Just anyone can get together and go for a run in nature and then meet up for beers later, but at the Hash House Harriers we have a tradition that sets us apart from other groups that are in it just for the exercise. We have the famous "circle" and a big part of this, particularly in hot parts of the world, is the ice blocks that we use as torment of sorts at the end of the runs.
Something that people should expect when joining the HHH for the first time is some sort of ice block, or even a chair covered in ice cubes, that people are expected to sit on while they get asked questions by someone else in the group. This is all part of the bonding experience and isn't meant to hurt anyone or actually torment them. It's all in good fun.
When you first join up with a Hash you can expect to be put on the ice while the General Manager will ask you a bunch of questions such as who you are, where are you from, and who told you about the event in the first place. This is merely meant to help the existing members of the Hash to get to know you and to attempt to formulate a nickname for you in the process.
Being put on the ice shouldn't be seen as punishment even though we pretend as though that it exactly what it is. You'll see as time goes by that it is actually quite an honor to end up on the icy throne, and there are quite a few members that end up on it every single time.
It is tradition that the person or people who made the trail in the first place will be the first ones on the ice where the other members in the group or visitors are asked what they thought of the run. In our Hash and others around the world anyone who says anything positive will be put on the ice as well. If you want attention or want to be part of the fun, simply say that the trail was great, wonderful, amazing or something else boring like that.
It isn't meant as an honest assessment of how the trail actually was.
As days turns to night it is expected that almost everyone or everyone altogether will end up on the ice at least once and if you are a noisy fucker, you will be put there for longer periods of time. It might seem refreshing given the intense heat of the jungles of Thailand, but after a while you can no longer feel your backside anymore and it kind of starts to hurt.
You will be given a small glass of beer when you sit down but you must remember to not drink it until the "down down" song is sang. That is your signal that it is time to drink down the beer!
This tradition is one of many that make the Hash House Harriers to much fun and unless the event is being held somewhere that is really cold anyway, it is basically omnipresent. Embrace it! It is actually a ton of fun.
