So if these aren't hippies, what are they?

Question

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AvMomFPS9LUg7F2KYYiy_RggBgx.?qid=20060624113357AA947qh

I like the answers I'm getting to that one. But if the new age crowd of today that's meditating, composting, organic cooking and mindfullness -ing (whatever that is) like crazy aren't hippies, then what are they, and what exactly is the difference?

..it was a good afternoon, honest! nice garden, and my daughter was having fun. The non-hippies were nice enough too - just, well, humourless. You know, unsalted.

Answer 1

Okay, it looks like a hippy and it sounds like a hippy but it isn't the hippy of the 60s.
The difference is that whereas the hippy of the 60s turned on, tuned in, and dropped out and was interested in Eastern religions, world peace, radical protest and so on, the people that you met are a type that is more placid, predominantly doesn't publicly promote the use of consciousness raising drugs ( and would probably think that using those kinds of drugs is 'not spiritual'), and has adopted a more New Age slant (i.e a sort of spiritual smorgasboard of whatever suits your fancy from crystals to Reiki to tantra, etc.). The focus seems to be slightly more on 'self-development' rather than putting world needs first. Having said that, they are environmentalists and also generally concerned about 'the state of the world today'. Their activism is still there, it generally isn't as 'in your face', though.
I agree with you, it can seem a bit po-faced and humourless because everyone is trying so hard to be 'correct' in their behaviour but their hearts are generally in the right place.
I have no idea what to call them, so I call them New Agers as that seems to fit the bill. 'Hippy' doesn't really describe them. These kind of people are quite tame by comparison. I suppose it's because the first vanguard of 'alternatives' had to fight very hard to get the old social order to listen to them whereas nowadays society is more aware.

Answer 2

You obviously believe that having fun means making someone miserable or killing/hurting something/someone.

These people, from your description, were obviously enjoying themselves and having a lot of fun:
1. Meditating - spending some quiet time together/alone,
2. Eating something healthy and especially where the supermarkets haven't forced the farmer to accept whatever "peanuts" they felt like paying him.
3. Painting faces - what's boring about this - even people going to sports matches do this.
4. Now mindfulness - obviously this bothers you a lot - you would probably rather go around hurting, saying/doing bad things to someone to get your kicks.

I think you have a lot of growing up to do.

Answer 3

I really don't know what they are....pretentious pseudo-hippies from rich families?
What is that word again, you know, the one that describes a person that tries to act and look poor because they feel that poverty is a virtue of some kind?? I think it is pharisee?
Anyway, That is what they are.
My mom was a "hippie" of the sixties, the whole bit. But even SHE said she never considered herself a REAL hippie, she said real hippies were the ones who truly dropped out of the system and joined a commune and lived off the land.

Answer 4

Earth-Firsters. Hippies before the media got a hold of the term were people who considered themselves aware, hip, in the know, thus the term hippy. After the media got a hold of the term it became a catch-all for drug users and draft dodgers, thankfully neither queers or christians were grouped with them.

Answer 5

New age Earth dwelling Mother Earth loving hippies maybe?

Answer 6

Hippies have similar attiudes to the new agers... Who are superior ethically to all the main religions...

Thats why the nasty relgious folk attacked them...

The hippies made them look bad as aint sexist, homophobic and genuinely into peace and love whilst the god squad is into war and abuse

Answer 7

May I ask why you stayed the afternoon if it wasn't enjoyable?

Answer 8

why have you got to catorize them, perhaps their just people doing their own thing