My first furcon
I'm sure there are.. possibly hundreds or thousands of post like this but..
This is my first time ever going to a fur-con. I had two friends go last year and they told me it was great and they have a really fun time. I don't doubt that they did, but I'm not as much of a social "butterfly" as they are. ._.;
All ready I feel like posting this makes me look foolish, because it feels like I'm just going to be blabbering on about myself or 1000 dumb questions. I read a lot of forum post and such and everyone truly does seem friendly in the furry community. I guess like some I just am concerned that people won't.. get my sense of humor or well.. like me really. I also apologize if I repeat myself on here. Even on the internet for something like this I guess I get nervous.
I'm hoping to go to the con so I can try and really have a good time. I'm really hoping people are just super friendly and accepting @.@; Also, I have questions.. I am sure after I post this I may or may not think of more...but I guess here goes:
Is it.. offensive or anything of the sort to try and get people's opinion on what animal I would appear to be?
Is there anything in this convention against... like.. a sign on me saying "free hugs" or something like that? >.> (Assuming I get that comfortable)
Honestly I think I just had my brain stop.. I had so many questions I've been thinking about throughout the week after I read stuff on here and now I just can't think of anymore questions.
/sigh Well.. I hope I can go to this event. And I hope to meet some of you there. Any responses at all are greatly appreciated in advance and I thank you and your eyes for bothering to read all of this gibberish.
Thank you for the advice. I thought I might have to be the one to walk around and introduce myself. ._.;
But I imagine if nobody does it, then we don't get anywhere, so thank you again for the advice.
Also, yea.. I hope, even though it's a furcon, that someone doesn't come up to me and make some claim that I may find offensive.. of course I'd try my best to discern if it was meant to be disrespectful or not.. <.<;
It has a lot to do with the tone, in person it is much easier then online to figure out a persons intentions, I am sure you will do fine, just let people know your new and I am sure someone would be willing to talk to you.
True, far easier to discern a person's intent in face-to-face scenario.
And then after initiating the easy part of the convo.. I'll have to roll with it and find things in common! Oh, happy days!
Again grateful for the advice and response! I'll give ya a little bit of a squeeze 
I guess like some I just am concerned that people won't.. get my sense of humor or well.. like me really.
Some people might not. Some people will. Anthrocon is a place of over three thousand people with a lot of different styles; nearly everyone is relaxed about this sort of thing. Some folks at the con you will find friends in, assuredly. Bing relaxed and polite will go a long way for this.
Is it.. offensive or anything of the sort to try and get people's opinion on what animal I would appear to be?
Is there anything in this convention against... like.. a sign on me saying "free hugs" or something like that? >.> (Assuming I get that comfortable)As for the former: You can ask others, but that's generally considered something you figure out for yourself. Nothing wrong with "I'm knew and tryng to figure out my Fursona.." and listening to opinions.
As for the latter: You can wear it, but such 'free hug' signs are considered a bit passe of late. Not bad but not the hippest possible piece of wear; every year 2-3 folks do wear them, usually fursuiters.
--Chi
Well, thank you for the time to respond. For the first bit, after posting it and thinking on it for a few hours I realized the answer to that also. Obviously everyone is not going to like me. Shouldn't have posted that I guess. >.<;
Secondly, that is pretty much dead on. I know that it'll be my own personal decision of what I would be, but ever since they told me about this I've wondered really what other people see for me as a "fursona". It's a change from usually not really being all that concerned with others opinions, so I wasn't sure if it was something rude to ask. I didn't want to start off my first con by stepping on anyone's paw.
Last part... yea one of my friends was commenting about putting the sign on me and I wasn't really sure if that was a "cliche" kind of thing there, again.. didn't want to tread on anyone's territory or start off on the wrong foot/paw.
