Apon readin the summarys for the Theme camps of '04, i notice they all have promises of alcholic beverages and food stuffs. Im not expecting any of this for free, but I know money isnt allowed on the playa, so do I need to bring stuff to trade to enjoy said beverages and food stuffs? Thanks
Darby
REAAAAAAAALLLLyy Stpuid question, yet on that plagues me.
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TommyTheCat
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- Location: Tyler, Tx
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REAAAAAAAALLLLyy Stpuid question, yet on that plagues me.
I got ma ride...blargh!
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dragonfly Jafe
- Posts: 1877
- Joined: Tue Sep 02, 2003 11:08 am
- Location: the Oregon Trail
There needs to be a reason for them to gift you with a drink.
Some camps will hand out drinks to anyone who steps up to their bar. Some demand barter (gifts). Some demand that you first participate in some camp activity (wheel-of-fate and pick-a-task from a container, where the 'tasks" are either entertaining to behold or act to stretch one's boundries, are the most popular). Sometimes it's up to the bartender's whim. Sometimes they are out of alcohol (even if you don't want to have a bar, bringing a few gallons of mixer or volunteering to go fetch ice is a sure way to make a bartender take notice of your dry state)
If you bring neat gifts, or have a neat costume, or are a charsimatic person, or volunteer to work a shift (really the best way to get free booze), you should have no problem. And if you don't get served at one bar, there are like 35,000 more you can chose from. Or start your own. YMMV. regards - Jafe
Some camps will hand out drinks to anyone who steps up to their bar. Some demand barter (gifts). Some demand that you first participate in some camp activity (wheel-of-fate and pick-a-task from a container, where the 'tasks" are either entertaining to behold or act to stretch one's boundries, are the most popular). Sometimes it's up to the bartender's whim. Sometimes they are out of alcohol (even if you don't want to have a bar, bringing a few gallons of mixer or volunteering to go fetch ice is a sure way to make a bartender take notice of your dry state)
If you bring neat gifts, or have a neat costume, or are a charsimatic person, or volunteer to work a shift (really the best way to get free booze), you should have no problem. And if you don't get served at one bar, there are like 35,000 more you can chose from. Or start your own. YMMV. regards - Jafe
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TommyTheCat
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2004 1:33 am
- Location: Tyler, Tx
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Darby...
I had the same problem! 2000 was my first year very few people I knew had been and I thought it was all about barter. I had an awesome time it changed my life, but I didn't really participate too much because I was scared, shy and didn't know what to expect.
What to expect. Overwhelming kindness, people wanting not willing to share, think gifting not trading (and if you've got a few bucks, buy the movie Gifting It that will help). You walk in to random bar...up to the bartender and ask for a drink. Sometimes your choices are bud light or bud light, sometimes they can cater to any request... As mentioned before you may have to fake an orgasm, or you may just have to ask. You can always tell by just sitting back for a minute and taking in the scene. A lot of times there will be a basket or something on the bar and if you feel so inclined leave a pack of smokes, a cd, an old GI joe... whatever. One great way to handle this, is if you spend a good part of any day at one place, come back by the next day with a bottle of liquor (they love that) or some ice (also great). Expect the unexpected, have an open heart because this place is like none other on earth... Restored my faith in humanity.
=) Brooke
ps - one of my faves every year is the conGLOMerate's bar, very fun open people, great party, plenty of spirits... and you probably don't have to do a cartwheel to get a drink. Make it a point to get there early on, and that should quiet any insecurity.
I had the same problem! 2000 was my first year very few people I knew had been and I thought it was all about barter. I had an awesome time it changed my life, but I didn't really participate too much because I was scared, shy and didn't know what to expect.
What to expect. Overwhelming kindness, people wanting not willing to share, think gifting not trading (and if you've got a few bucks, buy the movie Gifting It that will help). You walk in to random bar...up to the bartender and ask for a drink. Sometimes your choices are bud light or bud light, sometimes they can cater to any request... As mentioned before you may have to fake an orgasm, or you may just have to ask. You can always tell by just sitting back for a minute and taking in the scene. A lot of times there will be a basket or something on the bar and if you feel so inclined leave a pack of smokes, a cd, an old GI joe... whatever. One great way to handle this, is if you spend a good part of any day at one place, come back by the next day with a bottle of liquor (they love that) or some ice (also great). Expect the unexpected, have an open heart because this place is like none other on earth... Restored my faith in humanity.
