I'm lucky enough to not have any of this sort of thing happen to me whilst cosplaying, though the only places I've cosplayed are London Expo and Recons in Southampton where there are huge crowds of other cosplayers so people are unlikely to say anything

But my advice would be (as long as they are not too big or there are too many of them) give back what they give out.

They're trying to intimidate you. Show that you aren't bothered and that you think they are being ridiculous for being chavs and that will confuse them Be witty rather than offensive though. It will confuse their small minds.

Don't do that whilst you are on your own though. Always stay in a group and then there is no reason to be afraid. You can't let these people win.

I understand that can be hard if you are younger, but just try to put on a brave face

Haha, true, on the witty side of things you could say something like this if they insult your cosplays:

"Hey, maybe I can use those fake chains for my next cosplay" (referring to their jewellery).

;D

People on here are right; the chavs/bullies (9 times out of 10) will only abuse you if they are in a group. There's a group of about 3-5 chavs (varies as to how many are out and about) in my village that hang around outside my house and they treat me like shit. They hang outside my house and insult me, my friends who come over and my girlfriend. They also go down the side alley of my house and wind up my dogs (told them that next time i'm opening the gate and then they'll see what 2 years of aggravating two german shephards will do to them.)... Now, if i catch their "leader" by himself he's usually actually very polite to me as his parents are good friends with my dad and, by extension, me...But if he's with his little cronies they will do things such as throw stones (HARD) at myself and friends, insult my girlfriend as we walk past and just be little shits...One of them also came onto my drive once and took my moped keys out of my bike and walked off with them: it was only when i announced that i HAD dialed 999 that he gave them back.

It's their mentality that they have to be cool infront of their little bastard friends.

Helpful tip: (as has been said) put as much distance between you and them as possible without letting them know you're "frightened" of them...and don't do what i do...Which is mouth of at them and threaten them back with what could be seen as deadly force O.o

Please excuse my cursing in this post but I really, REALLY dislike these little S.O.Bs

This is all crazy >.<
What has happened to the world, people/chavs are so judgemental! It's like you have to take punishment for being yourself!
I've never had a bad experience with cosplaying. I get nice comments and sure when i'm walking to a con people look, but it's curiosity.
Chavs have some nerv. Cosplay has taught me to understand individuality and if you ask me accepting people for who they are is a sign that you are/becoming mature and cosplayers seem to understand this the most if you ask me. Chavs have no right to comment at all. May be they should take a look at they way they dress!
I respect peoples opinions, but no one needs to go as far as some of the stories on here. Chavs need to grow up -.- ROCK ON COSPLAYERS!
And to be honest, if it was a group of chavs against a group of cosplayers, the cosplayers would whoop their butts with all the cosplay weapons we have xD

This might sound a bit odd, but I've actually got a lot of experience teaching about street safety... Don't ask. XD

But yes, I would say all you guys already seem to have a good idea of how to handle yourselves already. We've had some great tips already like avoiding places where chavs might gather etc.

So, let's say you have to go to the expo etc. in your cosplay, including taking a train and a bit of walking. My list is...

1. Make sure there are people who know where you're going. Now, I know you guys aren't 12 year olds going to their first high school party, but it's ALWAYS a good idea to let people know exactly where you are just incase. Also, plan your route! My first expo me and my brother got lost, and we walked halfway around London in our outfits, god only knows how many looks we got!

2. If it's at all possible, don't travel alone. The thing you have to remember about people who might be horrible to you is that they're bullies. If there's a group of 3 of them and your're on your own, then yeah they're gonna catch on that chances are you're not going to do anything about them, but they might think twice if there's a group of you. Bullies hate fair fights.

3. This may sound stupid, but maintain a good posture. The thing about people who do this kinda stuff is that they pick their targets. If you're all dressed up in your funky outfit and you LOOK like your embarassed or scared, then they'll pick up on it. There's a lot less chance of it with a guy who stands up straight and looks confident.

4. Maybe this is the most important one, quite simply don't be a toughguy. I hear a few people say that "Oh yeah, just tell them to piss off." or whatever, but what you have to understand is that 10 times out of 10 that just makes it worse. At the end of the day, most people who shout something out, it's bravado, and they usually only shout out one thing. If you turn around and say "Whatchyoo say to me!?" Then they just take it as a challenge, when maybe (Or rather usually) the say one thing and then leave it at that.

At the end of the day you have to expect a few comments, realistically. Now I don't think it's right and yeah, maybe it can border on harassment sometimes. But trust me when I say the best thing to do is just stay calm, and don't do anything to piss people off. I mean, what's the worst thing they can do to you? And chances are, if you're going to an expo wherever you are you can shout for help.

It took me a long time to learn this, but there's no shame in ignoring people like that. If they start trying to shout insults at you, why get annoyed over it? Chances are what they're saying isn't even true anyway. And if you do ignore them, haven't you just shown you're the better person? The best thing you can really do is not let these things get to you. Look at the big picture, most of us go to these events about 2-4 times a year? Chavs are pricks all year round, so if it happens on the day, don't let it get you down!

