Influx of Virgins: Survival Guide forum stickies

[BBadger]

Burgins are great! The unprepared dumbasses asking stupid question* -- burgin and "vet" alike -- are the annoying ones.




(*) Stupid questions = questions asked out of laziness, not paying attention, or not putting any self-thought into the problem. A good indicator is people asking general questions as opposed to specific questions; the former indicates that no research was done.

[PhoenixFemmeFatale]

I don't interpret this thread as 'virgin hating' at all! Uneducated underprepared virgin hating - yes. No one wants to end up babysitting a sweaty, dusty, hungry, crying sparkle-pony! There are SO MANY opportunities for a person to educate him/herself. It's all easily accessible and readily available. If someone doesn't take that opportunity its simply due to laziness (in my opinion). The phrase 'ignorance is bliss' comes to mind, except for on the playa (from what I understand). But who knows?!?! After all, I'm a virgin this year! But, I'm trying my hardest to not negatively impact other people's burn with my naïveté!

[trilobyte]

It's also worth pointing out that the 'hater' behavior that you're commenting on is not specific to either Burning Man or to internet message boards. You'll find that on most message boards, social networks, and in real life social encounters, newcomers who outwardly appear to care so little (or are just too lazy) to learn even a little bit about that group will find that members are offended, and behave as such.

Imagine you were part of an established skydiving club, and over the years had built up a great site with lots of information about skydiving, including the absolute essentials of what you'll need (parachutes and so on), and were actively involved in their online community and went to monthly meetups where people would take to the skies. People who turn up on either the site or at the meetups without parachutes would likely be met with similar reactions, ranging from those who smile and politely tell them the obvious to those who use sarcasm and humor to get the point across, to those who are shocked and a little offended that someone would be so daft as to turn up at a skydiving event without something so obvious as a parachute.

Despite the sarcastic 'tough love' approach that people find on this board, they're still welcome to keep going. The information is still available to those who care to look it up, and people will still take time to point them in the right direction. All are welcome - that includes both the ignorant ones and the sarcastic ones. It's a big, weird, dusty melting pot like that.

[Savannah]

I agree with trilobyte, the only way to shape the new community is to lead by example and with kindness. I have never been to burning man and sure don't plan on being a virgin soon, but this was by far the most unexpected thread for me to find, not very welcoming. I do agree that virgins should be more well-informed and there are problems with ticketing, but hate is never the answer, sad to see it in a place like this. Made an account just to say that, hope anyone reading this will be kind and welcoming to virgins this year. Who knows? they may offer you something extraordinary.

When you DO attend the event, you will see the keen difference between 1) Black Rock City and 2) the Internet.

Breathe deep! Welcome to ePlaya.

[Canoe]

Wow, the way people are hating on the "virgins" is really saddening to me. I'm a first time burner going this year and I makes me worry that I'm not going to be welcomed into this experience with the open arms that I was always lead to believe would be waiting for me. You were all new at one point. Peace everyone, enjoy the day and remember this is supposed to be fun. I'm still excited!

There's some showing the frustration, but understand that showing up on the playa without equipment/supplies, the wrong equipment/supplies, not knowing how to use your equipment/supplies, or not knowing how to look after yourself, can result not only in an unpleasant stay at Black Rock City, for yourself and others, it can result in serious injury, to yourself, camp-mates or to others downwind. I know of one incident where a women had her chest crushed in by someone's poorly secured structure that went airborne in the wind. Some years the climate makes it a walk in the park. Other years, be warned, be prepared.

In 2010 I had a camp of virgins next to me and none of them had read the Survival Guide. They quickly learnt about grey water, shower water and camp-fire ashes not going on the playa. But I didn't notice they were having trouble with their feet, until the last day. Most of them had cracked & bleeding feet. Doubly stupid, as not only did they not know about playa-foot or how to avoid or treat it, but because I had two jugs of vinegar, brought to share. Or the virgin at an experienced camp, Sunday, crashed out on couch in shade, dehydrated, not sweating, overheated, tissue very slow refilling - refusing to drink or go to medical. ~11% of what Medical deals with is dehydration.

The information virgins need is there. A survival guide is mailed with each ticket. Tons more info available. Yet still we get people showing up and being a risk to themselves and others.

[theCryptofishist]

I agree with trilobyte, the only way to shape the new community is to lead by example and with kindness. I have never been to burning man and sure don't plan on being a virgin soon, but this was by far the most unexpected thread for me to find, not very welcoming. I do agree that virgins should be more well-informed and there are problems with ticketing, but hate is never the answer, sad to see it in a place like this. Made an account just to say that, hope anyone reading this will be kind and welcoming to virgins this year. Who knows? they may offer you something extraordinary.

Did you notice that this is over a year old? I don't know what that says, but maybe you were digging a little hard.

[tatonka]

I have been treated nice here

[theCryptofishist]

Only because you're one of Simon's socks.

[TT120]

I think birgins should concentrate on being prepared for a week long camping trip in the desert. Get your survival (food, water, shelter) and comfort taken care of and go solo for the first time. Once you've been there once, you will have a much better understanding on what costumes to bring, which camp to join, and how you can help.