You know what grinds my gears?
I've only been to a couple of gatherings, both at cons and otherwise, but I've kind of noticed a trend that seems...exclusive? It kind of bothers me.
I don't cosplay. I never know how to act in a cosplay, there's a huge critical element, and I'm more comfortable being myself. Now, I LOVE seeing good cosplayers, I'm just never comfortable enough to do it myself.
I've tried to go to a couple of Hetalia gatherings and I'm pretty...annoyed. The gatherings themselves were fine, and people had some great activity ideas. I really, really would have liked to participate. Now, I understand that it's impossible to encorporate everyone, especially with a huge group, but seriously, nobody that went up for activities, at either gathering, was NOT a cosplayer. I GET that that's part of the appeal of going to a con or gathering (and it makes WAY more sense at a cosplay gathering)...but COME ON, not all fans dress up. There should be bones thrown, a token non-cosplayer.
I dunno, it just feels kind of exclusive. Like you don't really belong there if you don't cosplay. If you're too shy to cosplay but want to be an active participant, nobody really selects you, which makes you shy about coming to the gatherings at all. It's a vicious cycle.
Admittedly, I'm not sure if this is just my area or the norm, if other people feel this way too or I'm just venting, but it's something I'd really like people running panels/groups/clubs to keep in mind.
I don't cosplay. I never know how to act in a cosplay, there's a huge critical element, and I'm more comfortable being myself. Now, I LOVE seeing good cosplayers, I'm just never comfortable enough to do it myself.
I've tried to go to a couple of Hetalia gatherings and I'm pretty...annoyed. The gatherings themselves were fine, and people had some great activity ideas. I really, really would have liked to participate. Now, I understand that it's impossible to encorporate everyone, especially with a huge group, but seriously, nobody that went up for activities, at either gathering, was NOT a cosplayer. I GET that that's part of the appeal of going to a con or gathering (and it makes WAY more sense at a cosplay gathering)...but COME ON, not all fans dress up. There should be bones thrown, a token non-cosplayer.
I dunno, it just feels kind of exclusive. Like you don't really belong there if you don't cosplay. If you're too shy to cosplay but want to be an active participant, nobody really selects you, which makes you shy about coming to the gatherings at all. It's a vicious cycle.
Admittedly, I'm not sure if this is just my area or the norm, if other people feel this way too or I'm just venting, but it's something I'd really like people running panels/groups/clubs to keep in mind.