. portland street culture .
Another thing I've learned growing up in Portland: pdx has the most street kids in the nation- or at least close to it. You don't really have to sleep on the streets to know where the best sleeping spots are. If you invest the time talking to people your own age, as a teenager, you'll learn plenty of shit. Not just how to be funny and tell jokes instead of asking straight up for money, but instinctually how to work in packs as a team. Not just with other homeless kids, but strangers as well. You learn these things working in any entertainment venue- including restaurants. But doing it on the streets as a kid has a different effect in adulthood. Homeless adults work in pairs mostly- sometimes teams. Kids are ruthless though. They work in teams unlike adults are capable of learning.
For example, I have lived in Austin just a year now. In that time, I have remained loyal to one street and one bar. In that, I always pay for my drinks when I can. I always say hello and good-bye when I can. I know the rules of the bar and when I need to step up and help. And when those moments come, I do step up. And I ALWAYS come back. The bartenders know me. All the doormen on my street know me. All the locals at least recognize and respect me (enough). When I am in my bar, I am untouchable. And always welcome back. If a guy tries to hit on me, he becomes bar property. Put out or get out- meaning, "Yes, I'd love another drink." Bar makes money. Boy feels special. And I get drunk. Women are always welcome in a bar because it (alone) increases alcohol sales. Staying loyal to one liquor has it's benefits as well- health wise- knowing your body and it's limits. I won't get into that though.
Back to my point, growing up around street kids has helped me in that I know how to create a safe place on the streets. There are times that I lead the direction of the evening- including people, couples, drink sales.. even fights. It feels good having a group of people work under me. Drinking buddies are never loyal- predictable- but never loyal. Knowing how to get your foot in the door and nurture what is given to you is important for others to see. Earning their trust. People come to me like a local celebrity. At times- it's annoying. And other times- it's fun. Psychology has helped me well in that I can negotiate like a son of a bitch... and still know when to stop. It's important not to piss off the customers too much. Returning customers is always a good thing. I'm getting better at not hurting the boys feelings post-rejection. It's not as easy as you might think.
I picked Red River because it's not Sixth Street. The yuppies and cajuns stay mostly on 6th. Red River gets more of the tattooed alternative lifestyle crowd, the 30ish male regulars, the strong moral values and the cultured... with the occasional more intellectual and creative tourists. It's small and cozy during the day. All the weirdos come out at night. Bulls is a great place that doesn't blast music too loud- so you can actually talk. Shit... I met Frank Miller there. Tarantino asked Harry about filming in his bar. Harry doesn't like Tarantino that much because Tarantino tried to walk out without paying his tab. He already did that next door at Head Hunters. He's running out of options. I'll bet you 710 is next. It really helps sitting at the same bar for a year. You learn what kind of people live in Austin, what kind of companies are getting business, what Austin has to offer tourists- what people think of Austin- business-wise and for fun. You learn how to talk about your town and where you're from. Tourists keep the locals in business. It is important to always be working and always have fun. It's hard to keep them consistent sometimes.
For example, I have lived in Austin just a year now. In that time, I have remained loyal to one street and one bar. In that, I always pay for my drinks when I can. I always say hello and good-bye when I can. I know the rules of the bar and when I need to step up and help. And when those moments come, I do step up. And I ALWAYS come back. The bartenders know me. All the doormen on my street know me. All the locals at least recognize and respect me (enough). When I am in my bar, I am untouchable. And always welcome back. If a guy tries to hit on me, he becomes bar property. Put out or get out- meaning, "Yes, I'd love another drink." Bar makes money. Boy feels special. And I get drunk. Women are always welcome in a bar because it (alone) increases alcohol sales. Staying loyal to one liquor has it's benefits as well- health wise- knowing your body and it's limits. I won't get into that though.
Back to my point, growing up around street kids has helped me in that I know how to create a safe place on the streets. There are times that I lead the direction of the evening- including people, couples, drink sales.. even fights. It feels good having a group of people work under me. Drinking buddies are never loyal- predictable- but never loyal. Knowing how to get your foot in the door and nurture what is given to you is important for others to see. Earning their trust. People come to me like a local celebrity. At times- it's annoying. And other times- it's fun. Psychology has helped me well in that I can negotiate like a son of a bitch... and still know when to stop. It's important not to piss off the customers too much. Returning customers is always a good thing. I'm getting better at not hurting the boys feelings post-rejection. It's not as easy as you might think.
I picked Red River because it's not Sixth Street. The yuppies and cajuns stay mostly on 6th. Red River gets more of the tattooed alternative lifestyle crowd, the 30ish male regulars, the strong moral values and the cultured... with the occasional more intellectual and creative tourists. It's small and cozy during the day. All the weirdos come out at night. Bulls is a great place that doesn't blast music too loud- so you can actually talk. Shit... I met Frank Miller there. Tarantino asked Harry about filming in his bar. Harry doesn't like Tarantino that much because Tarantino tried to walk out without paying his tab. He already did that next door at Head Hunters. He's running out of options. I'll bet you 710 is next. It really helps sitting at the same bar for a year. You learn what kind of people live in Austin, what kind of companies are getting business, what Austin has to offer tourists- what people think of Austin- business-wise and for fun. You learn how to talk about your town and where you're from. Tourists keep the locals in business. It is important to always be working and always have fun. It's hard to keep them consistent sometimes.