Birgin on a Budget: Small and Inexpensive Ways toParticipate

[BeckyBoodles]

Here's the gist of my story: graduated this year from high school, starting my adult life off with the BANG!!!!! of my first BM experience, and then promptly leaving for Australia right after. Note: I'm going to be living out of a backpack.
Something I've been slightly worried about is the "participation" aspect of BM. A lot of people define "participation at BM" as dressing in crazy costumes, doing wild art, decorating your bike, or any other insane, creative, and often-expensive things such as that. Don't get me wrong: I [i]want[/i] to do all that. SERIOUSLY. I wish I could - but I've only got so much money - most of which I'd like to stretch out over a longer period of time than just a couple of weeks - and I don't think the person I'm going with wants to spend much money on anything more than the necessities (read: basic self-reliance things, i. e. tent, first aid kit, sleeping bags, et cetera).
So, I was wondering what your tips were on how to participate without spending a bunch of money on wild and crazy external [i]stuff[/i]. I know that things such as helping people out, being friendly, et cetera can be described as participatory - and that I'll definitly do. I'd like to know any other tips people more experienced than me might have.

Have an awesome rest-of-the-week! See you all at the playa! <3

[BBadger]

Remember to bring enough water for yourself.

Don't equate gifting with participation. If all you have is yourself, give of yourself what you can.

A good first start? Strut your shit on a dance floor for others to enjoy.

Have fun! Participation isn't about having a quota to meet.

[The Bee]

Strut your shit on a dance floor for others to enjoy. Have fun!

Agree. Go clubbing. Dancing is participating. When you see some cool sculpture or an outrageous art car, jump up and down and laugh and clap. Get off your bike and skip for a bit. Act just a bit nutty. It's fun, and it gives other people good energy.

As far as costumes go, buy a few colorful scarves and bandannas for a buck each. Tie the scarves together and make a tail. Tie a bandanna around your leg. Paint a kitty face on your dust mask with a colored magic marker. Wear some outrageous mascara.

Pick up a costume at the Costume Cult camp. Take your bike to the Pimp Your Bike camp and decorate there.

[BBadger]

Agree. Go clubbing. Dancing is participating. When you see some cool sculpture or an outrageous art car, jump up and down and laugh and clap. Get off your bike and skip for a bit. Act just a bit nutty. It's fun, and it gives other people good energy.

And it's a great compliment to those who built it, silently watching people enjoy it.

Oh, and from the Shyness thread: give compliments--specific genuine ones. Words have power.

[trilobyte]

The boards are filled with some terrific ideas - you could probably make a long list after browsing threads here for less than an hour.

As for costumes, there are a couple camps I'd suggest visiting - Kostume Kult and Black Rock Boutique (though there are likely many others). Both offer pieces of playawear as gifts for visitors, and they're really great people.

Yes, Burning Man can be a monumentally expensive undertaking - for many, the cost of the ticket is a small part of the total expense. But everybody does what they can and they're comfortable with doing. Besides, it's your first year - just worry about getting there with the basic provisions, everything else will come together.

[The CO]

Remember to bring enough water for yourself.

Don't equate gifting , costumes, theme camps, art cars, intoxicants, plastic crap, or any object with participation. If all you have is yourself, give of yourself what you can.

...

Have fun! Participation isn't about having a quota to meet.

fixed.

[knowmad]

There is a boutique in center camp. You could participate by alowing someone to give you a make-over!

[Canoe]

... give of yourself what you can...

Go.
Observe the art.
Enjoy the shows.
Clap.
Express appreciation for: an art work, mutant vehicle, costume, drink/food, camp, etc.,... and any effort that catches your eye.
Meet the people.

Where you can, and feel so inclined, lend a hand. Probably the most fun of all. (other than dancing)


p.s. You don't have to explain, or apologize. Just go.

p.s.s. Please, please, please, do NOT get a bunch of little plastic trinkets to pass out in "payment" for gifts you may receive. Seeing you enjoy (or need) whatever gift I give is why I'm gifting. I don't need "payment", barter or a tummy rub. Well, maybe on the tummy rub. Hugs usually go around well.

[theCryptofishist]

MOOP.

(Note: MOOP stands for Material Out Of Place, it's both a noun and a verb. It is the verbal form we are looking at right now.)
That's right, take a bag and start walking, anywhere, really picking up trash as you go. If you MOOP in the camping areas, people will be so grateful that they will invite you into thier shade structures and chat. When you're ready to move on, just go on with the MOOPing. It's reletively safe, it's practically free, and it's highly important in maintaining good relations with the BLM.
Plus sometimes you find cool shit...

[skibear]

The boards are filled with some terrific ideas - you could probably make a long list after browsing threads here for less than an hour.

As for costumes, there are a couple camps I'd suggest visiting - Kostume Kult and Black Rock Boutique (though there are likely many others). Both offer pieces of playawear as gifts for visitors, and they're really great people.

If you pass thru Sacramento or Reno check out the Goodwill last chance outlets. Lots of great
gaudy burner costumes (I bought 2 TuTu's, silly skirts and undies etc dirt cheap ). 1.29 a lb in Sacramento(2 locations) and 1.50 a lb in Reno on Oddie Blvd next to Lowes. 5 thrift stores in that block on Oddie inc. Savers.
hth

[Elorrum]

MOOP.

(Note: MOOP stands for Material Out Of Place, it's both a noun and a verb. It is the verbal form we are looking at right now.)
That's right, take a bag and start walking, anywhere, really picking up trash as you go. If you MOOP in the camping areas, people will be so grateful that they will invite you into thier shade structures and chat. When you're ready to move on, just go on with the MOOPing. It's reletively safe, it's practically free, and it's highly important in maintaining good relations with the BLM.
Plus sometimes you find cool shit...

Oh yes, I was surprised by how wonderful people were to me when I was mooping... I got lots of hugs and thankyous, made me feel downright "right" I've made a special moop screen dustpan to use this year, so I don't have to haul as much playa in my trash bag.