Halloween Code of Conduct

By Feliz Moreno

Now, almost six weeks into the quarter and with Halloween approaching, the campus party scene is getting into full swing. I think it's a good time to inform those of you who may not know how to act appropriately on your nights out, of the guidelines to being able to attend class with dignity on Monday morning.

First lets talk about clothing. Guys can't really go wrong on normal party nights, but their choice in Halloween costumes tend to be somewhere between really boring or really weird. Stop dressing up as police officers — it's not original. Take the opportunity to dress up as something you really wish you could be, like a penguin, fireman or a bodybuilder.

Ladies, do not go out in anything you will have to constantly adjust. Not on Halloween, not ever. If you continually have to pull it up or down in order to keep some body part from falling or slipping out, it is probably a bad idea. Try finding an original costume this year — while it may be fun to dress promiscuously and get away with it, it is possible to be mildly revealing, but tasteful at the same time.

Also, to avoid walking home barefoot, don't wear heels if you can't handle them. And remember that Halloween is the only time when you can wear so much makeup that people can't recognize who you are — any other night out this isn't okay.

Once you are at a party, do not whine and complain if things don't go as expected, and do not start unnecessary drama. When you're at a party everyone is looking to have a good time. If you run into someone who happens to have the same costume as you, do not maliciously stare them down, instead use it as way to start a conversation. If you run into someone you have a history of bad blood with, politely acknowledge him or her and move on. Or don't acknowledge him or her at all, but don't take your chance meeting as an opportunity to call the person every vile name in the dictionary.

The best way to deal with someone who is getting on your nerves is to ask him or her politely to stop whatever he or she may be doing. If the behavior continues, remember that it most likely isn't personal, and find somewhere else to go where you don't have to be in contact with that person. There is nothing more annoying than people starting a fight in the middle of a good party. Please, let's all act like the adults we supposedly are.

If you are planning on drinking, know your limit and know when you have reached it. Have a party buddy who will help you stick to what you can manage and won't abandon you if you accidentally consume more than you should have. Look for cues in your behavior that signify that you have reached your personal limit so that you don't end up having to be carried back to your room.

Make sure you go out with a group of people you can trust. If your party buddy happens to be the one that out does himself, do not be a bad friend and leave him behind just because you met someone interesting.

In the case that you do surpass your limit, make sure to find a place where it is appropriate to orally expel any stomach contents (i.e. a bathroom). Puking in a friend's living room, front yard or bed is never cool.

When it comes to sloppy public displays of affection — just don't do it. Just because you may be dressed like a vampire does not mean you actually have to act like one. It is not cute and nobody really wants to live with that memory of you. The goal of the night is to maintain as much public decency as possible, while still having fun. Halloween, and any night for that matter, is always a lot more fun when you can remember it, and when people remember you for how much fun you were, not how they had to clean up after you.

Feliz Moreno is a sophomore English major and editor of the Opinion section.