S-s-sara wrote:
1. Three people in my camp got slipped drugs the first day. Now, while now none of them mind getting fucked up(and I don't mind either) no one likes getting roofied or slipped ketamine.
Hmmm. Dosing definately happens. It's generally not as widespread as people think...and it's pretty rare when three people from the same camp all got unintentionally dosed at once. There's more to the story there...someone targeted you guys (because you're virgins, young, loud, cute,etc) to see what would happen. This is by far the exception. Most all dosings, once they are actually verified (and a huge proportion of stories about "dosings" are actually more of the "man, I got fucked up really quick...I must have been dosed!") are either because someone thought they could get in someone's pants, or they somehow know the person (or perceive they do) and think it'd be cool to see their reaction. This is wrong, but it's what those doofus' think.
In any case it's important to take reasonable care, and have a simple plan for if someone does get a suspected dosing: i.e. hydrate with liquids, visit ESD (you will NOT get in trouble for "taking drugs" by going to ESD!) and have them give your campmates guidelines for caring for you and ride it out. In the huge majority of times you're gonna be fine in a few hours.
S-s-sara wrote:
2. Vulgar and dirty language towards children. Look, when you're fucked up no one gives a shit if you yell at scream and speak your mind; its Burning Man after all. But I saw way to many people yell vulgarities and sexual things toward children -young children- and their parents. Its fine to want to express yourself, but these people looked visibly uncomfortable and frankly, I was too. Self expression becomes unacceptable when it infringes upon another persons right to feel safe.
Well, I wasn't there, of course but I will say that in my experience, most people do treat kids really well. There are however a big swath of people that think kids have no place at Burning Man (disclosure: I'm one of them, although not adamant about it). Those people are probably going to be really open and free with their language and dress, and feel that care for the kid seeing or hearing something is on the parent. Now if you're talking that some people were actively talking dirty TO children....ummm...ick....[/quote]
S-s-sara wrote:
3. Inappropriate touching. Like I said. This was probably because I am a girl and was wandering around solo most of the time but there were a few times I was approached by people who just started aggressively grabbing onto me and tried to "adjust" my clothes.
Wow...this is a tough one. I'm not a female, so I don't have that perspective. But BM as a whole is a very, very sexualized place in many instances. Often sensual and other physical things can seem very sexual to an virgin burner, but in hindsight weren't anything of the case. But suffice to say, if you don't want someone's hands on your body, no means no. I've found the most successful single women at the Burn have mastered the art of playful deflection pretty well. Don't count on anyone to not be more aggressive verbally, more direct, etc. To many, the venue of BM makes people feel like they can be more explicit and direct than they would be in default. There is lots of physical contact that happens much, much sooner than would be acceptable in the default world.
As others have said there are a few good ways to combat this while keeping your burn fun and carefree; hang out/roam with a friend. You're safe to walk around the city without them, but it IS a city of 50k people now. Not all share the burner ethos. Be explicit and direct when you are uncomfortable. If you can do this in a way that is artful (often this happens among "friends" or people that are known and people won't speak up because they don't want to be singled out), but if you feel threatened, raise your voice. Specifically call for another burner to help. Call for a Ranger or go seek them out at a Ranger outpost. Finally, Rangers can help you find an LEO if you need one.
S-s-sara wrote:
4. Burning man is an overwhelmingly stimulating event. I was constantly on sensory overload and as a result I decided to go the week mostly sober. And I loved it that way! I went nuts a few times but I mostly made my experience as chill as possible. There is nothing wrong with that. But never have I felt ashamed for not mixing several different drugs with way to much alcohol until the Burn. If people want to stay sober let them and don't give them shit for twenty minutes about it. I didn't mind it the first few days but after a while I got the feeling that most people felt like I was doing something wrong by not going nuts 24/7.
As others have said, this is just a bunch of immature douches saying this stuff. Not an excuse, but a point of understanding: I have a good friend that does most activities with our circle of friends. He does not drink at all, ever. The times when people have done this, it's because they perceive his behavior is markedly different than those of the revelers. I.e. people want you to join the party because of how you're acting or how they think you will act once they are drunk and you're not. People I know that don't drink but remain outgoing, engaging, fun, etc. tend to not get even noticed. YMMV and that may or may not help in how to address it.
S-s-sara wrote:
6. To the group of ladies who wanted "didn't want to fuck us up [because] this is Burning Man [and] I am supposed to be nice". Yeah I really felt the love when you physically threw my friends and I away from your art car. I am so terribly sorry that I brushed up against it. If you want something to stay pretty, don't bring it to the playa. If it gets messed up don't shove people into other people/ moving crowds out of anger.
Hey, art cars are hard work and their owners go through the burn and it sounds like you caught one on a bad day. Shrug it off with a smile, say sorry and simply move on.
S-s-sara wrote:
5. Finally, this one is not so much bad as pretty hilarious. I feel like the giant orgy tents should be labeled a bit better. I walked in on two gay orgies, one I thought was a bar, the other was labeled as a maze. I have no problem with sexuality , please don't misunderstand, I just felt bad for making the two guys giving each other head uncomfortable.
Sounds like this worked out just fine. No need for a remedy.
S-s-sara wrote:... I had a lot of good experiences too I just think i underestimated the insanity of it all.
I think that last line really sums it up!
LoR
The fox provides for himself, but God provides for the lion - W. Blake (attribution corrected)
