Code of conduct

Appearance

Weapons

Because of the theme this year, we're relaxing the no-weapons regulations to allow foam-dart weapons only. These must be registered, checked and tagged when you arrive at the convention. Tags must be visible at all times. Untagged weapons will be confiscated by security and returned to you at the end of the convention.

Weapons are restricted to the convention area only. Do not leave the convention space with a weapon unless you're taking it directly to your room.

If you want to use the bars or restaurants inside the hotel but outside the convention area, you may leave your weapons with con-ops.

Canary Wharf is a “sensitive area”, much like Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, and Westminster. Police and security have no sense of humour. Carrying anything that looks like a table leg, let alone an actual gun (peacebound or otherwise) outside the hotel convention area carries a very real risk of you causing a security alert that disrupts the convention and gets you pinned to the floor and/or shot by armed response units. We wish we were joking.

Do not bring airsoft/bb guns, paintball guns, or replica weapons to the convention.

Use of weapons

Expanding on the above, we'd like to make it clear that the usage of Nerf weaponry and the like at the convention must be constrained to the RBW floor only. Do not use weapons in the dealers den. Anyone caught firing a weapon in the areas we're sharing with other hotel patrons will be asked to surrender it to Security immediately and will have it returned at the end of the convention. Failure to comply with this request will result in your badge being revoked.

Also, be respectful of other RBW guests. If someone asks you not to shoot them, don't shoot them. Be sensible, or we'll take away all of your toys.

Josef takes a very dim view of running battles in the sleeping quarters and will deal with you as he deems appropriate. Josef's idea of appropriate response is… well, best you don't find out.

Wear your badge

Wear it prominently. It proves you've paid and that we've checked your identity. You won't be let into the convention areas or the boat without it. If you lose it, contact con-ops immediately.

We ain't your mothers, but…

Make sure you get enough sleep, wash at least once a day, eat properly, and don't drink too much.

No barefooting

Sorry.

Wear clothes

Indecency might be hard for some of you to spell, but we reckon you know the meaning of it. Nudity and revealing clothing aren't permitted in the convention areas or on the boat. Obviously this applies to “anatomically correct” costumes too.

Not for everyone

Remember that your personal preferences and fetishes may offend those who do not share them. Collars may be worn discreetly. Leashes, bondage and BDSM clothing may not.

General behaviour

Don't be a dick: Don't flash laser pointers around, don't play music on portable speakers, don't use water pistols, don't constantly use squeaky toys. Staff reserve the right to confiscate items which are an irritation to other attendees.
No means no, stop means stop, go away means go away.: Treat other attendees and other hotel guests with respect. Harassment won't be tolerated.
Your ticket ain't a heavy petting license: Public displays of affection are perfectly acceptable. Groping, tonsil-hockey, and other obviously sexual behaviour is not. Get a room.
We're not alone: We've got one whole floor of the hotel for ourselves. Everywhere else, you'll be expected to behave like any other member of society. That means no touching people up, no scaring the natives, no tonguin', yappin', flappin' or being abnormal, interesting, or having fun in any way.
Woah there, stranger: Don't assume just 'cause someone's a furry, they're comfortable being hugged or touched. Get to know 'em first.
Limit your comms traffic: Don't hog the airwaves. That means no video streaming or torrenting. You gotta share with like 1000 other people, not just the other folks at the convention.

The law

Don't drink alcohol bought off the premises in the bars, convention spaces, or the boat. It's not just cheeky, it's illegal under UK licensing laws.
If we can't take drugs, you certainly bloody can't.
No smoking. You want to smoke, you can do it out the airlock.

The boat

Don't be late for the boat party: Time and solar wind wait for no one.
No badge, no boat: If you lost your badge, the queue at the pier is the wrong time to let us know.
No luggage: Space on the boat is extremely limited. We'll have a severely limited number of bag tickets available at the convention.

Photography

No filming or photography inside the dealers den. No exceptions.
If you're planning on commercially publishing any of the photos or videos that you're taking, please contact Convention Operations first.
If you're going be filming or photographing anyone you don't know, please be polite and ask their permission first. If someone asks you not to publish a photograph or film snippet they appear in, please respect their wishes.
There will be an official RBW camera team at the convention. By attending, you are agreeing to being filmed or photographed in public areas by the RBW team.