# 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:** 4
**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 9, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/61 "2012-11-09T18:12:54Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > It was officially announced last weekend that WFC 2015 will be in Saratoga in 2015. I was thinking of going to Worldcon that year…but My Beloved( **Rahne McCloud** ) and I think that WFC may be a better option. If you could use some volunteers, drop me a line-she’s pretty good at registration, and I’m a Hospitality fanatic. ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/62 "2012-11-11T04:36:59Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > Freaking the mundanes is fun! Indeed. I’m reminded of Day 1 of Anime Expo, which this year was held the same weekend as the X Games. I attended a cosplay gathering which morphed into a field trip to IHOP several blocks away. We got lots of stares. 🆒 [QUOTE=Lasciel] On any given day at con, you can have an awesome and popular cosplay OR you can attend the interesting panels you wanted to get to. Not both. [/QUOTE] True. I haven’t attended an entire con panel since my daughter began cosplaying as a serious hobby. A rule for female con attendees, particularly teens and up: always bring an extra pad or tampon. Sooner or later you’ll find yourself sharing the ladies’ room with a woman who needs one. This has happened to me at least once every con. Also, if you’re cosplaying, bring extra safety pins, and bobby pins if your cosplay includes a wig or elaborate hairstyle. And, for the love of Og, take a shower daily! Even if you’re sharing a room with eight other people, try to negotiate at least five minutes for a shower each day of the con, whether you need it or not. And wear deodorant. Your fellow attendees will thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Me](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mr.Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Me)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/63 "2012-11-11T04:58:32Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > And, for the love of Og, take a shower daily! Even if you’re sharing a room with eight other people, try to negotiate at least five minutes for a shower each day of the con, whether you need it or not. And wear deodorant. Your fellow attendees will thank you. [6-2-1](http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/6-2-1_rule). I usually strive for 8-3-2(or more). ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/64 "2012-11-11T13:50:22Z")
One LosCon, years ago, I just taken off my Darth Maul makeup. When I looked at the washcloth, it looked like the Star Wars version of the Shrourd of Turin! I left bigger tip for the maid the next morning. ---
**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 11, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/65 "2012-11-11T15:47:06Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Quick sidetrack - do you work for (or own) Nitrosyncretic Press? If so, thanks for the good work. (Aye) and thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/66 "2012-11-11T15:55:10Z")
> [@Mr.Me](#): > > [6-2-1](http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/6-2-1_rule). I usually strive for 8-3-2(or more). Oh. Crap. I just broke my furry virginity with that link. I feel so…fuzzy… Oh wait, I’m wearing fleece pjs. Phew! ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/67 "2012-11-11T18:43:36Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > Indeed. I’m reminded of Day 1 of Anime Expo, which this year was held the same weekend as the X Games. I attended a cosplay gathering which morphed into a field trip to IHOP several blocks away. We got lots of stares. 🆒 It has become something of a tradition for my LARP group to go out to dinner between recruiting and running our event at the local anime conventions. The better-heeled among us spring for a limousine as a treat for everyone who came out to help. The result is a mix of anime cosplay and typical medieval-ish fantasy costumes pouring out of a stretch limo into a previously mundane restaurant. The staff in most of the places are used to us by now, but it’s always worth a bunch of odd looks from other patrons. 😃 ---
**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 11, 2012, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/68 "2012-11-11T18:51:37Z")
I reassured the 'danes, once - I went to MilPhil right from work, and thus was dressed in street clothes in the lobby of the hotel, but wearing my con badge - so a few of the mundanes sought me out to ask what was going on. ---
**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 11, 2012, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/69 "2012-11-11T22:20:28Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > (Aye) and thanks. Cool! Welcome to the board ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/70 "2012-11-12T00:47:55Z")
Always talk to the people who have obviously been to numerous cons before, they have the best stories! For AggieCon, such stories include the time that AggieCon was shut down forever (that was AggieCon 2, now it is up to AggieCon 40-something), due to Harlan Ellison causing either a food fight or a campus riot, depending on which version of the story you prefer, or MaggieCon I, which involved a confrontation between Secret Service agents and some Klingons. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/71 "2012-11-12T00:49:43Z")
Oh, and always keep your comms secure. I only know this second hand, but there are stories of someone losing a radio (or letting their radio frequency and channel get out into the wild) only to have their radio net spammed by pranksters. ---