I can assure you that everyone's friendly and the con's a great environment to meet new people, I come back from the con every year with a couple dozen phone numbers, screen names and other stuff from folks I met that I think are awesome. I just run across them during the course of doing my thing and if there's something about them that catches my interest, I strike up a conversation. :] If you're shy, go to scheduled events where you'll have to speak up. Either that or volunteer (might I suggest art show or registration?) The number of people you'll encounter will most definitely break down any concerns you'll have about talking to strangers.
It's AC, it's not like real life, even if you're shy in real life just FORGET ABOUT IT at Anthrocon. There's plenty of people you'll never really have to deal with again if they're not nice, but chances are really good there are and if you make a point of approaching folks, you -will- make friends. Personal guarantee.
Now by "If you're shy, go to scheduled events where you'll have to speak up." Do you mean there will be this big glaring light upon me with everyone burning holes into me with their eyes? Or more like a, if I choose to "raise my hand", I have to talk up. >.>
You just raise your hand, and then only if you want to. The only time a glaring light will be on you would be at the open-mic events.
Well thank you greatly for that knowledge. Off-topic, in my spare time I looked at your website Uncle Kage. 
It made me laugh, not sure why, that you were in the laundry mat only just down the road from where I live, at some point in your life. Most the time I tell someone I live in Vermont they ask what state it's in. >-<;
edit: Also.. would it just be an introducing yourself scenario? Or would that depend on events? Actually.. I guess I'll find out when I get there, no?
My goodness! I used to live on Worcester Avenue. Is that little laundromat still there?
Yep, still there and... well I wouldn't say going strong. But I'd be surprised if that place ever died off. <.<;; Certainly helps me to do laundry every now and again!
Well, Vermont *was* in New York till y'all seceded.
Anyhow, don't worry 'bout being shy or anything... I've actually been diagnosed with sociolphobia and still have a great time every year (it's a wonderful form of self-treatment 
).
Bear that in mind if you're tempted to come running at me in need of a volunteer.
What Uncle Kage said... And.. that was 219 years ago! Well over enough years for someone to stop asking me what state, the state I live in, is in. >.<;; Besides I <3 Vermont and it's more natural settings. I just happen to dislike the thousands of people who can't read a sign that says "One Way ->" or "NO TURN ON RED"... then again I like there money to help our states economy :x
So it's worth sharing the beauty to keep living here. ;p
edit: Also.. would it just be an introducing yourself scenario? Or would that depend on events? Actually.. I guess I'll find out when I get there, no?
It depends on the event, but there are many that are basically set up as discussions or meet-and-greets, where you may be invited to introduce yourself and answer a few very basic questions, just to get the conversational ball rolling--stuff like "Hi, my name is dest, i'm a dragon, and i first got involved with furries in the mid 90's during the heyday of usenet and newsgroups." And if you tell them you don't want to share, most panel leaders will let you just sit quietly and listen.
As an additional note, i actually went to college in the southwestern corner of vermont. I have fond memories of macintosh apple trees, off-beat local politics, and making fun of the leaf peepers.
Ah, OK. Thank your for clearing that up for me. I suppose I can't really dodge all of those events. Should at least give them a try. Thank you again for the info.
Hello and welcome! It's always a combination of exciting and nerve-wracking to try something new, but usually worth it. I think you'll probably have a wonderful time at AC. 
Is it.. offensive or anything of the sort to try and get people's opinion on what animal I would appear to be?
I wouldn't think so, but I might suggest you open the conversation by asking people what their fursona is and how they came to choose that particular animal. You'd get a world of insight into how many different people find their personal fursona, and it might help you to find yours.
Or... you can be a gryphon. We need more gryphons in the fandom! *nods*
Picking a fursona can be as simple as "I like how this looks" or as complex as an extended personal reflection on what your personality might reflect. (I chose the second route myself).
To build on Tyrrlin's comment about asking others about their fursonas, there will be quite a wealth of species related panels at Anthrocon this year; feel free to stop by and check some, or all, of them out! :>
yea. with some people you camn see what they could be just by looking at them
Do these panels try to describe characteristics of the animals? >.> I'm trying to go for more of an inner fursona than an out. I'm not really sure what I'd be outer either.. but I'm aiming for inner >.>
Thanks for your input and advice!
