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How the Elite See Rome

theatlantic.com

11–20 of 52 posts

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#11
post #6

Tourism has to be managed. Most istitutions can't, or can in a relatively limited manner. Rich people provide both the money and the reputation to allow them to have profitable private tours without risking too much. There is no real reason why a museum can't be open at 2 A.M., it's just that it's economically impossible, unless someone pays enough money. There is no real reason why a small church painted by Giotto c…

[flagged]

to add to the neighbour comment: Night shifts are very popular in German car factories as they give good money.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#12
post #6

Tourism has to be managed. Most istitutions can't, or can in a relatively limited manner. Rich people provide both the money and the reputation to allow them to have profitable private tours without risking too much. There is no real reason why a museum can't be open at 2 A.M., it's just that it's economically impossible, unless someone pays enough money. There is no real reason why a small church painted by Giotto c…

[flagged]

What's your problem? It's not like employees are doing it for free.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#13
post #8

Rome has always been a city for the elite. Current day Rome is more accessible than ever for the commoners. If rich people pay money for private access and part of that money ends up being used for preservation: Good.

They could also just tax rich people more and use that money for conservation...

They actually can't, but even if they could - expensive private viewings are much more fair.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#14

I sell these, have done many. Basically just about any museum (or similar) in the world is happy to accept large sums of money from rich people in exchange for exclusive experiences. This helps fund the museums and everyone wins.

Celebrities and hedge funds will often do things like "rent out Disneyland for the day" as well.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#15
post #8

Rome has always been a city for the elite. Current day Rome is more accessible than ever for the commoners. If rich people pay money for private access and part of that money ends up being used for preservation: Good.

They could also just tax rich people more and use that money for conservation...

[deleted]

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#16
post #9
post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They could also just tax rich people more and use that money for conservation...

who is they? I doubt the Italian state can tax American or Singaporean rich tourists.

You could change tourist tax to be 5% of the room rate. That would be €5 to €10 per night for common people and €1000 per night for rich tourists.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#17
post #12
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

What's your problem? It's not like employees are doing it for free.

I don't necessarily share this view, but I've heard it enough times to steelman it: It's about dignity. I don't want to feel like someone owns me or can tell me what to do just because they lose some pocket change in my direction. You know the notion of the "deserving poor" that deserves our aid and pity? There's a corresponding idea of a deserving customer. I'd do my best impression of a dog for you if you ask nicely, but if you offer me $100 for it then I'll be insulted. If you offer me $10000 I'll do it but I'll resent you for it.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#18
post #6

Tourism has to be managed. Most istitutions can't, or can in a relatively limited manner. Rich people provide both the money and the reputation to allow them to have profitable private tours without risking too much. There is no real reason why a museum can't be open at 2 A.M., it's just that it's economically impossible, unless someone pays enough money. There is no real reason why a small church painted by Giotto c…

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They are. But it’s a rhetorical question anyway. You will always find people willing to work at any time if you offer them enough money or if they are desperate enough.

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#19
post #12
post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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What's your problem? It's not like employees are doing it for free.

Even if they aren’t doing it for free. It completely depends on the situation, and the pressure the employers apply to get people to accept. In an ideal wonderland, management would offer enough money so the workers find it worthwhile. In reality they often offer the bare minimum and apply as much hierarchical pressure as they can to get away with not offering anything at all. I’ve seen it countless times, and it goes something like: "You know I’ve been thinking about that promotion for you… You know what could really help? What about you give us some help next Wednesday night?"

Re: How the Elite See Rome

#20
post #17
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's your problem? It's not like employees are doing it for free.

I don't necessarily share this view, but I've heard it enough times to steelman it: It's about dignity. I don't want to feel like someone owns me or can tell me what to do just because they lose some pocket change in my direction. You know the notion of the "deserving poor" that deserves our aid and pity? There's a corresponding idea of a deserving customer. I'd do my best impression of a dog for you if you ask nicel…

It depends entirely on the circumstances.

If someone is doing it because of the arm twisting done by the economy and personal financial circumstances then of course it will not land well. I will feel exploited.

On the other hand if I am coming from a place of joy to be an usher at an odd midnight hour to a more sic recital, where I am paid peanuts or nothing at all, but I get to see the show and participate in the collective enjoyment of wonder it would land very very differently.

People get paid to sell their organs to tread water, I doubt they feel happy about it.

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