Things I’ve realized in 45 days of not drinking
Higher education runs on booze. It’s remarkable how many events involve free alcohol and how much socialising after other events involves alcohol
I’d say similar things about the WordCamp’s and other tech conferences I’ve been to. I have nothing against drinking but I’m a 1 beer (drink) a night person and the stories and “fun” networking always seems to happen long after I’m comfortable at an event.
I’d love to have an “after” party that I felt comfortable bringing my 7 year old to. She loves coming to be with adults and she has been at some hack afternoons (when she was 4). She left asking more questions about computers and technology.
Currently, I’d have to opt-out of any WordCamp after event I’ve even been to if I wanted to introduce my kid to the WordPress community.
Let’s be clear, I drink from time to time. I just think that the seeming reliance on alcohol to lubricate the wheels of hanging out after a tech conference is stupid.
4 responses to “Opting Out of WordCamp “after” because of alcohol”
It’s weird how people treat WordCamps as business conferences on one hand, but then emphasize the partying aspect of the event. Yes, you can form bonds with people, but there needn’t be a dependence on alcohol. Bad things can happen (and sometimes do) when intoxication gets out of hand.
The more stories I’ve heard about some antics that happen after drinking, the more I think that WordCamps just aren’t for me. At least nothing after the main event. People wear some things as a badge of pride, that I’d be appalled at if it was my kids.
Thanks for writing this Curtis. Always interesting to get feedback.
I’ve help run WordCamp Miami for the past ten years and I feel strongly about making sure the entire event is family-friendly. We did a family “game show” on Saturday evening (with a kid’s round) and afterwards a walk to a Chili’s Restaurant. There was a bar in the corner of the restaurant as you would typically find in “family” restaurants as these. But free drinks were limited, and there was a game room separate from that area where most kids were anyway.
Maybe by some miracle you can come down to Miami for our 11th event in 2019 – we are likely going to repeat this setup. But yeah, I can understand where you’re coming from. I’ve been to other WordCamp after parties where this wasn’t much of a priority seemingly.
Yeah that sounds very cool.