This past weekend, I had the pleasure to attend Otakon in Baltimore, Maryland. This was the last year that the convention was held in Baltimore and the convention definitely went out with a bang. From an amazing show floor and a welcoming mass of fans to the high energy of their "dance" (aka rave) and so much more, I could not have wished for a more fun or exciting experience to end Otakon's run in Maryland. However, what really set this convention apart was how many people I got to meet and become friends with over the course of those three days. As such, I wanted to offer a few tips to others on making friends at a convention.

1. Respect and Consent

I'm going to give some tips here on how to make friends, but at the end of the day, the biggest thing you need to keep in mind is respect. Not everyone is going to want to talk with you. Not everyone is going to want to keep in contact after a conversation. Not everyone is friendly and respectful. As with making friends outside of a convention, the key to starting off any friendship is with respect. If someone is giving you the "please dear god, leave me alone" vibe, gracefully step away. If they turn their body away, that is a clear sign the conversation is ended. Do not engage in any physical contact without permission - this includes hugs. If they are also excited to talk, join in the excitement. If they are enthusiastic and you want to ask to chat later, ask politely. But everyone has the right to say no and to walk away. Not everyone you meet is going to be your friend: some may just be acquaintances for the day, others may become friends you see only at cons, others still may just blow you off. You never know until you try. And the only way to try is to be respectful.

2. Common Interests

Now this may seem kind of silly seeing as if you are at a convention, you would naturally assume that everyone would have the same common interests. Not the case. Otakon is primarily an anime convention that hosts a number of panels, anime showings, artists, animators, and voice actors/actresses of the field. But, that does not mean you wouldn't also find select niches of Star Wars, Harry Potter, steampunk, comic books, and other geekery of all kinds there as well. This is true for almost any convention at this point. When heading to a convention, it is definitely a good idea to check out forums and Facebook groups before hand, particularly about specific fandoms you are interested in.

Prior to any convention, I take a look at Facebook and join general convention groups as well as specific meetups. Generally, these are meant for cosplayers, but anyone from a fandom is welcome to the meetup to not only take pictures, but to also get to know each other. People tend to be a bit more open and sociable when given the opportunity to communicate via the Internet so by joining these groups, you can meet and discuss with other fans prior to the convention. It's a great way to ease yourself into the situation.

3. The Line Game

At every convention you go to, you are going to end up in a line whether it is to pick up a badge, attend a panel, or just to move to a different location within the center. During this time, you'll be in close proximity to other con-goers and, for a particular long line, you may be near each other for quite some time. I have found that this is the perfect opportunity to strike up conversation with my fellow line members, sometimes just to pass the time and other time to make a new friend. There are two key aspects to keep in mind during this time: body language and, again, common interest.

For the first, it is important to note the body language and vibe you're getting from whomever you are thinking of striking up a conversation with. If they are standing there, with their arms crossed and their eyes glued to their phone screen, it's best to leave them alone. Unless, of course, they are playing Pokemon Go, in which case you are required to discuss how difficult it is to find or hatch a Lapras and your woes over your friend catching a Dragonite out in California. Which leads us straight back to common interest.

Take note of what the person is wearing or pins on bags or, if they are with someone else, what they are discussing. You're going to be so close to each other you are going to overhear conversations no matter how hard you try to avoid them and nine times out of ten, if there is a lull in their conversation and you turn and offer your input, a conversation will begin. If you see someone wearing a Kill la Kill shirt and you want to share your thoughts on how much you love/hate the show, now's the time. If you overhear them discussing the new Ghostbuster movie, by all means, respectfully join in their conversation. We're all fans and we want to share our passion.

4. Extending the Friendship

Here is the part where a lot of people get hung up at a convention and don't know how to transition from "Hey, I just met you" to "You seem pretty chill and I'd love to hang out some more.". The easiest way to do this is to simply be honest and straight forward. I have found a "Hey, this has been a great conversation. I was going to head to [common interest] panel today. Did you want to meet up beforehand?" or "Hey, this has been a great conversation. Could we exchange numbers/Facebook/Tumblr/Myspace?" Always offer an option and give the person an out. Someone may not be comfortable with giving out their number. Someone may not want to meetup again. Never demand and never follow a person. That is going to lead to you a) looking like a creeper and b) getting you either spoken to or kicked out of a convention.

After you have made plans or exchanged information, do not blow up their social media or phone. Sending a quick "It was great meeting you!" is a great way to open the doors for further interaction. If they respond, feel free to start a new conversation, just as you would with any other person you are trying to become friends with. Remember: Respect and common interest. I know I've said them several times throughout this piece, but they really are the cornerstone to any friendship.

So there you have it: my tips on making friends at a convention. These are not the end all, be all when it comes to interacting with new people. Nor is it a sure-fire way to make friends. But they are ideas and beliefs that have worked for me. When you're out at your next convention, just remember to be respectful, focus on common interests, and most importantly be yourself. At the end of the day, we're all a bunch of nerds sharing our passion at a convention.