Does Nerd=Hipster?

It might appear so.

Real Hipsters Are Vegetarian

Most hipsters are vegetarian, it is just a part of their way of life. If you ever encounter a super hardcore hipster, you can probably bet that they are vegan and/or grow their own food. In fact, vegetarianism has grown in popularity over the past fifteen years! Vegetarian food items have doubled in sales since 1998, and there has been a huge increase in a presence of vegetarian and vegan restaurants. While there might be some health benefits to being a vegetarian, this is NOT the reason why most hipsters reject meat. I can speculate four reasons why hipsters go vegetarian:


1. To reject mainstream culture
2. To connect with other hipsters- in the same way that most religions use food and dietary restrictions as a way to connect and celebrate their cultures, hipsters use vegetarianism to create a special  bond with other hipsters. As vegetarians, they are more likely to eat/cook with each other or run into other hipsters at the local market.
3. To make people think they care about the world- most hipsters love the idea of being "environmentally friendly." This is just one more way they can care about the world we live in (or at least let others think they care...)
4. To lose weight- they have to be able to fit into those skinny jeans, don't they? 

If you want to become a true hipster, you will probably have to give up meat for good. However, a fake hipster like you can always fit into the same culture and mindset of a vegetarian while still enjoying the occasional cheeseburger. Here are some ways that you can fit into the culture of vegetarianism without actually becoming a vegetarian:


1. Eat more fruits and vegetables- it is always OK to go a meal or two without adding any meat to your plate. You might even find a few new vegetables you love that you never knew existed! 
2. Substitute with vegetarian options whenever possible- do your research and find out what you like first. If you love tofu, add it to your salads or pasta dishes. If you love beans, substitute a beef patty for a black bean or lentil patty. Not only are these substitutes delicious, but they are usually much healthier than the meat option.
3. Get a vegetarian or vegan cookbook- my personal favorite is the "Meat Lover's Meatless Cookbook." There are some great recipes that are so satisfying they will make you think they contain meat. 

Note: It is extremely important to consult with either a valid internet source, dietician, or vegetarian friend before diving into the vegetarian world. It is easy to totally eliminate certain food groups or essential amino acids that are necessary for a healthy diet when you give up meat. These sources will help you learn what foods will be good substitutes for meat and which substitutes are better for you than others.


If you follow this advice, you will feel healthier, learn about new foods you never knew existed,  connect with fellow hipsters, AND still be able to indulge in that bacon ranch cheeseburger every once in a while!

Music Festivals

One of the best ways to let your inner hipster shine is by attending music festivals. Although these festivals can be a bit pricey, they are totally worth it! Not only will you be able to rock out to quite a few top 40 bands such as Kanye West, Coldplay, etc (depending on the popularity of the festival), but you will shock your hipster friends with all your newfound knowledge of other artists you decide to watch! You will learn about obscure indie bands AND get the full music experience, which is worth so much more in the hipster world. It is not just about listening to an indie band you found on Pandora, but it is also about being "one with the music," which is only made possible by seeing the artist live.

Austin City Limits, 2011

While there is a lot of freedom of how you can dress/act at music festivals, there are still a few preparations you need to make before attending:
1. Buy your tickets EARLY. Prices can get as high as 500 dollars or more if you wait until the last minute.
2. Research the artists that will be attending the festival. The last thing you want to do is stand in a hot, restless crowd waiting for a band that you decide you hate after half a song. Trying to escape these crowds can be more difficult than you might originally think.
3. Hydrate- and no, beer is not a substitute for water. You will probably be on your feet for a while, and depending on the season of the festival, it can be pretty hot.
4. Make sure to check the schedule and look at a map before arriving. There are usually different stages in multiple locations, and the last thing you want is to miss that opening song because you were not prepared for a stage switch.
5. Dress comfortably. You will thank yourself later for going with shoes that don't give you blisters.
6. Be yourself! With so many hipsters coming together to one single location, they need to find SOME WAY to stand out amongst the crowd so they do not appear so mainstream. This is good for you because you can be yourself without the worry of trying to "fit in."

You can check out a list of some of the most popular festivals here. You will find links to each official website as well as general reviews, 2010 and 2011 headliners, and other important information.

Florence and the Machine

"It's always darkest before dawn."