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I believe i will volunteer next year as well.

I've been in love with con since the first time I set foot there, and while this year was no less fun, some of the staff made it a lot harder.

I whole heartedly believe in the rules and the tightening of the rules, as the con gets bigger, and we are under more scrutiny we cannot get away with as much. But there is a DEFINANT difference between enforcing the rules and going overboard. I have heard this year that staffer have asked people to break glasses, have broken humidors, and torn dresses, all in their overzealous attempts in enforcing the rules.

i myself was yelled at for a consensual glomp. Not much really, but for someone who HAS read the rules this means a lot- consensual glomping is not outlawed, yet. But should it become so, i'd stop. I understand the importance of following the rules.

my boyfriend and I were the harbingers of a couple strange events such as fan fishing, The Fantastic Super Amazing Game Show, and the end of con parade. On the second night of fan fishing we were (rudely) told to stop, and we did. We didn't argue, even if we were somewhat confused and hurt. Confused because we had been approached by other staffers and they told us what rules we should be observing, if we wanted to continue. We even JOINED by a couple of rovers at one point. But we stopped anyways. I would not have hurt the staffers to ASK, and while it would have taken time it would have been nice if they had explained what we had done wrong instead of just yelling and flashing their badges. We are not hooligans, we just want to have SAFE fun and give away candy...

I've also heard that staffers were crazy under-staffed this year. There are horror stories of people volunteering, showing up for their badges and then not showing up to work one day. This, i feel, and all may not agree with me, explains some of the hostility. It does not, although, warrant ANYONE getting grabbed unwelcomely, and is even hypocritical when you consider how hard staff is trying to prevent unwanted glomping- isn't it the same theory? Anyways this was the MOST the most memorable con I've ever attended, for good and bad reasons, and I plan on doing my best to see that next con is better and less hostile but just as safe.

aw i lost. dangit- i was just lurking- darn you!

the best thing would be that i get ALL of my cosplays done on time, and they all look good, and i make some new friends, and the end of con parade goes over well, and i play at least 2 games of pikaball!!!!!

O.O oh god- sorry for that monstrosity of a "sentence"
facepalm

Regardless of what a member may think is right or wrong, it's truthfully just a matter of what we will permit and what we will not - and you'll hear about those things from official sources on the website, on the forums from the people responsible for those policies, or in the program guide.

Though I think Tony is awesome (he's head of MusicFest, how can he not be?), I think that arbitrarily imposing strict rules on these matters is wrong.

Thanks! But it wouldn't be arbitrary. To address your OP, we are indeed listening, but we are grounded in law; depending on your view, we are either enabled or restricted by that fact. Ultimately we have to make a decision, and of course those who are opposed to it will feel that they have been ignored. That's almost never the case; there are almost always other, bigger circumstances at play. This is one of them.

I believe that it is not fully a legal matter. It all depends on the context, and we need a solution that will fit our con's personality.

Yes and no.

(Excuse me as I talk in metaphor here. I hate doing that, but it's a shortcut.)

There's the black and white part of the issue, and then there is the gray area.

The black-and-white portion is fully a legal issue. If you touch someone without their permission, you open yourself up to legal action by that person; if you go around with a "will have sex for money" sign, you open yourself up to legal action. That's it, end of story.

What you're talking about is the gray area, which is fully up to Fanime to enforce (or not) through the use of our member policies. After all, as a private event, we can mandate all sorts of crazy things to be a part of our convention.

[Personal opinion]
So, let's agree that the only issue in the gray are the signs. (Unwanted glomping is simply in the black, and consensual glomping is no one's business, simply in the white, and so is also a non-issue.) Again, the signs fall into black, white, and gray areas. Solicitation laws prevent the clearly black signs, so the only thing left are the white and the gray. I would put signs that are part of a cosplay (ex: Genma as panda) or are signage ("Bleach gathering here") in the white. The rest I would consider gray.

For signs that fall in the gray area, it's easier to disallow these on a subjective/case-by-case basis than to write out a precise policy and enforce it. It ends up being contradictory on some level anyway, and is overall just a waste of time.

