Over 7000 furries are going to Pittsburgh this weekend for Anthrocon, the annual convention for people who dress like wolves, dragons and combination wolf-dragons. The convention includes a public parade, which last year featured 2100 participants. Anthrocon rep John Cole gave the Incline some etiquette tips for interacting with furries. The advice boils down to two rules of thumb: Don’t be invasive, and remember that fursuits are hot as hell.
Photo by AoLun
It’s OK to ask furries questions, says Cole, but remember that they’re people with feelings. Plus, some prefer not to talk. Ask to take pictures, and ask if you can ask further questions. If you have kids, teach them not to crowd anyone or touch them without their permission.
Walking in a parade is gruelling even in breathable clothes, and fursuits are not ideally suited to hot weather (it is currently summer in the US). People in full costume are often hot and dehydrated, inside a costume that limits vision and coordination. So while they might look indestructible, the people inside those suits are pretty vulnerable. Be considerate. Open doors for them and warn them about hazards.
Furries are not, let’s say, widely trusted by the public, so they’re very careful about interacting with children and even adjusting their body language to look friendly. Anthrocon has a thorough attendee code of conduct. Like most adults, many furries like to have sex, but they aren’t any more obsessed with it than the rest of us. So if you grill them about their sexual perversions, they’re not the ones who will come off bad. Just respect them like you’d respect any person, even a person who’s pretending to be an animal.
Comments
11 responses to “How To Treat A Furry In Public”
they remind me way to much of mascots
I already know how:
Like a pariah. That was way too many words for like a pariah.
I bet those ridiculous outfits are suuuuper flammable. And hard to get out of in a hurry.
Would have made for an interesting Mythbusters episode.
I have nothing against the people inside but fursuits always freak me out for some reason in the same way that clowns do. I get the same thing with park mascots.
Thank you for this.
As a courtesy I have compiled my own list for how Furries and other people need to treat me.
1. Personal space.
2. Personal space.
3. Stay out of my personal space.
4. Keep away from my personal space.
5. Get outta that personal space.
6. Stay away from my personal space.
7) Keep away from that personal space.
8) Personal space.
9) Personal space.
I suggest avoiding any events with large crowds. Generally speaking what you’re asking for is reasonable. Different standards apply at crowded public gatherings as a matter of practicality. Nobody really likes it. But that is how it be.
It was a Rick & Morty reference, I’m not that insane about personal space (especially for conventions)
Chances are if I’m somewhere there are Furries, it’s prob their event and I’m a week early for Comicon, so I would be in their territory lol.
I don’t understand the “furry” culture and honestly, I never will. I honestly do find it weird but at the end of the day, as long as they’re not hurting anyone or/and doing anything illegal, who cares what they do.
Let people enjoy things.
I’m guessing that pointing and laughing is the wrong answer here.