Difference between revisions of "GIFTING"

Latest revision as of 09:15, 25 May 2023

Gifting is one of the 11 Guiding Principles Burners strive to follow.

Gifting illustration by Ilse Erasmus

A gift is offered unconditionally, without expectation of anything in return. It can be big or it can be small, but its impact depends on you.

If you're stuck about what to bring as a gift to AfrikaBurn, remember that the best gifts are not things. The best gifts are about creating moments of magic out there in the dust. A lasting memory to take back into the default world with you to remind you of the beauty of the burn.

Some advice for virgin burners: Don't stress about what you are going to bring to gift your first year! Just bring yourself, be present, if you can lend a hand - do. If you see a small way that you can make someone's day - DO IT! PARTICIPATE! Sign up for a few volunteer shifts, it's incredibly rewarding to be part of making the burn happen, we are participant-driven, and as you learn what you love about AfrikaBurn, so ideas for gifts will come to you.

When gifting out there in the dust remember the other principles. Think about the repercussions of your gift once it has been given - yes beaded necklaces are nice, but what if the string snaps? Tiny beads are a MOOP disaster! If you're gifting, say, orange slices; what happens to the peels once the people are done? In a world full of trinkets, perhaps rather consider the gift of your time, labour, love or assistance. Maybe something pragmatic like a plaster or some iced water on a hot day, an experience, a game, a song, or simply accepting and acknowledging another's existence.

If you are gifting any foodstuff, inform the receiver of the ingredients (food allergies are real). If you've added a little something special into your gift - TELL THEM! Do not assume that everyone wants that alcohol or other enhancement in their day, CONSENT is key, always. Be completely open and transparent as to what your gift contains so that the person receiving the gift can make an informed decision.

Some baked treats from the Grease Monkeys - a lovely gift, but be sure to check if the muffins have any chain lube or rubber added to them before snacking. Image: Rob Erasmus

Remember that as much as you are free to offer a gift, the recipient is free to either accept, or decline the gift. Be gracious about refusal and offer your gift to someone else!

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-Gifting is exactly the opposite of walking into a shop, selecting what you want, hauling out your credit card and paying. If you don't like the service, the goods or the lack thereof, you are welcome to complain. Every day you work hard to earn exactly that money that enables you to walk into the shop. If you have lots of it (money), you can spend it without regard, is most probably seen as important or at least as a good client. Well, or nobody notices that you are there. You are just another client ..
+'''<big>Gifting is one of the [[GUIDING PRINCIPLES|11 Guiding Principles]] Burners strive to follow.</big>'''[[File:Gifting.jpg|thumb|Gifting illustration by Ilse Erasmus|449x449px]]A gift is offered unconditionally, without expectation of anything in return. It can be big or it can be small, but its impact depends on you.
-Well gifting is exactly the opposite. You do not approach it from the perspective of walking into someplace and asking or demanding what you need or would like to have. You, the same you, stand at the other side of the counter. You have spent a lot of time preparing for this and perhaps a lot of you own money too. Or if it is a service then you work hard right there and then. You offer to give, completely for free, with no strings attached (no expectations) something of value to somebody else. It can be something big or something really small. It can be edible, drinkable, chewable, smokeable, strokeable, rubable or simply to talk about. Instead of asking or demanding and proving you value with those hard earned R200 notes, you give something to somebody else to add a little value to their lives. The most rewarding thing in life has to be that completely unexpected smile of somebody all happy about what they have received.
+If you're stuck about what to bring as a gift to AfrikaBurn, remember that '''the best gifts are not things'''. The best gifts are about creating moments of magic out there in the dust. A lasting memory to take back into the default world with you to remind you of the beauty of the burn.
-There are some rules though. Sometimes what you offer requires [[CONSENT]]. Having a bit of weed in a cookie, mushrooms stirred in or alcohol in the fruit juice may appeal to many, and I presume to yourself, as you are offering it. BUT, and it needs to be in capitals, BUT, do not assume that anybody wants these favourite additions unless they explicitely say YES. Full disclosure is regarded, ALWAYS. Be completely open. You will find enough people more than charmed by what you are offering and who will say Yes! with a big smile on their faces. Respect those around you and you will gain their respect in return. Don't give anybody a bad Burn; they came all this way to have a really good one!
+'''Some advice for virgin burners:''' Don't stress about what you are going to bring to gift your first year! Just bring yourself, be present, if you can lend a hand - do. If you see a small way that you can make someone's day - DO IT! '''[[VOLUNTEER|PARTICIPATE]]!''' Sign up for a few volunteer shifts, it's incredibly rewarding to be part of making the burn happen, we are participant-driven, and as you learn what you love about AfrikaBurn, so ideas for gifts will come to you.
+When gifting out there in the dust remember the other principles. Think about the repercussions of your gift once it has been given - yes beaded necklaces are nice, but what if the string snaps? Tiny beads are a [[LEAVE NO TRACE|MOOP]] disaster! If you're gifting, say, orange slices; what happens to the peels once the people are done? In a world full of trinkets, perhaps rather consider the gift of your time, labour, love or assistance. Maybe something pragmatic like a plaster or some iced water on a hot day, an experience, a game, a song, or simply accepting and acknowledging another's existence.
+If you are gifting any foodstuff, inform the receiver of the ingredients (food allergies are real). If you've added a little something special into your gift - '''TELL THEM!''' Do not assume that everyone wants that alcohol or other enhancement in their day, [[CONSENT]] is key, always. Be completely open and transparent as to what your gift contains so that the person receiving the gift can make an informed decision.
+[[File:ROB ERASMUS 49640135025893976 o.jpg|left|thumb|467x467px|Some baked treats from the Grease Monkeys - a lovely gift, but be sure to check if the muffins have any chain lube or rubber added to them before snacking. Image: Rob Erasmus]]
+Remember that as much as you are free to offer a gift, the recipient is free to either accept, or decline the gift. Be gracious about refusal and offer your gift to someone else!
+<u>More reading on gifting:</u>
+[https://journal.burningman.org/2013/08/black-rock-city/survive-and-thrive/tips-tricks-5-gifting/ Tips & Tricks #6 “Gifting”]
+[https://www.afrikaburn.org/binnekringblog/caveat-gifting/ Does Gifting make the Playa less lonely?]
+[https://journal.burningman.org/2019/06/philosophical-center/tenprinciples/a-guide-to-gifting-givers-and-gratitude-a-treatise-from-the-philosophical-center/#:~:text=Gifts%20in%20Burning%20Man%20culture,these%20givers%20and%20their%20contributions. A Guide to Gifting, Givers and Gratitude]

Difference between revisions of "GIFTING"

Latest revision as of 09:15, 25 May 2023

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