What I'm saying is, we're pretty much covered already. If you want a policy, I would put it like this:
- Don't do anything illegal. If you do, don't be surprised if you get kicked out. And arrested and/or sued.
- Don't do anything stupid. If you do, don't be surprised if you get kicked out.
- We can kick you out for anything. Don't be surprised if you get kicked out.  ;D

But don't be discouraged. We like our members. We don't kick people out lightly.
[/personal opinion]

Just my opinion.

yay tony! moderator extraordinaire! thank goodness for level headed mods.

too much. *sigh*

YAY, swap meet! i will be there both nights!

it's logical to think that you weren't in your room all day- and it went off a bit into the afternoon, perhaps you just weren't in the building.

quoted from jun, "Don't tell others to just get over it because you're a retarded weeaboo that feels the need to touch people who don't want to be touched. They don't have to, and if they wanted to, they could make it more of a problem because it's technically against the law. How about I light up a cigarette and start following you around and blowing my crap in your direction, and once I'm done, how about I put it out on your face. Got a problem? Get over it.

But I know better and know that things aren't done this way."

I personally don't touch other people. And if you follow me around with your cigarette, well first of all, the cigarette doesn't bother me, but if you put it out in my face and i punch/report you- thats my choice, but i can't stop you if you're going to do it.

keep fighting the good fight long<3

While non-consensual glomping is irritating- theres nothing you can do about it, except report your own cases. I love glompers and I think that the interaction that goes on in fanime is special- its a bunch of dorks- dorking out in a way that does not happen in everyday society. You don't just walk down the streets of your town- or city as you may have it- and see handsome boys dressed as wantunuki, or pretty girls dress as chii, or anybody dressed like a pocky or wii-mote. at fanime we connect even just through the way we dress- or the games we play of the screening we may find ourselves in.

those who have "gone for ten years" and "this is not what makes fanime what it is" are the old geezers yelling at the teenagers for what they've done to rock n' roll- get over it- WE'RE IN YOR FANIME EATIN YOR POCKY!!!!
loves! 

No, I will not "get over it." Glomping randomly and "rock and roll" are not the same thing by a long shot. There's nothing wrong with connecting with people, but if I cosplay for Fanime I am doing so to show my love for anime and to show off my sewing skills. This does not mean I want people to touch me!!! How hard is this to understand? I agree with Moonblossom; I shouldn't have to spend my time at the con watching out for people who, aside from making me feel uncomfortable, could cause damage to me and/or my property. I think most cosplayers, especially the ones with more elaborate costumes, feel the same way. I have NO PROBLEM with people who ask. I will not tolerate being ambushed. And Fanime needs to try and keep these people in check before someone gets hurt and sues.

I'm sorry, but to me, being an anime fan automatically implies that you are in some way idiotic. They very nature of most anime characters are idiotic, and anime fans usually try to act as much like their character as they possibly can, hence cosplaying and the like.

I don't see what the issue is with attention whoring. Again, that's just another characteristic of anime fans. The entire point is to grab as much attention as you can, with your cosplay or whatever. Prostitution, however, is against the law. I have no qualms against the prohibition of that.

Pretty much. Nothing else at Fanime draws much attention for me anymore. It's about being who you are with your friends. All that extra stuff means nothing to me.

I don't know where you get off saying that "anime fans" are all idiotic, attention whoring, and simply cosplay to act like the characters they're dressing as. As you admit, you are clearly not at Fanime for the anime and are not much of a fan of anime, so please don't assume to know how fans act. Some can be more enthuastic than others, and yet still manage to control themselves. I have no idea why you come to Fanime at all.

