It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, but I’m bringing back the Con Tips for those who may be Con Virgins headed to their first show. And this one is a BIG one. One I feel the need to speak loudly about, especially after this past weekend.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Sing it if you need to. Just make sure you’ve got it.
This means respect for everyone at the convention-- fans, volunteers, and guests alike. And even those playing along at home.
While we may be from different parts of the world, come from different backgrounds, have different favorites, theories, differing views on ships, or different headcanon, we have 1 major thing on common. One thing that brings us all together. We love this show, the characters, the story, and the people involved in bringing that to life. So for 1 weekend, let’s put aside the differences and revel in that love.
It’s hard, I know. My first instinct in a crowd is to turn into a Mean Girl. I judge. I snark. I’m a bitch. And I have no reason or right to be. I find myself slipping into it at conventions, constantly reminding myself, “Shut up. You’re no different than anyone else here.” It’s a struggle, but I made a point this weekend to talk to people. To be nice to people. To compliment them and remember things they told me so I could bring them up throughout the weekend when I saw them.
But it was extremely hard to be the nice person when others around were not as respectful. This is big so LISTEN UP. We’re all there for the same reason. Hundreds of us. You don’t have the right to monopolize the guests, because we ALL want and deserve our moment.
In Pittsburgh, my friends and I were seated next to a group of women who, throughout the entire weekend, shouted from their seats at the guests on stage. Loudly. Repeatedly. And rudely. Some of the comments were borderline vulgar and inappropriate. And time after time, the guests on stage stopped what they were doing to respond to them because they were impossible to ignore. Which took away from the person who was asking the initial question-- the ones who were brave enough to get up, stand in line, and face the people they admired. These women stole that moment from them.
And this happened not only during the panels, but during autographs and photo ops as well. I was behind these same women in an autograph line and the one in front of me continued to talk to Matt even after he had signed her autograph, standing at the edge of the table. He responded and continued the conversation with her while he was signing my book, so I didn’t even get a chance to say anything more than “Thank you” as he handed my book back to me. He never even looked in my direction because she dominated the conversation. That was MY moment. My 10 seconds with someone I admire. And I didn’t get it. She took that from me. And I’m still angry about it.
So please remember this Con Tip even if you forget all the others. RESPECT. Respect everyone there, from the guests to the other attendees to the volunteers. Be nice to one another. And be aware of your surroundings and how your behavior impacts others’ experiences. We’re all here to share our love for this show and the people involved. Don’t be someone else’s bad memory.
stormborns
pixelskylines
yousharknotpass
andulkaphoto
gummygunk
