we can be dumb sometimes. When it is really authentic, it is serious business, not entertainment for the spectators, one reason this roadside attraction will have a hard time being more than it is.
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Showing the tourists what they want to see earns more bucks than showing how it really was I guess.
Click to read my FriFic tale!
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I think today’s audiences are a little more sophisticated, but, yeah, I think that’s pretty much how it is.
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It might be humiliating, but money soothes all nerves and embarrassment. Good one.
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It does, and for now the only thing that makes it tolerable for Jim.
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The tourists are ready to pay for the “authentic experience”.
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Some are, but others expect that fake 1950s Hollywood take and would be disappointed with anything different.
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Jim needs to get out of that business. He’s selling his soul. A tragic reality – well portrayed in your story.
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Yes, he does need to have a change, either leave the business or create a model that makes him happy. Thanks.
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Written very well.
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Thanks.
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Dear Trent,
I have to say that it’s very difficult for me to watch old westerns made before 1971 (When Little Big Man came out). None of the Indigenous were played by Indigenous. And the stilted dialogue sets my teeth on edge. You captured the Redblooded American Way. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, the old movies can be very painful. It’s been ages since I saw Little Big Man, but I’m sure you are right that, even though it sometimes poked fun of native culture, it was far more sympathetic to them than to the European Americas, like Custer! Thanks.
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The authenticity is lost in the commercialization.
https://ideasolsi65.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-wigwam.html
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Yes, it often is.
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Very good statement in a nutshell. The same going on in Australia with “authentic” Aboriginal culture. Tourists from cities are a plague! Folklore for a buck and meanwhile Venise is sinking. Brilliant again. (am I overdoing it?!) (from threefoldtwenty dotcom)
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Thanks, Frankie! I know this thing with tourists and their need to have their very narrow world-view justified is a problem everywhere.
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Trapped in a job he hates. I bet he has to smile to the hated visitors all the time too.
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Oh yes, he has a big smile for them after he does some fake “Rain Dance” to their applause…
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Authentic desert experience by out of shape tourists! I guess if you have money, you can experience.
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After WWII when people in America began to explore our large country, people would set up these “attractions” that cost almost nothing to get in. Because they were inexpensive, they were also cheap, and not authentic, just what the tourists believed would be from watching movies. Today you can spend a lot and see something more authentic, but this person still has “old” show and hates it, but doesn’t have the money or resources to move on.
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On the authenticity thing, there have been lots of radio shows this past week on topics having to do with native Americans and I heard an interview with Tommy Orange about his book “There, There” which is set in OaklandCA. He said that 75% of the Native population now live in urban areas and a whole new genre of literature is developing, cataloging their experiences…so go dramatize that in your character’s show! Good story.
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A slice of America urban life might not make a great roadside attraction. Besides, I think he might rather be home reading one of those books ;) Thanks.
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I went to one of those shows when I was a kid. It made me very uncomfortable.
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The money is what makes all the difference… the few times I’ve spent in Native America culture I have been amazed on the difference between images and reality…
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Yes, I agree. And more than that, there isn’t just “Native American culture”, each region and each tribe has their own identity but media makes it seem like just one homogeneous thing across the entire continent.
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Who wants to see Indians living like you and me, eh?
Very well done, Trent.
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Thanks, Dale. Yeah, I want to see them just how they are in John Wayne movies….
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Right… the REAL McCoy ;-)
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Right. Thinking of Mc, I have some of that ancestry, I think I might wear my kilt tonight and drink some whiskey ;)
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Now you’re talking! I’ve got me tartan and Coat of Arms as well… my name goes way back to the Normans and some went through France, some England and others towards Scotland (my paternal grandfather was a Highlander) – I’ll have a dram wit ya! ;-)
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Sounds good – I have some 12 year Highland Park (if we need to do Scotch Whiskey) that’s pretty good :)
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I’ve got some Laphroaig, if you’re into Single Malts ;-)
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Yep, Highland Park is a single malt and very strong peat flavor. Blended whiskey is for kids ;)
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I didn’t want to say “if” but “since” ;-)
I knew Highland Park was also single malt…
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Ah, OK, got it. My bad, I misread. Anyway, I’m sure either are good, and as i said, blended is for kids :)
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Not your bad, my bad!!
The important thing is we know what’s good! 😎😊
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yeah, I reread both messages, but that’s fine. And I agree! 😎 Only the good stuff!
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Much tourism is built on these generalisations and expectations (here in Scotland, it’s all about tartan, whiskey and kilts….) but if they’re daft enough to come and pay…
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If there is whiskey involved, I guess I’m all for it, but, yes, very much about generalizations expectations. These days there are places that you can experience more authentic customs, but anything aim at visitors or tourists…
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What? Iain! Are you telling me you don’t wear a kilt and drink whiskey? ;-)
I am so disappointed…
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Nice use of the photo prompt!
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Thanks!
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Tourist traps like this were plentiful growing up. Not sure if I could take it now.
https://stuartnager.wordpress.com/2019/01/30/t-p-fridayfictioneers/
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Truthfully, I don’t know if many exist any more or not. I had a hard enough time as a kid, I know i couldn’t take it now.
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People just want a good show, rarely do they want authenticity. Well told, Trent!
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For years the movies and later TV shows gave such a twisted take, that a lot people would have no idea what “authentic” really was. Thanks.
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Wow … very well done. The ending is powerful.
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Thanks, Frank.
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That.. that… that rings so very true. I have an almost “hate” for tourists because of this “expectation” that we, as Natives, dress and dance and drum, etc. in a certain way. When, in reality, I want to shed the heavy dress/shawl, mocassins, etc, put on a simple breach, and just dance from my heart.
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Thanks, Jelli. I always try to be sensitive with topics like this and am glad that I got it right. I hope you can dance from your heart no matter how you are dressed :)
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I DO! After my accident back in ’96, the docs said I would never walk again, at least not without a walker or cane… It took a coupla years, but I proved them wrong and even invited the Doc who put all the plastic bones in my foot (closest thing to a prosthetic with real skin) to watch me dance. It was a special moment.
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It sounds like a special moment. I’m sure the Doc was thrilled :)
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I wonder whether they could charge more for authentic culture
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Possibly, though he might not have the resources to change over. Most of the roadside attractions I’ve seen are pretty cheap/chintzy affairs that, like this, have been running for generations without a change – though written 20 years ago, Neil Gaiman’s American Gods gives a good flavor for the typical road side attraction. I was going to try to fit in something about doing a rewrite to be more authentic,but ran out of words.
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Such a good book…
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Welcome to the good old U S of A.. Show me the money!
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Yep. Though, of course, he could feel trapped by the money – it isn’t always easy to cut free.
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