ConEtiquette entry one: A word about T-shirts….

Posted on May 26th, 2008 by mike.
Categories: Uncategorized.

Sometimes, the sensory overload of Science Fiction Conventions can overwhelm one to the point of making irrational judgements of fashion, or behavior. 

In an attempt to streamline and further make the Con going experience more enjoyable for all involved, I shall attempt-in this series of observational sketches- to exhume these lapses of reasoning. This, mind you, is being done in the name of education and science. Not to mention, for a cheap laugh.

Welcome, friends, to ConEtiquette.

But remember this, I mock because I love.

And, besides, I’m as guilty as anyone of infractions of ConEtiquete.  And, there are pictures….( No,really. But don’t search-it’s not pretty. There was SCA garb involved. And, a puffy hat…).

But let’s not dwell on that- after all, our experience is the sum total of the choices we make. Let’s learn and grow together so that we can make better choices in our future Con attendance, shall we?

(Seriously, close that bloody picture search tab right now. Just trust me on that one, OK?)

I believe it best to start to our examination with a common element of Con attire- the T-Shirt. 

Fan Shirts

You are a fan of a certain show. You are at a Con explicitly devoted to your show. We get it- that’s why we’re there, too. Therefore, it is not entirely necessary to, at every occasion, wear a T-Shirt swearing your fealty to that show.

It’s like going to see a certain band and wearing that band’s T-Shirt at their show; the practice is somewhat pointless and redundant. It doesn’t score you any further favor with the band, nor with any of the other of the attendees of the concert-since presumably they like that band as well.  

Seriously. We. Get. It. Saw it at the door. Now try telling tell us something we don’t know….

 

 

 

2 comments.

RoxofSpazhouse

Comment on July 13th, 2008.

This is late I know. But I read this and thought I would respond.
The statement that a shirt worn at a band’s would not garner them any special treatment? Think people it could come back to haunt you actually

I was at a Jim Rose Side Show years ago and a guy had on a t-shirt from one of his older shows and this shirt wearing guy was actually picked to for a fake hypnotist trick where he had to kiss another guy on stage. So we learn today that sometimes wearing such apparel can be a double edge sword.

Oh hey, are you going to bring up the overused tired concept costumes at the Con? Such as the Arthur Dent outfit?

j m t

Comment on July 25th, 2008.

Oh, I hope to such a document on costumes up before Dragon Con….

And to clarify the above point, the great thing about cons is you are there to collectively celebrate these symbols of pop culture. You can emulate, or you express yourself. Or both. Which is rare.

At work, you have have to dress a certain way to make yourself either homogenic or acceptable, in order to conduct business. When you go out, you want to look appealing or impress others.

But at con, you can be yourself- or someone else entirely if you like. So, when one would have open options, why wear the same Stargate T-Shirt for four days?

One other thing I may post before D*Con as well, perhaps for total disclosure, is sort of my thinking in my own particular Con choices- and how that has evolved.

Yes, From Somewhere Volume 2: the “how I’ve learned and unlearned how to dress myself” years…..

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