Introduction
This panel is a guide, and is not gospel. It’s simply a hope that audience members will maybe learn a little bit, that might help them to make informed decisions about situations at conventions.
(Audience Participation) Who are women that you admire, and why? These do not need to be real women. Fictional women are great. Note the name of the panel.
After collecting the names of the females, character traits will be examined. The ones that will be focused on will be used throughout the rest of the panel.
Assumptions that are incorrect (sort of a lecture): “I am a victim.” NO YOU ARE NOT. When you accept your role as a victim, you will become one. It is a self fulfilling prophecy.
“I deserve what happens.” NOT EVEN ON A BET. You do not deserve anything. You may earn some things that are good (praise, a raise, a present, a flower, etc.) but you do not deserve anything. To feel that you deserve anything means that you feel that you are owed something. You are owed nothing, and that goes trebly for anything rotten.
“I am not responsible.” WRONG. You are always responsible for everything that happens to you, even if indirectly. If you know that you are getting into a situation, and you could have avoided it, you are partially responsible for everything that happens. You make your own decisions. This does not, in any way, condone when bad things happen. But by being aware that you are responsible, you can avoid bad things.
“I can’t help it.” YES YOU CAN. The minute that you know the differences of wrong or right, you can help it. You can fight every step of the way, to make things right.
There will always be times when you will be faced with something bigger than you are. How you react to it, is up to you. Are you Xena?
There will be times when it seems hopeless. Are you Princess Leia, or Senator Amadala?
There will be times when the end does not seem attainable. Are you Ripley?
Techniques (Audience Participation)
Observe the surroundings – show them how to see things they may not have seen
Note the light levels and Know the area
Where are the doors?
Who else is there
Body and Presentation (Audience Participation)
What is your posture saying?
Where to stand?
How close is too close?
Basically, it’s all up to you.
Words can mean other things
Reading his body language
His reaction to your costume
Reactions to subliminals (including scent)
Caveat: Any inference about body language or intent or subliminals should be a guide only…not only can things be misinterpreted, but there’s also the possibility that a cultural difference may mean a certain reaction may not fall within the norms…many of the people you’ll be dealing with are not socially adjusted. These guides are simply here as an AID to keeping in control of a situation, in an unusual environment – conventions.
Skin does not equal available
No one should make you uncomfortable in your choice
People WILL pay attention, so be aware of it
If you have reservations, don’t! This cannot be emphasized enough. If it makes you squick in any way, shape, or form, don’t do it.
You make the decision, and no one else does
Answers to some of the lines that will be used (audience participation – they bring a line and we help them answer it)
You are the one that will make the decision of what you are going to do. Hopefully, this information will help you to make a decision that you are comfortable with, where you can enjoy yourself.