Glowsticking Etiqutte: What do you do when a stranger asks to borrow your sticks?

[cynicdave 37]

<a href='http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&img=800'><img width = '300' src='http://www.glowsticking.com/forums/uploads/1285187113/gallery_41976_52_56364.jpg' alt='iglowstring' /></a>

image by schlosser90

 

A glowsticking.com member named Jebsax2006recently asked what the etiquette is when random strangers ask to borrow your glowsticks. On one hand, it's the nice thing to do. On the other, the guy might be just a freeloader who might never give it back-- or worse, trying to rain on your parade.

 

What do you think?

[Shizzy 4]

I believe that one should at least lend the sticks to people, even for a couple of seconds. :/ It's just seems like the RIGHT thing to do...

[JaredHimself 18]

ehh it depends...

 

There have been occasions where i have JUST cracked a pair of ultra's and someone comes right up next to me, literally getting in the way of my stringing, asking to use my sticks. In that kind of situation, generally i say no.

 

But if they are a little bit patient and are somewhat polite, then ya i'll let them use my sticks for a few minutes.

[Demo 65]

I don't see it as "raining on anyone's parade" ever...

[cynicdave 37]

Some people actually use your sticks to try and one-up you. I've seen it done to other people countless times by douchebags. It's kind of like a form of battling

[Afro-Nitr0 5]

Some people actually use your sticks to try and one-up you. I've seen it done to other people countless times by douchebags. It's kind of like a form of battling

I have as well, but you can usually get that vibe. Worse case scenario and they are really trying to one up me and doing that on purpose, not much I can really do. Something to watch out for but it definitely shouldn't stop you from sharing when people ask.

[Shiesty 1]

I tend to be the person to give up a pair.

 

Since I freehand, it is easier for me to just let them have them and be on their way. Someone who strings, I could see that being a bit tougher.

 

As Dave said, I have given a pair of glowsticks to a guy who in turn said a few things which could have been perceived as him wanting to "one-up" me. In this event, I just smile, nod, and let them be a hero in their own mind. Not worth the drama.

 

I don't freehand to prove something to others or make others look bad.

 

Just my two pennies.

[BlaaeSh 2]

I tend to be the person to give up a pair.

 

Since I freehand, it is easier for me to just let them have them and be on their way. Someone who strings, I could see that being a bit tougher.

 

As Dave said, I have given a pair of glowsticks to a guy who in turn said a few things which could have been perceived as him wanting to "one-up" me. In this event, I just smile, nod, and let them be a hero in their own mind. Not worth the drama.

 

I don't freehand to prove something to others or make others look bad.

 

Just my two pennies.

 

Nice comment. For most, people are so kind and tell me it looks good and wanna try for a few mins, it's allright.

It's fun, cause i have thought of it, and i just take some extra laces with me in worst case, i don't wanna make something up because an idiot steal my sticks, i just do it for fun as you said

[GlowRenGlow 0]

The way I see it since I am always learning this endless art of stringing that if somebody wants to bust some moves I would let them try! I mean it is always cool to see someone who knows how to do cooler moves and it is always cool to help other people learn how to do moves that I know are easier to teach.

 

=D

[FreakDeke 17]

the last time i let someone borrow my sticks,

he hit my eyebrow, and got cut,

 

some people have no control and think faster is better.

 

so after that event, im not as nice as i use to be.

[LaughingCrow 0]

For this reason and others, I always carry spare glow sticks. So if they decide to walk off with them, I just pull out another pair and keep going. I can understand this being more of a nuisance to glowstringers, but you can still have back up strings. Once you're down to your last pair it's up to you. It depends on who asks for me. Hopefully it doesn't get to the point where you are out of backups.

[pyRo32 0]

i try and be as nice as possible, but most of the people that asked to use my sticks, did so to try and battle me. i try to not act annoyed, but ive just walked away a few times. maybe i should feel complimented?

[Demo 65]

Some people actually use your sticks to try and one-up you. I've seen it done to other people countless times by douchebags. It's kind of like a form of battling

Completely understandable.

 

How else are you going to find out/know unless you actually give them your sticks? I'm not condoning battling. I'm one to actually take that risk, and if they want to battle...I can always just walk away.

[cynicdave 37]

Very true. I haven't actually had to deal with people asking for sticks since like 2003 because I started practicing a lot and there weren't many glowstickers then. But it was always weird to see other people do that to my friends. Plus you give away hundreds of ultras every year and you know some of those are going to the pockets of some punk who's gonna use it to circle hog or battle someone later.

[Shizzy 4]

Completely understandable.

 

How else are you going to find out/know unless you actually give them your sticks? I'm not condoning battling. I'm one to actually take that risk, and if they want to battle...I can always just walk away.

 

Word.

 

Very true. I haven't actually had to deal with people asking for sticks since like 2003 because I started practicing a lot and there weren't many glowstickers then. But it was always weird to see other people do that to my friends. Plus you give away hundreds of ultras every year and you know some of those are going to the pockets of some punk who's gonna use it to circle hog or battle someone later.

