Every year from around April to October most taking place in late summer and early fall there is a period for us nerds and geeks we call "Con Season"(although in 2020 most have been cancelled or replaced with virtual Cons). Many people attend big cons in large cities like New York Comic Con, Dragoncon Atlanta, San Diego Comic Con, Anime Milwaukee, Fanboy Expo Knoxville, or smaller cons in smaller cities or towns which is actually common now days.
It's a chance for geeks to totally go balls to the wall geek out. But, there are common social graces and rules that still apply. Most of these are basic but do bear repeating.
1. Use personal hygiene
This is paramount! This is something you should do everyday. However at conventions there are going to be possibly a LOT of people (some conventions I hear can have over 100,000 people). Most rooms and ballrooms are going to be packed like a can of sardines. So please for the love of God SHOWER!!!! Also wash your hands and have good breath too. Also change your clothes everyday of the convention if your convention attendance is going to be multi day.
2. Cosplay does not mean consent.
I have heard about this in the news the last few years about con attendees sexually harassing, being creepy, or stalking cosplayers. A lot of cosplayers do sometimes wear revealing and/or form fitting costumes. This does NOT give anyone permission to touch or be touched. This also applied to asking for hugs, globs, high fives, fist bumps etc...
3. Always ask before taking a photo of a cosplayer.
Number one, it's just common sense. Number Two if you ask they usually will strike a good pose to get a good picture. Some cosplayers however do not like being photographed. Some also are on break or doing something else at the con but would like to take a pic at a later time. Please respect their boundaries.
4. Pack a bag with snacks, water and cell phone charger.
you're probably going to be on your feet all day. During the convention time you'll probably be so overwhelmed that you'll forget to eat or drink. Some people that go to the conventions have medical issues like diabetes where they have to say hydrated and eat a snack every once in awhile. You should too. Pack a snack like some Pop-Tarts, granola bar ,an apple, or even nuts. Also, bring a reusable refillable water bottle. You will also probably use your cell phone throughout the con. Excessive cell phone use will run your battery down quickly. So take a wall charger and a portable charger that you can charge and use at the con. On the subject of food, there is food at cons usually. However, the food can be quite pricey and credit/debit cards are not always accepted.
5. Set a budget and bring cash
Cash is king at conventions. Many of the dealers that come to conventions are really small. Most of them while they do have methods of taking Mobile payment prefer to use cash. Some of them just do not have the capability of using any other payment method besides cash. Most of the time convention centers have an ATM on site or a bank branch of your debit card holder is usually nearby in larger towns. Set a budget as well. Cons can be a black hole for your wallet.
6. Respect others in general.
There are going to be people into characters and fandoms of a show that you may not particularly like. Do not ridicule them for what they like and don't like. They are human and have feelings the same as me and you do. Just because someone likes anime or dresses up like Harley Quinn or The Joker does not mean they are of a certain stereotype. Also don't trash talk a cosplayer because you don't like their costume. Many cosplayers put thousands of dollars and hours into the costumes they may have put together. The same can be said about panelists and autograph guests. They are just people like you and me with real emotions. Please be respectful of them.
I got a lot of these tips from YouTube videos and my own research as I will be attending a comiccon for the first time in 2 weeks. This will be a one day con but all the same rules still apply nonetheless. Have you ever been to a con? If so how was your experience?
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