Okay with another major convention on the way,in 4 weeks as a matter of fact.I figured that just for discussions sake talk about the Do's and Do NOT'S of Convention etiquette Hygene: 1)Do use anti-perspirant;It's pretty bad when adults have to remind OTHER adults to shower and use proper anti-perspirant.But especially when you're in Texas.From my research I gather that a Texas September is comparable to a Winnipeg June-July where our temp ranges from high 20's to low 30's as a daytime high.So you know you'll be sweating pretty good next month It's just toys,in a hot state like Texas.Taking an extra 5-10 mins to clean up is MOST appreciated.And NO ONE wants to talk to someone who smells like he/she spent 8 hours doing yard work 2)Do brush your teeth;I'm not truly experienced on the convention circuit.But I'll assume that if people will avoid a shower that said people will avoid brushing their teeth.But this too is a must imagine talking to someone with breath that could peel a potatoe.IT'S NOT PLEASANT.I'd be mortified if I spoke to one of the guest let alone a fellow board member knowing I never brushed my teeth.Brushing one's teeth takes less time then a shower 3)Do bring a change of clothes;I believe it was on this board where several members complained of a man at BotCon '04 who a)Wore the same shorts and tank-top for the WHOLE 4 days and b)Stank and had some SERIOUS pit stains I'm not much of a clothes buyer,but I recently bought 2 pairs of jean shorts on clearance for my trip as well about 6 different casual shirts.While you might not need more then 2 pairs of shorts.A variety of different shirts would be a good thing Social 1)Leave the TF politics at home;We all know the politics that goes on on the boards.The recent MC price discussion is a perfect example.It's bad enough on the boards,but BotCon's meant to be fun.So for that week PLEASE leave the politics to keep it fun 2)Be sociable;I mean come on it's a social event.See if you can meet fellow board members.Sit,chat,get to know people.At the very least it'll make for good pictures to share with family/friends.At best you might make a new pen-pal or 2 to keep in touch with. Being uncomfortable is natural at an event like this.What with being surrounded by hundreds of people you don't know.I know I'll be.Remember all it takes is a simple "Hello" to break the ice 3)Respect people's space;For example if you see Simon Furman & he's with his suitcase walking down the hall.Most likely he just got in and hasn't settled yet.Respect that,besides you'll probably have MORE then enough opportunities to chat with the special guests.Same thing goes for anyone you might recognize be it board member or special guest.Sometimes a simple " 'Sup" is good enough to get the ball rolling Dealer Room 1)No pushing;On this forum and others I read about people pushing people out of the way in stores for Hot Wheels.Or taking toys from little kids.Come on what are you a bully.The dealer room's big enough for everyone and there's a greater chance then not that you'll find something you want 2)Pace yourself;I'm not sure of all the events at BotCon this year.But pace your spending.Don't spend all your TF money in the first hour.Unless there's a variety of pannels.You might end up bored in a day or 2.IIRC I pace my spending over 2 days at OTFCC '03 3)Be aware;By this I mean of your surroundings.You don't want someone "accidentaly" bumping into you and picking your pockets ALWAYS carry your money in an inconspicuous manner.And keep your pockets buttoned up.I actually made MULTIPLE trips from the dealer room to my room just to unload my swag & go back for more later 4)Just be yourself;When you meet board members/other people just be yourself.Don't show off how much you know about G1,BW,BM,etc.It's actually pretty annoying(Unless you're in a trivia contest ).I rarely talk TF stuff even WITH a fellow fan This is pretty much all I can think of in terms of Convention Etiquette.If anyone has anything to contribute feel free.I'm like 75% sure I missed stuff in my list anyway
These cannot be stressed enough, by the end of otfcc last year i was gagging on the odor in the "garage".
I've never been to a con but I do plan to go this year. Nothing concrete yet though. Anyways I have heard stories of people reaking like the homeless guy at the street corner. I assume this is due to them not bathing or brushing. Why? For goodness sakes why don't people bathe or brush their teeth? Unless you drove to the con and couldn't get a hotel room (for one reason or another) so have to live out of your car for 3 days, otherwise there is NO reason not to maintain decent hygiene.
Seriously, was this really necessary? FEAR THE GIANT ROLLEYES! I suggest changing the thread title to: *OFFICIAL RULES ON HOW TO BE A DECENT HUMAN BEING* instead.
Hear hear. I do think most of the posters on here are wise and hygienic enough to know these common sense rules already. Seriously, what are we, five years old?
You would think so. I'm told that apparantly there are enough people at the convention that don't do these things. Alas, I doubt Shaun's post will make a difference. I fear the geek stink will be present and accounted for in spite of this post. I am prepared to drive to the nearest Wal-mart and purchase masks should said situation arise.
I've been to dozens of cons over the years and I've never heard that expression used to descibe dork funk. It will now become a part of my lexicon. Thank you. and on topic, hopefully the hotel will be properly air conditioned so as to cut down on the geek stink
Doesn't matter if the hotel has AC or not... you WILL still SMELL these guys. I've been involved with Metrocon (Tampa Bay Anime Convention) for the last year now and let me tell you... if someone hasn't bathed and changed their clothes in two or more days... YOU WILL KNOW! That being said, perhaps if it's such a big deal within Botcons... the organizers should take a tip from Animemetro (organizers of Metrocon) and simply boot peeps from the convention premeses until they learn what soap and water is. We had to do this an unbelievable number of times last year... kind of nuts really... and the majority of them were highschool kids that were saying crap like they didn't have the money to get a room or something like that. Like that makes sleeping in Con Sweet and not bathing for three days exceptable... Oh well, people are simply strange... I do agree with Twist though... title should be more generalized... there's enough Botcon animosity going around all over the place. I don't think we need to smash it up anymore.
Amen brother... A-MEN... Man, I really wish I could make BOTCON... I guess there's always next year... Hopefully it will be close to California... Like San Francisco...
Too bad you can't buy Frebreeze in a nifty hand-held container. If I could, I would buy a few bottles and if I smell a stink just sneek behind that stinky geek and squirt. lol Seriously though, people should know better. Never been to a con before so this will be my first time to experience geek funk.
I've not been on the forums lately but this is a first on this topic. I figured maybe it was about respecting your roommates or something. Didn't know. I have had very few problems with people smelling around me but then you would have to be really stinky for me to smell the said person. I have a bad sense of smell. But I have never seen anyone that didn't look groomed at BotCon/OTFCC but I'm not saying its not possible. At the local gaming shop on the 30th anniversary of D&D, was being held a D&D marathon and the guys in there are what you describe to a T. I couldn't believe it. Its like go home for two hours at night and do what needs to be done. On the Dealer's Room: No pushing policy. I too have heard about how scalpers and collectors are at stores but I have never seen anyone act like that at BotCon. I'm not saying it hasn't/will not happen. Usually the best deals or the toy you are looking for the most is in there at opening time but if you don't know about it, doesn't affect you But still some courtesy should be shown cause everyone wants to be the first in. As to other fans, I get real excited about meeting other people in person. A simple "hi" or asking them where they got the toy they are holding can start conversation. I have no problems getting pleasant responses out of people. The first BotCon/convention can the toughest on people cause you don't know what to expect. To me now its like a big "family" reunion but more fun! You see fans you've met before that you got to say hi to. Fans you are friends with. And new people you never met before but are nice.
