Besides the irony of cost for toilet use vs. cost to view art, I believe
the other issue was requiring an entrance fee when all signage indicated
that only donations were asked for - in which case a person should have
the option of making a donation or not.  On the other hand, if a fee is
required (even if there is no set $ amount), it should be clearly stated
by the cashiers and any signs, posters, etc. in the area.  Like most
people who have replied to the original message, I too believe that one
should always support museums and other public/private art entities when
in attendance, but if a sign says "donation" it should mean donation.
And going back to the person who paid only one cent to enter the
Cloisters, I don't think we have enough information to condemn him or
her for being "cheap."  It is possible that that person could have been
a very generous annual donor of the Met and just didn't feel like
donating $$ again during that particular visit.  Who knows?

MLH

[log in to unmask] wrote:
>
> People like this get me...I mean, how f*cking cheap can you be?
> The place needs to be maintained, its getting a new roof and the
> exhibits are beautiful.  It needs people to run it, etc etc etc...
> Geeezuz..
> Chris
>
> On Mon, 21 Sep 1998 09:27:49 -0400, [log in to unmask]
> (sierra) wrote:
>
> >
> >How much is the minimum necessary to pay to enter the Metropolitan Museum
> >of Art (in New York City, on 5th Avenue at about 81st Street) to:
> >  (1)  look at art, or
> >  (2)  use a toilet there?
> >
> >........
> >
> >ONCE CENT FEE TO LOOK AT ART?
> >The Met operates the Cloisters, a medieval museum in a public park in
> >north Manhattan (Fort Tryon).  I don't know who owns the museum.  I once
> >was told, by a cashier there, that the security guards would not let me
> >past them unless I wore a small metal pin, and that I had to pay at least
> >one cent to the cashier for that pin.  I paid a nickel, was given a pin
> >and a receipt for 5 cents, and only then was allowed past the guards.  My
> >purpose was to look at the art.  I had openly tried to get to the art for
> >free that day but was not allowed to.  The cashier's sign announces a
> >"donation" and I had explicitly explained that I did not want to make a
> >donation that day.
> >
> >I was told by the cashier that at least one cent was required of me for
> >the small metal pin, which the guards require of anyone who seeks to walk
> >past them.  Does the Met have the legal right to require even one cent for
> >admission to the Cloisters if the purpose of admission is to see the art?
> >
> >...
> >
> >
> >ONE DOLLAR FEE TO USE A TOILET?
> >Recently, someone (not me) wanted to use a toilet of the Met Museum of Art
> >building (on 5th Avenue).  He was told that he was required to pay one
> >dollar.  He paid the dollar, got a receipt for one dollar, and only then
> >was allowed to use a toilet.  The Met (on 5th Avenue) has a cafeteria and
> >a restaurant on its premises.  It is in a public park (Central Park).  Its
> >entry building (the imposing building used as a main entrance for the
> >public) is owned by the City of New York.  It gets money from the City
> >government.  Does the Met have the right to charge money for admission to
> >the Museum if the purpose is use of one of its toilets by a stranger
> >walking in off the street?
> >
> >...