Convention Etiquette Guide

This editorial about basic etiquette that's expected at Anime (or any other kind of series) Conventions. It is not meant to say that my way is the right way, or anything like that.

It is also in inspiration to what Jin (*behindinfinity on dA) had written about convention etiquette and also included cosplay guidelines.

I hope this will be of good help.

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Anywhere you go, it's always proper to have good manners. I'm sure your parents and other trusted adults have taught you that very thing. It's always a good idea to uphold on having good manners when you go to a public event.

Think about it, if you show good manners, the people you meet will want to see you again, and you'll be able to go back to that place at a later date without any sort of trouble.

~Be polite. If someone greets you or asks you a question, it's always a good idea to be polite to them and help them out if needed.

~Please and Thank you. Yes, we all know the whole tired thing about your mother telling you to ALWAYS say please and thank you. But trust me, it's part of being polite. Thanking someone for their help or thanking someone who sold you a print at their table, it's always the best way to go.

~Try to hold in bodily functions. This means burping, sneezing, coughing and farting. Yes, we're all human beings and we need to release this things. If you need to sneeze, cover your mouth. Burping, close your mouth, cover it and try to hold it back. Same goes for coughing, cover your mouth. No one wants your germs.

~Eating. We all need a break and want something to eat, by all means take some time to do that. This is where table manners come into play. Don't slurp, smack your lips, chew with your mouth open, or anything like that. Come on, people. Eat politely.

~Asking first. For whatever reason, if you want to take a photo of someone, pose with someone, or hug someone cosplaying your favourite character, ALWAYS, I repeat, ALWAYS ask first. And this does not mean yelling "LET ME TAKE A PICTURE OF YOU!!". You ask them first, so you can give them the choice of whether or not they want to partake in your request.

~Wait your turn. If you want to talk to someone or ask them for a picture, and they're in the middle of a conversation or busy with something, WAIT your turn. Don't bother them, don't interrupt them, and don't drag them away from their friends. Don't harass them either. Just wait patiently until they're free.

~Respect. This is vital. ALWAYS, ALWAYS respect the other people at the convention hall. If, for example, a cosplayer declines in posing for a yaoi or yuri (boyxboy and girlxgirl) photo, then respect their wish.

~Declines. Sometimes a cosplayer will decline in letting you take a photo of them. Yes, it's a real drag, I know. It's not fun. But unless you're a complete a-hole or a pervert, it's nothing personal. They have their reasons that sometimes prevents them from doing so, or are tired, or their costume isn't quite ready, or they have an emergency, and the like.

To cosplayers: If you do decline to a photo, at least give be nice about it and give a short explanation. It takes a lot of guts for someone to ask this kind of thing, so at least give them that.

~Drinking. Some conventions serve alcoholic drinks. If you do wish to partake in this activity, then please, DRINK RESPONSIBLY. No one wants you running about the hall drunk off your butt. Not only is it bad for your health, but it ruins the fun for everyone around you. This is where respect comes into play. And also, if someone in your group does NOT want a drink, don't force them to drink. Making them feel like a pansy just because they won't drink is disrespectful and stupid, and doesn't make you look good. Please, drink responsibly.

~Identification. ALWAYS, ALWAYS, have some form of identification on you. A passport, a driver's license, student I.D., Medicare Card (if you're a Canadian citizen), birth certificate, whatever. If you registered prior to the convention, then you'll need your I.D. when you go pick up your tag. Also, this is when alcohol comes back into play. Make sure to have I.D. to prove that you are indeed over legal age to drink. Lastly, don't use your membership card to an anime club you're a part of. That's not going to work. You need a VALID I.D., like the ones I mentioned above.

~Hygiene. People, this is VERY important. Prior to your arrival, make sure you have SHOWERED. Wear deodourant, or perfume. Just make sure you don't smell like you haven't showered in days. Come on, that's not cool at all. And don't worry, conventions are in town for 2 to 3 days at the least, you'll have plenty of time to clean up. And don't forget to wash your hands.

