Always Remember to Be On Guard at Cons

[EveofAbyss]

That sounds like a wise plan. ^_^ Everyone, just use common sense. It'll get you far. Kumoricon is generally a safe place, but common sense can keep even the sneakiest of incidents from happening.

[Washougal_Otaku]

He is sentenced to three years in prison and three years probation

A pathetic sentence, in my opinion.  Since he's a repeat offender, (and if I were in charge of the law) he'd have been in for at least 15 years, and possibly castrated.

Wow thanks for explaining. Yea, so um depending on who is at the rave, ima attach myself like a barnacle to the biggest and strongest guy there and have them escort me back to my boyfriends car.

I'd recommend that you ask your boyfriend to escort you back.  If he doesn't plan to be at the rave, perhaps you could just call him as soon as you're finished...

[TalaRedWolf33]

Oh no, he will be with me, but he has a slight disability. I love him, but if something were to happen, i know he would only end up hurting himself more. Besides, the more men there are around, the less likely a mugger will approach and attempt something. And in the area where the con is, big groups will discourage a lot of the sketchy people from trying anything.

[Washougal_Otaku]

This is true...

Well, I wouldn't mind offering my services for something like this, though I wasn't planning on going to either rave.  Plus, I have plans on Sunday up until 10:30.  I'm not sure when they plan to end, but I might be able to help out on Saturday...

[Lady Locust]

Speak of the devil. My friend and I were at the first rave having the best times of our lives (we just turned 18 and this is our first con being legal adults!) and this guy started dancing with us. I reminded my friend of our 'lesbian rule' (we pretend to be in a relationship together whenever there is someone we don't want dancing with us), he saw me whispering to her and tried to get us back to his hotel to drink. We told him no, and that we weren't 21...but then he said it was okay, he's just trying to get some girls to go have fun with his buddies in their room...
I then had to lie to him and told him we don't like men, which is when he got the hint that we weren't interested.
This has happened to us many times before at other non-convention raves, but I never really expected to have this happen at Kumoricon. Just goes to show you that creepers can pop up when you least expect them... Minecraft is too true.

[TalaRedWolf33]

Thankfully, my boyfriend and i decided not to go to the rave. We were being followed by this really awful guy. He had a badge, but it looked like he was supposed to have someone watching him.  He smelled like a bathroom.

[Tanuki19]

I reminded my friend of our 'lesbian rule' (we pretend to be in a relationship together whenever there is someone we don't want dancing with us)

My friend and I have that same rule but for general creepers, not just dancing XD it can really come in handy!

[Washougal_Otaku]

I reminded my friend of our 'lesbian rule' (we pretend to be in a relationship together whenever there is someone we don't want dancing with us)

My friend and I have that same rule but for general creepers, not just dancing XD it can really come in handy!

Though I don't normally agree with this, it does have a lot of advantages.  Some guys don't care, though, and it wouldn't work too well with a female creeper.

[thesirensings]

I reminded my friend of our 'lesbian rule' (we pretend to be in a relationship together whenever there is someone we don't want dancing with us)

My friend and I have that same rule but for general creepers, not just dancing XD it can really come in handy!

Though I don't normally agree with this, it does have a lot of advantages.  Some guys don't care, though, and it wouldn't work too well with a female creeper.

Yeah, there are a lot of jerks out there who think that a woman being a lesbian simply means that she has only been with guys who sucked, and doesn't know what a real man feels like. They take this as a challenge.

[veraca]

That is exactly why I have a strict rule of no alcohol, cigarettes or drugs of any sort with my group of con attendees I go with. I won't bar one or two from going to the sake tasting, but I have warned them that if they over do it I will not stick around to hear their drunken blabbering stupidness. I have no patience for it and immediately shoot them down.

I did have someone once ask me out for drinks and I shot them down so fast with how alcohol ruins your life on so many different levels, they ran off speechless. And I didn't even need a single cuss word.

[Washougal_Otaku]

I reminded my friend of our 'lesbian rule' (we pretend to be in a relationship together whenever there is someone we don't want dancing with us)

My friend and I have that same rule but for general creepers, not just dancing XD it can really come in handy!

