How to Catch a Hipster

If you've been searching all over the internet trying to figure out a way to catch a hipster, congratulations! You've achieved the first step to success. You obviously need a hipster in your life and I am happy to help you find one.

If you are not sure what a hipster is, that is OK. Most hipsters don't even realize they are hipsters. Hipsters work so hard to rebel against what is popular, they've actually became popular. Hipsters are usually anti-establishment folks that love indie music, indie movies, drinking coffee, wearing skinny jeans, and wearing eyeglasses... even if they don't need to wear them!

You've probably seen hipsters here and there... coffee shops, concerts, smoothie stands, and thrift stores. They are buying old stuff, reusing and recycling it. You know a hipster when you see one and you've desperately wanted to be a part of their subculture community. You just don't know how to do it! How do you catch one these guys or gals, and make friends with them?

Maybe you want to sit in the basement late at night talking about the latest band that no one knows is cool yet while knitting. Perhaps you have not figured out the perfect way to add kale to your super-healthy smoothie without making it overpower the drink. You need a hipster for that! Well, I am here to tell you how to catch one of these hipster types right now.

The first thing you need to do is try to look like a hipster yourself. This will allow any hipster you are trying to lure into your van a sense of comfort. And yes, you should probably get a van. If possible, try to get one that is at least 20 years old. If it is new, it better run on electricity. Hipsters are all about retro or ultra-modern. Confused yet? Yes, we all are.

At any rate, while attempting to dress the part, make sure to get some skinny jeans. If you are a girl, you can wear a dress. Preferably, you should go for something floral or with a retro flair. Boots or Converse shoes will be nice footwear, whether you are a boy or a girl. If you are a dude, grow a bushy beard or a mustache. If you are a girl, you could also opt to grow a beard or mustache (that would be the ultimate in unique) but please don't feel the need to go that far. A t-shirt or plaid shirt is also a nice touch for either gender.

You can also wear something that used to be popular, preferably from the 70s or 80s. In some way, this is supposed to show irony. I don't know... when you capture your hipster, ask why this is popular in their community. Finally, unkempt hair and/or big glasses is a fine way to top off this look. Even if you don't need eyeglasses, that has never stopped a hipster from wearing them... don't let it stop you either! You could also grab a scarf, especially if you are a guy, to add to your outfit.

You can find hipsters just about anywhere. It is probably best to find them in a habitat where they feel most comfortable. Here is a list of places where you are likely to find the coolest hipsters:

• Smoothie bar
• Coffee shop
• Small trendy restaurant (but nothing mainstream)
• Library
• Yoga studios (but not the popular kind at the gym)
• Bike shops and bike trails
• Street corners in city (be careful to make sure they are not dangerous homeless guys... it can be hard to tell the difference sometimes)
• Concerts, preferably an underground band you've never heard of before
• Mom and Pop local stores
• Thrift shop
• Used book store or music store, especially if records are there
• Vintage clothing store
• Whole Foods, MOM's Organic Market, and/or Trader Joe's
• Small liberal arts colleges and art schools
• Festivals, especially selling organic products or crafts
• Flea market

When hanging out in a hipster lair, you don't want to appear too obvious. Don't stare at them! After all, they are not animals in the zoo. They are humans with feelings... lots and lots of feelings... that they may want to share with you if you do not scare them away.

If you decide to approach a hipster, begin with a simple conversation starter. Is he drinking a smoothie? Ask him what is in it. Is he munching on a granola bar? Ask him is he got it at an organic food market. (I'll bet he did!) You could even ask him how long it took him to grow his beard if he feels comfortable with the conversation. You can ask him if he likes to go bike riding (9 times out of 10, he does). You could see if he likes to refinish furniture he finds on the street or at thrift stores. (That is likely as well.) Maybe he can help you paint those old end tables in your garage!

In no time, you are earning the hipster's trust! Don't be too nosy though. Hipsters are a lot of things, but stupid usually isn't one of them. If you come on too strong, he will realize you are trying to capture him by trying too hard. Maybe you can invite him out for a beer or to see a concert. It helps if you know all the local dives in the area. In no time, you'll be that "cool" person the hipster will hang out with at trendy public events.

Just don't overstep your boundaries! No hipster wants to listen to Miley Cyrus or Justin Bieber. Shopping at the mall is cool for teenage girls that listen to Top 40 music... not hipsters! Don't insult the hipster with an invite like that. For that matter, don't invite the hipster to a place like the Olive Garden either. He will only go to a popular place like that if you make it seem funny and ironic. That is too bold of an invite for your new hipster pal.

Don't insult your new hipster bud by trying to lure him in with something lame like candy. You need to find some food that will appeal to the hipster if he is comfortable enough to be around you. He is never coming over to your place otherwise. Some delicious snacks that will have that hipster eating out of the palm of your hand (maybe literally) in no time are:

• Home brewed beer
• Pabst beer
• Smoothie, especially if you add kale to it
• Tea (preferably green tea... maybe try bubble tea just to be a little different)
• Coffee
• Bacon, unless vegan or vegetarian
• Pickled anything
• Gourmet doughnuts
• Farmer's market fruits and veggies
• Vegan baked goods
• Gluten-free baked goods
• Organic food
• OK... any organic, vegan, gluten-free food you can find.

If you want to top off any of these drinks right, make sure to serve them in a mason jar. Anything served in a mason jar is so trendy now it is almost too cool for hipsters... but not yet!

In no time, you and your hipster buddy are bound to be friends. You might even find yourself adapting to the hipster lifestyle so much, you become one! For that matter, while reading this hub, you may discover that you are already a hipster or at least hipster-like.

As I said at the beginning, being a hipster has become so trendy, that actual hipsters are not even identifying themselves as hipsters. You see, to be truly hipster, you must reject all that is cool. But if it is cool to be a hipster, than where does that live actual hipsters? Do you realize how confusing all of this can be?

Much to my dismay, while writing this hub, I discovered I had all the materials to easily lure in a hipster. So does that make me a hipster? I hope not! After all, I don't like to be trendy... oh wait. This whole hipster conversation is just too much for me now. Let me go drink my homemade smoothie, listen to some indie bands my friends don't know about, and ponder over this a bit.

Copyright ©2014 Jeannieinabottle