There is no "ultimate trade item." Sure, getting it right on the head is great. But not every person wants/needs the same thing. Tastes and needs vary--as does the weather.Dave wrote:I have yet, after many burns, to figure out the ultimate trade item. I guess it changes from year to year.
Bartering on the playa
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theCryptofishist
- Posts: 40312
- Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2004 9:28 am
- Burning Since: 2017
- Location: In Exile
For all newbies and veterans alike, I welcome you all with open arms, and no expectation for gifts of any kind. Please stop into The Liver's End bar. I'm not sure where we will be, but as soon as we know, we will post on the directory at Center Camp. We are a fully stocked bar and lounge. We often have food that we are happy to share. We are a great spot for chilling out and we are great company. We are what "the others" only aspire to be!
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Rian Jackson
- Posts: 3903
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2003 4:30 pm
- Location: In Rob's Head
In most cases, the bartering really irks me. One night i was out near 2:00 and found a barter bar. I hung out there for hours, and eventually watched the bar when the tenders had to haul off somewhere. I told them i'd only watch it if they'd let me make it into a gift bar. I heard rumours that it stayed that way, but don't know if they're true.
Last year i spent about a month making collage art on blank books. They were appreciated. But what was appreciated more was music. So the plan is that this year, i'm bringing two instruments (instead of one) and if i can get over being kinda shy about it they'll be my playa gifts. No books no beads no nothing else. The other gift is arabic coffee. served in my camp. it takes time to make, time to let it sit, and time to drink. these things are good. and you are all welcome to come by for some.
Of course, there a couple of things - one pendant in particular - that i really treasure. Probably not so much because of what they are, but because of what they signify. the interaction behind that gift was so intense that the gift - which was nearly an afterthought - has the entire experience wrapped into it.
Pre-burn, still a virgin, i was told that the idea is to give gifts to people you want to, people who have come to mean something to. I think if you live by that rule it's hard to fall into bartering. Then there are camps who have a gifting MO, if you will - bars, for one. Maybe folks who are planning to bring bars should just view it as their gift to the city in general, just as the labour put into a huge art project is a gift.
Besides, i'm a lot more likely to bring alcohol for a bar if i know it isn't expected.
i guess one question is whether or not you're giving gifts when you first bump into someone or at the end of an interaction. though it's not a hard and fast rule, it can say a lot about why you're giving them - unless you're just a beautiful, indiscriminately lovey person who wants to shower all of BRC with presents.
Last year i spent about a month making collage art on blank books. They were appreciated. But what was appreciated more was music. So the plan is that this year, i'm bringing two instruments (instead of one) and if i can get over being kinda shy about it they'll be my playa gifts. No books no beads no nothing else. The other gift is arabic coffee. served in my camp. it takes time to make, time to let it sit, and time to drink. these things are good. and you are all welcome to come by for some.
Of course, there a couple of things - one pendant in particular - that i really treasure. Probably not so much because of what they are, but because of what they signify. the interaction behind that gift was so intense that the gift - which was nearly an afterthought - has the entire experience wrapped into it.
Pre-burn, still a virgin, i was told that the idea is to give gifts to people you want to, people who have come to mean something to. I think if you live by that rule it's hard to fall into bartering. Then there are camps who have a gifting MO, if you will - bars, for one. Maybe folks who are planning to bring bars should just view it as their gift to the city in general, just as the labour put into a huge art project is a gift.
Besides, i'm a lot more likely to bring alcohol for a bar if i know it isn't expected.
i guess one question is whether or not you're giving gifts when you first bump into someone or at the end of an interaction. though it's not a hard and fast rule, it can say a lot about why you're giving them - unless you're just a beautiful, indiscriminately lovey person who wants to shower all of BRC with presents.
surlier than thou