Though I don't normally agree with this, it does have a lot of advantages.  Some guys don't care, though, and it wouldn't work too well with a female creeper.

Yeah, there are a lot of jerks out there who think that a woman being a lesbian simply means that she has only been with guys who sucked, and doesn't know what a real man feels like. They take this as a challenge.

That's not it.  Believe me.  Though it might be true for some guys (and I know that it's true for some lesbians), many guys do it for the challenge.  Some also do it because they know that some girls lie about it in order to keep guys away.  Some guys also don't care because they only care about themselves.  I know several guys who could fit under options 2 or 3, and only a couple for option 1.

[Drauska]

I know he wasn't at the "con" cause he didn't have a badge but the pedobear was hanging around ester shore park the whole weekend and would only "hug" little kids.  Sick. 

[EveofAbyss]

I may be in the minority, but I've never been down with the pedobear cosplays. I have always thought it crosses a line, especially for an event like Kumoricon. Every time I do see one, something in me wants to give 'em a knuckle sandwich, lol.

[IrukaSensei]

That is exactly why I have a strict rule of no alcohol, cigarettes or drugs of any sort with my group of con attendees I go with. I won't bar one or two from going to the sake tasting, but I have warned them that if they over do it I will not stick around to hear their drunken blabbering stupidness. I have no patience for it and immediately shoot them down.

I did have someone once ask me out for drinks and I shot them down so fast with how alcohol ruins your life on so many different levels, they ran off speechless. And I didn't even need a single cuss word.

Have a drink every now and again, doesn't ruin your life. It's when you give into avarice and greed, that such things occur. I think that was my friend, that you ended up turning down. XD He was just looking for adults to go have a few drinks with at con, and have some fun. Nothing naughty, or anything like that.

[veraca]

That is exactly why I have a strict rule of no alcohol, cigarettes or drugs of any sort with my group of con attendees I go with. I won't bar one or two from going to the sake tasting, but I have warned them that if they over do it I will not stick around to hear their drunken blabbering stupidness. I have no patience for it and immediately shoot them down.

I did have someone once ask me out for drinks and I shot them down so fast with how alcohol ruins your life on so many different levels, they ran off speechless. And I didn't even need a single cuss word.

Have a drink every now and again, doesn't ruin your life. It's when you give into avarice and greed, that such things occur. I think that was my friend, that you ended up turning down. XD He was just looking for adults to go have a few drinks with at con, and have some fun. Nothing naughty, or anything like that.

lol no, I shot down someone at my college. Not at con. I don't see the point of drinking. I can have fun without it, so why do I "need" it? It's the whole "want" vs "need" argument, and no one has ever given me a good reason to drink. *shrug* Besides, I smelled it once and sneezed. No way am I drinking that junk.

[superjaz]

I am not anti alcohol, whoever wants to, cool as long as you know your limits and don't drive cool beans
I just rarely drink (even when I am not peggers which changed it to never drink right now), I do like the odd sip of a friends mixed drink or a special occasion trying a drink, or experimenting with cooking, but really it just makes me act like I do when am sleep deprived which is really dyslexic and I can do that for free, I would rather have a soda and true you don't need it to have fun, and its spendy.

That said besides the drunk in con space not okay.  It is not a good idea to drink at con.  It lowers your guard and while people you just meet seems nice,  you really don't know them well.

You might say, "well I will be with my friend who never drinks" Okay, do you trust them with your life?  Cuz that's what you would be doing.  And if your friend is drinking then they don't count.

[@random]

I may be in the minority, but I've never been down with the pedobear cosplays. I have always thought it crosses a line, especially for an event like Kumoricon. Every time I do see one, something in me wants to give 'em a knuckle sandwich, lol.

You're not in the minority at all. That's just not cool.

I know he wasn't at the "con" cause he didn't have a badge but the pedobear was hanging around ester shore park the whole weekend and would only "hug" little kids.  Sick. 

Wrt the first part, thank you for being observant. (^_^)

We can't do anything about stuff outside conspace - but if you ever do see someone in conspace without a badge, please bring it to the yojimbo's attention. At the very least, they will soon be back out of conspace.

