The Good Free Party Goer’s Guide
Foreword:
Often rules exist in an unspoken form. By outlining the following that apply to good party going behaviour we hope to preserve the positive nature of parties, keep safe and show ourselves to be responsible.
1. Getting to the party:
Call the party hotline before you leave. Take a note of the information given and look up the site on a map. The web is a good place for road maps, useful directions can be found on the Ordinance Survey Maps (UK) and Map Quest web sites (Europe & US).
Regardless of the fact that you must never drive under the influence, it’s also important that the person helping you to navigate should do the same. Finding a party can be difficult, party sites are often hidden and out of sight.
Take a mobile phone and a map with you. Parties often change site, also the directions you were given won’t always be 100% accurate or easy to follow.
As you get closer to the site of a party, be careful not to play your music too loud or cause a disruption by driving recklessly. Respect the locals right to a good night’s sleep and remember bringing attention to yourself, also brings attention to the party!
2. Parking:
Keep parked vehicles off public roads. Bad parking practice can harm a party in several ways. They can alert the authorities to the fact that something is going on. They can give them a valid reason to try to stop the proceedings and they can make it difficult for emergency services to get on to your site.
3. Vandalism:
Don’t tolerate vandalism or anti social behaviour. Act as a group, show a determined and united front, politely ask those responsible to stop being disruptive. Let them know their behaviour isn’t wanted at the party, perhaps stop the music in order to get their full attention. Suggest that they should leave if they don’t feel able to contribute to a positive vibe.
4. Trouble makers:
At a party you are never alone no matter how chaotic the mood or your surroundings are. A party is a gathering of like minded individuals after a common goal. Feel free to ask those around you for help or to help someone you think might be under pressure from trouble makers.
5. Rubbish:
Party goers, remove your rubbish as you leave a site, put it into bags and dispose of it safely. Hopefully you’ve enjoyed the beauty of your surroundings, remember to leave them the way you found them 🙂
6. Helping others:
If someone looks unwell, approach them in a non threatening manner and ask how they are. If they ask for your help take the time to offer them the support they need. If they are sick, ask them what is wrong and enlist the help of those responsible for the party to help them…
7. What should you do if the party you’re at is threatened by the police:
a. If you spot the police moving towards a party you’re at, quietly tell a member of the sound system but don’t approach them!
b. Stay near the sound system, move yourselves around it closely and keep dancing.
c. It’s important that the sound system should be able to count on your help to keep their equipment and themselves safe as well as the party going.
d. Don’t harass, insult or antagonise the police, it’s not helpful.
e. Smile! Don’t let them stop you having fun. The best defense to offer them is to keep enjoying yourself and having fun…
8. A note on personal freedom:
As party goers we believe that it is the responsibility of the individual to look after themselves as grown and educated adults. We choose to make our own choices. We choose the right to party and free ourselves through dance and music.”
9. Useful items to bring to a party:
a. A road map (A-Z [in London], AA [in the UK] or MapQuest Maps – Driving Directions – Map [elsewhere])
b. A (charged up) mobile phone.
c. Some snacks (fruit, bottled water, biscuits, etc)
d. Depending on the weather: suncream or waterproofs and warm clothes.
e. A blanket to lie on.
f. Some toilet paper.
g. A small spade or trowel to accompany the above.
h. Some rubbish bags.
i. A positive attitude.
10. Also remember to…
a. Respect any locals’ privacy, keep the noise down on your way there.
b. Bag your rubbish before you leave.
c. Use dead wood rather than living trees.
d. Park your car properly if you can and don’t cause an obstruction.
11. And above all!
YOU ARE NOT CRIMINALS!
GOING TO A FREE PARTY ISN’T ILLEGAL!
DON’T LET THE [JUDICIAL] SYSTEM MAKE YOU INTO A CRIMINAL BY BREAKING THE LAW!
Peace, Love, Unity and Respect – The party vibe collective.
