Interacting with a Fursuiter
This is for those who do not own suits, or do not know how to interact with other suits. This is a very important topic that not many have discussed. So here are some super important tips on interacting with a Fursuiter!
-Make sure they see you! Fursuits have limited vision, they do not always see you standing there and looking at them. Make sure they have your attention and vise-versa. Tap them on the shoulder, or go in front of them (Not rudely) and wave at them. Don't ever just assume they see you! Also be sure to not interrupt them if they are interacting with someone else.
-ASK BEFORE HUGGING. Just going in for a hug can make some suiters angry or uncomfortable. Either politely ask, or just hold out your arms. If they say no, do not be offended. Not all fursuiters like to give out hugs, so be sure to respect that. If they deny your hug, find another suiter!
-Don't be awkward! If a fursuiters accepts your hug, let go of them when they let go of you. Don't make them feel awkward or uncomfortable because you won't let them go.
-Costumes does not equal consent! That also goes hand in hand with NOT touching a suiter inappropriately! Do not grope them, or let your hands travel south. Unless they ask for it, DO NOT touch them without consent. COSTUMES DO NOT EQUAL CONSENT. Please respect the fursuit, and the person inside, by not making them really uncomfortable. I see this happen much too often, do not assume people like to be groped.
-Sometimes, we're busy! If a suiter is trying to get somewhere, don't be offended if they leave quickly. We get very hot in these costumes, or we may have somewhere to be! Say a hello, and if they leave, don't be offended. If a fursuiter is busy, either wait for them to be available or come back later. Don't be pushy or rude.
-Don't stalk fursuiters. It's creepy. Everyone has a fursuit/fursuiter they love, but please don't be creepy and follow them around. Especially up to their room. Give them space and privacy. You can easily be reported to con staff.
-Do not "glomp" fursuiters, they may not see you coming, or they may have health conditions you do not know of. People get hurt from unexpected tackle hugs, please give gentle hugs!
-Be gentle! When playing around with a suiter, or petting them, be gentle! Don't pull fur out or damage anything. Many fursuiters do not like to be scratched or get "scritches", so please don't assume they do. Also make sure your hands are clean or else it could make their suit dirty, which leads to an angry suiter.
-DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS/VIDEOS OF SUITERS WITH NO MASK OR HAND PAWS. Or any piece for that matter. If they are taking a break, whether in the lounge or emergency, DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH THEM. This is highly disrespectful. Wait until they are done with their break, and 100% suited up before asking for a photo.
-Don't pull on accessories or tails. If a suiter has a harness, collar, or whatever, do not pull on it. You can damage the suit and hurt the fursuiter. And obviously, don't yank on tails, it's very rude.
-Respect their property. If a fursuiter has a prop, it may anger them if you downright take it. Even if you're trying to play, don't just steal their props. Find another way to interact with them instead.
-Aid them if needed! If you see a fursuiter who may be in distress, ask them if they are ok, if anything other than yes is given, find help immediately. Help them out of their mask if needed, but be sure you have consent, or know it is a dire situation before doing so. Do your part in helping keep an eye on fursuiters, sometimes we are having so much fun we can forget things. If you see a suiter that looks tired, remind them to drink water, or ask if they need help. If help is needed, find a staff member, or seek help immediately.
-Make sure they see you! Fursuits have limited vision, they do not always see you standing there and looking at them. Make sure they have your attention and vise-versa. Tap them on the shoulder, or go in front of them (Not rudely) and wave at them. Don't ever just assume they see you! Also be sure to not interrupt them if they are interacting with someone else.
-ASK BEFORE HUGGING. Just going in for a hug can make some suiters angry or uncomfortable. Either politely ask, or just hold out your arms. If they say no, do not be offended. Not all fursuiters like to give out hugs, so be sure to respect that. If they deny your hug, find another suiter!
-Don't be awkward! If a fursuiters accepts your hug, let go of them when they let go of you. Don't make them feel awkward or uncomfortable because you won't let them go.
-Costumes does not equal consent! That also goes hand in hand with NOT touching a suiter inappropriately! Do not grope them, or let your hands travel south. Unless they ask for it, DO NOT touch them without consent. COSTUMES DO NOT EQUAL CONSENT. Please respect the fursuit, and the person inside, by not making them really uncomfortable. I see this happen much too often, do not assume people like to be groped.
-Sometimes, we're busy! If a suiter is trying to get somewhere, don't be offended if they leave quickly. We get very hot in these costumes, or we may have somewhere to be! Say a hello, and if they leave, don't be offended. If a fursuiter is busy, either wait for them to be available or come back later. Don't be pushy or rude.
-Don't stalk fursuiters. It's creepy. Everyone has a fursuit/fursuiter they love, but please don't be creepy and follow them around. Especially up to their room. Give them space and privacy. You can easily be reported to con staff.
-Do not "glomp" fursuiters, they may not see you coming, or they may have health conditions you do not know of. People get hurt from unexpected tackle hugs, please give gentle hugs!
-Be gentle! When playing around with a suiter, or petting them, be gentle! Don't pull fur out or damage anything. Many fursuiters do not like to be scratched or get "scritches", so please don't assume they do. Also make sure your hands are clean or else it could make their suit dirty, which leads to an angry suiter.
-DO NOT TAKE PHOTOS/VIDEOS OF SUITERS WITH NO MASK OR HAND PAWS. Or any piece for that matter. If they are taking a break, whether in the lounge or emergency, DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH THEM. This is highly disrespectful. Wait until they are done with their break, and 100% suited up before asking for a photo.
-Don't pull on accessories or tails. If a suiter has a harness, collar, or whatever, do not pull on it. You can damage the suit and hurt the fursuiter. And obviously, don't yank on tails, it's very rude.
-Respect their property. If a fursuiter has a prop, it may anger them if you downright take it. Even if you're trying to play, don't just steal their props. Find another way to interact with them instead.
-Aid them if needed! If you see a fursuiter who may be in distress, ask them if they are ok, if anything other than yes is given, find help immediately. Help them out of their mask if needed, but be sure you have consent, or know it is a dire situation before doing so. Do your part in helping keep an eye on fursuiters, sometimes we are having so much fun we can forget things. If you see a suiter that looks tired, remind them to drink water, or ask if they need help. If help is needed, find a staff member, or seek help immediately.