In Honor of Armageddicon in less than 10 days now...(I can barely hold in my excitement) I thought write up a post on how to NOT behave at a convention.
- Do NOT hesitate to leave your business card: Believe me!!! I am the first person to drop their tail between their legs and run away when it comes to talking to people that I don't know and telling them about my business. But You've GOT to suck it up. People Can't buy things from you if they don't know you exist. Talk to people, that is the whole point of the convention. Leave them around, hand them to people and RUN, Take one from A dealers table or an artist and replace the one you took with yours. Whatever you have to do but Get your name out there.
-Do NOT be shy: So this kind of leans on the first one. the best part about the convention is meeting new people. It's so easy, a con is a gathering of like-minded people. I do anime Conventions because its something I enjoy and like doing. So its a good bet, that 90% of the people there share that interest. And there you go! "Whats your favorite anime" is usually a good starting point and at the very least you've scored a con buddy. Con Buddy- A friend for the con, usually someone who you didn't know before the convention that joins your party on the quest for an amazing time.
-DO NOT BE SKEEVY: GUYS, This is just for the guys. I haven't seen any women do it, but if this sounds like you please please please take my ADVICE!! Cosplayers, have like a bajillion things to worry about. Their Costume falling apart, Tripping on their dress, Their heels breaking on the stairs, tripping on the stairs, losing important accessories, Their hairstyles falling apart, Their outfit revealing too much, their outfit revealing not enough, like I said a bajillion amount of things, they do not need you macking on them every 5 seconds. If the lady says NO, then leave it at that and move forward. This goes for all women at the convention. Including the gamer girl you keep trying to hit on in the arcade. When I tell you No, that should be the end of it, there should not be bets about who gets to take me home, if so and so wins this round. I am not a prize to be won, and definitely worth more than the likes of you.
-Do NOT litter: BE Nice! The hotel is Very Nice to Host us rowdy, loud congoers, once a year, and their also super nice for giving us a discounted rate, please respect the hotel. If you make a mess, either clean it up or find hotel staff to help you.
- Do NOT be Crazy Loud: Armageddicon has a party Floor for goodness sakes, the walls in the hotel are paper thin already so there is no reason to be crazy loud where you aren't supposed to. Lets pretend that we congoers aren't all crazy jumped up hormonal party animals ok? We have TWO raves, we have plenty of opportunities to get loud.
-Do NOT be Unprepared: Usually Con attenders are not Hometowners. Meaning that if you forget something its gonna be a hell of a long drive to pick whatever it was you needed up again. So Make sure you don't forget it the first time. I'll have a more in depth post on this a little later when I start packing for the convention but making a list usually helps me. I cut it down to categories and then I fill it in. So make broad categories: Food/UnderGarments/Clothing/Shoes/Makeup/Body Stuff. Anything That doesn't fit into those categories more than likely don't NEED to go with you.
-Do NOT Have a mental Breakdown: Most Anime Conventions have a Game Room. in Fact, that ones that I attend always have a 24 hour game room. Just because it is open all night and day doesn't mean you can come in anytime and wreak havoc. The last convention had a smash brothers tournament and a guy lost the game and His mind! He started Banging the controller against the table and yelling and kicking over chairs, and then the next thing you know he was lying in the middle of the floor in the fetal position, please guys Please don't be that guy ok?
-Do NOT unawares: Every Convention comes with a guide book. This guidebook is all you need to know. It has a map. It has a program guide for all of the panels, it shows you how long things are open and if you're lucky there are coupons in the back, so make sure you grab one, and read it thoroughly, because it also shows you the rules and guidelines for being able to stay at the con. So Make sure you learn them, it would suck to see you get kicked out.
-Do NOT Forget to Wash: So Cons are usually full of people. Meaning that in cramped spaces, like the ELEVATOR, people are going to get to know you intimately until you get off on your floor, please for ALL THAT IS HOLY, WASH YOURSELF!!!! THERE is NOTHING WORSE than being stuck in a nearly over capacity elevator, with stinky People! If you thought you had a chance with that cosplayer, for fraks sake go BATHE and then talk to her. Believe me, she'll be there when you come back and she's love you even more for it, I promise you! Do NOT forget Personal Hygiene, it is SO important.
- Finally, Do NOT forget to have fun: Its a convention. Its a time you get away from work and family and home and you get to enjoy yourself with like minded people who don't think your weird, enjoy it to the fullest. Take lots of pictures, goof off with people you've never met, go party. Just keep common sense in mind and you'll have a great time, and yes I did want that to rhyme. Score!
As Always thanks for reading!
Mistress Out,
~Spokhette~
