Dear Happy Hour Water Drinkers,

I'm making a simple request that if you go to an NJYP Happy Hour that you order more than just a glass of water.  If you do not drink alcohol you can order food, a soda, a nice virgin drink, ANYTHING but a glass of free water.

Why? You are taking up space in the bar and costing them money.  They are paying for rent, heat, electricity, insurance, internet, phone, etc.  You are also putting our relationship with the bar at risk. :(

What?  You ONLY drink water and you do not eat food??? Then hit up an NJYP hike where it is BYOWater.

Thanks,
Laura

PS, Many thanks to MOST of you who do not do this!  If you see someone ordering just water perhaps remind them they are hurting the bar, NJYP, and potentially you if Happy Hours start getting canceled.

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Happy Thanksgiving!
To everyone that's giving Laura grief about her request:

CLEARLY you do not understand the amount of time, energy, and sweat that it takes to build a relationship with bar/club/venue. CLEARLY you've never thrown events before.

All that nonsense about free-will; freedom of speech, etc are immature red-herrings given by the "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" types.

Yes the point is to socialize and make friends, but who wants a cheap, mooching friend? I certainly don't. If you don't have money to spend, then stay home and make room for the person who does have money to spend.

If you don't drink alcohol, order some food and offer your services as a designated driver. More than likely, people will show their gratitude by paying for your meal.

Bottom line is that businesses need to make money to stay in business. And if they can't afford to pay their water bill, then all you water drinkers are out of luck too.

Grow up and put away childish thinking and support Laura, her efforts and the businesses that open their doors to NJYP.
lol!


Ali Jamar Taylor said:
To everyone that's giving Laura grief about her request:

CLEARLY you do not understand the amount of time, energy, and sweat that it takes to build a relationship with bar/club/venue. CLEARLY you've never thrown events before.

All that nonsense about free-will; freedom of speech, etc are immature red-herrings given by the "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today" types.

Yes the point is to socialize and make friends, but who wants a cheap, mooching friend? I certainly don't. If you don't have money to spend, then stay home and make room for the person who does have money to spend.

If you don't drink alcohol, order some food and offer your services as a designated driver. More than likely, people will show their gratitude by paying for your meal.

Bottom line is that businesses need to make money to stay in business. And if they can't afford to pay their water bill, then all you water drinkers are out of luck too.

Grow up and put away childish thinking and support Laura, her efforts and the businesses that open their doors to NJYP.

It's good to read different points of view - indeed all in life is subjective.

But i thought everybody has a cheap mooching friend.
Oh, i am all for the lay-away approach: i would ALWAYS get something today to pay for it on Tuesday, or better, any time later. Yes - my economy is that bad. I suppose since i don't have money to spend, i should indeed just stay home and get old & be alone in my poverty - and not spoil the enjoyment of those who have money to spend it as they please, dont interfere with their chances of attending FREE (??) events.
It's because i have done enough growing up that i think what i speak - i would pay to regress that and be childish again. You guessed it - can't spend the money-i-dont-have on such frivolous wish.

Gio
I debated about adding to this forum. I understand both sides. I am not here to debate if someone should or should not order water at a bar. Even if I have my own personal option about it. This is what I will say about it. If the organizer of the event want to make requirements about HH, like other events (i.e. game nights, speed dating) then it should be stated in the event page. If things are posted in the forum topics are going to be talked about.

From what I read, some people were not respecting other's point of view or what they were trying to communicate. Part of this organization's name is Professional even though, we are not at work, we should know how to conduct ourselves professionally.

I was studded that someone told another member to "Stop picking the most expensive thing on the menu and then bitching about it." is that something you feel is respectful? Is that type if language you find respectful?

I was also taken back by comments such as, "OH, and if you do not eat then please return to the planet you came from." There are ways to state things without belittling someone else option.

Someone called people "Cheapies". I think the comment was intended to be a joke, however, I think name calling is uncalled for.

Like, I said, I am not going to debate - order water, don't order water. That is not the point of my posting. My point is - how people are talking to one-another. We are professionals. If comments were meant as "inside" jokes, please don't post them on a public site. Also, remember, some people know each other, others may not know anyone. You are posting to everyone, not just your friends. Your tone that you intended can be easily misinterpreted.

We can disagree with one another, but respect should not be compromised.

From what I got from reading the context, the lack of respect from member to member was concerning - is this what we want for our group? After reading this topic, I would not not feel conformable attending an event or socializing with members. I happen to have been to other NJYP events (game nights, bowling) and know people were nice. I want to know that if I go to a HH, game night, hike, or whatever - there will be nice, welcoming people who are respectful, regardless of what they thought about my option about a topic.
I have to agree with Sheryl. The flaming that has been occuring in this post is not in the least bit professional. I would have no problem with Laura stating on the event page that there is a minimum purchase or a nominal cover charge for events. If this is stated, I find that most everyone would abide by it.

That having been said, I also feel that was had been said in this post by all sides can and will turn away members, both new and old.
The bottom line is this:

If enough people order nothing but water from the bar/restaurant then free happy hours will be in jeopardy. I would love to keep happy hours free and am working toward that.
I'm going to be perfectly honest here.

I find posts like this to be very condescending and rude to your members, Laura.

If you are getting complaints that bar patrons are not buying enough food/drink, then maybe that is something you should address with an upfront requirement on the event page of future events.

To open up discussion with the intent of disparaging ANY member is uncalled for and completely without class.

There is a reason why I have not been to your events in such a long time. But somehow I am not shocked to find a post like this here after such a long absense.
I apologize if anything I wrote came across the wrong way. My main goal really was/is to keep happy hours free and plentiful. As someone who has planned them with this group for the last 6+ years I know what formula works for the bars, for the Members, and for NJYP.
Laura, I understand you have been planning events for NJYP for a long time. Over the past few years, I have noticed an increased of happy hour events which makes me assume that HH events are in demand by most of your members. From what I read, no one is questioning your expertise in how to make a successful HH event. However, what people are upset about it is the way it was communicated . Maybe some good can come out of this and future communications can be more productive?

I agree with Kathryn, I do not want someone policing me nor do I want to police someone about what they are drinking/eating. I want to feel comfortable at an event. Now, with this recent event I am not sure if I would go to a "bar" related event with NJYP , plus if people are going to be policing me to check out what is in my glass. Also, I do not appreciate being treated in a non-valued manner or seeing others being treated that way.
Oh my gosh people, get over it! Order a bottle of water instead, they make a huge profit off of bottled water. A case of 24 bottles usually costs the restaurant around $3.24 or so (no joke)

You should all be thanking Laura for all her hard work, and the relationships she's built so that you all could have a networking site such as NJYP. A lot of people find it useful, and enjoy the events.

All of these comments are ridiculous bashing Laura and her request. Respect her, have some consideration for NJYP/the bars they are having these events at/Laura and just order a bottle of water instead.

...and don't forget please tip your bartenders :) $2.13 per hour does not pay the bills.
In response to the whole debate...it would be very nice if happy hours could continue to be "free," after all, we do pay for our drinks and our membership. However, our economy is in such disrepair right now, that many people who paid $20 to join this group are unemployed or underemployed and are hoping to meet people who can help them get a job, a better job or meet new clients...they can't afford to attend lots of events and buy lots of drinks and/or food. Should these people simply stay home? NO. In theory, the point of your organization was to promote professional networking, and in this economic state, the purpose must be one of helping and assistance. If people can't afford more than making it to the event and ordering a free water, so be it. I understand you want to maintain your relationship with bars and restaurants for the benefit of this organization, but you and the bars and restaurants must acknowledge the reality of today's economy.

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