Your first fur meet

[Fann]

Hey chaps,

So I am finally getting to the point where I would like to get into the community, however, I'm a tad unsure what that might be like. I don't really know anyone in the fandom personally, and therefore have no real safety net if something were to go wrong. Oh and not to mention how utterly strange and awkward it would be. No need to forget about that.

What was your first public furry meeting like? It would be nice to know what strangeness to expect.  :-[

[Ember]

Hugs. Lots and lots of hugs.


Furmeets are an eclectic gathering of mostly nerds from various sources.

[zenia]

The first (and only) meet I have been to was pretty good. I didn't know anyone, but they all listened to me and we had a good time. Jacob brought his Kori Collie suit and danced around while Blue Vulpine played his guitar. We took some photos and Drewdle video recorded the dancing. We all brought some snacks... but no one ate any of my watermelon (so sad). We hung out for a few hours and then everyone went home. Only a couple of us were local. BV came over from Port Alberni, Jacob and (two or three) others came up from further south on the Island.

All in all it was pretty good. :) I don't think there has been a meet (at least publicly advertised) since, so I haven't been to any others.

Oh, and for the love of everything... don't be the kid that doesn't shower. Nobody likes the smelly kid. XDDDD

[Gizmo]

Hey chaps,

So I am finally getting to the point where I would like to get into the community, however, I'm a tad unsure what that might be like. I don't really know anyone in the fandom personally, and therefore have no real safety net if something were to go wrong. Oh and not to mention how utterly strange and awkward it would be. No need to forget about that.

What was your first public furry meeting like? It would be nice to know what strangeness to expect.  :-[

I guess I am a recently 'outted' fur ... I came out in October of last year. Wow, one year! Woo - hoo!! At that time, there was very little gong on as far as events in the community. I craved furry interaction but there really wasn't much out there. I lingered for a month or so ... then decided to invite a bunch of furries over to my apartment in Surrey. I had no idea what I was doing. I got several messages over the forums telling me that I can't just do that. I asked why and was told that I will have 150 furries show up at my small apartment. I was told there were certain furries I should NOT invite. I was told that there were several furries that will get drunk and disorderly. I got really scared - but went ahead with it anyway. We had such a GREAT time! about 15 people showed up. There was no drunken disorderly conduct, 150 didn't show up, and for the most part, we all got along really well. Yes, there were some lessons learned, but nothing that would cause me to not have other fur meets at my place. As a matter of fact, I have (almost) monthly furry Pot Lucks at my place. This summer, I invited a bunch of furries to Harrison Lake, Pot Lucks (one planned for this Saturday), had the 1st Annual CampFur and the occasional swim meet. I really don't think you have anything to worry about. Furries (for the most part) are just regular people (maybe a bit more on the geeky side (geek is a good thing)). We are all looking for the same thing; friendship, companionship, and connectivity to something more than what we currently have ... Just come to an event, be yourself, don't get crazy on people ... and we will all be happy!

Giz ...

[Fann]

All in all it was pretty good. :) I don't think there has been a meet (at least publicly advertised) since, so I haven't been to any others.

Oh, and for the love of everything... don't be the kid that doesn't shower. Nobody likes the smelly kid. XDDDD

Sounds like a bunch of fun, I hope to get to one... eventually.

Well I do normally try to at least shower. I mean, I can't be in a suit and have greasy hair! I guess business formal is a bit much for everyday life, so hopefully people would not mind. I blame the school system.

[mediar]

Hugs. Lots and lots of hugs.


Furmeets are an eclectic gathering of mostly nerds from various sources.

tru dat!

[Fann]

Furmeets are an eclectic gathering of mostly nerds from various sources.

Good show. I happen to be quite the nerd. Hugs are also fantastic.

[Rain Lycan]

My first fur meet was the February ( the first) skating meet. I was kinda nervous, I was never real good with people, even people I already know let alone meeting new ones. But everyone I talked to was really easy going. After skating was an after party at Gizmo's place, where he served his home-made wine, which was excellent. everyone was very accepting and easy to talk to. I made some wonderful friends and met my mate that night.

[PurpleVeggie]

My first experience at a furmeet was interesting. I think I might have been a little to young when I went though, I ended up seeking out the first fur anything close to my age (still 3 years my senior) and sticking with him the whole ime pretty much. It was cool, what with the great host friendly people and long discussions about animations with this one other >18 year old, but still, it was a wet meet which may not have been the best choice. It was still awesome.

