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

[Skydiver]

Simple fact is, you SHOULDN'T TOUCH ANYONE unless you have their permission. And even at that, you should NEVER even consider touching someone in a "questionable spot" even if it's meant in jest. Miss "butt-grabber" could have very well faced an assault charge if Nathan wanted to press it that far.

Honestly i dunno where these fools think that what they've done is "acceptable" to any extent.

i can't disagree with you. I personally would never violate a person's personal space like that.

heck, at avalon, when i had my picture taken with Rick and Amanda i was almost afraid to put my arm around him - even though that was how the picture was to be taken - because I didn't want to do anything 'wrong'. I distinctly remember holding my hand behind his back in a fist, just so that i couldn't accidentally grab or grope or do something inappropriate.

Usually, unless something is really OTT, all the actors might do is complain to the con organizers, who may take it upon themselves to blacklist the inappropriate ones.

but i know, when i see these attention hounds or the whiners or the 'i'm going to go into debt to make sure the actor knows who i am' who then spend the next year complaining about how broke they are....i'm like 'you know, people like you are why fans in general have such a bad name'

People like 'you' are why the actors have security and all of us are treated like potential trouble makers. people like 'you' - to a certain extent - are why some actors won't do cons.

[aboleyn24]

i can't disagree with you. I personally would never violate a person's personal space like that.

heck, at avalon, when i had my picture taken with Rick and Amanda i was almost afraid to put my arm around him - even though that was how the picture was to be taken - because I didn't want to do anything 'wrong'. I distinctly remember holding my hand behind his back in a fist, just so that i couldn't accidentally grab or grope or do something inappropriate.

Usually, unless something is really OTT, all the actors might do is complain to the con organizers, who may take it upon themselves to blacklist the inappropriate ones.

but i know, when i see these attention hounds or the whiners or the 'i'm going to go into debt to make sure the actor knows who i am' who then spend the next year complaining about how broke they are....i'm like 'you know, people like you are why fans in general have such a bad name'

People like 'you' are why the actors have security and all of us are treated like potential trouble makers. people like 'you' - to a certain extent - are why some actors won't do cons.

I am the same way. I've looked at some of my pictures after and it looks as if I think the actors have cooties and I am afraid to touch them, when in reality I am afraid to touch them for fear of offending them by a hand to their back while posing for pictures. My friend makes me practice leaning my head in towards the actor instead of away. I can not imagine ever touching someone in a disrespectful manner, let alone being proud of the fact that you basically assualted someone.

Sadly the people that do give the rest of us fans a bad name will be unlilkely to change their ways. As long as they are getting some sort of pay-off in the form of more attention they are going to continue their actions.

[TechnoWraith]

At an anime convention that i attended last year, during the photoshoot with a guest, someone took the liberty to "get a little too close for comfort". She tried kissing him on the lips. Naturally the guest got upset, but didn't get angry. He instead requested his personal entourage to get con security. When they arrived, he excused the fans waiting for their photoshoot, and described to security what just happened. He then personally requested the person to be ejected from the convention for the day. Security left, and later on in the day, I had seen that same person being escorted out of the convention hall.

So yeah, don't think of doing anything dumb. I can certainly imagine that the person above is now on a blacklist of some sort. It's not something to be proud of. Anime conventions tend to share their blacklists among each other. So once you get a bad rap at one event, everyone else will learn about it down the road. If you're proud of this kind of record, that's your prerogative. I know most people wouldn't be.

Guests do enjoy up close and in-person interaction with fans. In a day and age where guest security is becoming more common place, the guests are finding it harder to enjoy the close interaction they used to enjoy just a couple years ago. Be respectful and be courteous. Doing so goes way further than you can ever imagine.

[Skydiver]

fandoms can be close knit and yeah, the organizers of one con likely know another and they talk.

and even if they don't talk, i'm pretty sure that miss lip kisser's name was bandied about and word of mouth got around and her 'reputation' is that of a troublemaker now

[SGAFan]

If I recall correctly a similar incident happened to Michael Shanks a few years back too....we're very lucky that he continues to attend Cons and will still give out a hug if asked politely and nicely.....

Yikes! I think I heard about that... and rightfully so, he was NOT amused. I mean really, they're human beings like the rest of us. Do you walk up to a stranger on the street and pinch his butt? (okay, with some people that might not be the best argument... )

i can't disagree with you. I personally would never violate a person's personal space like that.

heck, at avalon, when i had my picture taken with Rick and Amanda i was almost afraid to put my arm around him - even though that was how the picture was to be taken - because I didn't want to do anything 'wrong'. I distinctly remember holding my hand behind his back in a fist, just so that i couldn't accidentally grab or grope or do something inappropriate.

I'm the same way. My very first photo op ever was with JF and I was really afraid to put my arm around him even though thats the way he was doing pictures that day. LOL I just didn't want to do something wrong!

enter Jason Momoa last year, the silly boy! he's definitely friendly! hehe that pic turned out great because it was so relaxed. (I still think Hewlett's description of JM being like a giant great dane puppy is accurate. LOL)

I just kind of let the actor dictate personal space and exercise a little good judgment. Sadly, I think some people are lacking in that department.