Sorry, but doing "any crazy shit we wanted to" is usually what leads to anal-retentive rules at cons. You and your friends are a small number of the 12,000+ attendees, plus guests (who may not be from America), dealers, other presenters, and who ever else might be around that is not involved with the con. Certain rules are in place to keep everyone safe and makes the convention center and the city of San Jose want to have Fanime back year after year. As cheesy as it might sound, when you are at a con, you represent anime fans and messing around and causing problems gives other anime fans and Fanime a bad name. Do you think guests from over seas want to come to cons where people are running around and acting like idiots? Coming to a con and being with your friends and other anime fans does not entitle you to act as you please. Everyone should have a good time and still be able to act appropriately. If you and your friends can't do this, than please go elsewhere.

I don't give a damn about overseas guests. If certain people want to make a good impression, they can go ahead and do that, but you shouldn't limit the people that only want to have fun; forcing them to try and live up to some kind of stupid standard just so the other people don't feel like they haven't impressed their favorite guests or whatever. Everyone is different, and they have different ways of expressing themselves. I don't want to impress guests. And I don't give a fuck about the impression I give to the rest of the world or San Jose city. Labels are idiotic and I don't have to represent anything if I don't want to. If I do unintentionally, well it sucks for the people that adhere to that label, but it's not my problem. I act as I please, either at the con, or any place else, and nothing has to entitle me to that. I act appropriately enough not to get kicked out, but I'm sick of people who continue to try to create rules to stop people who just try to be who they are. If I want to act like an idiot, then I can very well act like an idiot if I please. I'm all for limiting the amount of rough-housing, but how the hell do you plan on creating a rule for that without banning it entirely? "Everyone must ask before they glomp." Is all nice and good on paper, but how the hell are you going to enforce it?

I'm just afraid that movements like this, and the banning of the signs (which I think is utterly stupid) is just a precursor for removing aspects of the con that I've always known to be there. I'm far removed from the fandom, and the reason I come to this con is just to hang out with my friends, and act like the idiot I am. It was a comfortable environment, because about 80% of the people there were idiots as well. Now the 20% are trying to enforce strict rules on the others to stop their fun and their freedom. It's basic elitism.

My proposed solution is perhaps informational pamphlets about glomping and perhaps sign usage that may dissuade people from doing it in the wrong manner, or to lay down the rules of etiquette of glomping or other exchanges with other con members. A manners booklet perhaps, before you set down a iron-clad rule. Let the con-goers regulate their own habits, and if they break etiquette, the victim can go to a con moderator to report harassment, or dish out their own punishment.

So basically your a selfish jerk face that doesn't care about anyone except yourself? You may not want to give guest and anyone else at the con a good impression, but most of the attendees do and so does the Fanime staff. When you buy a pass to Fanime, you're agreeing to certain codes of conduct. Being at a con does not mean you have the freedom to do whatever you want. Most people who go to Fanime do regulate themselves, but that doesn't mean there are no rules in place. No one is suggesting that glomping or signs have to go away completely, they just need to be regulated-as you suggest or otherwise- because of the few retards that go overboard. It's true that it will be hard to regulate, but people at least need to be made aware that there is a problem.

If you want to act like a jerk than fine, but don't complain when you get yelled at or thrown out by the staff or volunteers.

it's going to happen anyways- i'm sorry. the best thing you can do is report your individual cases. I WON'T be the one glomping you- so it's no skin off my behind. Glomping isn't banned- signs aren't banned. As far we we've been informed Fanime is the same as last year. If your sign is offensive- they have rules that make it ok for them to tell you to lose it, that has always been the case.
As for you who have been raped- that is altogether inappropriate to bring up in a public forum, mostly because you're not the only one- and this is not the time nor place. If you have an issue that personal with what i post, you can pm me.
And i think that the development of rock n' roll is entirely accurate analogy. Fanime has changed from what it used to be to the "old timers" if you dont like it, don't listen- or bring your own tunes. Cause you can't you can't change what we listen to- sorry our music is more fun then yours.
<3 paje

I'm so in. :)

keep fighting the good fight long<3

While non-consensual glomping is irritating- theres nothing you can do about it, except report your own cases. I love glompers and I think that the interaction that goes on in fanime is special- its a bunch of dorks- dorking out in a way that does not happen in everyday society. You don't just walk down the streets of your town- or city as you may have it- and see handsome boys dressed as wantunuki, or pretty girls dress as chii, or anybody dressed like a pocky or wii-mote. at fanime we connect even just through the way we dress- or the games we play of the screening we may find ourselves in.

those who have "gone for ten years" and "this is not what makes fanime what it is" are the old geezers yelling at the teenagers for what they've done to rock n' roll- get over it- WE'RE IN YOR FANIME EATIN YOR POCKY!!!!
loves! 

