5 things NOT to do at LIC

To the Life in Color or LIC for short initiated, we know you feel the excitement remembering last time and just thinking about what’s to come, but to the LIC virgins we’re here to offer you just some advice on how to prepare yourself for one of the wettest parties to hit T&T.

There are a lot of things you do at this event and honestly we really don’t need to tell you how to turn it up if you’re Trinbagonian, it’s kind of in your DNA. More importantly there are some definite “Don’ts” that we think should be brought to your attention, so that you have a most enjoyable night and not end up in a sobbing heap in the lame in the lonely corner. There are even things that you just don’t want to learn from experience … trust us.

#1 DON’T Dress Inappropriately

Funny enough, we always thought this would not have been a problem to us Trinbagonians seeing that we’ve all either experienced J’ouvert first hand or seen the effects of it through friends or family. However we’ve come to the understanding that it’s not that we don’t understand how to dress but that we underestimate the madness that is Life in Color.

We LIC one and two fanatics have all heard the confident remarks of our “stay clean” peers about keeping their finest cloths unscathed, something like, “Nah nah, doh worry, I went plenty J’ouvert, I know how to duck paint and avoid getting dirty”. GO HARD IN THE PAINT that was the tagline for this party, anything less is a complete waste of a good time. Believe me the paint is that serious and that’s where the real fun is! When the timer counts down to zero there is literally an explosion of paint, in all directions then closely followed by it being shot out of fire hoses, yes that’s correct FIRE HOSES…have you actually seen fire hoses in action?

Don’t think you’ll be ducking it, either; you get hit by the paint blast or randomly hugged by a long lost friend who’s been to the front and is drenched in paint. So all in all our advice is, don’t come out in your Sunday best, LIC is about paint and its best enjoyed when you’re all up in that paint.  Embrace the paint … you won’t regret it.

#2 DON’T Underestimate the Power of Water

Water! The nectar of the planet, it’s definitely your best friend here ladies and gentlemen. Water is best described as the Swiss Army Knife of LIC for when things get heavy and paint is being shot everywhere. We’ve heard complaints from some ravers about a slight burning sensation under and around the eyes after a while of having it on your face, washing it off quickly gets rid of that problem so keep a bottle nearby.

There’s also the problem of “lightweights” yes! By now you should know yourselves and if you’re still unsure about your alcohol consumption level here’s a good test; if you’ve only had one drink and you suddenly met your best friend’s twin brother or sister 5 times in one night then you might just be a lightweight and need to switch to good ole H2o for the duration of the night, particularly if your name is “designated driver”.

Nobody likes the sloppy drunk who always has to be carried out of the party by their “trying not to be ashamed for and of you” friends, especially when they can’t decipher where’s a safe spot to hold onto you without touching what they hope is paint but may in fact be vomit.

If you ‘re a front liner truly embracing the go hard in the paint life, it also really helps to stay hydrated while in the crowd as I stated before it gets heavy and “thick” you will be raving so hard you may not even realize your body is crying for some hydration, real hydration … not alcohol. So remember to stock up on that agua goodness.

#3 DON’T Use Regular Recording Devices

Yes we know! You must constantly post, share, like, tweet all current aspects of your life, but at LIC that can be extremely hazardous for your beloved device. You might think this is obvious with PAINT being thrown around, but from our experience … it’s not as obvious to some LIC patrons as you may think. If you absolutely must have that insta we recommend investing in a waterproof device or get yourself a waterproof case with a strap, don’t want our precious baby slipping through our painted hands falling into a stamped of ravers now do we. Alternatively leave it in the car or give it to one of your “nah I not getting paint on me” friends … again good luck with that.

LIC has been known to have their photographers and videographers spread out through the crowd documenting the event so you can have a good time and not worry about damaging or losing your device in all the madness. Just remember when the cameras point your way put your crazy paint dripping face on. J

#4 DON’T Flip Out at People Who step on or Nudge You

This is a standard not only at LIC but at all social events, there’s a crowd and people may nudge or step on you mistakenly, remember everyone is there to have fun, no need to be so serious, laugh it off and go back to enjoying yourself.

#5 DON’T Go Home Drenched

During the party you will be dripping in paint! This paint will be warm, this paint will be slimy coat of goo that will radiate with the body warmth of the crowd. However at 4am when you’re walking back to your car you will soon realize how cold this paint can be. Your ass will be freezing and your body will be painted which is not good for the upholstery in your car. We recommend walking with a towel, change of clothes, something to cover your car seat with in your post party kit. Another quick tip for your PPK is to have something to munch on in your car because after hours of going hard in the paint you will quickly realize how hungry you got without noticing.

That's all folks! Some easy things not to do to make your LIC experience enjoyable, just remember go in hard, have fun, make friends get dirty and have a great LIC.