The most important muscle for the Full Hipster to exercise is his/her tongue. This isn’t just some chit-chat small talk. It is a passionate engagement with others using erudite language, portmanteaus, and puns. The conversation must include at least 3 references the latest novel, song, or NPR-story that has intrigued you and that everyone should know about. For example, talk about that great David Foster Wallace novel you have sitting on your side table. Now whether or not you’ve actually read any of the books you discuss is irrelevant.

GFH Lesson: How do you determine the best band to mention? Just make it the latest one you’ve heard that has a banjo in it and some parts where it is slow but then suddenly goes banjo-crazy but then calms down again.