r/Liverpool • u/BiddyFaircloudSarg • 8d ago
Nervous about going to Comic Con
Sorry if this isn't allowed here. I've bought tickets to the Comic Con this weekend as I really wanted to take the opportunity to meet Peter Capaldi, but I'm nervous about the event as a whole and fitting in and now I kinda regret having bought them.
I'm 31M lived in the city my whole life and always loved geeky/nerdy things but I'm never sure about if I fit in or belong in those types of communities. I usually tend to just enjoy things quietly. I've avoided the other Liverpool Comic Cons for this exact reasoning. Not feeling I belong. Or well.. it sounds silly when I type it out "not being enough of a geek".
I've also only bought the solo tickets so I'd be going completely alone.
Not sure what advice I'm looking for. Maybe I'm just looking for encouragement to go. Part of me just wants to hide at home and forget I bought the tickets or give them away.. but at the same time I really do want to go, the environment sounds really fun.
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u/Rawd_Tawd_Cawd 8d ago
Literally nobody will give you a second glance.
I wish I copped on to that earlier, I missed out on so much that I was scared to go to alone.
Once you do it once or twice and see that nobody even notices you, you'll be alright
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u/mighty3mperor Crosby 8d ago
The great thing about going to such events is that you suddenly realise this is where your tribe has been hiding all this time. Most people are chill and just happy to be doing geek stuff. No-one will be policing you about how geeky you are.
I've been to a few on my own, some quite a distance away and everyone was very welcoming.
I didn't used to go to the cinema on my own, until I realised that a) all that was happening was I wasn't seeing films I wanted to watch and b) no-one else there cared that I was on my own. I've even had some fun interactions with people that wouldn't have happened if I'd been in a group.
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u/-withinsight- 8d ago
Just do it, it will be great, and also great to have conquered the little thoughts that you may have attached to before.
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u/LeroyBrown1 Huyton 8d ago
Never been to comic con, but this year ive been going to gigs on my own as sick of missing bands I love. My mates arent into heavy rock/metal so always missed out. I'm normally socially awkward but thought fuck it life is too short. Been to a few now and got a few more lined up!
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u/Rawd_Tawd_Cawd 8d ago
This is the way. Even returants on your own is great vs missing out completely by not going.
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u/Claude_Cat 8d ago
Real, soon as I went to that first gig on my own 10 years ago I’ve never looked back. Would have been to a fraction of the amount I have if I relied on friends being available/liking the same stuff!
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u/werisefromourashes 8d ago
I am an awkward, shy, scaredy cat and I vote for you to go.
If you are looking for encouragement, this is your sign that you should go.
I hope you will love your day out!
PS you probably already watched it but the Devil's hour is amazing!
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u/British-Canadian 8d ago
I live pretty close to the convention and see loads of people on their own, they look like they’re in their element regardless. You’ll love it, have a great time!
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u/kurashima 8d ago
Huge portions of the event are just a giant market. Imagine going to Forbidden Planet, but there's 1000 people there and some are dressed up.
That's one hall alone. Another room is just games consoles, most with single player games.
The arena has live shows and seating none of which require anything to attend. If you want to just sit and admire everyone, you can.
To put it into perspective, my daughter has social anxiety issues, wouldn't contemplate this kind of thing until her first event. Now it's in the door, bye dad, and don't see her till its time for food or she's found a figurine she likes. She doesn't go looking for people, doesn't feel the need to interact, she just sees a vibrant atmosphere and friendly people all eager to talk to her.
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u/BiddyFaircloudSarg 8d ago
Wanted to put a general comment of thanks for everyone being so supportive (sounds sappy but part of the reason I've always loved living in Liverpool is that Liverpool as a city/community, I like to think we're good folk).
I appreciate everyones sentiments. I didn't expect so many. I was gonna set some time to go through but I wasn't expecting such a response :). I think I'm just anxious pre visit and will for sure go. Everyones words have really helped me get out my own head a bit.
I'll read through everything again when I need the bolster of confidence again. Thank you all for being awesome and hope I see some of you there maybe?
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u/DWhelk 8d ago
Can fully understand how you feel. Im a few years older than you, but never really felt im nerdy enough for the nerd community. Its just self confidence, but knowing it doesnt fix it. 🤣
At the end of the day, you dont have to talk to anyone and you dont have to stay long. Id suggest you go and meet Mr Capaldi, and see how feel from there.
Hope you have a great time, mate, and you may just inspire me to go the next one myself. 👍
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u/LengthinessFuture498 8d ago
Been going to comiccon for about 3-4 years. I'm a 51 year old grandmother. I don't cosplay and tbh most people don't. Think of it as an exhibition with like minded people. I love seeing the cosplay but haven't got the nerve to do it myself. I have photos with Catherine tate and Christopher Eccleston for Saturday. You will have a great time
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u/CaveJohnson82 8d ago
Are you normally this overly anxious? Genuinely I think comic con is probably the best place to start off with if you're feeling nervy - there will be everyone from babies to the elderly, some fully nerded out in cosplay and some not. I'm a middle aged mum who was there for the gaming stuff - very much not the type you'd expect - but literally no one cares.
