Some basic rules for going on cosplay conventions. I realize alot of these should be in everybody’s good house upbringing and perfectly normal behavior but sadly they are not. There are still whole lots of people that need a guideline for how to behave in public, let alone in cosplay conventions
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1. Keep personal hygiene on extra great level Convections last for long hours and sometimes for few days. Shower and wear deodorant. Same goes for cosplayers and congoers, nobody wants to suffocate and be left stinky from someone else’s con-goo .

2. Don’t grab, glomp, tackle or grope cosplayers Just because somebody is in costume does not mean they can be treated like toys, cosplayers are real people in costumes and they can get hurt, be made feel uncomfortable or have their costumes and props broken.

3. Ask for pictures politely Don’t be a creep, if you want a picture with someone ask for it, don’t take candid pictures of cosplayers, that is just plain “something is wrong with this person” behavior.

4. Ask politely to touch cosplayers or props There was allot time and money spent on costumes and props and nobody wants to see their effort go to waste. Also not everybody have the same comfort level when it comes to personal space, so always ask.

5. Cosplayers are not their characters So even if you dislike the character or character is awesomely strong or whatever reason, the person inside that costume is not that character, does not have super powers and is not a mayor supervillain. Don’t throw objects, attack them, yell insults or jump or grope or whatever you think it is ok with the character. You might brake costumes, props, feelings or seriously hurt real person inside that costume.

6. If wearing body paint, don’t touch people, other cosplayers or vendor goods Nobody wants their clothes, costumes, props or stuff for sale destroyed by body paint. Just don’t touch anything!

7. Be careful When waving your arms, where you step and when making sudden moves. People often have long and elaborate costumes you might step on, hit somebody with the prop or stomp somebody that is posing for a photo.

8. Control excitement Yes, cosplay conventions are exciting but there are loads of people there, running and screaming and jumping and all the mess, just control your excitement.

9. Cosplayers are not obligated to anything they are not comfortable with They are people, not action figures or sex dolls. So if you want to take a picture of two characters making out or fighting or whatever, ask politely and if cosplayers decline, respect their personal decision.

10. Have fun and be nice so everyone else can have fun too!