Why the "hug/glomp me" signs?

[DivineChaos]

Well, it's really a crude subject for what I'm asking, but I think it suffices.  I mean, I don't mind it at all, and I would never say no to such an offer, but where did all the glomping come from.  I remember somewhere like 3 years ago, there were some people that did the whole "Glomp me" cardboard thing on their chest, but they were far and few in between.  But I've noticed recently that this has become a more desirable trend for people, so much so that counting has become a major part of conventionee's lives.  I don't mean to complain, but it is very odd when I see two people give each other a hug, then they whisper to themselves whatever number they are on for glomps.

What I guess I mean to say is this: It's fine and dandy (yes, I did just say "fine and dandy") to glomp your favorite characters or friends that show up, but it is ridiculous when people become numbers, mere objects with which one can achieve a higher number. 

So why has this trend grown?  I don't mind if it does naturally, but I'm curious to know, why?

[PyronIkari]

The short answer is "attention".

The whole sign thing grew more as people started to recognize that carrying a sign = instant attention. Doesn't really matter what the sign said or why you had it, it's a sign, the point is to make people look at it. You go one year, you see a guy with a sign that says "free hugs" or something of the sort, and you see a lot of people hugging him. Some people will go "so... if I make a sign that says that, I will get hugged too!" So the next person does it. Only multiply "the next person" by like 30 or so, and it's more realistic.

There's been a lot of issues concerning signs though. People asking for money, or prostituting themselves, things like that. It became a big issue at conventions across the nation. The example I always bring up is the kid at AX. Some teenager at AX had a sign that said "Ninjas killed my parents, please help" and put a cup next to him. That kid made about 60$ an hour minimum he was there, I asked and one hour he made nearly 150$.

Then there's the famous picture online of the four girls holding up signs that say "Sleep with us 5.00$". Publicity that basically states prostitution and other crap happens at cons... which totally looks bad for the convention. But the people got the attention they wanted.

Most conventions now ban or discourage signs strongly. I think all conventions now are banning and kind of solicitation within them(anything asking for money/goods for exchange).

[Jun-Watarase]

With all the mysteries of glomping, signs, and other excessively trendy gestures in the convention world, the crave for attention is pretty much the best way to describe it. People have the need to prove themselves to be unique by doing things that would be considered... eccentric. Glomping got old, so with the desire to stand out from the crowd and represent what they love, in the most conspicuous way, signs were born.

Doesn't really matter what the sign said or why you had it, it's a sign, the point is to make people look at it. You go one year, you see a guy with a sign that says "free hugs" or something of the sort, and you see a lot of people hugging him. Some people will go "so... if I make a sign that says that, I will get hugged too!" So the next person does it. Only multiply "the next person" by like 30 or so, and it's more realistic.

They were created to attract more attention, and when others saw that it actually worked, they would copy it. Actually, ALL trends and ideas simply expand in the same fashion.

Some teenager at AX had a sign that said "Ninjas killed my parents, please help" and put a cup next to him. That kid made about 60$ an hour minimum he was there, I asked and one hour he made nearly 150$.

Aha... this kid is a HERO to some. But here is another idea that branched from the "glomp me!" sign trend, to more diverse ones where you can gain... more than just hugs.

Leading to this:

Then there's the famous picture online of the four girls holding up signs that say "Sleep with us 5.00$". Publicity that basically states prostitution and other crap happens at cons... which totally looks bad for the convention. But the people got the attention they wanted.

But as glomping and signs are becoming more troublesome at the rate that they are, once they ARE banned or even more discouraged... I wonder what would come in their place.

[Ayanami Rei First Child]

Well I admit there is a problem with people doing stuff for money, but I haven't seen many of those signs.

Glomps/hugs/kisses are the most common.

I don't think I've ever seen a sign for prostitution at FanimeCon, and by that I mean gropes/sex. I MIGHT have seen a few for like kisses or something, but that should fall under the panhandling of asking for money.

Really the problem with that stuff at AX I've heard is that too many people spend all their money at AX....and then they have no money for rides home. That doesn't seem to happen at FanimeCon though, so I think that's also one of the reasons you see less of those signs.

[zoupzuop2]

There's been a lot of issues concerning signs though. People asking for money, or prostituting themselves, things like that. It became a big issue at conventions across the nation. The example I always bring up is the kid at AX. Some teenager at AX had a sign that said "Ninjas killed my parents, please help" and put a cup next to him. That kid made about 60$ an hour minimum he was there, I asked and one hour he made nearly 150$.

