Let’s make this clear from the get-go: Columbia is a city of many people of many backgrounds, subcultures and interests. It’s impossible to group the folks who walk the streets of downtown CoMo, or “The District,” into a few broad, sweeping categories.

Now, with that being said, allow me to completely disregard the above statement in an effort to categorize downtown Columbia’s populace into three easy-to-understand models, a.k.a. the three people you’re sure to see in downtown Columbia.

**The Intellectual**
Favorite hangout spots: RagTag Cinema, Kaldi’s Coffee, Panera Bread
Must-haves: MacBook and other various Apple products, designer carrying case for said MacBook, philosophical musings
Sure, there’s the old stereotype about the upper-middle-class, next-gen yuppies sitting in Starbucks on their MacBook Pros, working on a draft of their latest screenplay-hopeful. And you’ll see some of that. But don’t think “The intellectual” is restricted to the confines of the café. Other favorite stomping grounds here in Columbia include RagTag Cinema, a relatively small theater located on Hitt Street near Broadway, which draws in this subculture like a moth to the flame. With a laser-beam-like focus on playing excellent films often found off the beaten path and a decent café serving snacks, baked goods and beverages to boot, RagTag has solidified itself as a Columbia staple for people of all walks of life in this town — but especially those intellectuals.

**The Bro**
Favorite hangout spots: The Field House, Campus Bar and Grill, Déjà Vu
Must-haves: Pastel polos, visor (optional), North Face fleece, Sperry Top-siders, healthy self-esteem
It’s not just about fraternity brothers. “The bro” is a much bigger movement altogether… not. You can find the bro chillin’ with his fellow bros, catching the game at the Field House or Campus Bar and Grill (or a number of other downtown bars and hot spots).

**The Hipster / The Free Spirit**
Favorite hangout spots: The Peace Nook, Get Lost Bookshop, Sparky’s Homemade Ice Cream, Maude Vintage
Must-haves: So. Much. Flannel. 6-pack of Pabst Blue Ribbon, TOMS Shoes (or something of equal or greater discomfort), lots of really great artists in their iTunes (though most of them are pretty obscure, so you probably haven’t heard of them).
Maybe it’s just because I came from a fairly rural area with little variation in taste for music and art, but as a freshman at MU I was not at all prepared for the formidable army of independent-minded young people many students affectionately refer to as “hipsters” in the Columbia area. This group’s presence is particularly concentrated in downtown Columbia and in many parts of East Campus.

For the sake of transparency (and to be fair), I’ve fallen into each and every one of these subgroups’ at one time or another during my time at MU, and I think that’s fantastic. You may think you know your place, what you like and don’t like, what your scene is, etc. But remember that college is a time to broaden your horizons. Go check out a film at RagTag. Browse through the literature in The Peace Nook. Grab a few drinks at the Field House. Take advantage of everything downtown Columbia has to offer — it can be a rewarding experience.