**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 12, 2012, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/72 "2012-11-12T01:43:44Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Cool! Welcome to the board I’'ve been here a very long time - on AFCA since around 1988, and was a semi-regular here until it went pay; have lurked on and off since. I have a much older account but I can no longer remember the name, probably don’t have the email account associated with it, and don’t really care all that much… just hate to be thought of as a n00b when I’m probably among the most senior here… ☹ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2012, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/73 "2012-11-12T04:12:13Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > I’'ve been here a very long time - on AFCA since around 1988, and was a semi-regular here until it went pay; have lurked on and off since. I have a much older account but I can no longer remember the name, probably don’t have the email account associated with it, and don’t really care all that much… just hate to be thought of as a n00b when I’m probably among the most senior here… ☹ Having more than one account is against the rules. Contact an admin ( **Tuba Diva, C K Dexter Haven, Marley23, Gfactor** ) to get your accounts merged. **twickster** , for the SDMB ---
**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 14, 2012, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/74 "2012-11-14T04:06:33Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > I’'ve been here a very long time - on AFCA since around 1988, and was a semi-regular here until it went pay; have lurked on and off since. I have a much older account but I can no longer remember the name, probably don’t have the email account associated with it, and don’t really care all that much… just hate to be thought of as a n00b when I’m probably among the most senior here… ☹ I searched the board a bit, and found your older user name - unless I’m mistaken, it’s your first name and last name (no space). ---
**Author:** ![CaptMurdock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/captmurdock/32/11736_2.png) [@CaptMurdock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptMurdock)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/75 "2012-11-14T21:55:07Z")
> [@Mr.Me](#): > > [6-2-1](http://en.wikifur.com/wiki/6-2-1_rule). I usually strive for 8-3-2(or more). Good rule of thumb. Especially the case of: [ul] [li] **Gamers** Should probably shower at least twice a day or else they get the hose.[/li][li] **ConCom** Should get at least two squares a day, and no, chips and pretzels from the Con Suite does not count. One con I worked, the standing rule was to make sure the Chair ate at least twice a day, otherwise he would be taking an all-expenses paid trip to Bozo City.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2012, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/76 "2012-11-14T22:23:27Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > I’'ve been here a very long time - on AFCA since around 1988, and was a semi-regular here until it went pay; have lurked on and off since. I have a much older account but I can no longer remember the name, probably don’t have the email account associated with it, and don’t really care all that much… just hate to be thought of as a n00b when I’m probably among the most senior here… ☹ What’s AFCA? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/77 "2012-11-15T00:21:38Z")
> [@zoid](#): > > What’s AFCA? alt.fan.cecil-adams - As the name indicates, a venue for people of taste, knowledge and good sense in the USENET newsgroups. Those asking right now “what are USENET newsgroups” are invited to get off my lawn. ---
**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 15, 2012, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/78 "2012-11-15T02:33:42Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > alt.fan.cecil-adams - As the name indicates, a venue for people of taste, knowledge and good sense in the USENET newsgroups. > Those asking right now “what are USENET newsgroups” are invited to get off my lawn. Maybe I can help. Think of a room filled with people using i-pads, laptops, desktops(both pc and Apple) and various other electronic gear. Of in a far corner sits a lonely man proudly showing off his Etch-A-Sketch. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2012, 8:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/79 "2012-11-15T08:30:52Z")
> [@NitroPress](#): > > I’'ve been here a very long time - on AFCA since around 1988, and was a semi-regular here until it went pay; have lurked on and off since. I have a much older account but I can no longer remember the name, probably don’t have the email account associated with it, and don’t really care all that much… just hate to be thought of as a n00b when I’m probably among the most senior here… ☹ > [@twickster](#): > > Having more than one account is against the rules. Contact an admin ( **Tuba Diva, C K Dexter Haven, Marley23, Gfactor** ) to get your accounts merged. > > **twickster** , for the SDMB > [@Andy\_L](#): > > I searched the board a bit, and found your older user name - unless I’m mistaken, it’s your first name and last name (no space). Assuming that the account **Andy** found is your old one, you can ask the admins to let you keep either name. I think that once the accounts are merged, all posts appear under the merged name, but don’t quote me on that. ---
**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 20, 2015, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095/80 "2015-11-20T19:50:12Z")
Reviving this because Orycon is happening this weekend in Portland, Oregon, and I’ve learned a few more things, such as: -If Hospitality stores the soda by the door, Hospitality is gonna run out of soda every 15 minutes. -Do a complete walkthrough of _every_ room a week or two in advance of the con, just in case there is a problem and you need to make a switch. If you find the problem out too late, you will usually find out that another room just isn’t available. -People who wear costumes love to win ribbons, so assign someone who loves to give out ribbons as the person in charge of hall costume awards…and give them from 50 to a hundred ribbons to toss out into the crowd. Makes everybody happy. -All those people who are partying with you on Sunday night at the After-Con Party who say they will stick around to help pack things away? Dream on. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/things-ive-learned-from-science-fiction-conventions/640095.md?page=5)