How can one best gift drinks?

Rendrag · Post by **Rendrag** » Sat May 22, 2004 11:38 am

I want to ride around on my bike and gift samples of my favorite cocktail. I am concerned, however, about contributing to litter by handing out cups for people to use. The drink itself is rather strong, so I also don't want to hand someone a cup and have them gulp down the entire drink while I wait to get the cup back.

I was thinking of buying some of those paper cones that you get when ordering snow cones. This would allow me to hand out small samples with ice in them. People could then sip the drink at their own pace, enjoy the ice afterwards, and then put the folded paper cup into their pocket and perhaps burn it later. (Although I am a BM virgin, I get the impression that people, from time-to-time, burn things on the playa.)

Would this approach work best? Do BM vets have better suggestions?

Thanks!

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Sat May 22, 2004 2:01 pm

I've been gifting for chai on the playa for the last couple of years now. I have a trailer that I pull behind my bike with a large umbrella and restaurant quality insulated container (I LOVE this thing, I put one block of ice in it with the chai and it stays cold all day long!). Anyway, I try to encourage people to bring their own cups with them (most people don't). So I also use 5oz paper cups. When I gift the chai I ask them to either properly dispose of the cup, or enjoy the chai in my shade and return the cup to me when they are finished where I collect them in a trash bin in my trailer and burn them on one of the DPW constructed burn platforms at the end of the week. The cups crush down to nothing and are relatively inexpensive (the kind I buy are like $4.00 for 200 cups, or something like that).

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Sun May 23, 2004 12:51 am

Maybe pour smaller portions and have a portable trach bag/bucket available. Seems that maybe waiting around for the folks to sip your concoction would give you a good amount of time to actually engage them while they sip and chat. Just strikes me as a better way of interacting.

drowned_saved · Post by **drowned_saved** » Sun May 23, 2004 8:24 am

for those who gift drinks...
how often do folks refuse your offer?
in those instances, have you had the feeling that people mistrusted your motives?

Rendrag · Post by **Rendrag** » Sun May 23, 2004 9:14 pm

Thanks for the info, Chai and Badger. Although I am by nature somewhat shy, and therefore usually practice hit-and-run random acts of kindess, it would probably be good for me to practice getting out from my shell. So bringing my own trash container and wait for people to finish their samples is probaby a good thing for me to do . . .

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Sun May 23, 2004 9:52 pm

Rendrag wrote:...Do BM vets have better suggestions?

As long as you're asking -- if it's in a can, I'll take it, otherwise not. I can get rid of a can easily on my own and there's less of an issue about worrying whether you're trying to dose me or palm off the water from the bottom of your ice cooler. You might have the best of intentions, and beverages as pure as the driven snow, but I don't know you from Eve or Adam.

Chai Guy · Post by **Chai Guy** » Mon May 24, 2004 10:36 am

I would say that on average, about one out of 10 people politely decline. (and sometimes those people will return after seeing a large group drinking around my cart). I'm not sure if it's because they are questioning what's in my chai or they just don't like chai. Interestingly enough, when most people ask "Are there any special ingredients" and I say "no", they seem more dissapointed than relieved.

I would also like to strongly advise against sharing beverages from the same container as there are numerous health issues that could arise from such a practice. Really, the paper cups are inexpensive and easily disposable (though I still prefer people to bring their own cups).

Donita · Post by **Donita** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 3:37 pm

Chai Guy wrote:I've been gifting for chai on the playa....

So, YOU are the Chai Gifting Guy!!!! YOU are responsible for
my wonderful ADDICTION to Chai now!

Chai is definitely on my "TO BRING" list this year.

theBrooke · Post by **theBrooke** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 4:44 pm

I found a ~little bar in a breifcase~ at a thrift store a few years ago, and have put some serious playa time in with it. I'm pretty sure its from the 60's... when you open it the left side holds to bottles of liquor and a shaker, the right has 4 small cups (all metal) and 4 shot glasses (metal), a stirer, a jigger, and a can opener. I usually take it where there is no bar the Man is always a good time. Once I've setup shop it's usually only about an hour until I've run through two bottles... very fun! The only problem is I can't get a bottle of Patron Silver in there

technopatra · Post by **technopatra** » Sun Jun 20, 2004 9:24 pm

Oh no, never let geometry be an excuse to drink bad tequila!

Just plan ahead and fill a flask. That way you don't have to deal with glass empties, either.

Captain Goddammit · Post by **Captain Goddammit** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 6:20 am

Definitely paper cups rather than plastic, they crush to a size that is easy to carry in a pocket, pouch, or what-have-you and can be disposed of in fire. I've used plastic and they tend to just get left somewhere.

Angel Ben · Post by **Angel Ben** » Mon Jun 21, 2004 8:43 am

I built this:
http://img70.photobucket.com/albums/v21 ... rcycle.jpg
that I take around at a regional burn, as a small scale alternative to bar cars.

Inside the rear crate are 6 plastic cups, tied to strings. Some people have their own cups, but the rest use the bar cups, and we hang around and chat while they drink. Every once in a while somebody will awkwardly gulp it down as fast as they can, but usually what happens is that I'll be chatting with one person drinking, and other people walking by will instinctively walk up to the bar and have a drink as well. The only drawback to this is that I'll often get stuck in one place for a long time, as I can't move on until everybody finishes their drinks. I don't mind it, but some people might.

Since I'm reusing cups, I keep a towel and two spray bottles (one soapy water, one plain water) to wash them.

Oh, and the EL wire and sound system (in the front crate) help get people's attention.

How can one best gift drinks?

How can one best gift drinks?

Re: How can one best gift drinks?