08-06-2006, 03:01 PM
I've been there before, but it's been nearly 30 years. I thought L.A. was expensive, but NY just takes my breath away. Especially the attitude that goes with the prices.
I've done workshops in hotels all over the U.S., Canada and Australia. Typically, I have the option to use the hotel's labor and equipment to set up power, or to bring my own extension cords and power strips and duct tape. Because hotels notoriously charge a rental fee of up to $15 for each power strip (and we typically need at least one power strip for every two workshop attendees), I'm in the habit of just shipping my own, and I spend an hour or so on my hands and knees, duct-taping, to set up power for workshop attendees. Not in New York. In New York, union rules prohibit me from using my own equipment and the price for a union guy to set up power in a meeting room was $175 for each extension cord (no, that's not a typo) and $20 for each power strip. One of our competitors tried to use their own extension cords and the union guys came in and ripped them up.
There were 144 people attending my class. Good thing I don't personally get that bill.
Then there's the bellboys/bellmen. Again, typically, if you call for a bell-guy to come help you with some boxes/bags, you tip them a few bucks for their assistance, right? Not at the Hilton New York. Minimum fee for a bellman: $15. More than 5 bags or boxes -- fee goes up. And of course, that doesn't include a tip.
Lox and cream cheese on a bagel: $25.
I don't know how much the drinks cost - fortunately someone else was always doing the buying!
I've done workshops in hotels all over the U.S., Canada and Australia. Typically, I have the option to use the hotel's labor and equipment to set up power, or to bring my own extension cords and power strips and duct tape. Because hotels notoriously charge a rental fee of up to $15 for each power strip (and we typically need at least one power strip for every two workshop attendees), I'm in the habit of just shipping my own, and I spend an hour or so on my hands and knees, duct-taping, to set up power for workshop attendees. Not in New York. In New York, union rules prohibit me from using my own equipment and the price for a union guy to set up power in a meeting room was $175 for each extension cord (no, that's not a typo) and $20 for each power strip. One of our competitors tried to use their own extension cords and the union guys came in and ripped them up.
There were 144 people attending my class. Good thing I don't personally get that bill.
Then there's the bellboys/bellmen. Again, typically, if you call for a bell-guy to come help you with some boxes/bags, you tip them a few bucks for their assistance, right? Not at the Hilton New York. Minimum fee for a bellman: $15. More than 5 bags or boxes -- fee goes up. And of course, that doesn't include a tip.
Lox and cream cheese on a bagel: $25.
I don't know how much the drinks cost - fortunately someone else was always doing the buying!
Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.