=) Brooke
ps - one of my faves every year is the conGLOMerate's bar, very fun open people, great party, plenty of spirits... and you probably don't have to do a cartwheel to get a drink. Make it a point to get there early on, and that should quiet any insecurity.
=(*o*)=(^-^)=(º0º)=(*.*)=(^_^)=(*_*)=
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TommyTheCat
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All of the above is good advice. I'd reiterate the suggestion that ice is always a welcome gift to folks running bars. Also, it's a good idea to bring your own cup. Many camps don't provide them, and disposables are a big MOOP problem. If you're so inclined, personalizing your cup with decorations or making it part of your outfit/costume would be even better.
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AntiM
- Moderator
- Posts: 20301
- Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 5:23 am
- Burning Since: 2001
- Camp Name: Anti M's Home for Wayward Art
- Location: Wild, Wild West
I'm still jazzed from Synorgy this past weekend ... one of the best times I had was being a portable shot bar. I had made trinkets from teeny champagne flutes, decorated with wire and beads, to be handed out from the back of the Amish Buggy Bondage Bar. Each one holds about half a shot, they began life as wedding favors, but decorated they are pretty little pieces. However, the buggy fared poorly on the wet salt sand, and good slaves are often busy elsewhere, so I had a box of trinkets on my hands and no delivery system. I picked up my sturdy black plastic basket, put in the flutes and four pints of assorted yummy liquids, and wandered about from camp to camp, art to art, and offered tasty beverages and/or a trinket. I met so many interesting people that way. I love to give things away in the first place, and not everyone wanted a drink, most folks did like the glasses and were shocked when I said, "keep it is is yours." I even had a couple offers of payment, which gave me a chance to introduce gifting to newbies. Most of all, I loved the interaction. I can be shy and crusty, and this helped me get out and about and chat.
The night of the burn, our camp loaded up the basket, and Bruno took over the drink dispensing. True, we had switched to liters and Dixie cups, but the effect was the same, meet and greet. I think Bruno had a wonderful time being the walking bar, he even ended up with tips, which I found pretty funny. BTW, Bruno totally rocks!
My point is that you never know when someone will just give you a drink, and you never know when the inspiration on how you'll gift will come to you. Sometimes just giving the gift is good for me, but getting to chat is more than reward enough.
And yes, we had a trash bag for the dixie cups. And Butterschnapps are apparently liquid candy and practically evaporate!
The night of the burn, our camp loaded up the basket, and Bruno took over the drink dispensing. True, we had switched to liters and Dixie cups, but the effect was the same, meet and greet. I think Bruno had a wonderful time being the walking bar, he even ended up with tips, which I found pretty funny. BTW, Bruno totally rocks!
My point is that you never know when someone will just give you a drink, and you never know when the inspiration on how you'll gift will come to you. Sometimes just giving the gift is good for me, but getting to chat is more than reward enough.
And yes, we had a trash bag for the dixie cups. And Butterschnapps are apparently liquid candy and practically evaporate!
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PetsUntilEaten
- Posts: 294
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 5:49 pm
- Location: los angeles
last year my roommate affixed elastic loops inside a metal briefcase, not unlike the ones you'd see money or diamonds being transported in. he handcuffed the briefcase to his wrist.
in the loops he stuffed those mini-bottles of liquor.
it was sooooo funny. just like a mobster or a guy selling watches or just transporting something important. he'd meet new people and be like "might i entice you?" and open the briefcase to reveal his goods.
it was KICK ASS.
booze or like gold out there. booze and cigarettes.
+++
the teahouse in absurd plaza gifted me with a sturdy, short plastic mug tied to a long necklace. that thing served me so very well throughout the week.
***
god i can't wait to get back. yay!
in the loops he stuffed those mini-bottles of liquor.
it was sooooo funny. just like a mobster or a guy selling watches or just transporting something important. he'd meet new people and be like "might i entice you?" and open the briefcase to reveal his goods.
it was KICK ASS.
booze or like gold out there. booze and cigarettes.
+++
the teahouse in absurd plaza gifted me with a sturdy, short plastic mug tied to a long necklace. that thing served me so very well throughout the week.
***
god i can't wait to get back. yay!
awesome oppossum