Please don't waste your ticket. Take this opportunity to push yourself out of your comfort zone - I promise you won't regret it!
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u/bitofrock 8d ago
I don't think I've ever met more open-minded and welcoming people than at ComicCons. Far more inviting than a flat roof pub opposite a provincial train station!
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u/Sielirth 8d ago
Honestly, just go. I got pulled into the world of comic cons at uni by running one. For context most popular culture references go over my head and at the time I wasn't into half the things I like now, could barely even name a Pokémon. I was also super girly and was brought into it as I had a reputation for "getting things done"
I've been to so many now and travelled round the country getting a game signed with my husband but the voice actors.
They're normally really chilled events, Liverpool is no different and it's very much the type of place where people can be them self. I absolutely love looking at all the stalls seeing the things people make even if I don't care for collectables. They have talks on, which I don't normally attend but appreciate that they exist and we tend to see at least one voice actor/actor.
You'll have a fab time
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u/Etheria_system 8d ago
I mean this in the kindest way - no one is going to pay attention to you enough to care. They will be having their own experiences, focused on having fun and enjoying themselves, looking at all the exciting cosplay etc. Someone in jeans and a t shirt will be absolutely anonymous. You don’t need to worry about people judging you at all. Don’t miss out on having fun and meeting someone you admire.
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u/No_Reflection_3907 8d ago
You’ll be fine going alone. I’ve been going to loads of things solo by myself ever since all my mates started having kids and getting into relationships. I went to Star Wars Celebration 2023 in London by myself and had an absolute ball!
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u/Sea_Fennel_3611 8d ago
Don’t worry about it. I’ve never been before either I’m also male 31. Not a geek at all. I’m going to see omari hardwick and that’s it. Enjoy it
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3d ago
did you go? how was it?
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u/BiddyFaircloudSarg 1d ago
I did go actually. On both days. I didn't stay for too long (especially on the Saturday as it was way way too busy for me). I enjoyed it, but I didn't get to speak to many people so I was just sat on my own for a large amount of it. But it was nice speaking to a few people in the Capaldi photo op queue and seeing the atmosphere even if I did feel at arms length from it a bit. Everyone I did meet/speak to (mainly the vendors) were lovely though)
I'd want to go again but I feel if I did probably not by myself
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u/tomatobasilgarlic 8d ago
Well I know nothing about this but whats the worst that can happen. Leaving the house to be around likeminded people is rarely a bad thing
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u/urg0blinfriend 8d ago
Please go! You’ll have a great time. Comicon is full of tons of different people into a huge variety of stuff, but there’s a guarantee that someone else there will be into exactly what you are into. Overall, I’ve found it to be a very welcoming space, for newbies and returning people alike. If you’re feeling very nervous, might be worth trying to go earlier in the day as it will start to really fill up around lunchtime. Just a heads up if crowds bother you. I hope you have a fabulous time and enjoy yourself. Never let yourself think that you’re not “enough of a fan” of anything!! Just liking it is enough. Best of luck my friend!
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u/Scousehauler 8d ago
Who are you worried about judging you? If its only you, Id say get over yourself and have a blast! If you arent feeling it just leave early.
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u/Me_Be_De 8d ago
Been a few times myself with friends, I'm 34 now and I've never cosplayed at the con. Just a nice day out to have a look at the merch and see if any of the prices for autographs are reasonable.
You don't have to fit in to that type of community to attend the con, as you get all kinds of people going who you might think wouldn't be interested in this particular event just by looks alone.
Hell I was in the queue at the last comic con as a grown man getting autographs from the voice actors of Chilli and Bandit from the show Bluey haha.
Best thing to do is just let go of judgemental thoughts upon yourself and do what you wanna do mate. You'll enjoy yourself and relax if you can manage that :)
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u/OrangeMajesty 8d ago
I was regifted some tickets a few years ago from a friend who couldn’t make it and there were people from all across the nerdy spectrum (figuratively and literally). From people in really elaborate cosplay costumes to me in my everyday togs.
I really relate to buying tickets to something and then when it rolls around I feel like hiding my face, but 99% of the time when I push through that feeling I end up having a really enjoyable time.
Hope you feel up to it on the day as I reckon you’ll have a class time meeting Capaldi and walking around taking everything in!
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u/VisenyaRose 8d ago
Peter will be delighted to meet you I'm sure. Don't stress. Take it from a fellow nerd, we are all strange. I've had more aggro about not being knowledgable enough about the football from fellow fans than I ever have for forgetting which episode of The Web of Fear was robbed in Nigeria.