 

And, that is true as there will always be one or two assholes who're just aiming to ruin someone's night. But, like I said on the other thread, what if it's someone genuinely interested in glowsticking? If there's only 1 person interested in the art out of 100 (99 of them being douchebags), I will always take the risk. I think it's about the art, not about us. :/ Sure, if I'm short on sticks I'll be more cautious with them, but if I have a couple of pairs, I'll gladly share. We have to share the love. (:

[Uber 1]

Its rare that i do get asked this sort of question now a days. here in australia EVERYONE shuffles. so stringers and Freehanders are a dying breed. Sad really. but generally then i do get asked is in my home town and we only have small dance parties i.e. 500 ppl so it aint hard to find the person if they ninja off with your sticks.

 

i generally like watching ppl try and string or freehand. not cos i'm sadistic and like to see them KO themselves or anything. just like to see glowstickin in Australia come back.

[cynicdave 37]

maybe it'll start with you. glowsticking in austtralia i mean =)

[xbadkaraokex 25]

for me it situational it depends where i am, how many pairs i have left and how the person asks / if i have noticed them before what they where doing, generally i say yes and ill ask them if they want the strings as well or just the sticks 9/ 10 times people just want the sticks so i let them have the pair, when people ask for the strings 2 i kinda keep an eye on them cuz its a pain in the ass to take the laces out of the shoes your wearing <--- true story

[Guest festiraverBoach]

It all depends on how they approach me and if they seem like cool people or not. I was at a New Deal show the other week and this guy was dancing his face off with no sticks... and you know what, I went up to him and said "dude u need these." I did not expect to get them back.... I was being my normal nice self..... About an hour later he popped up and gave them back to me... I was so happy that there are still genuinely considerate people out there.

 

Two weeks later I was at a small rave/party with my girlfriend at her old college. I went there knowing one person, her. Doesn't the guy I gave the glow sticks to at the New Deal end up being there and I ended up talking to him for like an hour.

 

Moral of the story, generosity makes friends.

[KSauce 0]

Had a guy ask for my sticks and got a strong vibe i wouldn't see them again. I gave him a few mins then approached and offered to give him the glowsticks. At the same time i asked for the strings back but kept reminding him i wanted to give over the sticks. Recovered my strings and made friends, cracked backups and all is well.

[ChewytheBassist 0]

There aren't many glowstickers in my area, so most of the people who ask to use them are people who have never done it before and just wanna try it out. I always let them try and I'll teach them a little, usually they always ask about the culture after they hit themselves a couple of times and give them back. I would never loan a pair of ultras, just because i have so few and they are only birght for 5 mins and last maybe an hour later.

I'm amazed how many people who have never done it will listen to me talk about it while I string.

[Uber 1]

maybe it'll start with you. glowsticking in austtralia i mean =)

 

i wish that be the case amigo.

 

Glowsticking about five years ago was at its peak. Freehanders and Stringers were oh so abundant. When shuffling came into the scene people gave up the sticks and started forming crews and had battles. like don't get me wrong, love shuffling and all but i hate it when you and your mates will be having a boogie and someone will come in strutting his gig and trying to out preform you. gives me the shits. I JUST WANNA DANCE!!!

 

Glowstickers are unfortunately a dying breed here in Australia. There have been times where i have gone to raves maybe 5000+ strong and have been the ONLY glowsticker there. To those of us who still glowstick (theres about 10 of us in sydney) well we still (glow)stick together. lol

[Snail 0]

i like letting people borrow my sticks. i usually end up learning some neat move from them. and i like watching people string.

 

the people trying to one-up you business is frustraiting though for sure. i say, 'great job' and go about my rave business.

[Guest AngeLoveProject]

I would just give it away and use another one.

[Guest AngeLoveProject]

I had a different experience I would like to share. I was at DRAGON LOUNGE in San Diego and I was hesitant to glowstring alone because no one else was doing it and I didn’t want to showing off but my friends convinced me to do go have fun since we were here. And I am glad I did because there was this girl who came up to me and asked if she would spin my flowlights so I lend it to her and it turns out she has been spinner fire poi for 5 years!!! I have always been wanting to meet glowstickers / spinners in my area and she was nice enough to even teach me some of her moves when I asked her how. We added each other on facebook and she is going to invite me when she is going to spin fire poi at a beach. I am very excited. =D While she was teaching me, there was some random guy who jumped in and also wanted to try out my flowlights and it was nice to see different moves from people. These people showed me tips on how to do some of the tricks to makes things easier to understand than watching a tutorial on a video. Anyways, my point is; lending your stick isn't always a bad thing. I had a good experience and I guess I was lucky to meet these people. =D

 

 

I still wonder why nobody but me brought their stuff to glowstring / glowstick... oh well. lol