Are you a con goer? Potential first timer? Have any interest in attending a con at all? Then this list of do’s and don’ts will help you.
As I wind down from my last con, I feel it’s necessary to share my own personal list of rules. They’re guidelines I follow that may just help you too.
To keep this organized let me explain. I’ll start with a rule category, then a set of rules. At the bottom I’ll explain it for you. (cause ur probably dumb)
Here’s your beginner tips.
1. HYGIENE
A) Shower every day of the con.
B) Brush your teeth & tongue.
C) Use deodorant, liberally.
2. EAT & DRINK
A) Eat 2-3 meals a day.
B) Drink water often.
3. REST
A) Try to get at least 4 hours of sleep a day.
B) Don’t sleep in the middle of the con.
C) Take breaks and leave the con environment frequently.
4. BE SOCIAL
A) Meet new friends and stay in touch.
B) Bring some people with you.
C) Tag along with some other people.
5. BOUNDARIES
A) Be respectful to all genders.
B) Look, don’t touch.
C) Ask before touching. Includes hugs.
D) Don’t make lewd comments towards.
These are your basic con survival guidelines. They make other people and your con experience so much better.So what about the advanced guidelines? Well if you wouldn’t have interrupted me to ask I could have gotten to them already.
6. BUY FOOD BEFORE GOING
A) Buy produce. Apples, oranges, bananas.
B) Buy bread, meat, cheese and lettuce. *If you have refrigerator in your room
C) Buy granola bars, chips, and rice patties.
D) Consider a slowcooker and rice, chilli, soups, etc.
7. HOOK’N UP
A) Don’t try to get a GF/BF at con.
B) Be flirtatious, but save dates and asking out for post-con.
8. ALCOHOL
A) Normal alcohol rules still apply.
B) Save getting buzzed for the parties, parties! Not for wandering around.
9. RESPECT THE ROOM
A) Don’t break things in the room you’re staying in.
B) Don’t break things in rooms you go to.
C) Respect the person who owns the room.
D) Don’t drink the water! It’s a trap!
ABOUT 1: I really hope this doesn’t have to be explained. You’re in a cramped area with a bunch of people generating heat. You’re going to sweat, you’ll be talking to them face to face and up close. You should at least brush and wash with soap. And the deodorant you use shouldn’t be a spray on.
ABOUT 2: Another no-brainer. You need to eat and drink to have energy to process all the stuff that happens at a con. You need it to do all the walking you’ll be doing. You need it to process all the stuff that will assault your senses. Eat, drink, replenish stamina.
ABOUT 3: A no-brainer. You need rest. You need to leave the con environment and let your brain rest. The convention is a huge assault on your senses. Get out of the area for a couple minutes every 2-4 hours. I’m talking a quiet room, not a show room. Sleep so you can enjoy your time. They say 8 hours is best but lets be real, you’re at con. And don’t fall asleep in the middle of the con. People notice, and they laugh. They laugh at you and burn away your soul.
ABOUT 4: Be social cause it’s fun. Have fun. Meet people like you. Talk to people like you. And expand your social group. It’s the best way to make friends.
ABOUT 5: Being social comes with restrictions. Don’t touch people’s cosplay without permission. You may break it. Don’t hug people for that same reason without asking. If you make a lewd comment toward someone, it should be invited by the person. They should have made the first lewd comment towards themselves.
ABOUT 6: There’s a way to bring good food in, not just ramen and candy and soda. There’s tons of good soups, dishes and other things that can easily be eaten and made. There’s tons of resources about this too on the net.
ABOUT 7: You may be going to the con single thinking you’ll get a girlfriend or boyfriend. This is a big mistake. People are on a con-high and aren’t completely themselves. A lot of people at conventions probably won’t look the same after the con anyways. Surprise! That neon green hair was fake! C: You can make lots of friends at a con, and if something comes from that then hey! Great! But don’t go in there thinking you’ll get a new date that day. So go in planning to meet lots of friends, get to know people, and if something comes from that then go with it.
ABOUT 8: I’ve seen a lot of alcohol at cons. My only issue is when people get buzzed at like 10am. I mean scale it back. You’re already gonna feel like shit by day 3. You shouldn’t need liquid courage to walk around the con bro.
ABOUT 9: Rooms are expensive enough. Especially when shit breaks. Don’t wrack up a bill on someone’s tab. They will remember and kick your ass out of their party next year. Further they have complete authority to remove you from their room with the help of security, and security may choose to remove you from the grounds.
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Alright! These get me through the con every year. And every year I have so much fun because I follow them. One of the things that really changed the con was when I didn’t go alone, made friends, saw friends, and had fun. Don’t be shy!
THEX 