Convention Etiquette: Discussion and Advice on Do's and Don'ts

[JacksCSM]

I would add that, if you partake of alcohol, do so only in moderation.

I like the odd drink now and again, but 99 times out of 100 if I'm in the pub I drink non alcoholic cider.

I know there is someone who probably wishes they had heeded this advice at the Chicago con from this weekend. A person at a Q&A was obviously intoxicated, but not fortunately not in a mean, threatening way.

Please, please, please remember that you can drink, if you choose to, but be responsible.

[AmberLM]

Don't ask the guest the same question several times then get angry because you don't like their answer or they don't know the answer to your question. Or basically ask them for a job then get annoyed when you're turned down.

I saw this happen to Amanda Tapping at the first Gabit, I felt so sorry for her. I think the rest of us in the room were ready to escort the person out for being a weirdo!

[Skydiver]

Just a general comment, let's keep our comments more in the general and less of. 'Name and shame'.

This thread is full of great advice and I'd hate for that to get lost in personal issues.

Thanks

[BruTak]

Fair point, Skydiver. Apologies.

[Starfist]

When attending a Con/Event.
Always make sure your event badge/pass is easily visible. It saves a lot of hassle.

[Skydiver]

Along that same lines, don't assume that all the volunteers know who you are. I know when I volunteered, yeah, after a couple of years I did get to know some people by face, but my job was also to verify that the right badges got into the room. Just cause your friends know who you are, don't presume that all the volunteers do too.

And....you know, not every volunteer is perfect. But most often, they are just doing what they are told. So if you have issues with the con itself, recognize that your issue is often 'beyond a volunteer's paygrade' and don't jump them for decisions that they have to enforce.

I think I'd also say, if there is an issue, bring it up when there is time to fix it, as in at the con. Complaining days/weeks later doesn't accomplish anything. Give the organizers a chance to fix things.

[BruTak]

Can I just add that everyone - attendees and con organisers alike - should be polite, patient and understanding towards others.

A buddy of mine has a bit of a stammer, and another has problems with his jaw. We can understand them perfectly, but others less so.

Just something to bear in mind.

[djackson1234]

Well, I have a funny story from Sunday's con. Being hangover at a con in my case actually made my interaction with a guest a lot funnier.

At comic-con Sunday, I met Sean Astin who plays Sam Wise Gamgee in Lord of the Rings. I was naturally nervous because well, it's Sean Astin, and so he'd wait and look at me funny until the nervousness should pass and he said ''Well usually people get less nervous when i wait but you're actually getting worse''.

Then, he said ''there's another thing I like to try and do. Take your hands out and follow the movements of my hands''. So he would switch one hand by having the palm facing upward, keep the other fancing downward, and being hangover, I was having trouble following and eventually I got it right so he was like ''Ah, so she can be trained''. He later ended by saying ''You're so, so crazy, we'll laugh about this one day about how crazy you were''

So, being hangover actually made my interaction a lot funnier and memorable. Obviously, I didn't tell him I was hangover but it probably would have a spurred a funny comment as well.

I definitely wouldn't recommend drinking at a con but if you must, moderation is key.

I end with a note that... Sean Astin is AWESOME.

[djackson1234]

Also, I was inspired by my running instructor to do what he does at runs, at comic-cons.

Take the time to approach 3 volunteers and thank them for all that they do because they need to feel appreciated so they can feel inspired to come back. It could not be done without volunteers! They also get a lot of crap from some con goers so you could really be a big part of making someone's day and let them know how much you appreciate their work.

[Frostfox]

Met Sean at a post Hugo party at one of the US Worlcons, can't remember if I was a nominee or a presenter, one of the LOTR films had won the best dramatic presentation Hugo, so he was buzzing. He was there with the big NZ rugby player Lawrence Makoare who played Lurtz in the films, all the young women were hanging on the arm of this huge mountain of a man, Sean was sat geeking out with the fans sat on the bed (the party was in a suite) just being one of the gang (literary SF fans not impressed with him being an actor but impressed with his love of the genre).
Nice guy.

FF

[slamaina]

Also, I was inspired by my running instructor to do what he does at runs, at comic-cons.

Take the time to approach 3 volunteers and thank them for all that they do because they need to feel appreciated so they can feel inspired to come back. It could not be done without volunteers! They also get a lot of crap from some con goers so you could really be a big part of making someone's day and let them know how much you appreciate their work.

As someone that has been volunteering at Cons (and other thing) since the 80's, we do appreciate when people take the time to thank us. So thanks for the thanks.

Slam

[BruTak]

At all the Scottish Star trek cons I went to, during the closing ceremony the stewards and first aiders etc. would come on stage and get a round of applause from the audience as thanks for all their hard work.

[djackson1234]

As someone that has been volunteering at Cons (and other thing) since the 80's, we do appreciate when people take the time to thank us. So thanks for the thanks.

Slam

Super cool to hear that. keep doing what you do because it's just so fantastic and awesome.!

[Nikki Alexander]

Reading these are making me nervous already lol, and I'm not able to go to a con yet. But I hope I do, if I went to a con I'd probably write down my question because I know I'd probably be nervous. Seriously though these are helpful, and I'll remember to re-read them when I do eventually get to go to a convention.

[djackson1234]

Reading these are making me nervous already lol, and I'm not able to go to a con yet. But I hope I do, if I went to a con I'd probably write down my question because I know I'd probably be nervous. Seriously though these are helpful, and I'll remember to re-read them when I do eventually get to go to a convention.

Don't be nervous! Just do and say what you think is right but learning from other people's experiences can help as well