Gothamist: Mr Softee Goes to City Hall

Joclyn

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 20:05:22 -0500

Mr. Softee IS an Evil Genius. The real words to that jingle are, "Come on all of you boys and girls, it's time to worship Saaaa-tan."

S.D.

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 17:29:53 -0500

"mr. softee car alarm"... That'd be great! Pure Evil Genius! ;)

tien

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 17:07:06 -0500

people, people, you should all be happy that there is no mr. softee car alarm. then you would all be really upset.

JP

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:58:53 -0500

I'm sorry, but when Mister Softee parks his truck right outside my window on a 100% residential street at 10 PM and blasts his jingle for a half-hour and no kids are coming out at that hour to buy ice cream, it's ridiculous and unneccesary. It't not helping his business; it's just annoying people.

Laurie Woolever

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:56:48 -0500

I stated in a gothamist interview last spring that the thing I'd most like to change about NY is the Mr. Softee song - it does drive me really, really crazy (and, let's be honest, the ice cream is not even good - it's all corn syrup and fillers and not even very cold most times). That being said, I can appreciate a compromise, and the idea of turning the music off when truck is in 'park' seems fair. Everyone has to make a living, and if they can do that without annoying the living shit out of everyone around them, well I guess that's progress.

Lisa

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:54:06 -0500

The solution proposed to the softee music is perfect!! The monetary value to having a car alarm is fine and all, but the alarms should be more sophisticated. A slight tap, bump, or rumbling by of a heavy truck, shouldn't set the alarm off. Or if it does, it should be a quick warning beep. The alarm should only be triggered full force if the car door is actually opened inappropriately, or if a window is broken. Wouldn't this make SO much more sense? Now that I live on the busy Smith St in Brooklyn, I have grown to hate the noisy brakes on the MTA buses, the grinding of the garbage trucks at 3 in the morning, and the noisy drunk smokers standing outside the bars. I try to keep in mind that I chose to live there, knowing the noise would be there, but I still curse the noise-mongers when I'm woken up at 3 am.

S.D.

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:46:14 -0500

Yep, going after the Mr. Softee guys is a little extreme. Does 311 show if Mr. Softee gets a lot of complaints?

Ned Flanders

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:37:11 -0500

This new culture of tattling, spying and reporting on one another is what makes this city of New York great. Ahh, what a wonderful time we live in.

Kevin Walsh

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 16:26:04 -0500

>>>>The NY Times covered the annoyingness of Mr. Softee's jingle last summer, at the peak of the ice cream rush. According to stats from 311, noise is the top complaint, with over 20,000 logged. The Mr. Softee jingle is one of the welcome sounds of soft summer evenings. The noise police should go after worthier targets, like dopey walkie talkie users, with that annoying repetitive signal. www.forgotten-ny.com

joe

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 15:08:59 -0500

Do you also leave a note explaining why the condiments are there? Otherwise how would the car owner know car alarm = messy door handle?

S.D.

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:53:00 -0500

Here is the Number *ONE* reason why I have a car alarm: (drum roll, please) The Insurance company lowers my bill by 15% If the City wants to get a clue and get people to stop using car alarms, they'ed address the issue of Money. Condiments... Well, at least it is original and fairly harmless.

Jen

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:27:57 -0500

mh, you seriously do that? That's sorta brilliant. Do you carry packs fo jelly in your bag for that? I think car alarms are another measure.

mh

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 14:11:48 -0500

I'm surprised CAR ALARMS weren't specifically mentioned. When I hear one blaring through the night, I like to put condiments (peanut butter, jelly, or honey are my favorites) underneath the door handle. Are people really that ignorant to think they are effective? Buy a Club!

JP

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 13:40:59 -0500

That jingle is my nemesis.

Tim N.

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 13:02:03 -0500

A Mr. Softee bobble-head doll? That so totally rocks! Now if I can only get my Norman Mailer bobble head doll my NYC collection will be complete! The kill-the-jingle-when-parked-or-you'll-get-a-summons solution seems to be fair.

S.D.

Wed, 26 Jan 2005 12:54:25 -0500

Ok, Not really into Wobbly toys, but that Mr. Softee looks really cool. Must get one for work...