I think that you are probably right about people feeling guilty about their own lack of eco-friendly practices.  It seems that people need to place labels on people, it helps to keep them in particular catagory.

I think we all tend to do that, but I am surprised that with all the knowledge now about global warming, that your co-workers would be so hard and not more supportive. 

You are doing your part-so please feel good about that.  LIME supports all of our efforts and you always have friends here. 

I have always been the "marches to his own beat" kind of guy, I like being green, I care about the planet and my health, and I don't think that makes me a hippie...if it does....oh well...it's someone else's label not mine.

 

I'd say ignore the co-workers and invite them over for a screening of an Inconvenient Truth ;-) 

Ignore them, some poeple will call you a tree hugger if you think burning tires is a bad idea.

just do what you think is right, and become the change. 

 .. in this age that anyone would call you a hippie for practices that are becoming more and more commonplace. In this day and age, it seems most people work at businesses that have recyling for a variety of things, so it's odd that anybody nowadays would see the activities that you list as "hippie"-ish. 

 

I think it's great what you're doing. You're a little pin prick in your acquaintances' consciousness. Keep it up.

 You might want to consider that your activities are not just green. For example, my dad, who is not in the last hippie-like, uses CFLs. You know why? It's good economics. Saves him money. So people making some of these choices are not just doing them for environmental reasons, but for smart financial reasons as well. 

i would wear that label proudly if i were you, but if it bothers you, just remember that you are just living consciously!

I have many hippies in my area. I consider myself to be very green, and healthy. Hippies tend to not always have the cleanest appearance, and I see them contradict themselves. Like acting as if they are green, but driving a old VW bus with bad emissions. To me hippies are not the most healthful people either. Too much beer, and bud. Don't worry about your co workers labels. Your doing the right thing, and I bet it makes you feel better to be doing it. If your being called a hippie maybe you need to change your look a bit.

Peaceful Regards 

As kermit says " it's cool to be green".  Everyone has their own path to lead and I honestly think the one you are on is great.

I'd wear the designation of "Hippie" as a badge of honon.  If being concious of global issues and doing things to save the world (and save money too) makes you a hippie - then go with it!  I've taken the same steps in my life - I switched to a small low power heating stove at home (no oil) installed CFLs all over the house and cut more power usage, and monthly bill, by 50%! - at work I instituted a recyling program and reduced our office waste by 80%!  We can be proud of our accomplishments - so lets go out and get matching headbands, love-beads and fringie vests!

That would  be cute for earth day.  We should all do that.  Dress the part!

Just today on the "Today Show", they had someone speaking who's platform is "Being Green is the new Red, White & Blue".  He says it is our patriotic duty to be green.  So we should raise the flags on earth day and celebrate our greeness. 

Amazing. I really think that people make themselves feel better about NOT doing something they KNOW is right by belittling those who ARE doing the right thing. Doesn't make them bad people, just human. That being said, I don't understand why anyone would NOT recycle! It's the easiest "earth-friendly" thing you could possibly do!

You should check out the forum on recycling.  Someone asked if it is worth it-definitely!!! One thing I read is that recycling is not only good for the land but for the economy as well.  I read that recyling creates 4 jobs for every 1 job at traditional waste management.

Living a conscious and smart lifestyle requires education, time and aggressive determination. Surprisingly these qualities are frowned upon or pointed at and laughed at in today's culture. You know it's like going back to lower educational institutes where the nerds and geeks are looked down on and laughed at throughout the educational program. Then typically a few years after these nerds and geeks start taking advantage of the rewarding effects of their dedication and there you have the rest of their graduating class realizing too late. Yea, let's just hope that those who think that caring about the environment is oh so hippie and not hip don't realize everything too late!

 

You keep on doing what you're doing, and if anything slowly and gradually try to pass on some of your habits to those around you.

You make an interesting point.  I think that is what many people are concerned about, including goverments and big business.  That if we don't make changes now, it might just be too late.  Things are changing, slowly, but changing.  Every paper you read has some green inititative in in.  Good signs for us all-espcially us hippies. 

It's a good thing that the only opinion that really matters is the one we have of ourselves.  If you feel good, deep down inside about what you are doing, then it's right for you.  All the better that it's right for the environment as well.

Christy

 Mother Earth's Farm

 Where good things come from for the body and soil.

As long as we have a healthy concious, and know in our hearts that we are doing something to help, than all the more power to us.  It has to start a somewhere, and obviously that person has not picked up a paper or magazine lately or they would see they are the ones that are strange.

looking way too much into it. People make jokes about eveything, they're probably just giving you a hard time.  After reading your comments, I'd venture to guess that you're more sensitive to such comments than your co-workers.

Focus on more important issues rather than middle-school name calling and stick to your beliefs . . . and have a glass of wine after work and enjoy life. :-)

 

Just be yourself, and do what feels right. Maybe trying to include people that are more conscious about these topics might help you not feel so alone and with more like minded people you might just be able to inspire your other friends as well!

 

Stay green. :) 

I agree I get made fun of all of the time.  But I feel like people are reacting from their own insecurities so I just laugh and let them say what they will. 

I think they are trying to ease their minds because you are doing something they feel like they should be doing.  

For me my mind is clear and I sleep easily at night so why should I care about what others think.   

Have a green day!!!

Well everyone calls me a hippie too, personally I don't think it's anything to be offended by, cause yes people love to label other people.

 

It really makes me mad when people hear hippie and think of bearded guys in tie dye shirts.

And although the tie dye shirts would make sence because of the hippies use of psychedelic drugs it still kind of degrades them and their culture, which I must tell you is truly fascinating.

Don't take offense, but you should def. invest your thoughts in them.

If you are out of step with the so called the "norm"...you can be a hippie. Take it from someone who was one. You are! Now we use the term as a knock...I use as a term of blessing. You color out side the lines and live outside of the box.  Yes you are! There is nothing wrong with it. Don't let others get under your skin.  

I too get a rap for being a "hippie," but I take great pride in it. Knowing that I'm doing something great for the environment, despite the belittling of others, makes me feel good about myself. I feel even better when I influence others to follow my "hippie" practices. Then they too realize it's great to be green!

I don't know why we have to put labels on everything.  I don't even know where that term came from, does anyone?