~Drugs. Before I get into a lecture on drug use, let me tell you now to put them away. No one wants someone to be high during a convention. It's not fun, and it's not cool. So do not bring any drugs or use drugs before or during the convention. Come on, people. It's not that hard.

~Weapons and Accessories. Be VERY, VERY careful if you have sharp or damaging weapons. If it's part of the costume, by all means bring it, but be careful. If not, then don't bring a weapon.

~Security. If for some reason you are stopped or questioned by security, please, PLEASE, be polite. Do not EVER talk nonsense or rebel against them. If you're being questioned, answer HONESTLY and POLITELY. If there's been a mistake, don't hold it against them. They're doing their job, and sometimes they do make mistakes. Say something like "I apologize, but I'm not the one you're looking for." or something like that. Don't provoke them, it's a bad idea.

~Harassment. If you're being harassed or know someone being harassed, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY. Someone could get seriously hurt, and the security want to know these things. So please, report if any kind of danger is occurring.

~Cosplayers. Remember, as Jin said, cosplayers are NOT paid mascots, so don't treat them like they are. They, like you, are con-goers, and deserve respect. Just because they're in costume doesn't mean they are obligated to pose for you. Yes, I do understand that they kind of bring that upon themselves when they come to an Anime Convention all dressed up as a certain character. No argument about that. But, like I said before, respect comes into play.

~Panels. When you're at some kind of a panel, or watching a skit or presentation, BE QUIET while the presenters are speaking. Unless they ask the audience a question, raise your hand and they'll likely call on you. Don't call out if they don't call on you. As said before, wait your turn. Think of it as watching a play or a speech at school or a conference.

~Cosplay. Whether or not you decide to cosplay is up to you. There's no set rule that says you HAVE to cosplay when attending a convention. So don't feel pressured. Not everyone has the time or desire to make it happen. There will be others like you who are not cosplaying, nothing wrong with that. And don't worry, if you show up wearing a jacket or hat or some kind of article or accessory that a character wears, you're allowed to do that. Don't criticize someone's choice of character cosplay, or how they made the costume. That's just stupid, don't do that. And also, if they bought the costume, don't start hounding on them for being so lazy. Come on. Not everyone has the time or desire to make their own costume.

Also on that note, if you cosplay an original character that you have included in a series, I'm telling you right now that you are definitely allowed to do that. So don't hesitate to do that if you want to give it a try! Don't let someone give you a hard time for it, you're not at fault for doing that.

~Artist's Alley. We all love to go to the Artist's Alley and see what the artists have for sale. But remember, if you don't like an artist's work, you DON'T have to buy it. And don't even think about going to them and saying "Your art sucks" or anything like that. Respect, people. If someone's art is not of your taste, just keep looking around until you find something.

~Socializing. Conventions are a great way to meet new people. So take some time to mingle! When you meet someone you enjoy talking to, don't start asking them for their phone numbers or dA account or MySpace or whatever. Friendship is formed mutually, and if you and the other party feel mutual about continuing the bond, there you go. And like I said above here, be polite, be nice, and just have fun. Also, if you have any questions, like directions or maybe in regards to someone's cosplay, whatever, don't hesitate to ask someone. If of course they're a douchebag about it, then forget them. They're not worth it. And same goes to you, as stated, when someone asks you something.

~Buying and Selling. At conventions, we all like to buy some merchandise or prints or costumes, it's a lot of fun. But do NOT, EVER, buy things, and then set up to sell them to others at cheaper or higher prices. It's one thing buying something for a friend or family member, but don't try to take the original seller's business. That's just not cool. If you're an artist selling in the Artist's Alley, make sure you have gone through the proper procedures in getting a table, and on top of that, be as reasonable as you can when it comes to pricing. Try to keep in mind that not everyone can afford a print that's hundreds of dollars.

~Have Fun. That's the key, go to a convention to have fun. That's what it's all about!