Obviously not a gingerly move...or is it...O_o

As winter conventions swiftly approach us and all con attendees are thrown together for warmth, we have to face a certain topic. No one likes addressing this topic, but it seems that time after time, personal hygiene needs to be discussed. Personal hygiene is important when attending a convention. Period. It doesn't matter if you are a cosplayer, gamer, or regular attendee. Poor hygiene affects everyone and can considerably alter someone's experience at an event. I have attended too many events where con attendees have either forgotten to take care of themselves or didn't care enough to bother during the event. Due to this continued problem, many conventions have actually added reminders in their programs. I have even heard of attendees being tossed out due to body odor. No one wants to deal with bad body odor and you don't want to be the one that offends. Be kind to others and yourself by following these simple rules about hygiene.

I (Manny) asked my good friend Jeff Nimoy about eating healthy at conventions, because at DragonCon food was everywhere, and making the right and healthy decision was not easy. Jeff is an enthusiast and Blogger for the Caveman diet. I'll let him explain.

How to Eat Healthy at Cons by Jeff Nimoy

Most of you know me as the Emmy Award winning Writer/V.O. Director/Voice Actor for such hit shows as Digimon, Naruto, and Trigun, just to name a few.  But a handful of you also know that I'm a health nut, and a staunch follower of The Caveman Diet, also known as The Paleo Diet.  Put simply, it's eating what the caveman ate.  

No, there are no brontosaurus burgers on the menu, but there is a lot of organic food that will transform your health, whether you know you're sick or not! Did you know caveman didn't have cancer?  They didn't have heart disease.  They didn't have diabetes.  Incredible, but true.  They didn't even have acne, or tooth decay, two things that plague many con attendees!  This healthy constitution was directly related to their diet.  

We all know that feeling. The sound of your laughter screeching to a halt. Your heart races. Sweat breaks out on your forehead. The hairs on your arms and the back of your neck stand up. You turn slowly to face the coming threat. But it’s too late: you’ve just been glomped by a total stranger.

It’s exciting to see someone dressed as your favorite character at a convention or movie premiere or picnic, but you need to realize that there is a certain kind of etiquette to be expected. Slow down, breathe, and think for a moment. Do I know this person? Will they react well to an attack-hug? Will I hurt them or damage their costume? Will they move and let me fall flat on my face? These are all questions you should ask yourself when the excitement takes over your soul and you feel the undeniable urge to hug a random stranger.

Finances are a big part of attending conventions. There is really no way around it. You need money to get to the convention, you will need money to get a badge and a room, and you will need money for all the great merchandise you want to buy at the dealer's room. All convention attendees need money. Managing that money is important once you reach the convention. Over the years, I have personally seen too many con-goers end up wearing signs saying,"No way home! Please feed!" No one wants to be stuck at what is supposed to be a fun time and you definitely don't want to be the mooch who goes to the cons and never seems to have enough to get back or pay for themselves once they arrive. Be a good Otaku and follow these simple rules for budgeting your money at a convention...don't be "That Guy..."