Well, why not? No one seems to question why it costs $5 a run at most US
hashes, or why "local" and "regional" hash event prices are always topping out
around $100 or more. So let's just up the price of the weekly hash and
see if we can make some REAL money out of this thing!
Why is it that hashes in the US are so obsessed with money? I can't
speak for European hashes since I haven't hashed there (yet) and I was too
busy having a good time with the Agana HHH to notice (or remember) much
discussion about Hash Cash in Southeast Asia & Micronesia. Perhaps it is
a problem everywhere, but I'll just stick to what I know.
Five bucks is a nice round number. It comes in a single bill, reducing
the need to carry all kinds of paper and make piles of change. It also
can cover the cost of several cans of beer per hasher, with enough left over
to put toward a bag of chips and maybe the cost of a bag of flour for the
trail. But wait! Don't many hashes make the cost of flour the
responsibility of the hares? And aren't there many hashes where food is
not provided by the hash cash, or wankers aren't reimbursed for the munchies
they did bring? And what about beer sponsors? I've been to many
hashes where the beer is provided at little or no cost to the pack because
some generous beer distributor, brewery, bar, restaurant; etc is kind enough
to sponsor the hash's activities. And yet, these kennels still charge
$5.
And then there's event registration costs. Many local and regional hash
events (interhashes, campouts, weekend getaways, etc.) start taking
registrations at around $69 and gradually increase the cost to $100+ as the
event draws near...ostensibly to try and "force" people to register early so
orders for food, t-shirts, beer, etc can be more accurate. And this
seems fair, because (as any veteran hasher can tell you) the "Price is more
than worth the cost of **** Interhash" and "Where else can you get a weekend
full
of beer, food, entertainment, and souvenirs for that price?" Besides,
"If you don't like the price, you don't have to go". Heck, I've used
these phrases myself! But I've also been on planning committees for a
couple hash events, and know that a decent weekend event with food, beer,
souvenirs, lodging, and entertainment CAN be done for under $50 a
person...certainly less than $100. And I also know that most (but not
all) hash weekends, interhashes, etc., generally end up making a profit for
the host
hash...sometimes on the order of thousands of dollars. Yet the price of
annual events rarely seems to go down.
So where does all the money go? From what I've seen, it usually goes
into a bank account or a big envelope in someone's house. It then magically
transforms itself into a pirate's treasure which must be jealously guarded.
Over time, the pile of money grows, and it becomes even harder to convince the
guardians of the Hash Cash to part with any of it. And then the
disagreements start. Oh sure, some of it may be used as "seed money" for
future hash events or as front-money for haberdashery items. But these
expenditures are actually investments which end up making even more money for
the hash.
When was the last time you hashed for less than $5? Did you still get
your money's worth? My guess would be that you did. In fact, I'm
gonna go way out on a limb and say you'd have just as much fun at $3 hash (or
even a free hash) as you would one that cost $5. Money has a way of
bringing conflict and creating discord in any social group, including the
hash. Everyone has a great idea on how to spend the money, but no one
wants to risk digging into the hash's savings. There is usually a chorus
of "We might need it
later!" My answer to the chorus is: for what?
If your hash is trying to save money for a future hash event, by all means
collect money in a bank account (cash box, envelope, paper bag, mattress,
etc.). Talk to any of the thousands of hashers and hundreds of kennels
who have hosted hash events before you, and they can give you a pretty good
idea how much money you'll need to get started and what you should expect to
pay for food, beer, lodging, souvenirs, etc.
Once you have your "seed-money," why not reduce the cost of your weekly hash?
Charge just enough to cover the basic costs of weekly flour and refreshments.
I instituted this a "drink what we collect" plan at a kennel and it worked out
great...in spite of the dire predictions of the "We have to save!" crowd.
Better still, throw a BYOB hash once in a while and don't charge anything! If
you want to make a t-shirt or obtain some other haberdashery, get your quote
from the supplier and charge the interested hashers up-front.
At many hashes in the US, if you hang around long enough you'll start to hear
the discussions about Hash Cash. Seldom do these discussions add
enjoyment to the hash. Even lottery winners and millionaires will tell
you that money adds stress to life...the more you have the more stress there
is. Let's stop thinking about how much money our hashes can or should make.
If you want to sell goods or services to the hash, so be it...we all like our
haberdashery and have to get it somewhere! But let's stop looking at the
weekly hash (or campout weekend, or interhash) as a way to make money for our
groups. The Goals of the Hash only mention a little exercise, some beer,
and making people feel better about themselves...nothing more. The
guys in Kuala Lumpur were businessmen looking to relax and blow off steam
after long days in the office. I'm sure they didn't start the Hash in
order manage budgets, track expenditures, and maximize profit in their spare
time. Is the goal of your hash to make money or to get together and have a
good time?
On On!
Guamerhea Balls
Knuckledraggers MC HHH
San Antonio, Texas
Comment on This Rant?
Instructions: Please put to create a blank line between paragraphs.<p></p> New Paragraph starts here like this ...