# Things I've learned from Science Fiction Conventions **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 6, 2012, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095 "2012-11-06T15:53:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/41 "2012-11-07T14:01:03Z")
Don’t use hotel sprinkler heads as part of your BDSM play. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/42 "2012-11-07T14:06:23Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Don’t use hotel sprinkler heads as part of your BDSM play. 😉 \ I have friends who were at that con, and I think in the room below … ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/43 "2012-11-07T14:40:15Z")
If I’d thought to charge people money to let them tell me about their character, I’d be a wealthy fellow… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/44 "2012-11-07T15:02:25Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > If I’d thought to charge people money to let them tell me about their character, I’d be a wealthy fellow… It’s never too late. Get booth space at the next Con and set up a comfy chair, lots of Irish coffee and a sign that says “Tell me about your character - $5.” ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/45 "2012-11-07T15:07:50Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > It’s never too late. Get booth space at the next Con and set up a comfy chair, lots of Irish coffee and a sign that says “Tell me about your character - $5.” “The Critic is IN/OUT” ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/46 "2012-11-07T15:13:55Z")
Most convention artists seem to be working on the “$1000 glass of lemonade” principle. I’ve seen things that you’d usually find drawn on school desks with multi-hundred dollar price tags. There is some nice stuff out there, but if I see one more cute baby dragon(or worse, kitten with dragon wings) wrapped around a glittery egg, _someone_ is going to find out if those Klingon weapons on display against the wall are functional or not. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/47 "2012-11-07T15:24:59Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Most convention artists seem to be working on the “$1000 glass of lemonade” principle. Well, they _are_ con artists… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/48 "2012-11-07T15:43:44Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > Things I have learned from this thread… > > 1. I am a mundane (I had no idea) > 2. FAR more planning goes into a Con than I would have ever guessed > 3. I really want to go to a Con 😃 [Windycon](http://www.windycon.org/) is this weekend. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/49 "2012-11-07T18:17:52Z")
NEVER work Con Security. Worst con experiences of my life. If the Con goers cause excessive elevator congestion/delays, the Hotel staff may become annoyed. If the Con staff tries to minimize elevator congestion or delays by regulating how many people take the elevator at a time (packed-full elevators get stuck more often), the Hotel staff may become annoyed. Make absolutely sure you have crash space BEFORE you arrive at the Con. Don’t just take it for granted that if you were told you would get crash space for working Security at a Con, that they would actually have any available for you by the time you get there (having college classes in a city 4 hours away can put a crimp on your arrival time). On that note, NEVER work Con Security. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/50 "2012-11-07T18:56:35Z")
On the other hand, _hanging_ with Con Security(especially grave shift) is a great idea. You learn a lot, and there’s always something going on…and if there isn’t, they’ll create it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/51 "2012-11-07T20:53:28Z")
> [@Raguleader](#): > > Make absolutely sure you have crash space BEFORE you arrive at the Con. -You can, in fact, sleep with your head on a backpack on the floor of a hotel room coat closet. -It is possible for your roommates in said hotel room to be so tired as to miss the obvious jokes. (At least until everyone wakes up the next day.) ---
**Author:** ![cards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecd19e/32.png) [@cards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cards)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/52 "2012-11-07T23:18:05Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > If mixed properly, chocolate vodka and Mountain Dew tastes like a Tootsie Roll. I have lost all respect for you. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/53 "2012-11-07T23:46:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Entirely possible. It’s been years since he and I had our [del]contest[/del] [del]challenge[/del] friendly evening. I was exchequer in charge of their room tab as well. No drinkee. Although he alluded many times to having run up a tab or two on con hosts. I think Jeanne’s Buddhism finally tipped them away from chemical euphoriants. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/54 "2012-11-07T23:46:09Z")
> [@Balance](#): > > -You can, in fact, sleep with your head on a backpack on the floor of a hotel room coat closet. > > -It is possible for your roommates in said hotel room to be so tired as to miss the obvious jokes. (At least until everyone wakes up the next day.) If you are ever at Orycon, ask about the night Raven came out of the closet. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/55 "2012-11-07T23:53:47Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > You too? > > I am _sooo_ sorry. Sayeth G’Kar, in the Book of G’Kar: “There are some people for whom the words ‘never again’ have special meaning. So it is with us.” And with me. One two-year, full-time stint herding angry cats, uphill against a tsunami of assholes, was enough for a lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/56 "2012-11-08T01:01:28Z")
Having been too, and entertained at (Irish folk band) several WesterCons and LosCons, I also can vouch for the coolness of Larry Niven. ---
**Author:** ![Andy\_L](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c67d28/32.png) [@Andy\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy_L)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/57 "2012-11-08T01:02:09Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > Sayeth G’Kar, in the Book of G’Kar: “There are some people for whom the words ‘never again’ have special meaning. So it is with us.” > > And with me. One two-year, full-time stint herding angry cats, uphill against a tsunami of assholes, was enough for a lifetime. Quick sidetrack - do you work for (or own) Nitrosyncretic Press? If so, thanks for the good work. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/58 "2012-11-08T02:22:20Z")
> [@Dr.Righteous](#): > > Dear lord… that happened to me! I had no idea he did that on a regular basis. The time I’m thinking of was WorldCon 54/LA Con III. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2012, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/59 "2012-11-08T17:24:48Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > BTW, if anyone is attending World Fantasy in 2015 in Saratoga, NY (I know – it’s early and the bid was just announced), I can use volunteers. Have you got the bid, or just now made the bid? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/60 "2012-11-09T17:59:42Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Have you got the bid, or just now made the bid? It was officially announced last weekend that WFC 2015 will be in Saratoga in 2015. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095.md?page=4)