Anyone remember Times Square and 42nd St in the 80s? — Page 2

Yeah, I almost miss all those 3 card monte guys and their shills and lookouts, unfortunately, the tourists are mostly as vacant/distracted/dumb as ever. Who let's their cute blonde children be hugged by some stranger in Times Sq?? Oh, and opening your wallet to some random dude. Oh, I just shudder when I see this!

Never thought of that, but I have spoken to some of the security, and they pretty much know ALL the costume people. There s also tons of undercover cops all the time in TS. (I live 2 blocks away).

Oh, yes, that hot potato salad at Zum Zum; also miss that tacky Howard Johnson's and the big Nathan's at 42nd St.; and attending the Merv Griffin show at the Little Theatre (OK, that might have been the '70s). I remember when Bond's was a clothing store, not an overpriced eatery that figured in a couple of "Smash" episodes.

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 01:27 AM

Double post

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 08:10 AM

The free hug guy they arrested on Thursday for punching the tourist after she didn't tip him had prior arrests. Some for assault. Seems he should be identified by security and banned from Times Square.

I get that we want a Times Square that is a little rough around the edges and unique and crazy, but to long for the days of high crime just so we don't have a Disney store? If people truly meant that, they would run out and start stabbing tourists in Times Square saying "this is how it should be! This is how it was in the 70's!" But obviously, people are just romanticizing crime, prostitution, drug dealing, and murder.

Sadly this is becoming the new norm. I remember NY in the 60's. It had enough of the really great Times Square left before they started demolishing and/or closing everything that made it famous. Now , while safe but this is now even fleeting, it has turned into one giant Mall Of America. I could not recommend it to a tourist as it is really not worth it unless you have a show to go to or are staying there. Many things outside of the midtown areas are being eaten up by development so little by little there is getting to be less of a reason to come. Never thought I would say that. look at Boston. They still have a few of their larger theaters and they have Fenway Park. We tore than the original Yankee Stadium to help pay for the inflated salaries of ball players and lining the pockets of greedy owners. What a sad state of affairs. Oh well, nothing lasts forever.

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 10:23 AM

Would people camp out overnight for Hamilton tickets if this was the 80s? I often think the people camping out for Hamilton are prime targets to be robbed as many are carrying cash

And I posted in the wrong thread :P

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 03:40 PM

If you truly honestly wish that the 1970's era Times Square would return, then you should do something about it. Go find a garbage can and dump it out. Proposition someone for sex. Rob a tourist. Break the windows of the Disney store. If you are not willing to do these things, then I don't see how you can seriously be saying that that era was better, unless, once again, you are ROMANTICIZING it. I am sure the woman who were pimped out, and the victims of crime of that era will not agree with your romanticizing.

And for the record, you can have grit and rough-around-the-edges, New York City toughness WITHOUT pimps, drug dealers, and crime.

My daughter and and son used to take the old 104 bus that went up 42nd street and turned down 8th avenue on the way to school. In the old days, my daughter used to cover her eyes when going down certain blocks to avoid all the x-rated pictures, films and certain people walking down the street. We laugh about it now but then it was difficult for a young teen to handle. My son handled it better but it was still a weird school bus ride. That part is definitely better now.

"If you truly honestly wish that the 1970's era Times Square would return, then you should do something about it. Go find a garbage can and dump it out. Proposition someone for sex. Rob a tourist"

I can do that anywhere in NYC, or anywhere not in NYC.

"And for the record, you can have grit and rough-around-the-edges, New York City toughness WITHOUT pimps, drug dealers, and crime.

Really? Where is that to be found amongst all those movie theaters, live theaters, food (fast and fine), tourists,

native NYers, and those NEON SIGNS!

do you live in NYC, Phantom?

Updated On: 5/15/16 at 07:53 PM

Sorry Jane I had trouble following what you were saying. You can rob a Disney store anywhere. That's what I got from your post.