If your really nervous about going to a furmeet when you don't know anyone then maybe you could ask if there's anyone who would like to go get some nice non-intimidating coffee beforehand. Then you can have at least one face you can recognize.
Hmm... actually meeting up with a random person from this site alone might be even worse then going to a party of people you've never met. I guess it depends on what kind of person you are.

Anywho, don't worry, for the most part everyone's pretty great! I think. I mean I guess. Just saying their could be a few... I mean I haven't met EVERYONE.  YET.

[Tef]

So soon, yet so long ago.

My first furmeet of sorts was at the September furmeet bowling a month(!) or so ago. Spent most of the time as a socially awkward penguin (trying to say hi but not know where to start. xP). And I had to leave early because I fear I wouldn't be able to catch the Skytrain back to Commercial and Broadway. xP

So, as I shall restate, "So soon, yet so long ago."

[kohl]

Ended up travelling half way across the province. Ate some Bison steak. Went out in the middle of the night to explore a condemned building. Played games with lawn sprinklers. Found a friend lying on the side of an alley. Got my shoes covered in cacti.

[Star Wonder]

My first fur meet was three years ago shortly after the 2008 Pride parade that I happily marched in with the Surrey Youth Aliance (A youth group for GBLT) that were also Furry friendly. I had met my first "other fur" there and he brought me to my first Fur meet at RainRat's place. I brought my brother and his now ex gf (big mistake cause they through a hissy fit when it was time to leave and I had to be up at 5 am for work lol). But it was fun, we talked, got to know each other. I sat nuzzling some stranger's leg for the whole time. Time flies too, and there is ALWAYS someone to talk to or hug.
But for those that are nervous about a fur meet, go meet a fur and hang out so they can answer your questions. LoneWolf in fact is new and he and I just met up Monday to hang out and he got to learn so much! He isn't sure if he's a furry but he's certainly supportive and very interested in our culture and community. I am bringing him to tonight's Dinnermeet where he will meet other furs for the first time, and to Gizmo's potluck. It's always good to go with someone you have met, and trust will help you out should you feel nervous.
And nervousness doesn't last long in the furry world either. Someone...oh...say a certain pink, tri-tailed kitty, will most likely poke and tickle until the nervousness floats off into the clouds ^_^ Many others are like this. We are open and accepting.
But like Gizmo said, there are some people you don't invite to social gatherings because of misconduct, they aren't common and you generally have a whole batch of other furs to snuggle with and be worry free!
I myself have hosted fur meets along with my old housemates and they were a big success. We had to boot out the drunkards or ban one fur in particular, but the party went on! I was so sad we had to all move. The last party was the best I even got to meet new faces I never met before. You're most likely gonna forget more furs' names than you can ever imagine. I can list off about 100 that I know by name, or I at least remember their face and not their name ^.^
Gizmo's potlucks are awesome! Any gathering really has been terrific! But, if you're a nervous pervous, (hehe Ned Flanders), ask someone to meet up for lunchins or coffee! Metrotown is usually a good place to go, I meet a lot of furs there. It's public, and there is lots to do and see. Malls are a great place to start new friendships ^^ So are furmeets... and... Fur dances... and fur bowling... and furcons... >>... I should stop rambling now...
Star-Star has ADD and ADHD so she get's carried away ^^;; And talks in third person... I'm going to..just..stop now..

WELCOME TO THE FURRY WORLD!!! *flails and runs away dancing*

[Fann]

Metrotown is usually a good place to go, I meet a lot of furs there.


WELCOME TO THE FURRY WORLD!!! *flails and runs away dancing*

Well let me start off with a thank you for this really helpful post! :D
I pass through metrotown every single day on my way to and fro BCIT, so it's easy and necessary for me to get through.

Well hopefully in the coming months I will be able to go to some form of gathering. I'm actually looking forward to it.
One major problem I see, is that I am absolute crap with names. I will never forget a face, but tell me your name, and it just passes through my empty shell of a head. They do come eventually. But don't we all.

Thanks so much again!  :D

[Tef]

Since many of the first and subsequent furmeets that I attend happen in Burnaby of sorts, I realized that I have become quite familiar with several stations along the Expo and Millenium lines, as well as the 99 bus along W Broadway.  ;)

[Duffy]

My first furmeet was Gizmo's "campfur". It was a lot of fun and awesome food and i met many nice fur's who I'm friends with now. I would say for your first furmeet, a public setting might make you more at ease. At least there's escape routes if your not liking the situation.