May 08 2009
Top 5 People You Don’t Want to Be at a Convention
I’ve attended a lot of different fandom conventions over the years. No matter what genre the con caters to (anime, Star Trek, fantasy, comics, etc.), there always seems to be a few particular types of con goers in attendance. Now, I’m sure some readers may think I’m picking on con goers. I assure you that I am not trying to be mean spirited here.
I am a proud convention attendee, and I’m the first to say that the types of con attendees depicted in popular media are not the norm. But, the stereotypes do exist, and they tend to make the rest of us feel uncomfortable, and can make the con experience a bit less enjoyable. Below are descriptions of some of these stereotypical con goers. Feel free to add your own in a comment.
Top 5 People You Don’t Want to Be at a Convention
1. The Fandom Know-it-All
Have you ever been on a panel discussion at a convention, and had an audience member interjecting every five seconds to correct you? Or how about that time you were talking to a friend, and the person beside you felt compelled to correct you on your pronunciation of Wingardium Leviosa? It’s The Fandom Know-it-All, and they are hell bent on making every single person aware of how much more they know about a topic than you. They tend to interrupt and belittle others, and make an otherwise pleasant panel discussion or gathering an anger inducing experience.
2. The Creepy “Free Hugs” Guy
I will never forget the last trip I made alone to Star Trek convention. I was in my mid-teens attending a Vulkon convention in Orlando. A guy in his 50s walked up to me, and said he had a “hug collection” and wanted to know if he could add me too it. It would have been a great moment to know a Vulcan nerve pinch. Needless to say, I never went to a con alone as a teen again. The Creepy “Free Hugs” Guy can come in many forms, but it’s usually a weird looking older guy who seems to fancy the young girls and boys who are there by themselves. He’s usually thwarted by traveling in groups.
3. The Non-Showering Otaku
There’s a reason why the dance parties and raves at anime conventions have bad reputations. While not every single one reeks of B.O., a lot of them actually do. I speak from more personal experience than I wish I had. The Non-Showering Otaku gives all of the other anime fans a really bad name, and an equally bad smell. Friends shouldn’t let friends attend cons without a daily shower and deodorant.
4. The Unceasing Question Asker
When you’re attending an informational panel, workshop, or Q & A at a con, there are probably a lot of people with questions. After all, these events are there for people to learn something and have a discussion. Of course, they can’t get a word in edgewise, because The Unceasing Question Asker has a new question every two seconds. They not only frustrate the audience, but they frustrate the person leading the event as well. Don’t be that guy/gal. If you have that many questions, talk to the ones leading the event afterward, or get their e-mail address to talk to them later.
5. The Socially Unaware
This can actually encompass a few different types of con goer, all of whom seem to lack knowledge of basic social norms and etiquette. It’s the girl who “glomps” on cosplayers without asking (or warning), it’s the guy who won’t stop following you around after you asked him where the vendor room was, it’s the one who keeps interjecting in your private conversations while in a queue line, etc. It really makes you wonder if they ever interacted with humans prior to showing up at the con. The Socially Unaware can wind up eliciting pity, or disdain, but either way their unwelcome behavior puts their fellow con goers in some rather uncomfortable situations.
That all being said, conventions are filled with a lot of really cool people. I’ve made a lot of friends at cons. But of course, with hundreds (or thousands) of people together in one space, not everyone is going to be an awesome new friend. Don’t be that guy/gal who puts a damper on the con experience for others. Don’t glomp without asking. Shower every day. Let others have a chance to talk at the panel. Don’t encourage the creepy guy. And generally speaking, don’t be a dick.
Looking for more convention advice? Check out these other Convention Fans articles:
5 Ways to Beat the Heat at Summer Conventions
Dos and Don’ts for Convention Websites
How Much Will the Convention Cost Me?
How to Survive Sharing a Hotel Room
Keeping the Con Crud at Bay: 6 Tips for Staying Healthy at Conventions
You also don’t want to be that priest guy from Trigun. Everyone dresses up as that priest guy.
I’d like to add to your Creepy Free Hug Guy. It’s not just an older guy. There’s groups of these people who beg for hugs now and they’re not all male or older than a person finds comfortable. Most people I’ve been approached for free hugs are younger than me. The problem is many of the ones I’ve come into contact with fall under the “unshowered” category. And on top of that, many of them wear the same costume every day, and I can tell they’ve not taken the costume off at all during the con because I can SMELL their funk! The other problem is that of personal space. If I don’t know you, I don’t want you grabbing me, even for a friendly hug. It’s weird and uncomfortable.
@ chris
While sympathetic, I feel I must point out how offering kisses to multiple people was a horrible idea. You could have gotten mono (or something else) and spread it to unsuspecting girls at that con. For the love of god, don’t ever do that again, and please discourage others from doing the same. Hugs are one thing, kisses are something entirely different.
@ dreadpiraterose
-It was more of an icebreaker than an actual consistent thing, although i did get a few on the cheek but that was about it.
-I was told the same thing at the time (after a few cons someone mentioned it and I realized it was wrong) and hence changed the sign to hugs. fortunately i never got sick.
-I don’t go to cons anymore and haven’t for many years. I did this in 2001 and it lasted a few months. You’re going to have to tell other people not to kiss at cons.
Man…much as I hate to admit it, I think I’ve been the socially inept guy a few times. I stress that it’s not because I want to be, but more that I usually misread social cues. Any good advice on how to interact socially at cons, particularly when you’re going solo?