Times Square turns 100

I can't tell you about the old days, but I can reflect on New Years. I went there in 2001. That was the best New Years Celebration I have ever had in my life.

I never been to a city with an outdoor ice-ring, right next to such a large christmas tree, and with so many friendly people. The total atmosphere was amazing. Although the price for entertainment was a bit excessive, in my opinion.

I was there for hell night about 10 years ago and Disneyland it wasn't. 42nd Street was the biggest Red Light District I've ever seen. Fresh out of Wisconsin, it was all WAY TOO BIG. There were sidewalk peddlers everywhere and I think it's the only place I've ever been scammed by a professional Con man. I still can't believe (or know how) I got quick changed out of about $100. Sneaky bastard too! Finally I spotted him and chased him about a block through traffic... when I finally got my hands on him he said "Get your hands off me punk! Are you F*cking crazy?" It was then I noticed I was badly out-numbered and a little light went off in my head. After running in the other direction for a couple of blocks, I mentally wrote it off as tuition. In retrospect; it wasn't an expensive lesson at all. I hear it's really nice there now though.

Years ago, there was a first run movie theatre in the area, that had great sound for its day. Since my husband and I worked around there, sometimes we would go to the movies. If I needed to go to the restroom, I would make him walk with me, and stand guard outside of the door.

It used to be a real hellhole. All the dregs of the earth seemed to be drawn to those few blocks. Smut and sleaze everywhere. I would hold my handbag very tightly when I was there, and would not walk there alone.

I visited Times Square last year, after being away for a decade, and what a difference. Thank you, Mayor Giuliani!

Re: Times Square turns 100


Till some mayor ruined it for everyone

roverroad, I hear people who have lived here their whole lives tell me that same thing. They talk about how it doesn't have any character anymore, and they pine for the good old days when it was a complete dump. I don't know what's better, personally. I think I'd rather be safe than have character, but somewhere in between the shithole and the sanitized Mickey Mouse stores would probably be best.

Ah yes, Kick, great minds, etc. Seems you beat me to the punch by a good deal . . .

Damn Occombill,

Sonds like you had an interesting experience.

I am really shocked to read some of these stories... The Time Square I seen is hard to imagine evolving from these descriptions.

kickycan, I don't know so much that it would add character. I'm sure it's a safer place to be now. But porn shops are an honest business. I don't know why people always try to drive those places out when they want to "clean up the town". I can understand the prostitutes and drug dealers, but not the porn shops.

I don't know, RR. I've been in a few of those places in my time. Have you seen the kinds of people in those places?

Uh, nope, never seen them :wink:

Nasty, greasy people with darty little eyes, and their hands never leave their pockets, drool on the side of their mouths . . . scary.

Basically the people that can't get sex the real way. Would you rather they be getting it in porn shops or would you rather they be on the streets committing sex crimes? Those porn shops actually reduce crime in my opinion.

Well, since I spend much of my free time in these shops, I wish they would go out in the streets! I'm just kidding. Actually I have been to them only a few times, and most of the people I saw didn't look any weirder than most people on the street. Of course, I was trying very hard not to make eye contact with anyone, so I don't know how accurate my desciption of them is.

I think I've been in one probably 3 times in my life. I have Cable TV now, don't need to :wink:

Don't forget the internet.