Too young?

psilence · Post by **psilence** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 12:36 pm

Hi, long time reader first time poster..

I do realize that by the law of the land anyone 18 and older is allowed to attend un-chaperoned (and in that sense of the word..)

chap·er·on or chap·er·one
n.

3. A guide or companion whose purpose is to ensure propriety or restrict activity

Usually, though, the rule books and guides to anything are not very adept at describing social stigma. Considering a whopping 65% of people at the 2004 event [assuming it was accurate] were a generational leap from my age (I'm 18 on March 2nd..), is there such a thing as being too young for the event? I'm worried that, due to my age, I may be ostracized from participating in (some) of the event. I try to read up on anything I'm about to undertake, and be as knowledgable as I can be in relation to said undertaking. It's usually better for everyone (hence my not posting until now - have been planning attendance since last spring). Any social wisdom is welcome, considering I myself have performed many a social gaff (I plead ignorance, please find it in your heart of hearts to forgive me).

-Joe

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:46 pm

Interesting question. I have seen more people on the other end of the age spectrum asking the same thing. "Am I to old to enjoy BM"? It seems to me that if you have the wisdom to ask the question, you will do just fine. Read everything you can, especially the survival guide and leave your expectations at home. You will have a great time.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Sat Dec 10, 2005 1:49 pm

psilence wrote: Hi, long time reader first time poster..

Reminds me of my radio daze... >giggles< Hi Pestilence, thanks for listening to WTF, what's on your mind...

psilence wrote:
I do realize that by the law of the land anyone 18 and older is allowed to attend un-chaperoned (and in that sense of the word..)

chap·er·on or chap·er·one
n.

3. A guide or companion whose purpose is to ensure propriety or restrict activity

Usually, though, the rule books and guides to anything are not very adept at describing social stigma. Considering a whopping 65% of people at the 2004 event [assuming it was accurate] were a generational leap from my age (I'm 18 on March 2nd..),

Well, you'll be 18. Stigmata aside (I have holes in my hands, but it's from mortal events, no stigmata there! >>grins<<) you have nothing to worry about. Can't drink openly (or in our kantina - we're really strict on our keeping within Nevada state law as no one in the Kamp wants to go to Jail in God-forsaken Winnemucca) but what people don't know about, or people turn a blind eye to...

Anytthing else you choose to do is on you.

psilence wrote:
is there such a thing as being too young for the event? I'm worried that, due to my age, I may be ostracized from participating in (some) of the event.

Never stopped me from doing something.

If you're going to BRC to drink, then you're looking at a *very* shallow* part of the city. Even if you can't go into a lot of Playa Pubs, you'll *still* have a memorable time. I can guarantee it.

psilence wrote: I try to read up on anything I'm about to undertake, and be as knowledgable as I can be in relation to said undertaking.

But leave your expectations on 447. What you read - even from the "official" site and here - isn't the same as there.

psilence wrote: It's usually better for everyone (hence my not posting until now - have been planning attendance since last spring). Any social wisdom is welcome, considering I myself have performed many a social gaff (I plead ignorance, please find it in your heart of hearts to forgive me).

What gaff? Asking questions? How the hell do you know what you're gerting into if you don't?

Come with everything you'll need for a week in hell, and a little extra in case the weather goes Alpha. It has happened before. Don't expect a damn thing except a camping trip and to meet people. You'll come away either (1) jaded, or (2) awed. Don't be afraid to pull up stakes and leave if it's not your thing, and don't be afraid to meet people.

If it's not your thing, you'll have something to tell the grandkids (I went to burning man way back in '06, they were all f***ing nutballs!) and if it is, you're a burner and you're (as we say in our camp) fucking doomed, as it burns into your soul. Literally. And there is no escape, no relief, just this pull to go and spend time in this desolate wasteland with other members of your new family.

Hope this helps.

This is WTF, radio 99.9... Gerlach, Empire, Susanville, and the world. Next caller is...

psilence wrote:
-Joe

Didn't I just talk to you>??!! See... it gets in your blood, and you can't get away...

bb

FungusAmongus · Post by **FungusAmongus** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 1:08 am

First year - 2004 - age 18, went again in 2005, had an awesome time both years, no complaints.

Post by **AntiM** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 7:52 am

I took my 18 year old nieces in 2003. They were pretty clueless, but had a good time. They are a little less clueless now.

You'll do fine. Will there be activities you feel left out of? Maybe. Are there a gazzillion other things to draw your attention and participation? You betcha. Sounds like you'll bring a lot to the event.

Welcome Home!

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:20 am

It seems like a lot of people begin the week feeling maybe there age depending on how long and difficult thee trek but shortly become 10 or 12 , by morning a lot of people are feeling much older and by the end of the week a lot of the 20 year olds along with every body else are feeling 80....

That’s really an over simplification, I’m sure many of us that feel we’ve found our tribe are very familiar with that part of our selves that is curious, creative, playful and sees the world with eyes that focus on the possibilities. Age becomes much less important , if any thing it is celebrated as another point of diversity.
A friend of mine shared her 23rd birthday, with a woman from Argentina who was born in 1923 celebrating her 82nd. People work and play together, fallowing there interests some things younger people gravitate to, others appeal to older people more but every body pretty much blends together.

The exception as BBSue has mentioned are the camps with bars that have to by law keep underage people away from the aria that is serving alcohol, but that really is such a small part of the over all experience that it shouldn’t put much of a damper on your Burn.

I’ll be 50 tomorrow going on 12 and 80 at the same time,....

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:55 pm

Well, happy early birthday, Zule!! >>HUGGGGZZZ!!<<

You're so right. People who haven't been before (or so I've noticed) put so much stock into the alcohol thing.

Once you've been, it's not so important as you find out the whole experience of BRC is such that drinking or not-drinking isn't that much a part of it. There is *so* much going on out there that you might just get more intoxicated if you *don't* drink.

blueniteowl · Post by **blueniteowl** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 8:05 pm

Joe, do you have an open mind and open heart?

One of the things that I've found with my experiences with other burners is that generally there is less or no ageism. People just talk to other cool people. I now have friends of all ages because of Burning Man. Zule being one of my best and I'm only 23. I have friends that are 19, twenty-something, thirty-something, and so on.

I think reading all you can and being prepared is important, but don't worry about things too much. If it's your thing, it's your thing.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 2:59 am

as long as you keep 'em away from me they will be fine, you dont want my influence.

psilence · Post by **psilence** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:11 am

Thank you for all the support, my question was in regards most to ageism. Thank you so much for the clarification, blueniteowl.

It's not even a question about alcohol, that's not what I was trying to get at. Although underage drinking may be a taboo, I wouldn't come out and ask straight up if I could drink or not ;)

age·ism also ag·ism
n.

Discrimination based on age

Thank you :)

-Joe

Steven bradford · Post by **Steven bradford** » Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:00 pm

My rule of thumb is:

Anyone polite enough to ask first, is already a Burner in spirit, if not yet in experience.

Too young?

Too young?

Re: Too young?