Hashing traditions are of course just traditions.They are not rules because there are no rules at the hash.Traditions are more sacred than rules.Traditions guide hashers through the art of hashing, providing structure while not binding like rules.
- We hash to have fun.If you are going to be serious about your running, maybe you should run marathons.
- We run as an excuse to drink.We don’t drink as an excuse to run as that would promote running and exercise.It is always better if the exercise happens naturally or by accident.
- Beer is our beverage of choice.We do not condone driving under the influence but running under the influence is OK.
- We do not force those whose beverage of choice is not beer, to drink beer.
- A virgin is someone who has never hashed.If you are visiting from another hash, you are no longer a virgin.
- A proper hash consists of beer before, during, and after the run.
- Competitive runners are rewarded with the FRB award which shall be worn by them at the next hash.Competitive runners are easy to spot as they come in first.
- 8.Other awards may exist to award such things as:studly acts (helpful or brave act during the hash), whining (nauseating complaining), hashshit (stupid crap), DFL (dead f*cking last), torch (bridesmaid award/4th one finished), or just about anything.
- Awards are exchanged between the old winner and the new winner at the down down ceremony.Both will enter the circle with their beverage of choice and exchange the award while consuming their beverage.
- When drinking in the circle, your beverage must be full.If it is not full you may receive donations from the other hashers.If you are driving, forget the before mentioned items.The circled hashers will sing a song and then the hasher in the circle will drink his/her beverage.If at any time the beverage leaves the lips prior to its entire contents being drank, then the remainder must be dumped over the head of the drinker.Having finished your beverage, you tip it upside down over your head to show the other hashers your drinking skill and you may exit the circle.
- The circle will be formed at the end of each run.This is called the down-down.The events of the down-down are controlled by the RA in the center.It is proper hash etiquette to refrain from jaw jacking while the down-down is being conducted.Uncontrolled talking is considered to be a private party and is rewarded by a trip to the circle.To gain the attention of the RA, place your beverage on your head and say “pint of lager”.This will tell the RA you would like to be recognized and address the hash.Addressing the hash about stupid stuff or wasting the hashes time with ill-timed “pints of lager” will earn you a trip to the circle.
- The Religious Advisor will receive the report from the gathered hashers as to the quality of the run.The poor quality usually results in the hares entering the circle as does good quality.
- The Beijing H3 is a whistle carrying hash and all members are expected to have a whistle on their person unless they are a virgin or a hare.We blow one long blow to alert other hashers to a bad trail, two short blows to mark hash marks as we find them, and twolong blows mean you have found a true trail marker and can not hold back your glee.When we find a “beer near” marker we always sing out “beer near” as we are as happy as a pig in sh*t.There will be a whistle check at the down-down.Those without whistles will be considered no-blows and will enter the circle.If all hashers present have whistles then the hares will enter the circle.
- Hashers who have missed more than 3 consecutive runs are considered to be returning hashers and will be asked to enter the circle.Visiting hashers are also accorded this honor.
- Virgins are normally brought to the hash by a hasher.This hasher is considered to be their sponsor and they are responsible for any stupid acts their virgin may commit up until the time their virgin is named.Virgins will drink at the down-down and their sponsors will normally perform a down-down to educate them on the procedure.
- Hashers are named after they have completed 6 hash runs and have hared at least one run.We honor runs with other hashes if they have ran enough hashes with us to give us a proper feel for naming them.Exceptions to the 6 run/ 1 hare rule is if the hasher does something so heinous or stupid that their naming becomes a priority.An additional exception is if a hasher will leave us and we choose to send them off with a name prior to their 6th run and 1 haring.
- Hashers may be renamed.Renamings should not be frivolously conducted.Hashers may have invested in many hash trinkets which identify them, by name,to the hashing community.Some hashers will be repulsed by their new name as it is usually depicting something stupid that they did.If the hasher has been hashing a long time and has some notoriety, his new name may not be accepted by the hashing community at large.These cases can be remedied by a hash-nick-name.A nonbinding hash name which only has local use and is not officially assigned as a permanent name.
- Hashers may petition for a renaming but woe is he that willingly trusts his fate to hasher comrades.
