(My friends and I are attending a large Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention. We are dressed as characters from the game “World of Warcraft.” I’m cosplaying as a Night Elf Druid Bear, which is essentially a fursuit. I’m covered in long, fluffy fur that hides the curves of my body, giving me an androgynous appearance. We are approached by a young woman who strikes up a friendly conversation with my friends.)
Woman: *to me* “This might sound weird, but can I get a hug?”
Me: *nods and opens arms*
Woman: “Yay!” *enthusiastically hugs me*
Woman: *suddenly jumps away* “OMG! OMG! BOOBS! IT’S A GIRL BEAR!”
(My friends and I instantly burst into uproarious laughter.)
Woman: *embarrassed* “I am so sorry. It’s weird when boobs touch.”
(Still chuckling, we assured her that it’s fine; I was not upset. She wasn’t the only person who wanted to hug me that weekend, but she was certainly the most memorable.)
(My stepfather works for the water company and relates this story. Unfortunately this happens on a regular basis:)
Customer: “How can my water bill be so high? I’ve been on vacation for weeks!”
Customer Service Rep: “Does your neighbor have a pool?”
(I’m walking up the stairs in a public square when I see a guy I don’t know walking right at me. I stop, and as I’m about to change my route to avoid him, he stops right in front of me and turns around. Before I have time to react, he has taken a selfie with me behind him.)
Stranger: “Thanks, mate!” *walks away*
Me: “What?!”
(As far as I know, I don’t look like any celebrity nor am I one.)
(My best friend and I are walking from a convention centre to his house. I’m not familiar with the area, so rely on my friend’s navigation skills, forgetting that every time I do so we end up getting lost. After walking for 15 minutes perpendicular to where we needed to be, we come across a familiar landmark, one of the hospitals, and realise the best way to get back on track is to cut through the grounds to the road on the other side. After passing through the grounds of the psychiatric ward we reach the road we’re after, and find our way out blocked by an eight-foot wall and spiked gates. We decide to just jump the wall rather than trek back looking for a way around, so he boosts me up, I straddle the wall and pull him up, and then we drop down the other side together, which turns out to be about 12 feet down. We look around, and see the big “[LOCATION] PSYCHIATRIC UNIT” sign behind us, and a group of people slightly further along the pavement looking at us in surprise.)
Best Friend: “YES! WE’VE ESCAPED! RUN, BEFORE THE DOCTORS REALISE!”
(We ran like h*** until we were out of sight, laughing the whole way. A fun diversion, considering the half an hour he added to our walk home.)
(I often buy my husband flowers, specifically pink and orange gerbera daisies, which were our wedding flowers. I’m holding a bouquet and waiting to cross the street next to a young couple.)
Girl: “Oh, wow!” *pointedly looks at her boyfriend* “Look, her boyfriend buys her flowers!”
Me: “Actually, these are for my husband. Sometimes you need to make him feel special, too.”
(The guy started laughing to the point of tears, while girl gave me the death glare.)