Sadly the people that do give the rest of us fans a bad name will be unlilkely to change their ways. As long as they are getting some sort of pay-off in the form of more attention they are going to continue their actions.

yeah! for my first Con, I wasn't sure what to expect and, sadly enough, was actually surprised that most people were so well behaved, just because of what I'd heard about "Con fans" Sadly, its a stereotype that doesn't apply to most of us.

[Chelle DB]

I let the actors guide me to how I should stand with them in a picture. My foirst time was with Rachel Luttrell. She was just gorgeous. She stood between my daughter and I and pulled us in for a hug. Then Tony Amendola was next and he was fabulous. I made a comment that the camera guy wanted me to move in closer because of my height so he got down on his knees to make himself shorter and pulled us into him. David Nykl grabbed us and put his arms on our shoulders...so from that first con, I learned to just go with the flow with the actors. Carmen Argenziano and Don S Davis were to me, the best of all of them. I got kisses from Don and Carmen was just as sweet. I never push myself onto the actors and I really really prefer to ask them if it's ok for a hugs or if I can take photo's while they are signing auto's and the like. Generally, when in the company of these fine generous people, I tend to treat them as I would want myself to be treated in the same situation...with the respect and courtesy that they deserve.
I personally would prefer them to walk away with good memories rather than a bad taste in their mouth from any event that I have been to.
You'll probably find it's the one or two fans who don't give a damn who spoil it and taint it for everyone else. But I also think that the actors are smart enough to realise that not all the fans are representative of those who can't control themselves which is why they continue to come to the events and meet the fans. For that, I am very thankful!

[SGAFan]

oh for sure! A lot wouldn't come back, no matter the money if they thought all fans were "bad"

I try to treat them as I'd like to be treated as well.

[Arctic Goddess]

And there are actors who are simply marvelous with the fans, and some that are a little more...well, timid.

Cliff Simon is amazing with fans. He is willing to do just about anything the fan wants. I have even seen him wear Mickey mouse ears to please a fan in her photo. Not the best look for the Big Bad.

Of course, Carmen Argenziano is wonderful and so is Amanda Tapping.

Joe Flanigan is reserved, but he also has had some oddness thrown his way.

[Madeleine]

I'm not a huggy person at all, and I found that in the first couple of photo-sessions I was looking a bit startled because a total stranger had just put his arm around me.

There's a certain actress who's similarly un-huggy, and her minder instructs all con-goers to stand with their hands behind their backs for the photo.

[Chelle DB]

I'm not a huggy person at all, and I found that in the first couple of photo-sessions I was looking a bit startled because a total stranger had just put his arm around me.

There's a certain actress who's similarly un-huggy, and her minder instructs all con-goers to stand with their hands behind their backs for the photo.

Really? I'm tempted to ask who.
I don't mind hugs. It just depend on how the hug is delivered....the ones that linger are kinda disconcerting but the really friendly fun hugs are awesome!

[SGAFan]

And there are actors who are simply marvelous with the fans, and some that are a little more...well, timid.

Cliff Simon is amazing with fans. He is willing to do just about anything the fan wants. I have even seen him wear Mickey mouse ears to please a fan in her photo. Not the best look for the Big Bad.

Of course, Carmen Argenziano is wonderful and so is Amanda Tapping.

Joe Flanigan is reserved, but he also has had some oddness thrown his way.

Cliff is so funny. really likes hanging out with people. he was a kick at the dessert party a few years ago, and then there's the "taking shirt off for charity... " wow...

Joe, yeah, he's a bit more reserved, but he's really a genuinely nice man.

[Laura Dove]

I'm not a huggy person at all, and I found that in the first couple of photo-sessions I was looking a bit startled because a total stranger had just put his arm around me.

Hehe, I know the feeling. I managed to appear reasonably relaxed on my photo with Chris Heyerdahl, but actually, I was feeling very uneasy inside and desperately trying not to give him the impression I found him repulsive or something. Considering he seemed totally comfortable with hugs, I was afraid my reluctance would offend him more.

[Skydiver]

it's like at the auctions. colin cunningham will pretty much do anything. I have a photo of him in thigh highs and high heels making some rather....interesting gestures and davie palfrey dropped trou and i have some very interesting pictures of his undie clad bum because the prize was 'pay so much and you get to...do something.'

anyway, there are those that are very uninhibited. and others that won't even take off their shirts and won't do the slightest suggestive thing

all dependant on the personality of the actor involved.

for a couple of years, the gatecon auctions were rather infamous for going OTT. I think they've toned down a bit. they were never really naughty or bad or inappropriate, the actors were just motivated to raise money for Make a Wish and some of them would do about anything, and then when the fans played into that it'd becme a riot.

the auction was actually more an entertainment event than the rest of the con

[Sa'Hut_IH']

Ok heres a fun one for the masses... Saving spots in line, well when you are waiting for the hubby to get outta the bathroom, thats fine, but when a person gets in line hours early, then "holds" a spot for twenty of his/her closest friends, (while the line gets longer from people who are gracious enough to take their proper place in line) thats just rude.
And one would hope that line control at major events will be aware, and see this happening, then tell the newcomers that they must get into the end of the line and wait like everyone else.
I know this is what is done (and will continue to be done) at all events Where Mama Duck is running security.

[GateMedic]

Quick question about the lines....
How early do people normally start lining up for pre-registration?