Uncommon Courtesy?

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

Really, think about it for a moment

Instead of glaring at random con goers in wheelchairs trying to determine if they "deserve" them, instead of giving people crap for patiently (And oft time in song or random quotes) waiting for an elevator because they're too tired or drunk (This IS DragonCon, after all) to go up the 2 or 3 flights of stairs...
Instead of yelling at someone who you bumped in to because they had bits of costume that you didn't see
Instead of giving someone a hard time for geeking out over meeting Shatner of being sad because Michael Shanks cancelled
Instead of making fun of obvious con virgins overwhelmed by their first Con

Try saying hi and offering someone some helpful advice on how to get to the ballroom that they're looking for
Give the barely costumed newbie some encouragement, and instead of telling them what you see wrong with their costume, give some pointers on how to improve it
Make room on the elevator. What goes down WILL come up, after all.
Join in the song, counter with an opposing quote, get to know people
Above all, RELAX! It's your vacation, have some fun!

Comments

[marrus.livejournal.com]

Marrus likes this;)

Be gentle with each other folks. Err on the side of kindness:)

[creeplistvox.livejournal.com]

The thing is, that in reality(when it matters) most of us will do just that anyway. On the boards it's easier to let your "dark side" out and vent, knowing you would never actually act that way at Con.

And of course, the people that are going to be jerks, are going to be jerks no matter what we say.

[jarissa.livejournal.com]

wookieegunner has a nice summary of this phenomenon, which he calls the "Fist to Face Syndrome": on the Internets, some people who know each other in person will say and do things that would absolutely, if done away from the keyboard, get them a nice bop to the nose.

(It's sort of a corollary to John Gabriel's Greater Internet Dickwad Theory (http://www.pennyarcademerch.com/pat070381.html), a slightly more PG-13 variant of the NSFW classic original (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2004/03/19/).)

Me, I think the FtF Syndrome leads to a more accurate measure of a person's true character. If someone will be a self-centered, callous, harmful twerp when they're not in punching range, then that really is a fundamentally bad human being ... and a cowardly one, too, because s/he isn't willing to face the immediate consequences of his/her choices.

I think it's kind of interesting, in modern times, that jerktastic behavior in semi-anonymous media is so common, we not only expect it of strangers -- society doesn't actually call it out as "dishonorable".

[ladytalker13.livejournal.com]

In my experience, the vast majority of con-goers are courteous and helpful to people who need help getting around... I have never personally witnessed anyone being mistreated... I think online we DO hear more about the small % of negative behavior and not much of the regular, everyday manners and respect that most people use.

[neovenom.livejournal.com]

This post is exactly the feel good kind of thing we should have on our minds with the con days away. Thanks for posting it!

As Bill and Ted said, "Be excellent to one another."

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

STATION!!

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

An I, for one, would like to compliment any Excellently large Martian butts out there

[rooneym.livejournal.com]

Don;t forget about Death's butt, reaping vurns alot of calories...

[paradisacorbasi.livejournal.com]

Kuan Yin and I thank you for your message of mercy and compassion.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yes.

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

This. :)

[rock-biologist.livejournal.com]

"Hey, hey, hey...hey now. Don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, 'cause...remember: no matter where you go, there you are."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a833yezzW5U

[sushithegreat.livejournal.com]

"Give her your jacket, Tommy."

"Why me?"

"Because you're perfect."

"Oh, right."

[ydnic.livejournal.com]

Well said. Huzzah! :)

[wiebke.livejournal.com]

Yay for the Golden Rule.

Now for a courtesy... Can I use your Connnnnn! icon? :)

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

It's yours! Spread the love, my friend!

[dementia.livejournal.com]

I want royalties :P

[st-andrews-girl.livejournal.com]

I agree that once people get together in person a lot of the cattiness dies down. I have to say, for an LJ group, this one is largely free of the ass-hattery you see in many LJ groups. Gives me hope for the friendliness at DC!

One small note, though: Unless someone asks for your advice with improving costumes, why give it? While the tone might be different then it would be if you just laughed and pointed, the message is still, "Your costume sucks," right?

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

I see where you're coming from there. I guess I'm different in that. I personally love to hear "Your costume is great! Have you considered this or this?" but I can see how that would come across bad in the wrong occasion or with the wrong person

[fory-san.livejournal.com]

Great way of putting it in a nutshell. Now let's get over there, have fun, and love one another! :D

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

I'd say "Figuratively, please!" but again, this IS Dragon Con

[noelleleithe.livejournal.com]

Well, in the non-figurative sense, at least be safe. ;)

Yeah YOU!!

[paidiraiompair.livejournal.com]

Thank you for this, as I was losing some faith after an eariler silliness in post...but we CON goers are a passionate lot!!

BE GOOD TO EACH OTHER!!!

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

Huzzah! I hope to meet people this con, for certain. This post gives me hope that this could happen!

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

Oh, you will. And most Con goers are a good type of people. All you have to do is be friendly and open to those around you

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

This isn't the first time I've been to con, but the times I've attended before I was on a mission in one form or another so was very focused on accomplishing something. This year my mission is to have fun and meet people.

My husband might say, jokingly, that I'm possibly too open and friendly. LOL I like to flirt (with definite boundries made absolutely clear) and have fun. It's served me well in the SCA which is much more tightly knit than con...from what I can tell.

Icon love, btw.

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

I can understand that. I've been the unnoficial tour guide and gatekeeper to too many cons and ended up the weekend going "What just happened?"
I have a similar arrangement with the wife, she doesn't mind if I flirt shamelessly and I give her the same leeway. It's all about trust :)
And thank you! I have an awesome icon dealer. First hit is always free....

[littledrow.livejournal.com]

Absolutely. My hunny bunny knows I wouldn't ever do anything to put that hurt puppy look on his face. Might as well crush my own heart under a boot heel. But flirting is good for the go and lots of fun! ;) Not to mention it makes him feel great that he's married to someone people like to flirt with. heee!

oh indeed!

[bartgroks.livejournal.com]

You should treat your boss the same way you treat your garbage man. Which is to say well. We are prolly gonna be spending quite a few labor days together in the future. We might as well get along, y'know?

[callygal1.livejournal.com]

well said!

[crazeyal.livejournal.com]

There are so many people and so many chances to have a wonderful time go away, that I refuse to be angry anymore. For every drunken idiot barging into an elevator, there are thirty waiting patiently. For every line cutting feeb, there are hundreds of people just radiating excitement and anticipation.

I've had stupid rude people get me angry. I had less of a good time. Then I realized, the rude peple won. Every new person I meet, every smile I garner from a stranger, every well recieved or given act of courtesy or kindness is a victory.

I enjoy Dragoncon.

I enjoy sharing that feeling.

If it takes rolling my eyes along with the other mannered and polite people.. so be it. I am going to have my fun. Even if it's just meeting new people and sharing a "Isn't this GREAT??"

[rebelliousrose.livejournal.com]

WORD.

[ctofine.livejournal.com]

Last year was our first year--we only ran into about 3 rude folks all weekend (two of who were their for the Football game, I'm convinced). I typically look for the good side of folks at the Con b/c we all ARE so happy to be there.

So, here, here! Totally agree! :)

[greyloch.livejournal.com]

Yeah, what pixiekingtom said.

... or else we will Nerf-bat you into submission. Have some fun, dammit and chill!!!!

[matchgirl42.livejournal.com]

*applause*