Beer??? Beer????

[MJJ 0]

Hello friends, I'm new to the jump-outa-plane thing and I have a question about buying beer. (excuse my ignorance)

When do you do it? Is it an important thing to do?

I have a bit of a conundrum...I don't drink, never have, never will. And not to be a jerk, but I will not buy alcohol either. (personal choice)

But, I will buy any other beverage of your choice or a whole meal. I have no problems with the concept.

So my dumb question of the day is...when do I buy "beer" and can I bring a substitute refreshment.

You can start with nothing.
And out of nothing...and out of no way,
a way will be made.

[DSE 5]

Quote

And not to be a jerk, but I will not buy alcohol either. (personal choice)

But, I will buy any other beverage of your choice or a whole meal. I have no problems with the concept.

So my dumb question of the day is...when do I buy "beer" and can I bring a substitute refreshment.

Why won't you buy beer?
Additionally, this comes up once in a while, the Search field is your friend.

[J_Cook 0]

You could always just toss cash into a community beer fund.

[slotperfect 7]

The Search Posts function will often reveal good information from previous discussions on many subjects, including this one.

Commonly referred to as "Beer Rules," the tradition within the sport of skydiving is one that draws people together. If you won't buy alcohol, then buy something non-alcoholic that people will enjoy.

Arrive Safely

John

[floridadiver81 0]

ah hell..i buy beer every time i go to the dz. I know i dont have to unless i have a "1st", but it tends to make the regulars more open towards me. I have learned that generosity goes further in the sport than just doing the bare minimal.

To the op. As others have stated..if you dont drink alcohol jsut ask around the dz for a general consenses as to the best non alcoholic beverage that everyone would enjoy...as well as yourself.

"Age has absolutely nothing to do with knowledge, learning, respect, attitude, or personality." -yardhippie
"Fight the air, and the air will kick your ass!!! "-Specialkaye

[Steve_Lewis 0]

Muffins or doughnuts surely are the best substitute. A big case/box, as beer you'd typically buy 24 bottles.

[Beerlight 0]

beer is food

and there was no one at your DZ that could explain the purpose of the beer rules?

Any first you should buy (in your case a whole meal for everyone)

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

You could buy a case of beer nuts... or give someone some money and send them to the store to buy beer for you.

[Dumpster 0]

Kcik in to the beer fund, but a case of pop, or buy a pizza or two. Beer and pizza (or wings!) go really well together.

Easy Does It

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Beer & Beer go well together!

[NWFlyer 2]

I'm a firm believer in an interpretation that goes along with the spirit rather than the letter of the beer law if buying beer is something that the person owing the beer isn't comfortable with.

It's all about sharing with your fellow skydivers, and celebrating the firsts. We joke about "owing" beer but really it's not about sticking it in a communal fridge or cooler and walking away it's about saying "I just did [whatever] for the first time today" and cracking open the beer and getting to know the people around the DZ. I did just that last night - first jump at a new DZ and it wasn't so much about the beer but about saying "I'm new here ... how's it going?"

So... figure out something that can support that idea without going against your beliefs. A cooler full of iced-down sports drinks/sodas/bottled waters on a hot summer day is bound to be quite welcome in the middle of the day. I brought popsicles to one DZ on a 95 degrees and humid day and made lots of friends. If you're staying the weekend, whipping up a big pot of coffee in the morning will probably make you very popular, especially if you bring along cream and sweeteners as well. Or make a donut/muffin/bagel run.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[LloydDobbler 2]

Quote

It's all about sharing with your fellow skydivers, and celebrating the firsts. We joke about "owing" beer but really it's not about sticking it in a communal fridge or cooler and walking away it's about saying "I just did [whatever] for the first time today" and cracking open the beer and getting to know the people around the DZ. I did just that last night - first jump at a new DZ and it wasn't so much about the beer but about saying "I'm new here ... how's it going?"

Krisanne - that's one of the best explanations for the beer rules I've heard. Well said.

MJJ, don't get hung up on the "rules" aspect of it all...like K suggested, think of it as contributing to the community, rather than "owing" something. You'll find that once you're off student status (and sometimes during), some of the most important lessons (not to mention, the best stories) come from the bonfire.

You get out of it what you put into it.

Signatures are the new black.