- At the down-down, bullshit skills, tall tales, and frame-ups which cause a fellow hasher to enter the circle are considered par for the course.
- There is no pointing at the hash, use your elbow.
- Hashers use hash names to communicate with other hashers, no birth names.
- Hashing attracts cops so alerting the cops to an upcoming hash is sometimes encouraged, but not always.This is the job of the hares.
- The Beijing H3 is an adult hash where drinking and bad language flourish.We do not contribute to the delinquency of minors so those under 21 need to get their beer from their parents.If you bring childrenor animals to the hash, you are responsible for them.There are sometimes unscheduled but tasteful displays of nudity.
- Hashers normally wear outlandish or tasteless clothing to the hash.Hash shirts are preferred.Color coordinated running suits are not and could earn you a trip to the circle.
- We end each hash with the hash anthem, “Swing Low”.
- Drama is the enemy of the hash.
- Our Wednesday night hashes tend to be more drinking and less running where our Saturday hashes tend to have more running as well as more drinking.
- Head, who said head, I’ll take some of that.And I did and it was wonderful.And then we f**ked.We f**ked for hours, uprooting trees, shrubs and flowers.And then we f**ked again, this time like Vikings, with horns on our head.Head, who said head, I’ll take some of that…
- Railroad bridges, trestles and other assorted private property is off limits for trail. The woods is not viewed as private property as someone’s yard is.
THE CIRCLE
Most hash events end with a group gathering known as the Circle, or less commonly as Religion. Led by kennel leadership, the Circle provides a time to socialize, sing drinking songs, recognize individuals, formally name members, or inform the group of pertinent news or upcoming events. Circles may be led by the Kennel Grandmaster, the group’s Religious Adviser, or by a committee.
DOWNS-DOWNS
A down-down is a means of punishing, rewarding, or merely recognizing an individual for any action or behavior according to the customs or whims of the group. Generally, the individual in question is asked to consume without pause the contents of his or her drinking vessel or risk pouring the remaining contents on his or her head. Individuals may be recognized for outstanding service, or for their status as a visitor or newcomer. Down-Downs also serve as punishment for misdemeanors real, imagined, or blatantly made up. Such transgressions may include: failing to stop at the beer check, pointing with a finger, or the use of real names (also known as nerd names).
A special type of down-down is often reserved for hashers who wear new shoes to an event. The hasher is required to remove one shoe, which then serves as the vessel for the down-down. In some kennels the beer is further filtered through the accused’s sock.
Many kennels include an ice seat or throne as part of the down-down ceremony. Those who are to consume a down-down sit on a large block of ice while they await the completion of the down-down song. If the offense that resulted in the down-down is particularly egregious, the hasher may be subjected to a long song with many verses. In some kennels the hasher must remove any attire that comes between his/her seat and the ice; others allow the hashers to keep their underwear on but require that the outer legwear be removed.
HASH NAMES
In most kennels, the use of real names during an event is discouraged. Members are typically given a “hash name,” usually in deference to a particularly notorious escapade, a personality trait, or their physical appearance. In some kennels the name must be earned – that is, hashers are not named until they’ve done something outstanding, unusual, or stupid enough to warrant a name. In other kennels the process is more mechanical and hashers are named after completing a certain number of events (5-10 being the most common).
Some kennels focus on “family-friendly” names (for example: Lost My Way); others focus on names filled with innuendo (for example: Salt Lick); and some go out of their way to make the name as bawdy, scatological, or offensive as possible (example: Hairy Ass Meat Curtains). Many kennels go out of their way to give politically incorrect names.
Those hashers who have not been named are generally referred to as “Just (Name)” or “No Name (Name)” (e.g., “No Name John”).
Hashers are not permitted to give themselves nicknames due to the obvious conflict of interest. Hashers who do so are often renamed by the kennel at the earliest opportunity and with a more offensive name. Similarly, hashers who do get named and don’t like their name may end up being renamed by their kennel, the members of whom will strive to give the complaining hasher an even more offensive or inappropriate name.
SYMBOLS
The traditional symbol of hashing is the outline of a human foot, often including the phrase “On-On.”