# Adapting to the vampire lifestyle **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 2, 2011, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995 "2011-09-02T20:14:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/21 "2011-09-04T00:26:41Z")
> [@CorneaGenii](#): > > If this is meant to describe how a vampire would go about dealing with the mundanities of life, then the traits need to be ground more in real life. Once you get into fear of crosses, no reflection, shape-changing, flying, etc., it’s automatically relegated to the realm of fantasy. > > The only difference I see from an ordinary human is fewer things can kill you, and you now have a VERY restricted diet. You might be immortal, but you’re not invulnerable. That’s how I see it. But while the differences may be few in number, they are significant. And they’re going to be hard to explain in a plausible way. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/22 "2011-09-04T00:30:48Z")
> [@CorneaGenii](#): > > The only difference I see from an ordinary human is fewer things can kill you, and you now have a **VERY restricted diet**. You might be immortal, but you’re not invulnerable. That’s how I see it. How so? All it means is that you have a new dietary requirement. Nothing was said about not eating or drinking the things you do now. You just have to add blood to the mix. Hell, the frakking Limeys [do that now](http://www.greenchronicle.com/regional_recipes/black_pudding.htm)! ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/23 "2011-09-04T01:00:48Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > …- Vampires don’t cast reflections or shadows or appear on film/cameras (what about digital cameras?)… What happens to the clothes you’re wearing (or anything you’re carrying)? Most films don’t bother addressing this for practical reasons, but wouldn’t a vampire’s “reflection” (or camera image) consist of clothing floating around in the shape of a person? If a vampiress decides to keep wearing makeup it’s certainly create an interesting image. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2011, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/24 "2011-09-04T22:57:47Z")
A couple of [relevant](http://www.bugcomic.com/comics/vampire-blues/) [webcomics](http://www.bugcomic.com/comics/vampire-enquire/). ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/25 "2011-09-05T00:35:24Z")
I’d need a new town, job & friends, but that’s doable. Human blood only? Mammal blood? Any blood? Shouldn’t be hard to get a cup/week either way. Since I’m skulking around at night anyway it shouldn’t be too hard to find a drunk or somebody and tap a vein quick. If I felt like hanging around with the sorts of people into that kind of thing, I could probably find people to volunteer their blood. Being immortal I’d probably be obsessed with saving money for awhile, until I had lots of it and learned how to move it around. I would not go public, and doubt I’d tell anyone. I’d keep in touch with friends/family for awhile, maybe come out to them a little later in life. I wouldn’t turn anyone into a vampire right away, but eventually I think I’d like to have a small group of carefully chosen people to help watch each other’s backs. Staying out of the sun should be pretty easy, especially in a big city. I really don’t think anyone would notice or care if I only came out when it was dark. Some cities have fairly large underground shopping areas, usually connected to a subway or something. I wouldn’t be surprised if getting around during the day wasn’t impossible or even very risky. Sounds kinda nice, actually. I’d miss gardening in the sun, but with my night vision and dim lighting, I should be able to enjoy gardening anyway. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/26 "2011-09-05T10:26:02Z")
Does it have to be human blood? Would direct sunlight kill me instantly, or would I first blister painfully etc. Because if the former, I’m waiting for the first sunny day, high noon, and running outside. ---
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/27 "2011-09-05T11:01:57Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > Staying out of the sun should be pretty easy, especially in a big city. I really don’t think anyone would notice or care if I only came out when it was dark. Some cities have fairly large underground shopping areas, usually connected to a subway or something. I wouldn’t be surprised if getting around during the day wasn’t impossible or even very risky. Actually that’s a good point. Here in Toronto there are several condo developments that have entrances directly into the PATH system. You never need to go outside and once you figure out where the windows and skylights are - never need to worry about sunlight. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/28 "2011-09-05T12:10:32Z")
> [@Cuckoorex](#): > > - Vampires don’t cast reflections or shadows or appear on film/cameras (what about digital cameras?) > [@alphaboi867](#): > > What happens to the clothes you’re wearing (or anything you’re carrying)? Most films don’t bother addressing this for practical reasons, but wouldn’t a vampire’s “reflection” (or camera image) consist of clothing floating around in the shape of a person? If a vampiress decides to keep wearing makeup it’s certainly create an interesting image. I prefer the Asian version which makes more sense. - Vampires have a horrific appearance - They have the ability to trick people’s senses so that they appear as normal, or even as beautiful - But their reflections and shadows reveal their true image. Presumably, photographs would too. ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/29 "2011-09-05T13:28:46Z")
Avoiding the sun would be the hardest part in the long run. What if my house/apartment catches fire during the day? What if the police raid my place at dawn? Tornadoes and earthquakes could flatten the building I live in at any time. It would really suck to be stuck in a collapsed building just to be rescued in the middle of the day. Perhaps if I dug out an extensive series of earthquake-proof tunnels and bunkers I might survive, but I think the sunlight would still kill me in the end, no matter how many precautions I take. ---
**Author:** ![Double\_Foolscap](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85e7bf/32.png) [@Double\_Foolscap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Double_Foolscap)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/30 "2011-09-05T13:54:02Z")
My girlfriend works outside all day and she loves it, so I guess I’d have a pretty hard time convincing her to change with me. I’m not sure whether I’d quit my job. I currently walk to work, which would not be possible if sunlight kills me. My food bills would be slashed, but I’d still need to pay rent and my girlfriend doesn’t earn enough to support us both, so I’d have to get a night job, work from home or spend a lot on big hats. If I’m immortal, maybe I’ll become an illegal street fighter or something. My main problem would be my inherent laziness. If I know I’m going to live for ever barring accidents, I’m going to spend a _lot_ of time playing demos of Xbox Live games and re-reading Discworld books. If I had the drive to work from home, I’d be doing it now. Sadly, I don’t think I’d be able to support myself in my current situation without turning to illegality. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/31 "2011-09-05T14:33:02Z")