[countzero 7]

as it's getting hotter i find that bringing a couple of cases of water is much appreciated, especially by the DZ staff and those hard working packers.

diamonds are a dawgs best friend

[darkwing 5]

I am a non-drinker (not for philosophical or religious reasons, but just because it tastes shitty) and I have no problem providing other beverages when the situation calls for it. Although I have bought beer once or twice. I think you should provide whatever beverage YOU want to, and expect to be given some crap for it, but it will be good natured crap. Any non-good-natured crap you get will be from people who don't count anyway.

On a related note -- I have been paying for "free beer" at boogies for 30+ years, and don't recall I have ever gotten a rebate or discount on boogie registration fees, although I have asked. Mostly I just ask to get the reaction, not really thinking I'll ever get a discount.

-- Jeff
My Skydiving History

[billvon 2,991]

>When do you do it? Is it an important thing to do?

After any first - first cutaway, first 4-way etc.

It's an important thing to do because those first times doing something are pretty critical when it comes to progressing through the sport. The first time you do a 4-way it's not likely to go perfectly. If you buy beer and give it to people, they will ask you what first you did and likely start talking about it. That's a great time to learn about 4-way and talk about what went wrong and what went right on your dive - and that's also the best time to do it, while it's still fresh in your mind.

It's a two way street. You spend the money on the beer, they spend the time with you talking about your first.

Note that it doesn't have to be alcohol. It can be non-alcoholic beer, soda, hot chocolate (in the winter) - basically anything you want to get, although beer is the default.

[VTmotoMike08 0]

Quote

Hello friends, I'm new to the jump-outa-plane thing and I have a question about buying beer. (excuse my ignorance)

When do you do it? Is it an important thing to do?

I have a bit of a conundrum...I don't drink, never have, never will. And not to be a jerk, but I will not buy alcohol either. (personal choice)

But, I will buy any other beverage of your choice or a whole meal. I have no problems with the concept.

So my dumb question of the day is...when do I buy "beer" and can I bring a substitute refreshment.

I met a non drinking jumper once who brought a case of gatorade to the DZ in place of beer. Trust me, on a hot summer weekend, no one will be complaining about a free refreshing drink in the middle of the day! Serves about the same purpose as beer as far as starting conversation too.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Quote

I'm a firm believer in an interpretation that goes along with the spirit rather than the letter of the beer law if buying beer is something that the person owing the beer isn't comfortable with.

Okay... et all, lets then start a new list of "Prim Rib Rules" for those out there that don't want to buy beer.

[airkid 0]

dude its gotta be beer if you dont buy beer than you send someone to the store with your money and have them bring back beer and the rules are........
the first time you do anything new....... whether how you exit land or fly.......its a case......... everytime you fly a peice of gear for the first time...... its beer......... and whenever you piss off manifest....... dude i think that is two cases........... oh and if someone saves your life cause your gear is either on wrong (e.g. chest strap) or packed wrong....... you owe them personally a case of beer

[FallingDuck 0]

You don't have to buy beer, and if you don't drink then most places won't have a problem with it. But you can always just chip in to a beer fund (most DZs have them) or just bring a couple of 2 liter pops when necessary, everyone ells can use them as mixers.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Quote

...But you can always just chip in to a beer fund (most DZs have them)...

... if your DZ doesn't have a beer fund, send your money to me and I'll make sure it goes into our Beer Fund.

[padskydive 0]

Yeah agreed...

Back in Deaf World Record (DWR) at Perris Valley in 2005, A guy was there for his first DWR and he had kinda just come off his student status. He impressed us all (there were at least 30+ of us) by providing calorite drinks packed in massive ice boxes covering our thirst for at least a week - With this, we all were happy to give him advices & coaching and such & jumped heaps (small - big ways) with him & We gave him a pie in the face for his 100th.

[stitch 0]

Most folks will gladly accept mushrooms instead of beer. Just a helpful hint.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[MJJ 0]

Thanks for the help. I went with cold water and soda, and it was received fine. There was one remark about, "I can chase this down with beer later." lol

It's the thought that counts right??

You can start with nothing.
And out of nothing...and out of no way,
a way will be made.

[popsjumper 2]

ALl those posts and nobody pointed you to the Beer Rules? Lazy-assed skydivers...sheesh.


http://webpages.charter.net/iskydive/beerrules/beerrules.htm

Alternate beverages are allowed.

My reality and yours are quite different.
I think we're all Bozos on this bus.
Falcon5232, SCS8170, SCSA353, POPS9398, DS239