Darling,
Don't attempt to make yourself look more intelligent by saying someone else isn't being clever enough.  It just makes you look like a pretentious jackass.

I second that notion.

and I third it! I found it dorkingly chucklable. XP

i fourth it, i think we have a motion! I thought it was funny. the one with the stick up their butt is you.

well....

mistakes will be made.

No, i'm pretty sure its just for the whoring signs, and these buttons wouldn't be whoring... not to mention, i would totally buy one!
And driving, as compared to smoking is a terrible analogy- because driving is something that makes our lives more convenient, we do it because the risks are worth it. While smoking does nothing positive for us, and if people had common sense they wouldn't do it-

Glomping without asking isn't common sense- but people are going to do it anyways. The difference is that dibbly is putting a warning label on it. I think it's a great idea- and if you have the funds Dibbly- i think you should do it!

Not to mention- but if he really wanted to sell them- he could do it at the swap meet!

[warning]

i've discussed something with my gf and i want to make and sell ( for very very cheep....25 cents an think)

"JUST ASK"

Buttons. its a movement I'd like to see started and would help move along. but that might be for another thread.

-and yes please, just ask. its common sense.=)

Unless you're in artists' alley you can't sell things legally.

And no. It's going out of your way to cater to idiocy. Idiots should have the logic to ask, and if not, they deserve what happens to them in return by people... it's simple as that. A button isn't going to stop people from doing something that COMMON SENSE tells them they shouldn't do.

common sense is kinda funny, like the warning on cigarette packs that say things like,  warning contains carbon monoxide, may cause cancer, complicate child birth.
yeah, people do it anyway.
a friendly reminder may not stop some people, but will get get people thinking. as to catering to idiots, I'd rather look out for someones well being before letting the actual conflict happen. i'd go out of my way to let someone know, than to let someones safty, hard work, or personal space be put in jeopardy in the first place. after that they're on their own, but at least i tried=)

oh well, i can alway give them away and accept tips

I agree, at least he's trying to do something about the problem, instead of sitting at the computer and griping.

i love random hugs, as long as people ask! human contact is the way we connect- you must be a lonely girl.

O.O oggles in friendly jealously O.O wow

*yawns* right like i cares where the ninja meet up, and i dont see you as the king of ninjas for a long time... thats one of the beautiful things about ninja that i do admire, the oneness- the singularity, ninja is a one man army. piratyes have captains and kings- but even thats shaky with us-

eat it ninja "king"
*flashes you her precious booty*

meep!

paul and i went last year, and while he has written you and already informed, he and i will be attending again this year and are looking forward to it with great anticipation.

on a somewhat related note, should i get off my lazy bum, i will be selling my own lolita dresses this year at the swap meet, along with onigiri. hopefully they will be between 60 and 90 dollars and will include accessories, such as tiny top hats which i enjoy making so:) so if you are new to loli, and want to look for a few elegant pieces, stop by, in fact if you're going to wear it to the picnic, i'll give you a discount ;)

Fold

ok dibbers, as your girlfriend, and as a pirate i feel its my duty to remind everyone that while, yes, we as pirates and ninjas, are fighting an ongoing battle.. myself and dibbly (the original creator of this forum) are very much in love, and therefore living proof that all ninja and all pirates do not hate each other.

but seriously, when was the last time you saw a ninja with hot chlamydias infected wenches, enjoying a tall rum?

granted ninja are master of stealth, and could be stealth drinking... and fornicating... but whats the fun if you can't be rowdy?!?

Fold

SLYTHERIN!!!!!!