NYC NYE celebration, Time Square- A bit crap isn't it?

lalalala Posts: 21,175
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Let me start this thread by saying... I like America... I have no problems with Americans... I f**king adore New York... Been there twice. So this not a "bash America" thread.

However, I was watching that God awful film on Sky, New Years Eve, and it's all about that ball drop thing in Times Square. And I kept thinking all this fuss over a ball dropping... Surely there must be more to the celebration than that... A bit of NYC razzle dazzle... Fireworks galore. Then I saw the actual celebration itself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zypqaZrvMz4

:confused:

And, it's a bit shit isn't it? I mean everybody is looking like they are having a blast, and I suppose that's the main thing, but it's not much of a spectacle is it? Not much of a bang. Just a lot of hugging and snogging. I thought New York would party it up a bit more than that. London and Sydney certainly put on more of a show.

Am I missing something? Is it something that needs to be experienced in person to finally "get it"? Or is it how it is filmed on screen... Just a ball dropping and people snogging?

P.s. I have nothing against snogging. :blush:

Comments

  • Pistol WhipPistol Whip Posts: 9,677
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    I've never been skiing, it's a bit crap, isn't it?
  • lalalala Posts: 21,175
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    I've never been skiing, it's a bit crap, isn't it?

    I don't get your point?
  • Pistol WhipPistol Whip Posts: 9,677
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    My point being if you've never actually tried something you can't label it as being crap.
  • BrooklynBoyBrooklynBoy Posts: 10,595
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    Yeah it is a bit crap. That's why generally you don't get any New Yorkers in attendance.

    It's full of tourists who stand in Times Square for perhaps 12 hours or more and unable to leave because of high security with nowhere to go to the toilet in the freezing cold just so they can experience it.

    FTS.

    Oh, and since we must put disclaimers in, I don't hate tourists.

    (I do really).
  • lalalala Posts: 21,175
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    My point being if you've never actually tried something you can't label it as being crap.

    False comparison really. Skiing is an activity, you can never judge an activity unless you try it. NYE celebration, like Sydney etc, are spectacles in which you need eyes to make a judgement. Being there would be better, but if it's filmed, you can judge it like that. And as a spectacle, in my opinion, it doesn't work. But I'm asking whether it works for others, and whether I'm missing something.
  • Bob_WhingerBob_Whinger Posts: 1,098
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    It is crap. NYE is crap everywhere. Too cold, too many people (doing not much) and too expensive.
  • Paradise_LostParadise_Lost Posts: 6,454
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    Times Square is quite narrow compared to more spacious places like the South Bank or the Brandenburg Gate. Professional fireworks are also not permitted in Manhattan so you don't get the typical peony styled fireworks. Given these factors I don't think it looks all that bad just from looking at it.

    But yeah NYE is one night I prefer to stay in and have a toast at home.
  • swehsweh Posts: 13,665
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    If you think it's crap, that's cool. I don't think it's crap. Different people like different things.

    I have been there in the crowds to see the ball drop and it is a thrilling atmosphere. It's just an experience.
  • epicurianepicurian Posts: 19,291
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    I used to like it when Dick Clark hosted. That man had class.
  • swehsweh Posts: 13,665
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    epicurian wrote: »
    I used to like it when Dick Clark hosted. That man had class.

    Whaaa! No one's classier than Seacrest!
  • intoxicationintoxication Posts: 7,059
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    They cordon off the middle of Times Square in the run up but when I went I desperately needed to get to the other side to a place I had reservations. So the NYPD escorted us through. I felt quite famous standing in the middle with everyone looking :)
  • epicurianepicurian Posts: 19,291
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    sweh wrote: »
    Whaaa! No one's classier than Seacrest!

    He's a suitable replacement, I suppose. :p
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 7,734
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    If you think that's crap, I distinctly remember reading in the Manchester Evening News one year that the Town Hall clock stopped at about 20 to midnight, and the crowds of people in Albert Square were reduced to looking at their watches and asking each other 'is it time yet?' :D
  • Ethel_FredEthel_Fred Posts: 34,127
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    It is crap. NYE is crap everywhere. Too cold, too many people (doing not much) and too expensive.

    Didn't look cold in Sydney
  • epicurianepicurian Posts: 19,291
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    For the OP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40vaAybL6FE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IYHtiKs-QU

    The 4th of July is generally our big day for fireworks in the U.S.
  • BrooklynBoyBrooklynBoy Posts: 10,595
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    epicurian wrote: »
    For the OP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40vaAybL6FE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IYHtiKs-QU

    The 4th of July is generally our big day for fireworks in the U.S.

    This is where you get asked why on earth anyone would want to celebrate on July 4th.

    (And then get someone saying surely it should be the British celebrating that day). :p
  • epicurianepicurian Posts: 19,291
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    Deleted.

    Better not rock the boat. :D
  • DixDix Posts: 79,018
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    lala wrote: »
    Let me start this thread by saying... I like America... I have no problems with Americans... I f**king adore New York... Been there twice. So this not a "bash America" thread.

    However, I was watching that God awful film on Sky, New Years Eve, and it's all about that ball drop thing in Times Square. And I kept thinking all this fuss over a ball dropping... Surely there must be more to the celebration than that... A bit of NYC razzle dazzle... Fireworks galore. Then I saw the actual celebration itself:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zypqaZrvMz4

    :confused:

    And, it's a bit shit isn't it? I mean everybody is looking like they are having a blast, and I suppose that's the main thing, but it's not much of a spectacle is it? Not much of a bang. Just a lot of hugging and snogging. I thought New York would party it up a bit more than that. London and Sydney certainly put on more of a show.

    Am I missing something? Is it something that needs to be experienced in person to finally "get it"? Or is it how it is filmed on screen... Just a ball dropping and people snogging?

    P.s. I have nothing against snogging. :blush:
    I've watched the NY celebrations on the cam for years, and what I like are the cheerful crowds all waiting like me to see the ball drop. It might not be spectacular, but the crowds make the celebration their own, which is what counts. :)
  • bollywoodbollywood Posts: 67,769
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    Yes it's crap, especially watching Kathy Griffin insult Anderson Cooper for hours. I don't know any New Yorkers who would go there on NYE.
  • lalalala Posts: 21,175
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    epicurian wrote: »
    For the OP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40vaAybL6FE

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IYHtiKs-QU

    The 4th of July is generally our big day for fireworks in the U.S.

    That's nice... Although it would have been better if it were synchronised with the music. Ok I'm picking holes I know. Lol
  • lalalala Posts: 21,175
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    Dix wrote: »
    I've watched the NY celebrations on the cam for years, and what I like are the cheerful crowds all waiting like me to see the ball drop. It might not be spectacular, but the crowds make the celebration their own, which is what counts. :)

    Meh... As I said in my OP, they crowds look like they enjoy it. Good for them.
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