Or you can always talk to me, I have a talent of cheering people up.

What would you care about people who wouldn't directly affect your life. Its far more important to respect your own opinion and the opinions you care about more than those you would barely even see for the rest of your life.

Thing is, most of us here come from a background of bullying and suibject to torment. We can't help but often get upset or whatever due to insults. I often get very hurt from people talking behind my back or insulting my cosplay because i think "It's just something not the norm, why is it such a problem for you?" to myself.

Me and my family do this everytime we go to the MCM.
Last two times, it was in costume. That was so much fun, let me tell you!

Getting lost can be fun~
If you're in a group, that is.

Oh yeah, it was still a laugh, we had a few cars go past us with people shouting out "MCM EXPO!!" at us.

And there was one guy who was drunk out of his mind saying "I'm gonna kick your f&@#£%~ heads in!" My brother just said "You can't even walk straight, and my brother has a black belt to his name..."

Then he didn't even say anything, he just walked off. XD

Was that meant as an insult to you? Because I'd probably just wave at them XD

That's amusing.
It's fun to use logic to get people to go away. Or wit, or creepy smiles. XD

God, this is gonna sound cheesy and old, but yeah, if there's anyone around who's being a d**k, especially at the Cosplay events, tell a member of staff.

In particular, I'm worried about having to travel 15 miles by train from SW London to Central London, then the Underground for London MCM Expo October 2011 in Luke Triton gear.

On that note, do you think I should travel to the expo in normal clothes, then get changed there? I've never been to an event before.

Aside from bullying about cosplay, whenever there's a chav, I try to avoid eye contact.

@ Rocket: Nah, I mean the fact that they actually knew about MCM kind goes to show it's not really meant in a hurtful way. And we did see those people when we got there and had a laugh. XD I was just like "We were wandering around London clueless and then we saw you... Had half a mind to try and run after your car!"

@ Perry: Yes, creepy smiles work best if you ask me. I know someone who once scared off someone mugging him by trying to kiss him! (He actually really went for it as well. XD) Generally though, I tend to just completely ignore them. 9 times out of 10 people don't actually have the guts to do anything (They just try and use mind games.) and if they do try something, it's at their own risk, right? I'm pretty confident in myself now, a hell of a lot more than I used to be, anyway!

@ Alexander: Hmmm, it depends. I'm assuming you don't have a hotel room booked. How complex is your costume? Because incase ya don't know there's no storage at MCM, by that I mean no lockers or safe rooms you can have. It all depends, though. If it's a complicated costume then you might have to just suck it up and wear it, i'm afraid... Depends how happy you are to carry your whole outfit there and get changed in public!

I still get very cagey in cosplay outfits. Just the idea of people seeing me in a costume... yeah, I'm not the kind of person who likes having attention drawn to themselves. XD (Yet I cosplay... what the hell...)

But as I have been bullied in the past by chavs, well, it's all bravado, as has been said. If you avoid where they normally hang out, if you move in a group, they are not going to do anything. They'll jeer, but you know what? Ignoring them is the best weapon. Giving them the finger or shouting insults back is just what they want and thrive upon. They say mean things to see if you'll react, and when you do, heck, they have all the reason to get nastier, because you provoked them back.

I know it must be tough, and it's behaviour I really wish didn't exist, but ignoring is the best thing to do.

I've never been called out on my cosplay, but that's how I would act if I was. Would it hurt me? Yes. But ignoring them is the best policy. It's not up to them to decide how you dress or act, as much as they'd like to think. If you're confronted, then just glare and keep walking. Go to a brightly-lit area, go near a built-up area, they're not going to do anything if there are witnesses around.

I live in a small town in the countryside so I've never really had this problem. ^^;;; Hope you're feeling better. *hugs* It must have been a terrible thing to go through...

Luke Triton is one of the most normal looking cosplays you can go with.
Trust me, I've been there - Twice - from Northampton.
First time, I went in my shorts, shirt, socks and shoes, with a hoody over the shirt.
Then just swapped the hoody for sweater and put the hat on while waiting at Shadwell DLR.
Doing the same in October, kind of used to the routine now, this will be my fifth time travelling to an Expo, and fourth time travelling to London Expo.

@Han - Ah, OK. Thanks for that information!

@Optimistic - OK, thanks. Good to know it's normal looking.

While i've never cosplayed, I have crossdressed many times in public, so can understand the sort of comments you've been getting.
Being a guy in womens clothes (and most of the time I look like a guy in womens clothes! ) is like i'm wearing a neon sign above my head saying "insult me"! I've had many nasty comments shouted, usually along the lines of "f**cking homo". I usually just ignore it, or shout something witty back, crossdressers seem to freak them out too much to actually come over to me.
Once a guy did wolf whistle at me and shout about how I must love getting it from a guy, so I just shouted "your place or mine?" and all his mates laughed at him.
In normal life i'm a terrible shy wallflower, but when dressed up I can't help getting cocky!