That would be up to the individual panelists, so I can't say for sure. Sorry! 
Thanks for the info. And my friend is a gryphon.. and as of now I don't see myself as one so sorry ;P 
*Charline de Lyon, the happy evil lioness, pounces!* Hi there, noobie! I'm Charline! Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna eat you! =^_^= *smiles widely with HUGE teeth!* ^V^^V^
*the 'friendly' tactic doesn't seem much less terrifying than her usual method...*
*smacks with a rolled up newspaper* No! Bad! Bad Charline! No eating the noobs!
Can you just let me go with one bite or so? ._.; I don't mind being bitten.. but being eaten could certainly impair my ability to try and enjoy the con.
Sorry. Charline just can't stop at one bite.
Well I guess as long as I don't lose any major organs,limbs or bleed to death. I'm ok with it I suppose.
*Charline is the spokes-demon for Noobie Snacks... made from all-natural 100% noob!* Bet you can't eat just one! >:9
Totally unfair! I can't even bring my whip (or any of my other various plethora of weaponry) to try and fend you off! Even for the cliche chair and whip combo! And wouldn't that only prevent you from gaining new members of the furry fandom if you ate us all? ._.; Couldn't you at least roll a die and see who you're going to eat instead T-T
Or chase us.. so I can kick someone in the leg? 
That was always the rule to remember in D&D..(At least for the campaigns my friends made) "You don't have to run faster than the dragon, just the halfling."
I wouldn't worry too much about not fitting in. The convention is a pretty inviting place. As for events and panels, there are lots of them to choose from, and you don't have to speak at any of them if you don't want to.
Some events are specifically designed for folks that have not been to AC (or other furry cons) before. They are a good way to ease into things and get a handle on the way things work. "Your First Anthrocon" panel is one that Kage and I have been running for years, and it really is a nice way to start your first con.
Stage shows are fun and entertaining. There are plenty of them. Just find things that seem to appeal to you and you'll have a ball.
The programming guide will have the schedule and a full list of events for the entire weekend. You can use it to find those things you really want to do, and build your own personal schedule for the weekend.
You really don't need to be a "social butterfly" to enjoy the convention. Just take your time and look into the things that you find interesting. You'll make new friends and have a memorable weekend.
KP
I definitely intend on going to the "Your First Anthrocon" panel. I'm sure I'll also check out some of the others as well.. I thought about trying to do EVERYTHING.. but soon realized that, that may well be impossible... and I wouldn't want to take away from the time I'd spend standing there and trying to socialize with this vast community. I only ever hear positive things, from both furry and non. I guess I'll just have to hope a social mood strikes me, so I can make the most of it. >.>
But thank you, greatly for the info!
Be ur self... or thats wut ive been told xD it usually works :3 although events like meet and greet and other social events are great :3 one of my favorite ways of making friends and overcoming being shy is going to dances u have a great time and can make friends easily... i think...waffles mmmm waffles >=3 lol but honestly the furry fandom is like a tornado of friendlyness, it will suck u in and ull be fine >:3 muahahaha as for me i am very outgoing most of the time and will luv to meet u if u would like that message me or add me as a buddy and we could get to know each other and maybe one day meet each other at teh con
Well First, Hello, this will be my first con as well and i hope to see you around. Let me just say a little tip about being shy that has helped me in the past. If you think of how shy and weird and self conscious you are feeling, odds are that any other person in the room will feel just as shy or self conscious so try to 'pretend' you are not, just think of what ever you would want someone to say/do to introduce them selfs to you, and do the same to others around you. You might also want to look into volunteering, I hear it is a great way to meet new people and i plan on doing that myself.
Well I can only speak for myself, but I do not think that asking what animal you Look like would come off as offensive, well not to me at least, now if you walk up to me and say, that I really look like a cow, i might have a hard time with that, then again its a furry con.
. Hope to see you around at AC