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Find Significant Differences, if You Can
If Somebody Asked Me I’d Say...
by Mort Olshan
Scenario 1: Ken is an avid sports fan. He loves to attend the games. One night he decides to take in a Laker game at the Staples Center. He buys a reasonably good ticket (nearly $100 these days), treats himself to a beer, soft drink, a hot dog or two, and a game program. That’s after paying $15 for parking. In round figures, you’re talking close to $150 for the evening.
Let’s say Ken earns $45,000 a year, which averages out to $170 a day. That means the cost of attending a Laker game is roughly equivalent to a day’s pay. Should he decide to splurge, taking his family of four, you’re talking real money. In NYC the average tab runs $460, in L.A., $446. He might escape with a bit less in Charlotte or Detroit.
Scenario 2: Les favors the more cultural thoroughfare. The opera and symphony are more than an attraction; they are an addiction for Les. A good seat at the opera in Los Angeles will set him back $150, add in a program, parking, and a cocktail or two, and you’re looking at another $200 a night for himself alone. Performances at the Hollywood Bowl, symphony, or theatre would be slightly less expensive.
Scenario 3: Charlie’s a golfer. Nothing is going to stop him from playing with his buddies on weekends. Forget a membership at a local country club; he’ll play a decent course away from the crowded public ones. Here’s what an afternoon on the links will likely cost him (and we’re not talking Pebble Beach here, either). Greens fees, a cart, and practice balls, $70–80 or more. A sandwich and a couple of beverages on the course, and a few beers at the nineteenth hole, will add another $20. Miscellaneous equipment and supplies (balls, maybe a new glove, a visor, etcetera) at the pro shop, perhaps another $20–30. And none of the foregoing includes the hundreds he has already invested in his shoes, bag and clubs, easily four figures if you add just a little bit of high-tech to your game. Call it $130 out of pocket for the day (a little more if he lost his Nassau or any skins).
Scenario 4: Duke is a guy who gets a charge out of betting on sports, football especially. His idea of a wonderful afternoon is to park himself in front of the TV at home and watch a Sunday game that he happens to have a $100 bet on. Duke prides himself on being a pretty sharp handicapper. He spent the morning analyzing the game because he likes matching wits with the linemaker. Now, here’s the best part. If his team wins, Duke profits a C-note and has enjoyed three hours of thrills and excitement. Should he lose of course, he’s going to be out $110, not the end of the world and not a bad price to be entertained for three hours.
So, there you have it, four different kinds of escapist and fun activities. Yet, there are some self-righteous individuals who would have you believe that one of these scenarios is evil, even sinful. Entertainment and diversion come in many forms. The only difference here is one of personal preference. We don’t need sanctimonious expurgators to decide which one is best for us. I’ll bet that within five years many states will legalize sports betting. They’ll realize that it’s an ideal way to generate much-needed revenue, especially now in the costly battle against terrorism. To pass up this available source, when it provides so much enjoyment for so many, is pure idiocy. The argument that government will be encouraging illegal activity will be gone the way of high-button shoes. And that will be good riddance for millions of Americans who have long resented and rejected the hypocrisy that has been a national joke for too long.
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