Is this a dorm room or a hotel suite?

INGRID THOFT

Have you seen that video that's gone viral?  The one that shows a tricked out dorm room at the University of Mississippi?  Or maybe you've seen the ads from Home Goods and Marshalls that show shopping sprees that transform average dorm rooms into spaces worthy of a magazine spread?

There's no comparison between the dorms of my day and newly built offerings, like the Hub at Tucson at the University of Arizona, Tucson, which features a roof-top pool, grilling gazebo, hammocks, en-suite baths, walk-in closets, and in-room laundry.  The desire for luxury seems to be extending to the decorating done by students themselves; fancy headboards, wall stencils, and drapes are just some of the additions that never occurred to me back in the day.

How about a rooftop pool to go with your room?

My first dorm room was a triple on the 12th floor of Rubin Hall at NYU.  The location was amazing:  the corner of Fifth Avenue and 10th Street.  The interior had less to recommend it, although the rooms did have en-suite baths because the building started its life as a hotel.  I remember distinctly the green and purple duvet cover that I had purchased from IKEA and a few matching toss pillows, which seemed quite "House and Garden" at the time.  There was no coordination between me and my roommates; the room looked like three separate people had moved in together. 

Personalized wall stencils are all the rage

My sophomore year room was at Wellesley in the eaves of a building overlooking a lake.  The view was nice, if we craned our necks, and my duvet cover came with me, as well as my poster of Michael Jordan featuring a William Blake quote:  "No bird soars too high, if he soars with his own wings."  Junior and senior years I had a single room and "decorated" them both with posters and personal items, but at the end of the day, those rooms looked like what they were:  dorm rooms temporarily occupied by a student.

How about a mood board for your room?

I have mixed feelings about the trend of transforming dorm rooms into luxury hotel suites.  Aside from the expense poured into these projects—which immediately broadcasts a student's financial standing—I worry that college students will have a rude awakening when they enter the real world and discover that replicating their college living quarters will be financially ruinous.  And wasn't it nice when the only difference between your room and your neighbor's was the choice of posters or duvet covers? 

My favorite college dorm story is that of my sister and her sophomore room at the University of Pennsylvania.  When she got her room lottery number at the end of freshman year, she studied the layouts of the various dorms and zeroed in on the room that she wanted.  She even visited the room once she'd claimed it, bringing her tape measure so she could figure out the best furniture arrangement.  Home for the summer, she fantasized about her roomy room and looked forward to returning to school.

The kind of room I remember!

When she threw open the dorm room door in September, she discovered that over the summer Penn had done renovations—and cut her dorm room in half.  She still could arrange her furniture as she liked, but only if the room were tipped on its side, since it did have quite a high ceiling!  The best laid plans, foiled by Campus Housing!

What do you think?  Should dorm rooms be luxurious?  Should kids deck out their rooms like the Ritz?

Rhys has a little Rant!

RHYS BOWEN: Okay sorry but this is going to be a minor rant.

I’ve just returned from a few book events around the country and something annoying happened to me on a regular basis: an agent at the airport or rental car center or hotel would look at me, then the man standing ahead or behind me and ask, “Are you together?”  When I go into an upscale restaurant I’ve been asked, “Are you waiting for someone?”  As if shocked that a woman of a certain age should dare to eat alone.

I bet.a man standing in line has NEVER been asked “are you together” indicating a lady standing behind him. I was once standing in line for a rental car. Although an agent appeared to be free I was not called forward. Eventually I asked if the agent wasn't free. "Oh, I thought you'd be with that gentleman," he replied. It never crossed his mind that I was alone, and was going to have the audacity to take a car out, by myself.

(And in case you think I look like a little old lady when I travel, here are some recent pix. With me in the fur coat is Robin Burcell)

As I’ve been watching the election and the Olympics and being bombarded with sexual stereotyping (Hilary raises her voice and she’s screeching. A male raises his voice and he’s being assertive). Female athletes have their appearance commented on all the time.. Do you ever hear the commentator say of a male volleyball player,  “He’s looking hunky today?” And what about the one athlete whose headline read “Wife of Chicago Bulls Player wins gold.” Never mentioning her name or her sport.

Well, I’ve decided not to take it any more. Each time I was asked if I was with someone I’ve replied, “ Is it now against the law for a woman over fifty to travel alone?”

And when they ask in that restaurant if I’m waiting for someone I reply, “Only if I get lucky” 

And I’ve found a way to make sure I get good service after that. I never take the first table I am offered, especially if it’s near the rear or the kitchen. I say “I prefer to sit over here, thank you” and walk over to the nicest table. And as soon as I sit I say “I’m on business and I don’t have long. Please send over the somelier with your wine list” and I order something unpronounceable (or at least something that I can pronounce and most people can’t). Then the word goes out that I might be difficult and the service is excellent!

So let’s take a stand, dear Reds of a certain age. Let them know that just because we are older women we do not sit at home crocheting, or go out playing bingo. And we don’t need a man to travel with!

Do share your stories! Have you experienced the same kind of put downs?

At least we writers have one secret weapon. When someone particularly annoys me I take a good look at them and think, "Careful or you'll wind up dead in my next book!"