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[Makira]

So! I didn't know how to word this, ahha. My boyfriend will be coming with me to his first con this year. He's never been nor has really any idea what to expect. I'm quite excited to see his reaction to everything. He's SLOWLY getting into anime/videogames, but as well all know, there's plenty going on at conventions that definitely defy being normal.

I was wondering if anyone has any amusing stories to share with bringing "normal" people to cons? When I first got into cons I was 13 (I'm 26 now) so my mother came with me to my first con. Luckily she enjoyed every second of it and didn't seem bothered/weirded out by anything.

I'm sure it's not typical to have someone not into anime just go to these things, because it can get pretty expensive and seem like a waste if it's "not your thing." But! I was curious non-the-less, because I will be experiencing it shortly and am highly looking forward to it. I just know he'll love it, because luckily he's open minded, but I think some things like random break out dances or other random festivities might shock him a bit, haha.

[fujyoshi]

my mom and my brother come, they're "normal" and they complain all weekend.

[Torlequin]

Unfortunately, me being me, I wouldn't bring a "normal" person to a con. It's good that your boyfriend is open-minded though! When I brought my brother, it was awkward for him. It wasn't really because he didn't accept the things he saw, but rather, the people kept bothering him. He's kind of a bodybuilder, so random cosplayers would come up to him and start poking his muscles while he was trying to play games in the game room. Yeaahh...

[why_00]

I'm in the same boat as you are, and I'm kind of nervous. I'm going to be bringing my boyfriend to his first con in a couple months. I really have no idea why he wants to come. He has proclaimed that he doesn't really care for anime (except for dragonball and Avatar the last airbender, only shows he'll watch). And it's like pulling teeth to get him to watch some of my shows. But he wants to come with me to Anime Oasis... Maybe he's just curious to see why I like them so much, but I'm afraid he won't have fun while he's there.

[RinoaLnhrt]

When I went to my first ConnectiCon in '08, I brought my best friend with me who wasn't into anime or video games at all, but she did like sci-fi/fantasy stuff. She wouldn't cosplay with me though. By the time we were halfway through Friday, she looked at me and said "Okay. I HAVE to get into this stuff now, it's so awesome! Make me a list!" XD Now she's seen more anime than I have, runs a cosplay club at the university she goes to, and goes to probably twice as many cons as I do.

[sugarpunch18]

I think the best advice I could give those who are taking normal people to their first cons is just to step back and see what happens. In my experience, trying too hard to get someone to see how awesome something is makes it harder for them to like it. (That probably made no sense but it's the best I can do at 8 in the morning. )

[LeanaMee101]

My first con, my dad dragged me to ironically. It was SD Comic Con. Since then, I enjoyed cons. I dragged my mom and little brother the second time I went. My mom was so into the freebies of stuff that she didn't mind. She also knew that because myself and my little brother enjoyed what was there, she had fun herself.

As for other 'normal' people...I brought my ex-boyfriend to a cosplay gathering once. I got ditched plenty of times cause he found solitude in Rock Band. Though I guess I didn't really care cause I had plenty of friends to hang out with that day. Other then that, I don't really bring people that aren't into games or anime to a con or something of the sort.

[dangs]

Oh dang I don't think I ever brought any "normal" people to a con before. Most of my friends won't ever consider going to one because they don't know what the heck they are going to do there. They think that it's going be boring. I never brought anybody, but I know that my sister got to go to an anime con 2 years ago and I think she is considered "normal" She told me flat out that there wasn't much to do there and nothing interests her. She said that she would never go back to a con LOL.

[Makira]

I'm glad to see other people have some stories at least

I for sure understand not wanting to bring "normal" people. At that point it comes down to knowing your friends personality and if they'd even bother liking it. I'm very lucky to have found someone who's willing to try the things I enjoy. But I most definitely have some of those friends that I wouldn't even ask to tag along because I know there's about 6,000 other things on their to-do list, xD.

Why 00: Good luck when he goes That's very sweet that even if he's not super into it, he's willing to see what you like and are into! I'm sure he'll have a fun time and maybe even get into it a little more by being around all the awesome! My boyfriend is the same when it comes to what Anime he's seen. DBZ and the what not. I actually caught him watching Angel Beats by himself (he was watching some episodes with me) and he told me he REALLY enjoyed it. So I'm thinking he will enjoy himself.

If anything else, it's a new experience to add under his belt, lol.

[g00dapple]

I'm bringing my first "normal" person to Anime Expo this year. I don't know why they want to go, they got a glimpse of Sakura Con last weekend and said "Yeah, I don't think I could ever cosplay." I think friends/significant others just want to spend time with you and understand why you love what you love. We'll see out it goes!!

[ChocoboxDreamer]

Well my mother takes me to every con that I go to so she's a "normal" person that kind of just hangs around. Back in February, my friend tagged along with me to Nashville Anime Day. It was her first time going to an anime event so I guess she was pretty normal too.. when I go to AWA in September, my dad is taking me so he'll most likely be a normal person too.

So yes I've definitely had some normal people with me! ^^

[Moonsong]

Luckily my boyfriend is just as into anime and cosplay as I am, but before I could drive, my mom took me to all the cons I went to. The first two times she was really puzzled, but she met some other con moms and got to relax and use the pool so she didn't think it was so bad. I'd never really bring a "normal" person to a con unless they showed prior interest in attending one...I wouldn't want to have to deal with the person sighing and rolling their eyes and wishing they could leave every three seconds.

[Spazmodroid]

i was never really a stereotypical "normie" but I use to make fun of cosplayers at one point. when I was taken to my first con, I swear I was so overwhelmed with happiness and well, look at me now. haha
I tried this with a friend 2 years later, and she never really seemed to participate the entire weekend. it was kinda a disappointed because she initially seemed pretty excited about it, in fact, more excited than i was about my first con.

[zeldawulffie205]

I don't think I would mine if my mother or my 2nd oldest sister came with me. Something tells me they'd actually end up having a pretty darn good time^^

That goes especially my mother.

Sometimes she thinks she won't like something and the next thing I know she's having a good time.
When this happens I like to say, "HEY, YOU'RE ENJOYING IT."

P:

[The_Killer_Hare]

My mom wants to go with me. We've talked about my interests and she's gone into this "geek trip" where she wants to take part in all sorts of non mainstream activities. She even asked what she should go as. I told her "Oracle, the later years." Sometimes the "normals" can really get into it and find a new enjoyment.