If your friend, sibling or child has recently insisted on drinking pour-over coffee, listening to vinyl or owns a pair of non-prescription glasses, chances are they have succumbed to hipsterdom. Dealing with this (not so) niche sub-culture of twenty- and thirtysomethings can be a little irksome – particularly when they’re trying so hard. Here’s a few guidelines so as not to kill their “vibe”.
First off, support is central to hipster etiquette. That Kickstarter campaign to open a sandwich shop with no bread? Donate! The live performance by their new band that plays only kitchen utensils? Bring a plus one! Chances are you’ll need a rent-a-crowd for that new app anyway.
Be mindful of how worldly and cultured your hipster has become. The very thought of a Spin 1038 playlist upsets their sensibilities (unless of course they’re listening ironically), so when sharing a car/house/eco-friendly yurt a carefully curated mixtape of lost tracks from 1970s funk is a nice token of solidarity.
Image and a conscientious nonchalance towards it are imperative to hipster culture. If one is to fit in, courtesy requires that you grow some facial hair, shop vintage, eat local and read a battered copy of Infinite Jest while cycling your fixie.
Finally, the monetary endeavours of hipsters and how they fund their artistic pursuits should never be discussed.
RACHEL MURPHY