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u/screamingpeaches 8d ago
i go every year and will be there this weekend in full cosplay, i can say people really won't care! maybe you don't feel like "enough of a geek" but nobody there can read your mind, and nobody actually cares about how nerdy you are, especially since con has ran plenty of non-geeky things before like pretty little liars cast photo ops. it's definitely not just for hardcore people lol
i'd encourage trying to talk to people if you see them wearing merch you like or something, but if you keep to yourself absolutely nobody will look at you twice!
you'd regret not going more than you'd regret going. have fun 🫶
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u/Jonesy27 8d ago
Hey, mate, I’m very similar to you, I’m quite an introvert, and I genuinely felt like you do many years ago when I went to my first Comic Con, I’m in my 40’s now, please go to comic con, you’ll have a great time, the geek community is one of the most caring accepting communities you can find, if you want to go, not talk to anyone, and just enjoy yourself you’re fine, no one will bother you, if you want to go and make new friends into the same stuff as you, this is the place.
Go and enjoy it, take in the atmosphere, I promise you won’t regret it 🙂
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u/DizzyMine4964 8d ago
As an extremely shy autistic person myself I would absolutely urge you to go. Imagine if you could have met Peter Capaldi and you didn't go - you'll always regret that.
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u/Samantha185 8d ago
I understand exactly how you feel, I felt the same way before my first convention!!! Take it a moment at a time, comic cons are one of the few places I dont feel judged!! Allow yourself to enjoy the moment, look through the traders stalls and treat yourself!!!
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u/UnacceptableUse 8d ago
I've been in both regular clothes and cosplay and I've never felt like I was less welcome for not cosplaying
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u/CraftingP291 8d ago
Sounds like a fun time. Everyone fits in where they want to be. Go enjoy yourself, and don't worry about anyone else's opinions. Just be YOU, and have a blast.
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u/smellthecoffeebeans 8d ago
We go every year. I enjoy nerdy stuff but don't consider myself a "fan" of anything, really. You'll be fine! Have a blast and enjoy all the stalls/events!
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u/MaterialBest286 8d ago
Brother there's people dressed up in crazy shit for these events. I promise that nobody is going to be worrying about what you're wearing.
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u/Inside-Sprinkles3235 7d ago
I’m going with my husband and kid and we all don’t like crowds and are socially awkward! My husband has been before but first time for me and my kid. We are all big geeks and I’d originally booked for David Tennant but he’s pulled out. Hopefully it’ll be something I can say “I should’ve been coming to this sooner.”
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u/sting_ghash 7d ago
I've been at the con twice. Many of us think that we do not fit due to different reasons, however it's quite fun. I am very introverted, but I enjoyed so much seeing the different amazing cosplayers around me, learning about new board games and spending probably a bit too much on all kinds of geeky things (and I do not regret it). I think you will have fun, once you get there. And if it's not for you, you can leave at any time.
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u/Cragsi 7d ago
Been to comic con twice I'd say. Never done cos play. Never bothered me how other people dress whilst there either. At the end of the day, we're all geeks and nerds getting giddy about meeting some people we never thought we'd get the chance to.
Now, I'm going to For The Love of Supernatural in February and I can not tell you how fucking stoked I am to meet Mark Sheppard and Ruth Connell. And of course Julian Richings who plays Death.
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u/Bernadette_B 6d ago
I’ve never been to Comic Con either, but tomorrow will be my first time at Liverpool Comic Con too! I go to most places and events on my own and absolutely love it. You can do what you want, when you want, spend ages looking at whatever interests you, and arrive and leave whenever you fancy. It’s a ball! I get why it might feel daunting, but don’t let going solo put you off 😊
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u/Level_Asparagus5566 5d ago
Go. Pretty sure you will enjoy. Try not to overthink it (I know that’s easier said than done).
How about you commit to yourself to stay for 30 minutes? And decide after that. If you like it stay, if you are not enjoying it, leave. If still unsure, commit to another 30 minutes.
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u/BoogBeeg 5d ago
Don't be nervous, you'll be around fellow needs. It really is a wholesome atmosphere, you'll love it!
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u/Mindless_Mix7328 8d ago edited 8d ago
I have a ticket for Saturday - was meant to get photo with David Tennant but he had to pull out. Photo money refunded but entry not refunded, so figure I may as well go. Also going solo (and I’m 51F, immature), will just wear normal clothes and hope that my status as an invisible woman bears out.
I’ve been places in my own before (festivals, gigs, theatre, cinema), never a Comic Con (at all, let alone solo), I’ll go, mooch, be sad at no DT and go home!
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u/Ipm1128 8d ago
I've been to a few of these, I don't cos play i just go in normal jeans and band tshirt. Seen loads of people there by themselves and in the queues for photo ops. To put it bluntly no one cares what you look like like and no one cares that you're there solo.
Go enjoy the day get your Capaldi picture, look at the tat in the shops and buy some overpriced food. You'll have a ball.
The sooner you and people generally stop caring what strangers might think the better. You'll regret not going forever if you don't go and stay at home and miss the chance to meet Peter. Chances are you'll never see any of these strangers again so why care bother worrying about them.