Do the Creep! (Actually...don't. Stand over there. Farther. Much farther. Go till I can't see you. That's better.)

The big convention event of my social calendar is quickly approaching this week. Convergence in Minneapolis, MN has been my go to science fiction convention for the last three years now. It's a blast. Primarily because of the great panels, the networking with fellow writers, the killer sci-fi themed room parties, and let's not forget the scantily clad girls in costumes whose only desire is to please your every perverted whim.

Yesssssss!

Wait. That last one's not a thing?

No. And, despite what you may think, it never was.

Don't get me wrong. There are girls at Convergence who wear scantily clad costumes, maybe even for attention (I don't know, I'm not them, I can't speak for them, I'm just not ruling that reason out completely because humans are complex), but even if they have a need for every eye in the room to be glued to their person, they are not saying it's okay for you to proposition them.

Convergence has a great motto in place that they remind you of constantly:

The robot gives a better performance than Scarlett Johansson.

These posters are up in every hallway of the convention center. Simple and straight to the point. But even if costumes aren't involved, they have a general one too:

Robots...in Victorian corsets? Hope this doesn't wake something in me.

You may ask yourself, "Nate, does a convention for geeks really need these reminders? Shouldn't common sense play a huge part here?" to which I reply, "Do you even know which group we're talking about?!"

That's not quite fair. Since the rise of technology and the internet bringing people closer together more people than ever proudly fly their geek flags, much to the chagrin of purists who consider the term being bastardized by this grand expansion. What I'm trying to say here is the stereotype, by and large, is gone. People of all kinds go to sci-fi conventions, some more hard core and close to the stereotype, others average Joe's and Jane's who just want to connect with some like-minded individuals.

The problem is that despite these different kinds of geek, one constant remains. We're a group of people who predominantly live inside our own minds. It comes with the territory. We can, if you pardon me borrowing SyFy's (ugh, that name) slogan, "imagine greater." A propensity for stories and games that require a fertile imagination cultivate that. So what you have are people who always think in what ifs? What if I ask her this question? What if I touch her there? They also play scenarios five steps in advance, often skewing the picture in their head with reality. She's dressed like a sluttier version of Jessica Rabbit, if that were even possible, so clearly that means she wants me to kiss her. No, bad geek, to the corner with you.

The only "what if" question everyone should be asking in these situations is what if this person was my boss, or a fellow coworker? What if I was in a job interview with this person right now? What if my mother were standing five feet away? Would I really act the way I'm acting right now? If the answer is no, congrats, you're being creepy. Kindly apologize, walk away, and make amends to be better next time. This goes for people in costumes, guests of the con, anybody. We all deserve to have a good time. Like Convergence says, "Don't harsh the squee."

The reason this I'm even writing about this is because of what happened to Elise Matthesen at WisCon last weekend. I'm not going to rehash anything, it's been talked about extensively. You can read about it here courtesy of John Scalzi. Also a great how-not-to creep from Maria Dahvana Headley here. I've seen enough to know that it happens at Convergence too. The notices are needed. 

To end this cheery post let me make something clear. You see anyone you think looks cool in their costume, you like their writing, whatever, by all means go up to them, introduce yourself and give them your complement, if they're wearing a costume and you want to take a picture ask, if yes great, if no, no arguments, have a nice conversation and when there is a lull, WALK AWAY. You'll be a lot cooler if you do.