Kenyan newspaper the East Standard published a detailed guide to identifying party addict ‘rave-o-holics’ last week, revealing that revellers can be identified by their cheap mobile phones – they constantly lose them, you see – and excessive touchiness. “A rave-a-holic is so used to hugging people on the rave they happily dispense hugs everywhere,” a columnist explained. “This could be in the office, church, the streets and woe unto you if they also love giving air kisses. It gets really awkward when you both lean in the same direction for a peck and end up almost kissing,” it was added.

Meanwhile in Redlands, USA, former teen wild-child turned 35 year old anti-rave cop Paul Chabot presented a workshop explaining what raves are really about including a detailed analysis of US raver fashions. “He explained the reasons behind skimpy and outlandish outfits seen on California Street during raves held at Pharaoh’s,” local newspaper Redlands Daily Facts reported. “Chabot said the outfits contribute to an atmosphere of escapism, where ravers can become someone else and forget about their 9-to-5 existences for a few hours.”

A different definition of colourfully clad party-goers appears on classic US website ishkur.com’s raver role playing game which singles out ‘candy ravers’ as the dominant social group at parties. “Candy ravers have only one special ability: they can be any profession and rise to any level in any profession. Other cliques have limited choices in these areas,” says Ishkur.com. “Candy ravers are also more social and tolerant than most other cliques, accepting the company of junglists (though junglists may not accept them), technoheads, hippies and the like with noticeably less complaint,” it says.