Grrrr!...

[Ivy]

You could get a purdy nice tank for the cost of the two of you going...

[chasem]

You could get a purdy nice tank for the cost of the two of you going...

Best idea yet.

[macwilkin]

I just got an e-mail from the St. Andrews Society in Tokyo in regards to this year's Burns supper, and boy did they just cheese me right off!

I was so looking forward to attending this year, until I saw the bloody price! The price is a whopping ¥24,000!!! That's friggin' $263 USD for the love of Mike! What're they doin'? Exhuming Rabbie himself and bringing him all the way from Dumfries for the festivities? I could've sworn that when I looked at the info from last year, the tickets were ¥15,000 ($164) and even THAT'S pretty pricey. But $263? Good grief! If I were to go with my wife, the whole thing would cost me $660 with gas and highway tolls added in. $660 for a SUPPER! I dunno about you rabble, but I can think of a lotta things to do with $660 other than buying a single meal!

Unbelievable! Must be that everyone struck it rich and didn't tell me, because I sure don't have that kinda scratch... Man... Really, really, really disappointing is what it is.



/rant

/off to sulk in the corner

It does sound like a rip off, perhaps they are hoping to exploit the anniversary year as a way of boosting their funds.

Now just everyone hold on...how many people here have actually served on a Burns Supper committee -- raise your hands.



I have been part of our local Burns Supper committee now for over a decade, and let me tell you it doesn't pay for itself. Expenses range from the band, venue, caterer, piper, Haggis to decorations, invitations, programmes...you get my meaning. I've heard people complain ad nauseum about the costs of Burns Suppers, but...you get what you pay for. That's not to say "pot-luck" isn't appropriate for Burns Night, but you can't get quality on the cheap most of the time.

Add to the fact that this Burns Supper is in Japan, which isn't too close to Scotland in order to obtain the elements necessary for a Burns Supper, and that might explain the ticket cost.

Remember, the cost of a Burns Supper pays not only for "a meal", but also for the entertainment. Some societies do use their Burns Supper as a fundraiser, but more often that not for a charitable cause, as the whole premise of the first St. Andrew's/Caledonian societies were mutual-aid societies to assist need countrymen. Our society has raised funds for various local, national and international charities.

Also, some of this cost may just be flat-out bad economics. Remember, all of these things cost, and when the economy is in the tank, then prices go up for everyone, from the hotel to the caterer to the committee.

Perhaps you should e-mail the St. Andrew's Society for details about the supper, or even better yet, volunteer to help them with it. Not only do some societies give member discounts, but if you don't like something, get involved and help make it better.

Or, take the other suggestion and hold your own.

Regards,

Todd