Convention Etiquette

[drakemiddleton]

So I'm planning on going to my first furry convention soon, but there's something that I've been wondering about; Convention etiquette.
What do I wear? How do I act? What do I bring? These questions, along with many others, have been bothering me for months. I just need someone to give me some advice for my first con.

Specific questions: How should I approach my favorite artists? How do other furries usually act? Are underage con-goers common?

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

I've never been to a furry convention, just an anime convention, but really, you don't need to worry about what you should wear. There's no dress code for these things. And just act like you normally act; there's no need for you to act like someone you're not. I would suggest taking a camera and some money...other than that, it's up to you.
If you mean approaching artists at a table they have set up, just approach the table and look at their stuff. They will usually say something to you (probably "hi") so take that as an opportunity to start a conversation when they speak to you, or start the conversation on your own. It's okay to say "I've seen your art, and I really like it."
I would guess that other furries just act the way they normally do, but they probably hold less back since they don't have to worry about being judged like they would be in a normal social situation.
Underage con-goers are probably more common than you think.

[drakemiddleton]

Thanks for the help.
Just one last question; would it be acceptable if I cosplayed as a character from a furry webcomic, but without a fursuit? I was thinking about going as Freckle from Lackadaisy.

[Vee Katame: His Wolfy]

I would guess that that would be alright.

[Riyeko]

Another thing that you should usually try and keep in mind is that all fursuiters dont like to be "clobbered" with hugs and other things.
Usually if you keep your wits about you and "ask" the fursuiter if you can give them a hug, you wont have many problems.
You should also note that fursuiters do not see as well as normal folk... aka their vision is limited by their 'heads'.
So be careful when you approach a suiter from behind or the sides.. they might not see you lol.

[strawkat]

And obviously be really careful around suits, as they are expensive and consume lots of time and hard labor. I hear scratching the suits can be harmful. So yeah, just ask.

[Seattle Simba]

Admittedly, I am most experienced with SciFi, Anime, and Fantasy conventions, but I imagine many aspects still transfer to Furry Cons.

Know the "weapon" rules.  A more accurate description would be "prop" rules, as that plushie ham you carry is considered as much a "weapon" as a plastic Nerf sword/phaser, or in the rare occasions the con allows it, live steel.  Cons such as KumoriCon and SakuraCon only allow plastic, foam, and wood weapons.  Live steel (or any metal for that matter) is not allowed.  All weapons must be "visibly" peacebonded, which in this case is usually bright flag tape around the weapon, signifying you read the rules about not performing sword fights in the halls.  Cons such as NorWesCon and RustyCon allow you to carry live steel weapons, but they must be "fully" peacebonded (basically zip-tied so they can not be drawn or trigger pulled), must always be sheathed, and never drawn in public space.  Ignorance is not an excuse, and every Con I know of with these slightly more lenient weapon rules goes by the, "If it's drawn, it's gone" rule.  I have also attended RingCon and Tolkon (as well as a handful of Ren fairs), both of which allowed members to carry live steel weapons, such as axes, swords, halberds, and pikes unsheathed.  I honestly feel a little uneasy with cons allowing brandished live steel.

While most will allow you to take pictures or film of their costumes, ALWAYS ask first... ESPECIALLY if it is a minor.  I cannot stress the minor enough, as I have been on security, and know of several instances of someone being escorted from the con by police officers.  I myself am an avid cosplayer, and put hundreds of dollars into my costumes.  Perhaps it is just vanity, but everyone likes to be admired by the hard work they put into making, or in the least gathering or commissioning their costume.  Even if I am rushing to a pannel, or even just stopping for food or shopping in the dealers room, I am always more than happy to stop, and pose for a picture, if asked.

To expand on fursuiters not liking to be "Glomped" (the action of one person lovingly [and dramatically] attacking another with a hug), for the most part is untrue.  Usually, we are happy to give and get hugs.  The largest problem is that the suits are so large and cumbersome, and our view through heads and masks is limited, usually we don't even see you coming.  My advice is to be sure you are in front of the fursuiter, start from a distance away, and move slowly.  If you give us an idea of what you are doing, like opening your arms wide for a hug, we can anticipate, and not be knocked over.  Also, look for a suiters handler. This is the person who is basically leading the fursuiter around.  They are able to pass information to the suiter, and acts as a second set of unencumbered eyes.  Speaking with them allows you to get a posed picture, or a hug.

Like I stated above, I have put hundreds, and in a few cases thousands, of dollars into my costumes, as well as countless hours creating them.  It is always painful to see any costume damaged, especially my own.  Having lost a $500 cat mask to someone not paying attention, I cannot stress enough to be careful.

You are more than welcome to be that squeeing fanboy/fangirl, and for the most part we love it.