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OK, chores are done, errands are run, so here comes a thread about surviving #defcon (and looking fabulous while you do it.)
1) You're going to want to wear waterproof mascara, if you're wearing mascara at all. The heat/sweat will cause normal mascara to run, so waterproof is definitely your best bet.
2) Find a good setting spray to keep face makeup from melting. I really like Too Faced's 3-in-1 setting spray because it hydrates, primes, and sets well, but ymmv.
3) A layer of clear lipliner will help keep your melting lipstick from bleeding/feathering into the fine lines around your mouth.
4) Wear whatever you're comfortable in. Literally, whatever is comfortable. Jeans and a t-shirt, floor-length sequin gowns and stilettos, whatever will let you walk around feeling confident and comfortable. Anyone who judges you can fuck off.
5) Don't make assumptions about who does or doesn't belong at #defcon based on what they look like. This is 2019, nerds have access to like, Pinterest and Stitch Fix now. Look books are a thing, we don't ALL dress like dorks anymore. (And it's ok if you still do!)
6) If you're feeling fatigued, head back to your room, or take an excursion away from the Strip. It's a marathon, not a sprint, and self care and pacing yourself is how you'll make it all the way through.
7) Approach everyone with the understanding that they know something you don't, and you know something you can teach them in return. Security is a broad field, and there are so many niches! You'll get more out of it if you treat people with respect and don't make assumptions.
8) There are too many talks, events, and parties for you to be able to attend them all, and trying to fit everything in can be overwhelming! Pick like 3 things you DEFINITELY want to do each day, and try not to structure your schedule too much otherwise.
9) DRINK. WATER. Seriously. Fucking. Drink. Water. Las Vegas is in the middle of the fucking desert, it's hot and dry as heck outside, and the AC is blasting inside. Drink water.
10) It's not a bad idea to carry a bag with essentials like snacks, ibuprofen, and a light sweater, scarf, hoodie, or jacket. Sure, it's hot as balls outside, but indoors a lot of places overcompensate with the A/C. Having a light top layer can help!
11) Emergen-C. Not only is it an excellent hangover treatment, but also it helps mask the atrocious taste of Las Vegas tap water.
12) You may have heard of the 3-2-1 Rule: 3 hours of sleep, 2 meals, and 1 shower are the BARE MINIMUM per 24-hour period, but more OF ALL THREE is always better.
13) Supplementary to the 3-2-1 Rule, please, please wear deodorant, AND REAPPLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Please. There are too many of us packed into tight quarters for us to not ALL be wearing deodorant that we reapply as we continue sweating.
14) Get consent. Ask before you touch people. Ask before you take photos of people. Don't be That Person making everyone around you uncomfortable. Get consent.
15) Set and stick to your own boundaries! You don't owe people hugs, you aren't required to take shots or accept drinks, or anything else. Do you, let others do them.
16) Don't pressure people to drink. OFFERING is encouraged, PRESSURING is not chill. If you offer someone a drink, and they say no, respect it. If you really want, you can offer them a non-alcoholic beverage, or tell them to let you know if they change their mind, then drop it.
17) If you haven't already done so, but have the option to, taking a day off between getting home from Las Vegas and going back to work is a good idea. The decompression/recuperation time will be good for you.
18) Talk to strangers. I've met some of my favorite people doing things like waiting in line to buy a defcon badge, introducing myself to a stranger after overhearing them say something interesting, complimenting someone's lipstick, etc. Talk to strangers.
19) Use the buddy system. Having a trusted friend to watch your back (and your drink when you need to run to the restroom) is important. Some fucked up things happen at conferences, and having a buddy can help protect you.
20) Don't be an asshole. Everyone else is there to learn something new, talk to interesting people, see cool things, have fun, and hack shit, just like you. Don't ruin it.
21) If you see someone you don't like, feel free to not interact with them. If someone is engaging you in an interaction you don't like, feel free to tell them to stop, and/or just walk away. There are like 30k of us in town, don't waste time on people you don't enjoy.