Just ignore them as everyone has said, it's usually hot air, and as long as they don't get a response they move on. If it gets aggressive or physical, get the police or someone in authority involved, no-one should have to put up with that.
I hope my ramble helped a bit ^-^
xx

All the posts on here help me understand more about my recent experiance...but its nothing as violent as some of these >.<

On a weekend I planned a Hetalia cosplay meet, from Saturday we all meet up at Marble Arch Station and just had a picnic together in Hyde Park XD It was alot of fun! Besides the odd stares we got, but its true~ When it's in a crowd of people or the busy places (Trocadero is heaven for cosplayers to me), there's no such thing as abuse really. That's one of the things I really love about central London...

But on that Sunday, it was a different matter. I arranged another meet ALL the way to a place I've never been too, Orpington. I have to say, it's beautiful but...one of the most quietest places I've even been. At a bus stop there, we had a few nasty comments our way to which I was, honestly, oblivious to until my friend pointed it out way later. Inside I was angry, but knowing the fact I'd never see the likes of those bullies ever again also calmed me down.

Again, near their parks we had a few odd looks as we were taking some photoshoots together. But we also got questioned by a girl wearing tracksuit bottoms, hoodie, hair all tucked up high and the biggest hooped earrings you've ever seen. Regardless, she was decent...and she approached us so casually asking who we were, not long before telling us she dropped out of school @.@" I did feel a bit antsy, because I knew her friends were watching us from afar.

And then walking back to go home, we almost passed a group of chavs on their bicycles or probably the same group of people earlier at the bus stop inside that park. Instinctively, as the eldest in my group, I directed us all away safely and calmly, hoping that my friends didn't notice them. I always feel the need to be a bit overprotective with my group and take care of them >.<" Always good to know your surroundings especially if you're not local. Because even though we were in a group, we were a group of small girls :/ (fortunately, our day ended at Trocadero's TokyoToys, where we meet fellow cosplaying fans visiting London, complimenting our Hetalia outfits XD)

And at Expos/Cons? Well, I always feel safe ^.^" I have my two big brothers and a bunch of their fun friends that travel with me there always (practially the only girl)

I guess my main pointer would be, always be aware of your surroundings, better safe than sorry. Even if you're in a group. Always try to divert attention, your safety in any circumstances is important.

Can I just say something that might make me unpopular...

Some cosplayers really do draw the wrong sort of attention to themselves willingly. I actually witnessed a Germany cosplayer (from Hetalia) in Hyde Park with a Nazi flag once...

Even without it, walking around in a German military uniform in the general public will offend some people.

Just...be smart about where you go and what you do?

No, I actually agree. You should always think about what exactly your cosplay might "Say." If you want to do a cosplay like this, and you go past a pub, then yeah you're going to get comments!

But yes, best word of advice, don't get a nazi flag! XD

I don't really know why i'm posting, as most things seem to be covered in all the other posts.

Personally, i've never EVER been bullied, but that's because I dare to challenge the people that attempted to bully me or tried to give me shit. I can come over as very confident, and chavs/bullies don't like that.

Like someone said, try not to look like you're 'scared' or intimidated if you see or walk past a group of yobs, just try to 'act cool' and brush it off.

I'm one to turn round and ask them to repeat what they've just said, but then again I can hold my own. But I also always weigh up my chances, if theres about 10 of them vs me, i'm not going to turn round, i'll normally just laugh as I walk off.

The best advice I can give to anyone that worries about this sorta thing is to just be thick skinned. The more you let what they say get to you, the more they win. If they win, you'll loose.

Don't let them win, just relax. There's worse things in the world that chavs trying to scare you. Just walk off and don't think about it. Pity them, I do.

don't worry you are not alone, I get picked on many chavs because of the way I dress, shouting things like "emo" and would usually come up andask me if I slit my wrist (I mainly dress as an old 80s metal/rocker style by the way lol XD) I dyed my hair blonde so I didn't look as "emo" but after I did, I started getting sexual comments from chavs

but really, I make sure I am not seem most the time as I am usually alone, get a car/bus/taxi. use lifts instead of stairs, try and avoid alleyways and places where chavs would normally hang out. these would be my advice

I get exactly the same (I dress the same as well haha and I have long hair for a guy) the worst part was when I was alone in the bus station at night waiting to get home and some chav snuck up behind me and tried setting my hair on fire, luckily his lighter didn't ignite and I turned around in time and he ran off, but that could have been life changing if he'd succeeded. I didn't mean this to be a horror story but if you attract attention dont be alone in a secluded place :/

Gosh, it's really annoying when people assume that you slit your wrists just because of your clothing style and taste in music! That and the fact that they also usually ask if I'm a devil worshipper. =___= it's not like I assume that they're thieves and drunkards just because they dress (and are) chavs.