You have reminded me of one of my favorite con memories.

I went to Otakon in Baltimore a couple of years ago. The con is on the waterfront, which is very nice, but the area surrounding it is the business district. So it's empty and a little unnerving after sunset.

One night we went to the after-hours "rave" the Con threw, so we didn't leave the convention center until well into the a.m. A group of us walked to the hotel together, all of us in cos-play. Lots of guys dressed as girls, lots of elaborate wigs, lots of giant foam swords, and a couple scantily clad girls shivering uncontrollably because while it is summer, it's also nighttime next to a large body of water. Out-of-context we looked pretty ridiculous.

Which is why, when we passed a group of "ladies of the evening" heading to the waterfront to start their shifts, they burst out laughing at us. Like, doubled over in hysterics, openly pointing. Have you ever had a prostitute laugh at your life choices? It's...quite a moment of self-reflection.

(I wasn't actually upset by it. Has others on this thread have mentioned, you need a certain amount of self-awareness and thick skin to go to a Con and really do the full experience.)