Reminder on Convention Etiquette

As the conventions across the globe have started again it’s time again for some simple etiquette rules for a better experience at a con.

Did you remember to eat and drink?

It happens to the best of us, we got so swept up at the convention we forgot to eat or drink water, and now you’re passed out on the floor. Oops. Remember to stop, find some real food and drink something hydrating, sit and eat your food, and your good to go. Con drains me between meals so I pack snacks! So, if you’re in line for something just eat a snack to hold you through. Water is your best friend so drink plenty of it. It happens every year where someone didn’t eat or stay hydrated, they pass out and an ambulance comes. Don’t let it be you!

Clean Yourself!

As this pic can best describe this.

Remember water is your best friend, go take a shower with soap. Sometimes I had people walk by at a con and I could smell before they got near to me and long after I passed them. If their stank could be seen it would be a 15-foot radius around of them, and people would be avoiding them. I’m not joking. But I get it during con you’re around a ton of people doing a ton of walking. I get sweaty and gross too at the end of each day, but I take a shower sometimes in the morning and at night. That’s just me though but take a shower at some point each day or two days. Bonus points do your laundry.

Cosplay Does Not Equal Consent!

You see a cool cosplay or a person you admire be it a famous cosplayer or a regular cosplayer, and you get excited and want to talk to them. Just because the cosplay is cool or your favorite character does not give you the right to touch them, without their permission. Don’t jump on them, hug them, or get in their face. They have personal space too! You can approach them and ask to take their picture, but if you want a hug always ask. If they say no respect their decision. If you’re trying to get their attention and they can’t hear you a light tap on the shoulder is a good respectful way to get their attention. Remember cosplayers are not here for you, they are here to enjoy the con.

Celebrities Are People Too

I get it you see your favorite celebrity and you just want to squee and talk to them, and your mind spins from excitement. They’re here to do a job too and not here to find you specifically and be your best friend. They’re going to be bombarded by a lot of people so just play it cool. If you have a gift, make it appropriate and ask if they would like a gift. If they decline don’t get upset or force it on them.

If you’re at their panel, ask polite questions and don’t treat them like they’re here to do a voice recording on your phone. Sometimes celebrities offer voice recording at their autograph table. That’s the time and the place for it. Not at their panel.

I was at a panel with Kevin Conroy and the announcement for Ben Affleck to play Batman in Batman v. Superman was recently made. A man asked Conroy how he felt about the casting decision. Conroy polity responded that we will have to wait and see how it goes. The man didn’t like that answer because it was clear he wasn’t happy about Affleck, so he kept pushing the question of how he felt. We all knew he wanted Conroy to say he didn’t like the casting of Affleck. Conroy held his own giving polite and profession responses. How rude is it to try to make Conroy respond in a way that you want, and reject the answer he initially gave? Not only that Conroy still works for WB Studios and DC Comics so it would a bad career move to trash talk the company you work for. Lastly, he doesn’t make these decisions and has no influence on it. Anyways just don’t be that guy.

Artist Work Hard

These cons are a job for them, displaying all their hard work. Be respectful of their work, give them compliments, grab a business card! Don’t be rude saying you like another artist work more than theirs, or that their work is no good. They work hard and had to pay a lot of money for their merchandise to be available. Don’t argue or haggle about their prices! If you think the prices of their work is too much, tough luck it’s their choice. Most artists have deals and sales just keep your eyes out. Lastly, don’t put your stuff on their table, it’s for their merchandise, not yours.

Be a Decent Human Being in General

Just be nice, meet some new people and make some friends!

Touching doesn’t just apply to cosplayers, it goes for everyone. Just ask and respect their responses. If someone doesn’t want to give a high five or get a free hug don’t pressure them into it or make them feel bad for not doing so. Not going to lie I found that the more I touched the people who went around giving free hugs or high fives, I’d get sick. I don’t like being sick so I stopped, there is always one guy who would want a high five or hug and when I refused, they would wait until I did so or say something mean about how I didn’t want to touch them. Don’t be this person, it’s not cool. I’m not here at a con to touch your petri dish of a hand.

If you feel like you are being harassed: remember details of the person, find a con staff and tell them what happened, con staff will take the next steps.

Let those with disabilities have easy access to get through the con. Let them have the path and the space they need.

Look out for your kids and your stuff. Keep an eye on your fellow friends they can easily get lost too.

Most Importantly Have Fun!

We are all here to have a great con!