SHREYA BOSE
Grope
Its incredible that this needs to be said, but do not feel up the women at the festival. In a just universe, the woman would turn and claw you in the face, but since we like being civilised we’ ll vouch for the fact that getting kicked out by men twice your size will not do you any good. Keep all parts of your body to yourself, unless you are handing someone a beer( Always hand someone a beer!)
Do drugs
Substance abuse is bad enough, but a music festival is populated with plenty of underage individuals who think it constitutes part of the experience. Keep in mind that a lot of these kids have no idea what will hit them, and end up getting sick or in some other form of serious trouble. Hence, that version of " fun " does not need encouragement.
Let your elbows free
Elbows hurt. We don’ t need them jabbing into our backs or arms because you are flailing. Unless the crowd is truly unmanageable, you could just put your arms down. Or raise them up in the air. It’ s a music festival, and your excitement is perfectly placed.
Shove
There’ s always that guy who shoves his way to the front, simply because he can. He tends to know that he is bigger than most people, and blissfully ignores anyone whose drink he might have knocked over or whose shoulder he might have dislocated( excuse the hyperbole). It is perfectly understandable that you are excited, but so is everyone else. You have no reason to be a jerk.
Be selfish
If you see someone who looks like they are about to throw up, offer to help. Don ' t just look away because you don ' t want to miss the drum solo( Marco Minneman will appreciate the fact that you missed him to help someone out.) Get them some water, lead them to a place where they can retch and hold their hair back. If things look bad, contact someone from the organisers( some of them are usually walking around) and try to make sure they are taken care of. It ' s human civility on any given day, but a music festival causes people to get carried away and a Good Samaritan is doubly appreciated.
Flirt with the musicians
The musicians playing at the festival might also want to mingle, grab and drink and soak up the tunes. That does not mean you should be trying to score a date with them. Trust me, that is not how it works. Say hello, strike up a conversation, if they look like they want to be left alone, leave them alone. Musicians are always happy to hear from fans, but that does not mean you get to take uncomfortable liberties with them.
Stay glued to the phone
You scrolling through Facebook or wildly uploading pictures to Instagram won’ t bother anyone, but be assured that you are completely missing the point when you do that. Your screen can wait, and so can your friends and followers. Look up, you are engaging in a larger than life moment where someone is creating sound for your right in front of your eyes. That is an act of godlike creation, and you shouldn’ t miss it for a thumbnail.
Not take care of yourself
We ' re not talking about a serious issue here. Of course its perfectly normal for people to drink too much and throw up, but don ' t overdo it. Its three days in the sun so HYDRATE. Always keep water with you, and don ' t starve yourself. Don ' t spend all your money on liquor, and if you have a home / hotel room / friend ' s place you are coming back to, eat a decent dinner. Passing out in the middle of the headliner ' s act has never made anyone happy.
Just remember that you need to have fun without barging in on anyone else’ s good time. Be joyous, but do it with civility. Its usually much better that way.
The Score Magazine www. thescoremagazine. com
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