Being described as a "hippie"

[BamaSuzy]

At least three times recently someone has talked about me saying that I am an "old hippie" and one said (to my face when introducing me to someone) that I was "previously a hippie."

Hum....I am 59, gray haired, have worked my butt off for years just to GET BY and woked in the mainstream media for more than 30 years as an investigative reporter (even though I am pretty conservative)....

I still have the same values as I did as a teen and in my 20's although life doesn't always let you live up to even your own ideals...

Someone in another thread here about MEN said something to the effect that they aren't as good as they were at the beginning because "the hippies started making some money...."

I now have a small general store on my farm, write two agricultural articles per month for a fairly large magazine; I shower (usually twice each day); try not to judge others:try not to judge others on their outward appearances; believe whole-heartedly in God and walk with Him daily even though I don't deserve His love; love all kinds of music; love all my animals; make herbal teas from herbs I dry and sell in my tiny store; and just try to live out the verses, I think in Thessalonians which says something to the effect of "mind your own business, and work with your hands...."

I don't have tatoos, (although I think the tiny flower on my 38 year old daughter's ankle is cute!); don't have rings or other piercing other than one tiny hole in each ear (although my daughter-in-law sometimes has a tiny nose ring); and am still sitting here trying to figure out why I am a "hippie."

I tended my mama till she passed away holding my hand and now spend a great deal of my time helping my husband who has cancer...

I love my farm where I have 11 goats, about 200 chickens, about 80 ducks, and 10 mostly Angora rabbits, plus the usual cats and a dog....

I believe in the importance and rights of SMALL TRUE FAMILY FARMS, think the government sticks its nose in our private business way too much (if you wanted to buy raw goat milk from me that should be your right---even though I DON'T have any goats I am milking now)---I believe in freedom of religion although I believe Jesus Christ leads us all to the one truth faith...

I don't smoke. I don't do drugs. And I even try to stay away from prescription and over-the-counter drugs as much as possible.

So what am I missing???? Why was I a hippie? Why am I still described as a hippie???? And what is WRONG if I AM ONE??????

[suzyhomemaker09]

because folks are ignorant and have no better word in their meager vocabulary to describe you with?
and if you are whose business is it?
and if you are there's absolutely nothing wrong with it either.

[k9]

Many people think that back to the land people are hippies, also could be your clothing, jewelry, and the length of hair and the way you wear it. Who cares what they think? Be and do what you want as long as you do no harm to others.

[BamaSuzy]

I have gray hair that is neither short or long, parted in the middle, with bangs; the only jewelry I wear is the tiny diamond earrings my husband gave me years ago; and I usually dress in jeans and a button down shirt. (I add a blazer or jacket for a slightly more dressy look).....but I have been known to wear dresses and high heels if I really really really have to

Husband has always had short hair and a moustache (although he is bald now from cancer treatment)...

hum.....

[InvalidID]

Yeah, I get called hippie all the time cause I have long hair and like to eat a fairly natural diet and such. I don't pay it much attention to be honest.

[emdeengee]

I would take it as a compliment.

[uncle Will in In.]

I never really knew what the qualifications were to be counted as a hippy. I was under the impression that they were known as LOVE children. That surely trumps the over abundance of Hate children we encounter today. I don't feel being thought of as a one time Hippy is a real insult. Just being raised in the country was once something used as insult fodder. GOD BLESS

[Forest]

Originally Posted by BamaSuzy

...the tiny diamond earrings.....

Ha! Proof. You are not a hippie!

Seriously, though, I agree they just like to categorize in their minds... maybe running a bit short on file folders up there....

[chewie]

my kids call me this, but then again, they are teenagers so what do they know? really, they have no idea. I barely do myself.

my mom was what i'd call a 'mild hippie' and, so what? what's so wrong with believing in love, peace and living less materially? I agree, its a compliment.

and I also think its just ppl who don't know how to label you, and for some, that's upsetting. they must have a 'name' for stuff. and if you ain't got credit cards max'ed out, driving a new suv, eating hamburger helper or take out, whoa, you're *wierd*!

my kids roll their eyes plenty at me, cuz their friends' mom's don't make stuff like I do--bread, cheese, soap, deo., laundry soap, etc.... in fact, they can't even eat as much junk food as it makes em icky, they are too used to real food! hahah! "you ruined us, organic this, organic that!'

sounds to me like you lead a pretty good life, maybe some are a touch jealous as well?

[Farmer Dave]

There is nothing wrong with being described as a hippie. I was called a hippie back in the late 1960's through the 1970's and was proud of it. I marched on Washington, DC in 1971 to oppose the Vietnam war, I had friends who were in a R&R band and lived in a commune, I always believed in living a self-sufficient lifestyle and the back to basics mindset. I had long hair before I had to cut it off when hired as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in 1979. Different people have different ideas of what a "hippie" is, just like different folks have different ideas of what a "homesteader" is.

[Jena]

I get this all the time too. Not sure why. I think mostly it's because I am originally from California and wear a toe ring. Other than that, I have no tie-dye, bathe daily, don't smoke funny stuff, and shave all the socially accepted places. I just laugh and figure there are worse things to be called.

[pancho]

When I was young being called a hippie would have been an insult.
Now I would consider it more of a compliment.

[Common Tator]

Perhaps some of the younger generation feel that if you survived the 70's, you were a hippie. That, plus your homesteading lifestyle.

Goats , chickens , ducks , herbal teas , gray hair & blue jeans , probably caught out in work clothes & muck boots occasionally . Must be an old hippie .

[Sonshine]

I think a lot of the younger generation think people that believe in back to the land type things make them a hippie. Then you add the fact that you lived during the woodstock days and it cements their ideas.

[Seeria]

I often wear top of the line sport gear, usually runners outfits. I don't wear makeup. I often wear sandals or go barefoot. But I never was called a hippie until I bought a school bus and converted into a nice RV. Now my bumper on my lovely RV says "We're not hippies"

[mustangsally17]

Old Hippie here and fine with it right down to the beads and papasan chair. Have believed in "living off the land" since I was in my teens and have been a Nurse for 26yrs. Just me.

[birdman1]

some people like to lable people in a group any one in tite jeans and pointy boots is a cowboy any one with a suit breaf case and neat hair is a yuppie any one growing and eating healthy food and trying to spread the news that commercialy grown weed sprayed bug posined chemical fed produce or meat might poisin them is a hippy .So what Don't let it get to ya at least people notice you as someone who is able to blase your own trail and not blindly following the lead lemming off into the sea . I would be proud to have all the accoplish ments you have under my hat . Also in ruarl comunitys they like to nick name people like the horse trader the fisherman the chef; usally means they like you

[tinknal]

I'm wondering why you consider it an insult.

[wwubben]

Should just say "what do you mean used to be".Let them think it over.