[IrukaSensei]

I am not anti alcohol, whoever wants to, cool as long as you know your limits and don't drive cool beans
I just rarely drink (even when I am not peggers which changed it to never drink right now), I do like the odd sip of a friends mixed drink or a special occasion trying a drink, or experimenting with cooking, but really it just makes me act like I do when am sleep deprived which is really dyslexic and I can do that for free, I would rather have a soda and true you don't need it to have fun, and its spendy.

That said besides the drunk in con space not okay.  It is not a good idea to drink at con.  It lowers your guard and while people you just meet seems nice,  you really don't know them well.

You might say, "well I will be with my friend who never drinks" Okay, do you trust them with your life?  Cuz that's what you would be doing.  And if your friend is drinking then they don't count.

I don't drink unless I trust the people I'm around. I trust the people at con. I don't NEED it to be having fun, but I find it to be nice and spicy, but that's because it happens to make me loosen up and stop being a highly-guarded brat of a woman. XD But that's just me. I'm not prone to heavy drinking, because I'm generally afraid of getting sick. XD But a few drinks here and there, are perfectly fine to me. I'm not saying that people have to drink, saying that they don't have to be deathly afraid of anyone that does. XD

[Chromophobic]

@Drauska: That pedo-bear tried hugging me.... ._. It honestly did scare me alittle bit **yellowbadgeattendeehere** so I avoided the park after that..... *shudder*

[Drauska]

@Drauska: That pedo-bear tried hugging me.... ._. It honestly did scare me alittle bit **yellowbadgeattendeehere** so I avoided the park after that..... *shudder*

Well next time tell me and I will go have a word with it and his two "muscle" that was with him not to mess with my sister.

[Washougal_Otaku]

I may be in the minority, but I've never been down with the pedobear cosplays. I have always thought it crosses a line, especially for an event like Kumoricon. Every time I do see one, something in me wants to give 'em a knuckle sandwich, lol.

You and me both.

[otakunobody]

I may be in the minority, but I've never been down with the pedobear cosplays. I have always thought it crosses a line, especially for an event like Kumoricon. Every time I do see one, something in me wants to give 'em a knuckle sandwich, lol.

Quite frankly,the PedoBear freaked me out.Especially with the cosplay I wore all weekend and how often I was just hanging in the park by myself *Isalsoayellowbadgeattendee*

[Mog]

Pedobear cosplays are against Convention rules due to the meaning behind them. The fact there was one was pretty scary and I wasn't so happy with it myself. That's not something that should even been allowed on the streets. I'm all for the first amendment, but not when it supports costumes about pedophiles.

[superjaz]

I have always been proud that k-con has such a strict policy about that bear.
Because somethings you should just not joke about y'know?

[Mog]

I have always been proud that k-con has such a strict policy about that bear.
Because somethings you should just not joke about y'know?

I agree ;_; I get a horrified feeling when I see little kids run up to the "Fancy Bear" for a hug. A children's innocence is not something to mess with. D:

[Washougal_Otaku]

Well, there is no direct rule that states "No person shall cosplay as PedoBear," but is a rule that you can't cosplay as someone/thing that is offensive to the general public, and there's no way around the argument on whether or not PedoBear is offensive or not.  As for why anyone would cosplay as him at ANY convention is a mystery to me...

[Prinz Eugen]

If you compare it to contract law, it might make a little more sense... a contract is obviously invalid if one person forced the other to sign it at gunpoint. But it's just as invalid if one person uses the other's hand to sign it for them while they're unconscious, or if it's written in another language and the person who does understand what it means lies to the person who doesn't understand it.

That's a very good way to look at it, both logically and (perhaps) legally.

Our sherrif's office had some training that touched on this when I was volunteering. They way they put it was that even if the two parties express consent, the State as an agent may find an offense. (Sorta like how 'corporations are people too.' ) The People (of Washington or Oregon) decide, through their elected legislatures, that 'this is something we do not want to allow to happen in our society,' and the legislature enacts laws against it. So when it happens, the State will prosecute, which is why the trial will be called (Insert Creepy Person Surname) vs. State of Oregon. (Or whatever state.)

[JeffT]

Well, there is no direct rule that states "No person shall cosplay as PedoBear," but is a rule that you can't cosplay as someone/thing that is offensive to the general public, and there's no way around the argument on whether or not PedoBear is offensive or not.