That's awful.

However, the dollar-signs in my eyes are getting bigger and bigger with each passing second with that idea... (Just kidding)

[Jun-Watarase]

I don't think I've ever seen a sign for prostitution at FanimeCon, and by that I mean gropes/sex. I MIGHT have seen a few for like kisses or something, but that should fall under the panhandling of asking for money.

Actually, they quite common. They normally hang around late at night in the hallways... though, in most cases, the girls are probably the only ones who are doing this seriously. I've seen boys have similar signs too, but it's mostly for attention rather than sex.

[Ayanami Rei First Child]

I don't think I've ever seen a sign for prostitution at FanimeCon, and by that I mean gropes/sex. I MIGHT have seen a few for like kisses or something, but that should fall under the panhandling of asking for money.

Actually, they quite common. They normally hang around late at night in the hallways... though, in most cases, the girls are probably the only ones who are doing this seriously. I've seen boys have similar signs too, but it's mostly for attention rather than sex.

That IS rather disturbing. I find that even MORE disturbing then those times that people get drunk and are stupid enough to step onto the dance floor. >.<

If I see those next year I'll go report them to rovers.

[PyronIkari]

But... dancing is about being drunk and letting loose. Never been to a club before I assume?

As long as the drunks have the decency to not harass anyone then it's fine. I'd rather be near a drunk than a guy with a sign saying "please hug me" holding it up to my face.

[FinalShadows]

Lets not forget what happened last year when they started pulling people out and shutting down the dance....

[Jerry]

Lets not forget what happened last year when they started pulling people out and shutting down the dance....

actually i dont think that had anything to do with hugs/glomping issues...

lets just say alcohol and inappropriate behavior dont mix.

besides theres a difference because ppl trying to show affection like a legit hug between friends who actually know each other

and strangers trying to do something funny (ie glomps) but its not an anime and they end up hurting ppl and causing a scene...

again basic common sense and courtesy goes along way.

[neko ewen]

You know, A-Kon actually banned signs (unless they were specifically part of a costume, like if you were dressed up as panda Genma or something) starting in 2005. It was actually more to do with people with signs crowding a narrow skyway (if you saw it, you'd be worried about the fire department shutting the con down). Some people were worried that enforcing it would create all kinds of issues, but no, the con went very smoothly over all, and the lack of fanboy panhandlers and attention whores was a plus.

[bunnycorpse]

i'm a "free hugs" sign kind of person. i wear a small one around my town occasionally. I live in a town populated known as, "land of a thousand hippies", so it's more a spread the love kind of thing.

But glomp signs? Thats new to me; frankly glomps are more freindly and specifically for you and your freinds only. It just seems odd to me to have a strange person running up and jumping on me.

[sunrise-oasis]

The one thing that kinda bothers me is that When i see the sign I kinda feel abit sad O_O!.  Its kinda hard to explain i mean, What do you rather have..YOU demand a glomp? or a Fan really would like to give you a glomp? I mean, i know im kinda new to this "glomping thing" I just don't know which one counts to bea  real glomp and one that is ....Kinda demanding....

never mind. I'll just go to the convention and make a survey and find out which is more better to have O)O, because i kinda feel abit sad when they want attention!

[Otaku_Princess]

Here, if you see me at all during Fanime, you may glomp.  That is all. XP

[petdiekatze]

I was holding around a "Kiss me" sign. The reason why I did it was because people had hug me signs about, and I wanted to see how many people would actually do so. The cutest thing did happen to me though, when a little girl rejected the kiss me sign and gave me a hug instead. I didn't go, *Whisper Whisper* to my friends, because I wasn't keeping a tally.

[localuvr]

It's not all about attention. Some people to do it because it's fun. Also, you don't get stared at like you're a freak like if you did it at school or something.

[PyronIkari]

It's not all about attention. Some people to do it because it's fun. Also, you don't get stared at like you're a freak like if you did it at school or something.

And the question is... "Why is it fun?". And the answer to this is... "The attention".

[localuvr]

no, not always. for me and my friends, it's the joy of physical contact, and knowing that it's normal and okay, and not labeled freaky

[PyronIkari]

What part of "Physical contact withsomeone" not "attention"?

[localuvr]

the hug!