General Convention Cosplay Etiquette Rules & Guidelines for
Cosplayers & Non-Cosplayers

Special Thanks to Ayu Sakata of sakevisual for her help with our Con Etiquette Guidelines

1. Please do not glomp cosplayers (or even non-cosplayers)
   Glomping can HURT and could ruin their costume! Instead of glomping them, ask, politely, for a hug. If permission is granted, hug them gently so there are no breaks to their costume or hurt them. If they decline, a simple compliment will suffice to show them how much you like their cosplay.This especially goes for CHILDREN IN COSPLAY. We know they’re cute, but think of it like seeing a child out at the mall or the store. You wouldn’t run up and grab them because it’s rude and downright creepy and can be construed as predatory behavior. Ask their parent or guardian if it would be alright for a hug and/or picture. Otherwise, hands off the children.
2. Ask politely for pictures and don’t be creepy about it
   Cosplaying is NOT permission to touch or invade the personal space of a cosplayer, but there are predators out there who will take upskirt photos of women and young girls in skirts and flowy garments among other serious infractions on the personal space, safety, and sexual autonomy of other people. This is NOT okay and is considered by the organizers of SaikouCon as sexual harassment and stalking. If you want a photograph with somebody, ask permission, if you want to put your arm around them or touch their body in any innocent way, ask permission. Some people are less okay than others with having people randomly throw their arms around them. Sexual harassment and stalking are not taken lightly at SaikouCon, our security team will attempt to sort out if there has been an innocent misunderstanding before involving the authorities, as personal space can be infringed upon in crowded spaces with no malice intended, but if the accused party or parties is found to be guilty of malicious intent, threats, stalking, harassment, sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances, inappropriate sexual language etc. they will be reported to the authorities immediately and detained by SaikouCon security until the police arrive and handle the situation to the fullest extent of the law, should the victim(s) of the perpetrator wish to press criminal charges against them. The guilty party or parties will also be permanently banned from future years of SaikouCon and SaikouCon sponsored events.
3.  A cosplayer is not their character
   If someone is cosplaying someone you don’t like, this does NOT give you permission to attack them verbally and definitely not physically. These cosplayers are REAL PEOPLE, that are pretending to be a fictional character, physically or verbally attacking them is the same as attacking someone in the general public out on the street. You will be escorted out of the convention by con security and permanently banned from SaikouCon, and the victim(s) can, will be encouraged to, and should press criminal assault charges if they deem necessary. 
   
4. Country flags are not capes
   Wearing them as such is incredibly disrespectful. In most countries, wearing a flag as an article of clothing and/or letting it touch the ground is considered insulting and sometimes a very serious crime. Please think of our friends from other countries, and respect their flags as well as our own. Remember, just because a character does something in an anime does not make it acceptable or polite to do in real life. 
   
5. Just because your character does/says certain things does not make it okay to do in public
   No screaming the “F” word or other profanities in public. If you would not do or say it out of costume or in front of your parents, grandparents, children and/or friend's children, don’t do it at a convention. There are children present at these functions, and it is best to act like a responsible adult and set a good example for them.
   
6. Hands off other peoples’ props
   This seems like it should go without saying, but there have been instances where people have actually run off with a friend’s or even stranger's prop, or grabbed a prop and started playing with it, resulting in a break. Props can take a very, very long time to make as well as cost a lot of money to make or purchase and most tend to be fairly fragile. If a cosplayer says you can handle it, handle it with care. You wouldn’t want your props broken, so don’t do it to someone else. 
   
7. If something about someone’s costume is inaccurate or poorly made, do not berate them for it
   There's no need to elaborate on this, since it’s a fairly straightforward guideline, let's all be nice and have fun together.
   
8. Do not throw objects at other cosplayers
   This falls under the "you can hurt someone" tidbit. This means even plushies, or any sort of projectile, soft or not. Not everyone shares the same sense of “lolithrewsomethingatyou” humor, so err on the side of caution and don’t throw things. Like most of the other things contained as no-nos in our codes of conduct and etiquette, this can get you thrown out of cons (SaikouCon included) and have criminal charges pressed for assault. 
   
9. Personal hygiene is a must
   Being at a convention can result in a lot of dirt and sweat accumulated on your body over the day. Be mindful of other con goers and PLEASE BATHE. This goes double for people who like to hug cosplayers and any other attendee and/or merchant for that matter, as nothing is more of a fun killer for a convention goer than someone getting their stink all over you or your costume. Don’t forget to also use deodorant. It really does make a big difference between smelling squeaky clean and smelling like con-funk. Beyond social etiquette, this is also the best way to prevent going home with a case of con plague as bathing prevents more than just the germs and bacteria that cause body odor growing on your person.
   
10. Cosplayers and non-cosplaying fans, you are representing your fandom
    If you do something mean or nasty, it won’t be just you doing it, but “that fandom.” Set a good example and represent your fandom with honor and consideration.
    
11. Have fun!
    Just because there are things you shouldn’t do doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself at the convention. Attend panels and meet-ups. Make new friends. Go watch the masquerade and concerts. There’s so much you can do at a con without ruining the enjoyment for others or yourself.