Unspoken Rules of Gen Con

First-timer at Gen Con? Take our advice:

» Avoid one line by eating outside of the convention center. Try a sit-down place a block or two away for maximum foot relief.

Looks like pizza and wifi are good draws for the #GenCon crowd. @Gen_Con @IndyMonthly pic.twitter.com/pgt1LWWBTn

— Anne Halliwell (@Anne_Halliwell) July 30, 2015

» Not into tabletop or video games? Look for pick-up games of Cards Against Humanity in the hallways, join the card-stack for charity, or grab a card for the scavenger hunt. There’s plenty to do!

#GenCon group inviting passers-by to play #CardsAgainstHumanity outside Room 120. @IndyMonthly @Gen_Con pic.twitter.com/0w9M8gA0eF

— Anne Halliwell (@Anne_Halliwell) July 30, 2015

» Ask about prices in the vendor area, but don’t argue them. If you’re not interested in spending $100 on handmade leather accessories or custom artwork, that’s fine – other people will be.

» Look online for cheaper ways to test out nerdwear – Teepublic, Redbubble, and Cafepress have all the T-shirt designs you could ever want.

» Take a picture with a cosplayer.

» Bonus points if you find the same person later in a different costume.

» Bonus points to the cosplayer if you don’t recognize them the second time.

» Ask permission before taking a picture with a costumed attendee—avoid potential awkwardness and let them strike a pose!

» Sign Tim the Balloon Sculptor’s witness book.

» Find Star Lord on Saturday and challenge him to a dance-off.

» The food trucks on Georgia Street are busy, but the people-watching in line might be worth it.