Reblogging this because these kinds of tips are always useful. :]
I’m going to add some of my own, as well, since these should be obvious but aren’t:
Treat all cosplayers as human beings who are wearing a costume, not as the character (with very few exceptions) or as an object there for your own pleasure. Don’t expect the cosplayer to be 100% in character all the time (even if they are the type of cosplayer who acts in character). Don’t treat the cosplayer the same way you’d treat the character (this goes along with telling the cosplayer how much you hate their character, but can also go the other way, if you express too much love for the character,whatever form that may take). Treat the cosplayer with respect. Cosplayers like to get compliments, and generally like to talk about the character or series or the costume itself, but be sure that when talking to them, you don’t come across as creepy, or overly excited about their cosplay, etc. Basically, treat the cosplayer with respect and as a person.
Going along with respecting the cosplayer, respect their decisions. In a skimpy outfit? Great! Don’t comment that their outfit is too skimpy (even if it breaks con rules – alert security if that is the case). Not wearing a wig? Okay! Wearing a storebought costume? A handmade one? One made of entirely thrifted clothes? Perfect! Someone cosplaying from something you don’t like, or likes one thing over a thing you like better? It’s their body, and their mind, and they can enjoy what they want! (Once I had a rather creepy guy grill me on why I like one game in a series better than another in the same series, and when I told him why, he accused me of lying and said that I must like it better because of the romance [something I actually dislike in general, but particularly in that game]. Don’t be that guy.) A cosplayer doesn’t want you to take a picture of them? Don’t, and don’t question them. A cosplayer will only allow pictures of them, but not of random strangers with them? Respect that, since everyone has a different comfort level, and never try to squeeze into the picture after you have been told not to. A cosplayer asks you to delete a photo? Do it. A cosplayer asks to not be on video? Turn off your video camera and delete the video. (This happened to me recently, actually – I was sitting outside, waiting for someone, and a person holding a video camera walked by and said something about how it was video. I said “no video, please!” and he just laughed and kept walking. I had to be a bit passive aggressive about it because I couldn’t physically chase him down and ask him to delete the video [and I doubt it would have been safe to], so I just said, loud enough for him to hear, “yet you took video anyway.” Don’t be that guy, either.) This goes for pretty much any decision, within reason, that the cosplayer makes. (Obviously, if there is an issue, such as someone being unsafe/breaking rules/being obnoxious/being creepy/etc., then please step in or alert security if you can. This point is about harmless and personal decisions, not decisions that can cause some sort of harm. No, that cosplayer in the skimpy outfit that you think is hot not giving you their number/letting you take a picture with your arm around them/letting you hug them/etc. is not a harmful decision, even if you think it is unreasonable that they don’t want a picture taken or whatever it was.)
Also, never make a comment on a cosplayer’s body. Just don’t do it. Ever. Even if it’s a compliment. This always ends up being either mean or creepy. (Even something like “wow, you have such a tiny waist!” is bad. “Wow, your boobs are so big!” gets creepy. “Oh, you’re way too fat for that character…” is mean. Something like “a girl shouldn’t cosplay ____” or “eww, Sailor Moon isn’t black!” and such gets into the realm of sexism, racism, and other forms of bigotry. Just. Don’t. Do. It.)
On that note, if a cosplayer, especially one in a large, hot, or cumbersome cosplay asks you to do something for them, please do it if you are comfortable! They are probably asking for assistance because they are having an issue with physical discomfort and can’t help themselves. I’ve had to rely on the kindness of strangers quite a bit in my Condesce cosplay, since I have limited mobility with the horns, and I can’t even function in a cosplay like Ultimecia without at least two handlers. (Though, I have had people hold my bag during photos, but that’s only in cosplays where I physically can’t bend down to set down or pick up my bag.) If a cosplayer asks you to hold their bag for a second, or asks you to gently hold a large prop while they can adjust something, or asks you to adjust something that they cannot reach, or, most importantly, if they ask you to lead them to somewhere shady/with seating/with water/etc., do it in so far as you are comfortable and able to do so. Sometimes cosplayers can’t take care of themselves without some degree of help, and sometimes cosplayers may be in physical or emotional discomfort or overheating and need someone to help move them to a safe location so the issue can be taken care of. If you think someone might be in some sort of danger (such as getting heatstroke), please get them the help they need if possible.
One last point – don’t give concrit where it isn’t asked for! Generally, this is more of the criticism than the “constructive,” but please don’t do this! If a cosplayer asks you “hey, I really like how you did _____, how did you do it? mine is kind of wonky,” then by all means, tell them how to fix their wonky ______. If you are in conversation with someone and they complain about how part of their costume turned out, you can gently give suggestions on how to fix it for next time. If someone asks for help in fixing something (“hey, my horns broke/body paint is flaking off/bodice ripped/etc., mind giving a little assistance?”), then you can give gentle suggestions on how to fix something later so it will be better constructed for next time. What you should never do is talk to a cosplayer for the sole purpose of telling them that you think they did something wrong with their costume. You also shouldn’t give suggestions for improvement without the cosplayer asking for suggestions. You should pretty much never directly tell a cosplayer that you think a part of their costume is bad. Feel free to offer help if there is something actively breaking on a costume and the cosplayer doesn’t seem to notice (such as a tear in the back of an outfit, or a wig that has slipped, or a prop that seems to be on its last legs), especially if you can whip out some safety pins/tape/etc. and help them fix it. They’ll probably appreciate that. The problem is when you tell a cosplayer “oh, your cosplay sucks. the color/fabric/etc. is all wrong” or “your trim is really sloppy” or “you really shouldn’t wear platform heels with that character, since she’s short,” etc. It gets into the territory of being really rude and condescending.
And one more, for cosplayers themselves:
Respect non-cosplayers, non-attendees you may encounter outside the convention grounds, places of business, and other cosplayers. Don’t act rude or obnoxious in general. Don’t act rude to people who don’t know your character/why there are so many people in costume/etc. Don’t interrupt other activities for the sake of your fandom, especially non-convention activities. Don’t trash the convention center or nearby places of business. Don’t be rude to service workers. Don’t be rude to other patrons. Don’t steal from places of business. Basically, treat others with respect, and you will be treated likewise. :]
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