Judgy Judgerson, Dude

A Trustafarian is loosely defined as a rich young person who adopts a bohemian lifestyle and lives in a non affluent area.  I first encountered a Trustafarian in college.  I didn't pay much attention because we all liked to act like we were bohemians.  Years later, I heard a friend use this term to describe a fella who had decided to get an allowance from his dad and "find some good powder."  No, he was not a cocaine addict.  He was a snowboarder.  This was really the last time I had thought about a Trustafarian.

Last month, I was on a business trip.  I found myself in Denver with a lot of time on my hands.  I decided to go sample some beer.  I had my laptop with me, and I settled in at a small table, which was next to a huge wrap-a-around booth.  I ordered a fantastic local beer.  It was a chocolate stout.  Yum!  I was sipping my beer and waiting on my sliders.  I fired my laptop up, and I started doing some work.  There was movement from the large booth and the distinct smell of...patchouli?  Pot?  Who knows...

"Dooooouuuuude!  I can't believe we haven't made it to Vail!"  This caught my attention.  I look over, and I see 7 guys under the age of 25 years old.  Hmm.  Wait a minute....they all have dreadlocks.  All of them!  WTF?  I notice expensive Burton jackets being taken off.  Professional snowboarders?  Maybe.  I put my head back in my laptop.

"Doooouuude.  We will all have a Bud Light.  Thanks, man."  I look up, again.  The Danny Davis look-a-alike says, "Man, are we bothering you?  Sorry.  You look like you are trying to work.  We'll keep it down."  What?  They're nice.  Hmm.  I close my laptop and take a long sip of my beer.  The Shaggy look-a-like says, "Hey!  Do you want to join us?"  I think for a second.  I'm stuck in Denver until my flight late this evening.  Attractive, young men have invited me to their table.  I grab my stuff and pull my chair over.

Me: "So, what are you guys doing?"
Guys: "We are so on our way to Vail for some snowboarding."
Me: "Oh, are you professional snowboarders?  I noticed all of your gear.  It looks nice."
Guys: "Nah."
Me: "Umm, well, what do you do when you aren't snowboarding?"
Guys: "Snowboard?  We are always traveling and finding the best places."
Me: "Wait a minute."  I check out the dreads, the fine beards, the gear.  These are Trustafarians.  I smell it coming from their patchouli soaked pores.  I begin to get my snark on.  Then, I stop.  These young men have been really nice to me.  Why do I want to be such a bitch?  "How often do you guys travel?"
Guys: "Most of the year.  We don't always just stay in the U.S."
Me: "I'm just going to be rude and ask who the hell funds this?  You haven't talked about a job, and you said you weren't professional snowboarders.  What gives?"
Guys: "Our parents fund most of it."

At this point the Bud Light arrived.  I had one last question to grill them with.

Me: "So, your parents fund your hobby?"
Guys: "Yeah, dude!"
Me: "Then why in the hell are you drinking that shitty ass beer?  Here, let me introduce you to real beer."

We went on to have a great time!  I have always been a bit judgy about people who "do nothing."  You know what, though?  These young men were so nice to me.  They invited me to their table.  They would have paid for my meal and beer, if I had let them.  They talked to me more in depth about why they love snowboarding.  I could tell that this group had a bond.  It reminded me of me and my peeps, Sue and Penny.  They were tight for life, dude.  ;)

I am so used to only hearing and reading negative things about the Trustafarian.  Just look!

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An entire handbook on the Trustafarian complete with snarky comments.  Or, how about a more serious example.  Here is an entire article about how the Trustafarian is taking away chances for a college education from The Evergreen State College.  I think all of this is food for thought, but I have to say that the Vail boys made me think twice about the Trustafarian.  My aim in Marching Fourth is to not be so damn judgmental.  I made the Vail boys promise that their aim in Marching Fourth was to buy better beer.  Raise a glass to my Vail boys!  May they be somewhere cool and shredding the gnar.