u/aviddd

This got me thinking about crowd energy, how big before more is no longer better? https://www.instagram.com/p/DabmVBUDAKP/

Here’s a list of bits that have worked well at other festivals. As an alternative/addition to kandi trading, you could:

1. Bring raffle tickets, fantastic prizes may include an epic sunrise or the courage to have that conversation you’re avoiding. The raffle will take place “when you least expect it” or “in your dreams tonight”. Extra Credit: attach the ticket to clothing with a paperclip or tag gun to make sure they don’t lose it. When you see someone wearing a ticket, that’s your second conversation.

2. Broom. Politely ask people to step aside for a moment so you can sweep where they’re standing. Dance with the broom, whatever that means to you at the moment. Extra: feather dusters. People love being dusted. Sometimes a little too much.

3. Apple. Reach out with the Apple pantomiming placing it in their hand until they take it. Let them control where it moves but maintain light contact with it. Now you’re contract dancing.
   Extra: sometimes this turns into one of you leading the other like a tour guide. When they release the Apple pretend it weighs a ton and drop with it.

4. Twig. Find a cool twig or rock or anything really. Hold out clearly visible. Approach people with “excuse me, I’m looking for my ___ can you help me search for it?” Describe it in great detail. When they find it, thank them profusely. Maybe give it to them to keep.

5. Fortune cookies
   Give someone a fortune cookie (probably in the wrapper). It is not their fortune, but you sense that they have the psychic power to locate the person it is destined for. You’ve started a chain of interactions.
   Extra: some places print custom fortunes.

I’m a withered old jaded burner, how do I decline taking plastic kandy from strangers without crushing their soul or ruining their party?
Like, I’m seeing people so enthused about passing out trinkets that I don’t want. It’s kind of adorable, but I’m just picturing these bracelets going in the trash and ending up around the neck of an endangered sea turtle.
As an elder, I remember when trinkets were painstakingly crafted from molten pewter and glass and given only to strangers who you connected with on a spiritual level or made out with.
The high volume chintzy kandy thing was a staple of 90s raves and not something I care to revisit. Is there a polite way to deflect these ‘gifts’ or will my sour demeanor and wretched aura be enough?