The world is a confusing place, and nothing is more confusing to a beginner than than the world of recreational drug-taking. There is no Miss Manners for psychedelics, no Ask Polly column for weed smokers. The group etiquette surrounding a newly acquired bag of ket can be confusing – and it only gets more confusing once you’re fucked-up.Fear not, we’ve got your back. Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned party pro, we’ve compiled a list of good manners that apply to most social situations involving drugs, from festivals and clubs to the apartment of some random called Kev. Here’s how to behave like a polite, normal, and reasonable person – even and especially when you’re getting high. Do not abandon your too-high friend just because you want to keep partying.This isn’t UberEats, babe. They’ll get to you when they get to you.If you want to smuggle anything into a festival or venue, be an adult and do it yourself.When you’re out, don’t tally up every key bump you pass your friends’ way. At most, let them buy you a drink. That’s what friends are for.But if your friend is constantly sharing their stash, be a decent person and offer them money or something in return. And always follow through – I see you, insincere offerers.There’s nothing worse than having to face the silent treatment the day after some nameless woman in a K-hole has vomited all over your rental sofa. If someone’s done you a solid by letting you go back to theirs for the afterparty, don’t drink them dry and hoover up all their drugs. If you notice them start intently looking at the time on their phone or exchanging glances with their roomie, it’s time to call an Uber. You might think it’s funny to write “molly” as the description when you’re buying molly, and it is! But digital surveillance is real, and no bit is worth getting suspended from the ‘mo.You’re not that desperate. (Ideally, you’d be testing your drugs before heading out.)Some people need to pee! Some of us have IBS! Also: You are asking to get busted.Messy drug shits are a thing, and also, have you seen those videos showing how much poop gets ejected into the air? Just give up the goods and calmly allow yourself to be ejected from the venue. Arguing makes you sound like an asshole, and it ruins a security guard or toilet attendant’s night. “Oh, what’s that you’ve got there?” You know what it is, and they’ll give you some if they actually want to. Golden rule, really.Neither is racking up a huge line for yourself and tiny lines for others out of someone else’s stash.They’re already committing a crime for you – you don’t also need a fractionally better price on an eighth of weed.You’re a perfectly capable adult. Don’t beg your friend to pick up for you because you’re scared. Look, we even wrote you a guide.If one friend did do everyone a solid by picking up, don’t argue about the chipping-in price you previously agreed to because you’re “pretty sure you hardly had any” – the one who organized it should be the last to be out of pocket. Oh, it all “fell out,” did it? It magically fell out and up your nose, did it?? Even if you think it’s funny. And definitely do not post it on social media – yes, your Close Friends list still counts. This is narc behavior, plain and simple.Inserting yourself between them or dragging your pal off with a simple, “Hey, let’s get some water” will suffice. They already feel bad enough. Mixing drugs and booze is not a good idea. It’s science!Getting trapped at an afters that drags on for too long should be considered one of the seven circles of Hell.Trust us, nobody will be laughing. Especially if there are newbies, having a sober friend around can be a huge help if the trip goes bad. It’s annoying. If you’re smoking with weed nerds, feel free to wax lyrical about your ounce of Cheetah Piss. If you’re not, kindly refrain.“Are you having a good night?” is the universally accepted small talk of the club or festival. Remember the first time you got way too stoned and thought you were dying? And that nice lady got you some water and told you that it was going to be alright? Be that nice lady for someone else. You don’t know what’s going on in their private life. Maybe they were already partying last night. Maybe they’re dealing with a lot right now, and that gummy will send them under. Maybe drugs just aren’t their thing. Either way, they don’t need to give you a reason, and you don’t need to pressure them.
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1. Stand by your man
2. Resist the urge to text your dealer every 15 minutes asking where they are
3. Don’t peer pressure anyone into becoming the designated drug mule
4. Never bill your friends
5. Give as well as take
6. Don’t bring the party home without giving your roomates a heads up
7. And always be a good house guest
8. Venmo discreetly
9. Never do drugs you’ve found on the floor
10. Try not to hog the bathroom if there’s a line outside
11. Put the toilet seat down when you flush
12. Be nice if you do get busted
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13. Don’t shark around your friends looking for drugs
14. Having said that – do share your gum.
15. “Accidentally” doing two lines because you “weren’t paying attention” isn’t fooling anybody
16. Don’t haggle with dealers
17. Buy your own drugs
18. And the buyer in the group should get the best deal
19. Never run off with the bag
20. Don’t take photos or videos of people looking super high or doing drugs
21. If you spot a stranger on the dancefloor hitting on a friend who is probably too high to consent, intervene
22. Don’t guilt-trip your friend if you had to take care of them on a night out
23. Don’t be the guy forcing shots on everyone while they’re high
24. There’s no shame in ending a night when you’ve had enough
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