This is a bit misleading. In fact, we made a stand-alone rule that you can't cosplay as pedobear, and it is not meant to be merely an interpretation of some other rule. (It doesn't need to be given undeserved attention by listing it in the policies. It's a special case, and those who have the forethought to plan out such an extreme costume with such a specific reputation (which, by the way, has no relation to either anime or any other close fandom) either know, or should know, that the onus is on them to make sure in advance it is ok. Therefore, there is no unfairness in requiring them to remove the costume without prior advertised notice.)

Our sherrif's office had some training that touched on this when I was volunteering. They way they put it was that even if the two parties express consent, the State as an agent may find an offense. (Sorta like how 'corporations are people too.' ) The People (of Washington or Oregon) decide, through their elected legislatures, that 'this is something we do not want to allow to happen in our society,' and the legislature enacts laws against it. So when it happens, the State will prosecute, which is why the trial will be called (Insert Creepy Person Surname) vs. State of Oregon. (Or whatever state.)

I think you are describing the difference between civil and criminal law. Something that I wish more people were aware of.

[Washougal_Otaku]

Um... okay... that's not the way that Beau made it out to be.  Either way, there's no logic in being Pedobear at a family-friendly anime convention.  It surprises (and disgusts) me that someone would actually plan on doing so.

[IrukaSensei]

Sometimes people lose bets. Sometimes they have to do things they don't like. But we all take risks when we are members of /b/. That is all I have to say on the pedobear situation.

[JeffT]

Um... okay... that's not the way that Beau made it out to be.

To clarify my previous post, I'm saying we haven't just banned any costume that might offend someone. We specifically have banned pedobear, and have specifically not banned some other costumes when the question has arisen.

Sometimes people lose bets. Sometimes they have to do things they don't like. But we all take risks when we are members of /b/. That is all I have to say on the pedobear situation.

Not sure what this has to do with this topic. The bottom line is when you attend Kumoricon, you follow its rules.

[Washougal_Otaku]

Okay, then.  That's not what's been said before, but if it's official, awesome.

[JeffT]

Okay, then.  That's not what's been said before, but if it's official, awesome.

I'm not so sure. The example I had in mind is that some costumes have swastikas because they do in the anime. We have decided against banning these, even though they might offend. We are prepared to ask these attendees to not flaunt these elements of their costumes and to be discreet if they are aware somebody takes offense in their vicinity, but the costumes are allowed. I do know that the specific decision on pedobear has been in place for at least 3 years.

[IrukaSensei]

The Pedobear cosplay, I know for a fact that a member of 4-Chan's /b/ group lost a bet, and was dared to go to Kumo as Pedobear. So yeah, sometimes it's just some unlucky smuck in that costume, that never intended to be there. I actually talked to him, he was a chill guy, and wasn't a pedo. He did understand the rule, when I talked to him, and respected that he couldn't be in the convention.

You know the old saying? Don't judge a book by it's cover? Yeah, just cause someones dressed as pedobear, doesn't meant they are  a pervert.

[Titus_Love_Doll]

I will agree with you he was very sweet gentalmen, And i feel bad he had to wear it but he was a good guy and took photos and made himself look very high class for pedobear normally when i see a pedobear costume they not in clothing and sometimes I wish they would so they just look like a weird teddybear in clothing. but its the face. anyways  The whole book by the cover i go with becuse some people can look nice and you think then they can talk about behind your back or make fun of your cosplay and others people talk so bad about when they are really sweethearts and Brats. I meet alot of brats and sweet hearts this year and i enjoy them all even some rude comments on how i was to fat for my own cosplay. oh well fat FTW.!

But being on guard at con every need to remeber this is an OPEN space anything can happen down to weirdos who are sexually herassing you to rude and curl people down to sweet hearts and punk. Not everyone is a bad person and not all people are dumb and dont know when someone is unconfable with what their wearing. I can under stand the whole banning of comtumes but Some of the bands i heard people wanting is alittle over the top pedobear is very understandable it can make parents and underage people unconfable. I heard that chibi sora started crying becuse a homeless man made him unconfable and a conparent delt with the issue.

