So you're at SXSW. Good for you. Please, please don't be that guy. What guy? That guy. You know the one. Here are some tips to avoid being that guy.
Tuck in your badge.
Chances are you or your company dished out a lot of money for you to go to SXSW. So tuck that badge in. Don't let it flap in the wind while you're walking around downtown like a orange-skinned tourist. Tuck it into your jacket, blazer, cardigan, whatever. Hell, take it off and put it in your bag. You don't want to lose it. You also don't want to look like a tool.
Walk.
Seriously? Don't call a taxi. Walk. Downtown Austin is a grid and very easy to navigate. Plus, you'll be eating horribly this weekend so walk off those calories. And tuck in your badge while you walk around.
Ride a bike.
There are free bikes downtown that you can rent and ride around. Thanks Seth Meyers or whoever. Just find one, throw your stuff in the basket, and ride. It's good for you, it's free, and it'll keep you from small-talking a crusty bike taxi kid.
Put your suitcase away.
I'm not sure if there is anything worse than someone going through the already crowded halls of the Austin Convention Center with their rolling luggage behind them. You think you're getting somewhere and then BOOM, no room to walk because on person is taking up the room of two people. Hotels often have free luggage checking before and after you check in/out of your room. Go put your stuff away, really.
Don't eat during sessions.
Seriously? People are trying to listen. Don't be rude, unless you brought enough for everyone. (You didn't.)
Drink lots of water.
I don't want to see you carrying around a $7 latté. Get yourself a bottle of water and refill it throughout the day. Try to refill 4 times; that means you're getting plenty of fluids. Chances are you don't need caffeine, you just need to hydrate. Water! Drink it. Some booth will inevitably be giving them away. Worst case scenario you buy a $3.75 bottle of Aquafina and refill it thoroughout the day. There are water coolers strategically placed near the session rooms.
Ask people if you can take their picture.
Sure, I have a blog, but I also don't plaster pictures of myself all over the internet. If you take a picture with someone prominently in it, ask if you can take it first. Trade business cards so the person can follow up later. Be a professional and respect people in your camera's frame.
Be nice.
It's so easy to be nice. Thank the volunteers for holding doors open for you. Thank the maintenance people that are cleaning the restrooms and keeping the water coolers full. Thank the vendors after you pay and tell them to have a nice day. They're on their feet all day dealing with tens of thousands of people; a thank you every once in a while goes a long way. If you've ever worked retail you know how true that is. And if they are in a service that does tipping, tip them well. Very, very well. Make it rain.
Please don't be that guy. Be awesome.
Tuck in your badge.
 |
| Credit: SXSW/Aaron Rogosin |
Chances are you or your company dished out a lot of money for you to go to SXSW. So tuck that badge in. Don't let it flap in the wind while you're walking around downtown like a orange-skinned tourist. Tuck it into your jacket, blazer, cardigan, whatever. Hell, take it off and put it in your bag. You don't want to lose it. You also don't want to look like a tool.
Walk.
 |
| Credit: Jesse Kinch/Getty Images |
Seriously? Don't call a taxi. Walk. Downtown Austin is a grid and very easy to navigate. Plus, you'll be eating horribly this weekend so walk off those calories. And tuck in your badge while you walk around.
Ride a bike.
 |
| Credit: SXSW |
There are free bikes downtown that you can rent and ride around. Thanks Seth Meyers or whoever. Just find one, throw your stuff in the basket, and ride. It's good for you, it's free, and it'll keep you from small-talking a crusty bike taxi kid.
Put your suitcase away.
I'm not sure if there is anything worse than someone going through the already crowded halls of the Austin Convention Center with their rolling luggage behind them. You think you're getting somewhere and then BOOM, no room to walk because on person is taking up the room of two people. Hotels often have free luggage checking before and after you check in/out of your room. Go put your stuff away, really.
Don't eat during sessions.
Seriously? People are trying to listen. Don't be rude, unless you brought enough for everyone. (You didn't.)
Drink lots of water.
 |
| Credit: Sundance/ePromos |
I don't want to see you carrying around a $7 latté. Get yourself a bottle of water and refill it throughout the day. Try to refill 4 times; that means you're getting plenty of fluids. Chances are you don't need caffeine, you just need to hydrate. Water! Drink it. Some booth will inevitably be giving them away. Worst case scenario you buy a $3.75 bottle of Aquafina and refill it thoroughout the day. There are water coolers strategically placed near the session rooms.
Ask people if you can take their picture.
Sure, I have a blog, but I also don't plaster pictures of myself all over the internet. If you take a picture with someone prominently in it, ask if you can take it first. Trade business cards so the person can follow up later. Be a professional and respect people in your camera's frame.
Be nice.
It's so easy to be nice. Thank the volunteers for holding doors open for you. Thank the maintenance people that are cleaning the restrooms and keeping the water coolers full. Thank the vendors after you pay and tell them to have a nice day. They're on their feet all day dealing with tens of thousands of people; a thank you every once in a while goes a long way. If you've ever worked retail you know how true that is. And if they are in a service that does tipping, tip them well. Very, very well. Make it rain.
Please don't be that guy. Be awesome.
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