> [@gladtobeblazed](#): > > Avoiding the sun would be the hardest part in the long run. What if my house/apartment catches fire during the day? What if the police raid my place at dawn? Tornadoes and earthquakes could flatten the building I live in at any time. It would really suck to be stuck in a collapsed building just to be rescued in the middle of the day. Perhaps if I dug out an extensive series of earthquake-proof tunnels and bunkers I might survive, but I think the sunlight would still kill me in the end, no matter how many precautions I take. You might consider living on a boat, anchored well offshore. Worst case, you dive in the water until it’s safe to come up. Keep lots of spare O2 around, if you’re in danger of passing out from lack of oxygen underwater or something. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/32 "2011-09-05T15:43:35Z")
If I’m immortal investing makes a lot more sense, it always struck me as strange Duncan MacLeod scratched out a living selling his antique shit. Compound interest is stronger than the Force. In the mean time I’d go back to bartending, lots of blood candidates who wont remember and being seen only at night isn’t suspicious. Hanging out with Goth types would help me blend but I’d think a real vampire would consider them posers. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/33 "2011-09-05T16:17:15Z")
Sleeping all day and partying all night might be fun, but sleeping all day and working the night shift would kill what little social life I have now, sadly. I’d have to steal to live, but that could even be fun if bullets can’t hurt me. I’d be really obvious about it too, just to see if any true believers showed up to stop me. And I’d try to find a few others, just so I know where NOT to go. Don’t wanna get settled in only to have a couple guys from La Costra Noferatu show up with a chainsaw. And forget stakes, would your sternum withstand a crossbow? Just vamp a landlord and set-up a whole building of hidey-holes. And work out a bit before I get turned, no point in spending eternity not looking fit. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2011, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/34 "2011-09-05T16:24:25Z")
I have an advantage that I’m retired and live on a pension. So my money is direct deposited without me having to go out and work. (Although I’m sure they’d start asking questions if I was still collecting my pension in the year 2100 - I’d need to start working on a Plan B.) I’m also single and have no children so I don’t have anyone in my immediate household that I’d have to explain my new habits to. I probably would move to a city because it would be easier to hide in a larger crowd and I’d have access to more all-night services. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/35 "2011-09-07T16:26:51Z")
> [@toofs](#): > > Hmm. On the one hand, becoming a vampire would let me do some really cool things. They can fly, right? That’d be cool right there. I could go to gang neighborhoods and whack all the bad homies. These predators are usually out at night, and I can’t be easily killed, so some gangs are going to go away. Even if homeboy shoots me, I tear his arms off (vampires are really strong, I think) and let him bleed to death. I can take a sip of his precious bodily fluids while I am at it. Every night I’d kill a few more. Imagine the news headlines: ‘Serial Killer Mutilates Another Suspected Gang Member: Victim Had Extensive Criminal Record.’ > > Vampirism could be used for the good of my fellow, er, former mankind. A benevolent vampire. Killing with compassion. Like Dexter. Or something. This, only more political. “Koch Brothers In Exsanguination-Cult Schocker!” ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/36 "2011-09-07T16:36:55Z")
Well, my brithday wish list would probably start to include gift certificates to Hot Topic. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4bbf92/32.png) [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Hamsandwich)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/37 "2011-09-07T16:47:38Z")
Immortality would be the deal breaker for me. Imagine your fellow man, after a sizable chunk of evolution has mutated them into something that doesn’t even resemble a human anymore; how could you possibly relate? To them, visibly, you’d be the Missing Link at best. A sideshow freak. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/38 "2011-09-07T16:51:00Z")
I’d spend the winters in Reykjavik. The sun only comes up properly for a few hours anyway. I’d turn a few people who would be subservient to me according to vampire rules and thus housing isn’t an issue. Considering I don’t show up on cameras and have supernatural strength and speed, I should think I could acquire whatever I wished fairly easily. I’d probably set myself up as a minor crime lord somewhere at least for a little while to get a load of cash. Probably just feed on the lower levels until I’ve wiped 'em out. That ought to set me up to be good and strong in my new vampiric powers. Then invest in an offseas trust set up to disburse to whomever has the password, and live off the interest. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/39 "2011-09-07T17:25:58Z")
> [@Darth\_Hamsandwich](#): > > Immortality would be the deal breaker for me. Imagine your fellow man, after a sizable chunk of evolution has mutated them into something that doesn’t even resemble a human anymore; how could you possibly relate? To them, visibly, you’d be the Missing Link at best. A sideshow freak. I’d like immortality as long as it’s revocable (as this is). ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2011, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995/40 "2011-09-07T17:28:30Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > I’d spend the winters in Reykjavik. The sun only comes up properly for a few hours anyway. I’d turn a few people who would be subservient to me according to vampire rules and thus housing isn’t an issue. Considering I don’t show up on cameras and have supernatural strength and speed, I should think I could acquire whatever I wished fairly easily. I’d probably set myself up as a minor crime lord somewhere at least for a little while to get a load of cash. Probably just feed on the lower levels until I’ve wiped 'em out. That ought to set me up to be good and strong in my new vampiric powers. Then invest in an offseas trust set up to disburse to whomever has the password, and live off the interest. If I was a traditional fictional vampire, I’d have a nice residence in Toronto and another one in Sydney. Then I’d commute back and forth every six months to where it’s winter and the nights are longest. Of course, that wouldn’t be a realistic option for me if I were to become a vampire this week. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/adapting-to-the-vampire-lifestyle/594995.md?page=3)