But even con goings themselve are not all good people Being on guard even means with the other con attendies. There can be theft.! and even worse. YOU should never room with someone you have never meet before for your own safty. you should always have atlest one friend with you when walking back to your hotel even in the day time. Night time always tell people were you are going if they are friends or in a group there are people out there who will kidnapp a girl for wearing a Bikinistip short short red hair and a big gun  there was many times I watched men stare at minors and not KNOW they were. at times I wish miniors would understand that some costumes they wear need to be age apporperet for them.

I love con very much and there are times were i let my guard down and I end up getting in fights or things get stolen or I hear comments from other people that make me angery. As an example I am on guard at all times becuse I have a touching issue and when glomped from behind I will turn and knee or elbow that person out of a fear from this phobia. At con i am gettign much better at being close to others and getting hugs but its very hard to see someone get hurt become they run up behind me and hug me and i dont know who they are were they came from all i know is that they are touching me and wont let go -elbow to face or chest- I ve had to say sorry to many people due to this. At con ive had things taken from me right infront of my eyes that is why with photos my things are always infront of me. never behind me or to the side. and rude comments from other people you just have to bite your tounge and ignore it.



(Sorry if this is confusing its kinda of my output of what i thing and being on guard things my writing is aful becuse I tend to mix up words and things I dubble read it but if it is confusing ill edit it agaian till i got it right )

[Washougal_Otaku]

The Pedobear cosplay, I know for a fact that a member of 4-Chan's /b/ group lost a bet, and was dared to go to Kumo as Pedobear. So yeah, sometimes it's just some unlucky smuck in that costume, that never intended to be there. I actually talked to him, he was a chill guy, and wasn't a pedo. He did understand the rule, when I talked to him, and respected that he couldn't be in the convention.

You know the old saying? Don't judge a book by it's cover? Yeah, just cause someones dressed as pedobear, doesn't meant they are  a pervert.

Sorry, but I see that as a poor excuse.  He didn't have to make the bet, and he could have made it something that would have still been acceptable.

[IrukaSensei]

The Pedobear cosplay, I know for a fact that a member of 4-Chan's /b/ group lost a bet, and was dared to go to Kumo as Pedobear. So yeah, sometimes it's just some unlucky smuck in that costume, that never intended to be there. I actually talked to him, he was a chill guy, and wasn't a pedo. He did understand the rule, when I talked to him, and respected that he couldn't be in the convention.

You know the old saying? Don't judge a book by it's cover? Yeah, just cause someones dressed as pedobear, doesn't meant they are  a pervert.

Sorry, but I see that as a poor excuse.  He didn't have to make the bet, and he could have made it something that would have still been acceptable.

He's a lot like me. When you make a vow to take a bet, that is within your ability to do so, you do it to the best of your ability. Don't judge someone based on their costume, is what I'm saying. Like for instance, believing someone is nothing but an idiot - just cause they cosplay Naruto. Or believing someones a sugar glutton, cause they are dressed up as Sailor Moon.

[JeffT]

This message is me speaking personally, not as moderator or Kumoricon staff.

Sorry, but I see that as a poor excuse.  He didn't have to make the bet, and he could have made it something that would have still been acceptable.

He's a lot like me. When you make a vow to take a bet, that is within your ability to do so, you do it to the best of your ability.

Aaron's post addressed the appropriateness of making the bet, and had nothing to do with reneging on an obligation.

Don't judge someone based on their costume, is what I'm saying. Like for instance, believing someone is nothing but an idiot - just cause they cosplay Naruto. Or believing someones a sugar glutton, cause they are dressed up as Sailor Moon.

Your examples are nothing like the pedobear example. Your examples are arguing against judging based on flimsy assumptions that stereotypes hold true.

Judging somebody based on a pedobear costume is responding to the explicit message that they have chosen to adopt.

[Lady Locust]

Okay so... I understand the pedobear guy was a good guy, and not a pedo. But it's still against Kcon rules. So no matter the circumstance, he can't be pedobear within the con-space. It doesn't matter if he absolutely hates pedophiles, if he lost a bet, if he didn't know about the rule, whatever. The costume is considered offensive to most people and is not allowed at the convention.
/endrant