Cosplay Convention Etiquette

Going to comic cons and conventions are the highlights for many cosplayers. You get to spend time with your friends and make new ones, compete in cosplay competitions or just take part in photoshoots, and spend lots of money on merchandise you don’t need but really really want. Of course, as with any social space and event, there are unspoken rules that you should follow so that everyone can enjoy themselves. Most of it is just making sure you’re polite and using common sense, but there are always people out there that can ruin a convention for others. Check out my tips for being a good cosplay convention attendee.

· Do ask for photos of people and cosplayers. Do not just go up to a cosplayer, snap a photo, and walk away. More often than not, this will annoy the person – and you’ll probably end up with a bad photo. Instead, just ask the cosplayer politely if you can take a photo of them. Almost all cosplayers will agree, and then they’ll get into a pose which will make your photo look so much better!

Myself and changeling_cosplay (on Instagram) at a convention as Satine and Harold Zidler from Moulin Rouge.

· Don’t ask cosplayers for photos if they are eating or clearly taking a break, or rushing somewhere. I can tell you that all cosplayers sitting down eating food, with half of their costume sat to the side of them, won’t appreciate you taking a photo of them. Come back later to find them. Always remember: a butt on the floor, means photo no more.

· Do compliment other cosplayers. Kind words cost nothing, and I can guarantee you will significantly brighten the cosplayer’s day. Don’t be afraid to have a chat with them too, you’ll never know what new friends you’ll make.

· Don’t block walkways. No one likes it when someone asks a cosplayer for a photo in the middle of the walkway of the convention hall. It stops traffic and makes it even more crowded. Ask the cosplayer to move to the edge of the hall or elsewhere so you don’t hold other people up.

Myself and the others in my Phantom of the Opera cosplay group made sure to take photos out of the way of the crowds and walkways. Raoul is ornatuscostume and Christine is daaecosplays, both on Instagram.

· Don’t touch costumes and props without permission. Lots of cosplayers make their costumes and props from fragile materials. Only they know how to handle it. The last thing you want is to pick up a cosplayer’s large scythe prop for it to snap, and all of their hard work be for nothing. Ask them first if you can touch or hold a prop/costume piece. If they say no, then don’t press them further or take it anyway.

· Do ask for photo interactions. If you’re cosplaying from the same TV show etc. as another cosplayer, or they’re just cosplaying your favourite character in the whole wide world, why not ask them to pose with you? Think of the fun pictures you could make! Do be respectful though of people’s boundaries. Just because you’re cosplaying John Watson and ship ‘Johnlock’, and you found a Sherlock cosplayer, does not mean they would be comfortable taking a photo of you kissing them.

Myself and bakemono.cosplay (on Instagram) as the popular drag queens Katya Zamolodchikova and Trixie Mattel. For photos with others, we would pose and interact accordingly, but we would make sure to only do the things we were comfortable with.

· Don’t ‘glomp’ a person or cosplayer. ‘Glomping’ is a tackle hug. Some people will do this if they see someone cosplaying a character they love etc. and get too excited. Please, do not ‘glomp’ a cosplayer – especially if they aren’t prepared for it and don’t know you. Speaking from experience, it’s actually quite a scary thing to happen. One moment you’re just walking along in costume, and the next you’re flying backwards being gripped tightly by a stranger. It’s not fun. Not only is it scary, it could definitely hurt someone. Please don’t do it.

· Keep in mind that cosplay is not consent. I made a recent post about this on my social media (read it here), but I cannot stress enough how important this is. Do not touch a cosplayer, or any person, without their consent. Do not harass them. Do not be rude to them. No matter their gender, their age, if they are dressed as a character you like, or wearing a revealing costume or not, you do not have the right to harass or touch them. If you wouldn’t do it outside of a convention, why would you do it in one? Be sensible and polite. Don’t touch anyone without asking. And if they allow you to, don’t touch or grope them in an inappropriate place. If they say no, don’t push it further. Accept people’s boundaries. Of course, most people are sensible at conventions, but there are always stories of one person who ruined a cosplayer’s day by touching them or harassing them.

These 'Cosplay is Not Consent' banners and signs are sadly becoming more common at conventions.

· Do enjoy yourself! Revel in being surrounded by fellow geeks and cosplayers. As long as you are sensible and courteous, and use common sense, you’ll have a great time! Now, get out there and make some fun memories at conventions!