A Question From a Whuffo

[Deleted 0]

i've been reading the posts here for a while (almost a year), and there's something i keep noticing but can't quite figure out. why is it that whenever a skydiver accomplishes a new goal (first jump, new license, etc) that THEY are the one to buy the beer, as opposed to being the one treated to free beer? this has had me stumped for some time now, just curious what the idea behind that is....(btw, when i get the money i'm joining the family, so let's hope i don't have to feel like an "outsider" for much longer, you lucky bastards)

[Zennie 0]

I guess for the same reason Hobbits give everybody else a gift on their birthdays.
I think it's more a reason to celebrate (like we need an excuse), so the first-ee "hosts" it. Sort of like when a new parent gives cigars to everyone or something really great happens and you buy rounds for everyone in the bar. We just take it a little overboard.
BTW. Half the fun is trying to weasel your way out of it.
Just remember -- the "f-word" in skydiving is "first".
------------
Blue Skies!
Zennie

[skreamer 1]

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the "f-word" in skydiving is "first

The Zenmeister is right, the correct expression is "pre-second" - also, it is not a common practice outside the US (but we don't mind if visiting skydivers feel the need to buy us beer after their first jump on the DZ)./s

[Doasfu 0]

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(btw, when i get the money i'm joining the family, so let's hope i don't have to feel like an "outsider" for much longer, you lucky bastards)

Bah! You're not an outsider... there's some cool whuffos out there. (shh... don't tell anyone I said so.)

[GeekStreak 0]

As a student, who has not yet had the honor of buying the beer, it's sorta like a credit system for me. So far all I've done is COMSUME the beer. When it's my turn I'll gladly fork it over !
Donna posted these beer rules a while back for those interested. Thank you Donna!
Just get yourself in the sky, Anonymous! Worry about the beer later.
1111,
GeekStreak

[Iflyme 0]

Well a first-timer buys the beer because the rest of bought it when we were first-timers!

[skyhawk 2]

its all about celebrating, you buy beer to celebrate. a first is a milestone in you skydiving career so rather than going and getting wasted youself you share with your mates so you can all get wasted

[harro 0]

If you dont buy beer for your first you will explode!!
Freemind, freesky, freebeer, freefly

[skyhawk 2]

lol

[PalmettoTiger 1]

I think it's because some of the firsts were ignominious, like landing in a tree or having a reserve ride. The idea is that you escaped paying for it health-wise, so you should offer up something for getting away ok. Maybe buying beer for good firsts grew out of buying beer for bad firsts? Any historians out there to help us?
Blues, squares,
PTiger
*insert witty sig here*

[GeekStreak 0]

Nice word PT... Had to look that one up!

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ignominious

Marked by shame or disgrace...
Geek's lack of vocabulary is ignominious.
1111,
GeekStreak

[PalmettoTiger 1]

I figured since summer courses start in 1 hour 35 minutes (and I still don't know where the building is ) I should try to be smart again. Here's hoping it works!!
Blues, squares,
PTiger
*insert witty sig here*

[flyingferret 0]

Zennie,
And hobbits like beer :) Although most do not like water, skydiving would be much too adventurous for them.
Malachi

[Pammi 0]

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BTW. Half the fun is trying to weasel your way out of it

Our DZO has threatened to confiscate logbooks until your 'beer tab' is paid up if you get too far behind. ACK! I still owe between getting two rigs within a few months, getting off student status, trying freeflying, first RW, etc, etc....
Oh hi Kris...SSSHHHH!
Pammi
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."
http://trak.to/skydivechick

[Kris 0]

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Our DZO has threatened to confiscate logbooks until your 'beer tab' is paid up if you get too far behind. ACK! I still owe between getting two rigs within a few months, getting off student status, trying freeflying, first RW, etc, etc....
Oh hi Kris...SSSHHHH!

Better watch out, Tony and Mike confiscated Joe's logbook and didn't sign him off of student status until the beer for his graduation jump showed up.
Now that I think about it Pammi, that was yours and Merrick's first 4-way freefly, wasn't it? Hmmm, that was also your first landing next to the runway, first long climb-out and first time getting your butt slapped while I was trying to coax you further out onto the step...
Good thing that we only count one "first" per jump...
Kriszilla
Oh, you and Merrick can make that a case of Fat Tire or Flying Dog for the beer, please. ;->

[Pammi 0]

EW! No Flying Dog! I don't care how cool the name and label is! I can't say anything about Fat Tire yet...so I'll see if we can bribe Sis into bringing some up next time she comes :)
BTW...not the first time landing out by the runway :) rofl! You know me! I've landed everywhere BUT the landing area! HEHE!
Pammi
"The question is not whether we will die, but how we will live."
http://trak.to/skydivechick

[jfields 0]

Good thing I won't owe retroactively for past firsts while in the Army. I already need to bring a case with me the next time I get to the DZ. If I had to catch up on everything, I'd have to bankrupt myself and sponsor a kegger. ;-)
1st jump
1st night jump
1st landing through trees
1st mid-air collision
1st jump on a Dash-1
etc.
Another idea is to time your firsts so that they coincide with boogies where free beer is provided. That gets you off the hook for awhile, because everyone is already drinking beer they didn't buy.
Justin