22) It's okay to fuck off from parties and go to bed. It's okay to fuck off from parties in favor of 4 AM pancakes. It's ok to fuck off from parties in favor of sitting in your hotel room bathtub. It's ok to fuck off from, or just not even GO to parties. It's ok.
23) Start your day right: eat breakfast. Also, don't feel compelled to start drinking the moment you wake up, even if everyone around you is. It's okay to pace yourself, just like it's ok to start your day with an Emergen-C mimosa if you want.
24) Unless you're playing a CTF, or deliberately working on something, you probably don't need to haul your computer around all day. Not carrying your laptop everywhere won't make anyone of consequence doubt your hacker cred, I promise.
25) You don't need a "burner" phone, but you MIGHT want a YOLO phone. What's the difference? A burner is in no way linked to your identity, while a YOLO phone is just one that won't create a massive problem for you if you lose it or jump into a pool with it.
26) If you're drinking alcohol, one glass of water (or other nonalcoholic beverage) per alcoholic beverage is a good idea. Again, marathon, not sprint. Pace yourself.
27) Eat a fucking vegetable.
28) I know this is really hard for a lot of us, but try to read people's nonverbal cues. If someone is looking uncomfortable or not actively participating when you speak to them, maybe leave them alone?
29) Naps are your friend, especially if you're an introvert out partying all night. Also, if you need a little quiet time during the day, the swimming pool can actually be an amazing place to be left the heck alone for a while.
30) Just... let yourself have fun. Diverge from your plans if you get a cool opportunity that conflicts with them. Jump in the pool and splash around like a kid. Be silly. Engage in hijinks, capers, and shenanigans. Make memories and don't drink so much that you lose them.
31) Exchange contact info with cool people. Stay in touch, whether by Twitter, email, whatever. Print up business cards with personal contact info, so you don't have to hand out work info if you don't want to. Make new friends, catch up with old ones.
32) Invite strangers along to dinner.
33) Don't try to recruit people while wearing corporate swag covered in company branding. It's tacky.
34) If someone tells you it's their first defcon, or they're new to industry, be welcoming. Ask them what they're interested in, try to introduce them to at least one person who might be able to help them.
35) Challenge yourself, and try to step outside your own comfort zone. It MIGHT be terrible, but more likely than not, you'll be glad you did. :)
36) If you have an awkward interaction with someone, don't automatically assume they hate you. We're all nerds, social interaction isn't our collective strong suit. Don't take it personally. :)
37) Don't give people shit for not knowing things. We all come into this space from different backgrounds, and we were all new once. You're not obligated to teach, but we owe it to ourselves not to discourage people from trying to learn.
38) For the love of God, DO FUCKING NOT judge people based on the operating system they use. Just don't. Every operating system is bad, interrogating people on what they run and judging them for it makes you look like a noob.
39) There will be glitter. There just will. Accept it and get over it now.
40) If you're finding your patience wearing thin, or you realize you're snapping at people, it might be time for a snack, some water, and a little quiet time. Hanger, dehydration, and over-stimulation are real!
41) Do yourself a favor and don't assume anyone is "non-technical." You're guaranteed to make an ass of yourself if you ignore this advice.
42) If you see someone whose work you admire walking around, stop and introduce yourself! They're people just like you, and if they aren't a jerk, it'll probably make their day. I once told Cory Doctorow that he was Cory Doctorow, and he was extremely sweet about it. Say hi. :)
43) You’re allowed to disagree with people. Politely, or otherwise. You’re allowed to tell them you disagree, you’re allowed to walk away without explanation. You’re also allowed to walk away if you’re uncomfortable.
44) You don’t have to wear your conference badge outside conference spaces, and you... should probably avoid doing so. This goes double for BlackHat folks with their names on their badges, but is also true of DC/BSides. The locals will be nicer, and you’ll get cute sec advice!
Ok, definitely my favorite thing about this thread is seeing which tips resonate with people the most. It’s been pretty heartwarming, but some of y’all need to improve your relationships with vegetables and glitter. 😏
