How to NOT be a Creeper
I did a “tips for female cosplayers” a few months ago. So now I’m doing a “How to not be a creeper”. This applies to males and females. Because females can be just as creepy.
- Don’t freak out - A few years ago, I left my boyfriend for 10 minutes. When I came back, a young girl was on her hands and knees, pleading in front of him. Then she pulled him aside and asked if I was his girlfriend, and when he said yeah, she said, “She’s so lucky…”
THIS IS CREEPY. You haven’t known the person for more than ten minutes. Don’t act like this. It makes everyone feel uncomfortable. - Don’t TOUCH or HOVER-HAND in pictures - Never touch anyone without permission. If you want a picture, say, “Can I put my arm around you/hug you?” Nothing is weirder than finding pictures after a con only to see someone awkwardly hovering their hand around you.
- Don’t stalk people - Don’t follow them around. Don’t snipe ass shots. Don’t stare at them from across the room. This is creepy. Take your picture with permission, or talk to them. Staring is creepy.
- Don’t ask for too much personal information - Asking for a name? That’s fine. Asking for a phone number shortly after meeting someone? That’s kind of creepy. Unless someone offers it to you, you shouldn’t ask them. This also includes other personal information such as personal facebook pages, full names, social security numbers….. It should be pretty obvious what is and isn’t acceptable.
- If a person’s significant other grabs the hand, wraps their arm around, or becomes affectionate with the person, this means you are crossing the line - It’s a simple hint to say, “You need to back off” which I’ve seen ignored multiple times. It’s a nice way of saying, “I feel like you’re making a move on me, and I’m already taken.” Please take a hint. If someone is acting uncomfortable, then just leave them alone. I even have FRIENDS who I will reach out and cuddle with or something if I see they’re uncomfortable.
- No means no - If someone says you need to back off, back off. If someone is making excuses not to hang out with you, then they don’t want to hang out with you. Pro-tip: If I want to hang out with someone, I will make the effort. If I don’t, I will come up with any excuse I can, because I’m passive aggressive.
- Don’t insult someone if they aren’t interested in you - If someone doesn’t want to hang out with you, don’t pitch a fit. If someone doesn’t want to hook up with you, don’t call them a stuck up prude. I’ve seen these things happen a lot. Just because you want something, doesn’t mean the other person does. And they don’t deserve you being a big whiny baby over it just because they said no.
- DON’T GLOMP - This was big when I started going to cons. Apparently, it’s coming back. DON’T GLOMP PEOPLE. You not only risk hurting yourself and the target, you risk hurting other people in the area as well. It’s silly and stupid and there’s no point to it.
- Someone cosplaying your favourite character? Don’t tell them how much you’ve fapped to the character - This should be obvious. But apparently isn’t. Just because someone is dressed as a character, doesn’t mean they are the character. Just because you’ve rubbed one off over the character doesn’t mean the cosplayer wants to hear that.
- Want to compliment someone? Don’t focus on their “goods” - “You have the perfect boobs for this character” is never a compliment. Nor is, “Do you have a 6 pack just like this character?” If you want to compliment someone, focus on their craftsmanship. If you think someone is attractive, say, “Wow, you really bring this character to life.
- Don’t ask someone to sleep with you - Several years ago, I got a guy banned from a local convention. Why? He asked me multiple times to have a threesome with him. It’s NEVER okay just to ask someone to have sex with you, or to tell them that you want to have sex with them.
You should NEVER be making someone uncomfortable. We all go to cons to have a good time, not to feel like a piece of meat.
REMEMBER if anyone makes you feel uncomfortable or threatened, go to con security with their information and a description. If someone was with you when the incident happened, bring them as well to back you up. There is NO SHAME in reporting someone who has made you feel uncomfortable. Because you may be saving someone in the future.
Con safely- Dehydration
I think the most common thing that ME sick on cons is getting Dehydrated. Since I live in Florida and never seem to drink enough water.
Hot con location + busy morning without an adequate breakfast + not drinking enough water= Dehydration
It’s common to mistake dehydration for other kinds of con sick
So here are some facts about Dehydration to keep in mind next time you are at a hot.
Side Effect of Dehydration
- dry skin and mouth
- muscle weakness
- dizziness
- sleepiness
- decreased urination and increased thirst
- sunken eyes
- fever
- unconsciousness
Some common causes of dehydration include
- Not drinking enough water or other fluid
- Intake of dehydration causing substances like coffee and alcohol
- Various physical activities like sports and exercises etc.
- Use of diuretics, antihistamines and calcium channel blockers
Treatment of Dehydration
- Move to a cool area.
- Lie down and try to sit still.
- Apply cool, wet cloths to critical areas. (Wrists,Neck,Collarbone,Upper arms/armpits,Inner thighs)
- water and juice in small amounts.
A good way to avoid dehydration is to make sure you always have water while at a con or in cosplay. AND DRINK UP.
How to Avoid Con Dramaaaaaa
Everyone hates it. No one likes to watch it. But some people seem incapable of avoiding it. Here are some tips to avoid the DREADED con drama.
- Don’t post anything offensive on your social media sites - Thinking things in your head that aren’t so nice is something everyone does. But keep them in your head. Posting them or expressing negativity towards another cosplayer makes you look insanely jealous and hurts people.
- Someone has a problem with you? Confront them! - This is harder than it sounds; but if you feel or know you’ve offended someone, send them a message asking how you can fix the problem, explain that you’re sorry, and try to repair any broken ties. Sometimes people don’t want to forgive you; but you can at least try.
- Don’t act like you’re a special snowflake - Don’t post on convention pages about how popular you are, or how you’re a “cosplay model”. BE HUMBLE. No one likes people who toot their own horns. Looking for pictures after a con? Post once, then bump up that thread after a few days. Don’t keep posting over and over again.
- Take a break if it becomes too much - Take a break from cons for a little bit if you can’t avoid people being mean. They’ll find some other person to be pissed at during that time.
- Think about what you’re doing in public - Is it scandalous? Probably shouldn’t do it in front of a bunch of people, because things will spread like wild fire and eventually become completely untrue.
- Ignore the haters - Someone says you’re a bad cosplayer? Ignore it. Just like in number one, it makes THEM look jealous and reflects negatively on them when you remain quiet and composed.
- Follow the con rules - A lot of drama comes from people ignoring the rules put in place at the con and makes you look bad when you break those rules. A few years ago a guy posted about an 8 foot tall sword he was bringing, and was told multiple times that it went beyond the prop rules. He brought the prop to the con anyways, got in trouble with staff, and ended up starting a huge stink which made him look foolish.
- Don’t bash other fandoms - I’ve seen this one as well: Someone is upset there were 3 pony panels and no Getter Robo panels. Don’t go bashing the fandom, saying how they aren’t welcome. You’re just begging for drama.
- Have a problem with the convention? Post CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM - A convention can do nothing with “THIS CON SUCKS OMG I WONT COME BACK” but they can work with, “I didn’t have a very good time. The security staffers were rude, and I didn’t feel safe at the convention.” If you speak with respect towards others, in turn, you will be respected.
