7 Rules - Animal People Etiquette
FYI "Animal people" typically refers to furries and kemonomimi.This applies to cosplayers, furries/kemonomimi, alterhumans, and literally everyone else who has/wears animal parts.
Rule 1: Never touch their tails.
Animal people generally hate it when others touch their tails, especially without their consent. This can also apply to their ears, wings, or other non-human parts.
Groping is also related to this.
Rule 2: Never pull nor touch their ears.
No matter their ears' shape, size, type, or anything else - typically animal people don't appreciate it when you touch their ears. Touching the inside can lead to a violent reaction. This also violates their physical boundaries.
This may even trigger trauma related to this.
Rule 3: Refrain from objectifying them for their non-human parts/behaviour.
Not all animal people behave animalistic, it's a wide spectrum. However, try to refrain from making comments about their non-human parts and/or behaviour. It can feel weird, objectifying, or in some cases even fetishising.
Rule 4: Avoid infantilising or weird language.
Never call an animal person someone's "pet", as it's very dehumanising. Avoid using infantilising language, such as treating them as "lesser" or more akin to a child. Generally they don't appreciate it.
It's also disrespectful.
Rule 5: Be respectful of boundaries.
Partially mentioned in Rule 2; keep in mind animal people also have the right to have boundaries. Do not think you can tresspass them because you're not an animal person.
Animal people are not any lesser than normal humans. Do not treat them like literal animals or anything lesser than human.
Rule 6: Avoid using harmful stereotypes
Animal people don't appreciate it when you attribute them to harmful stereotypes, such as (but not exclusive to) fetishised outfits, sexual or one-sided 'relationships', inability to stand up for themselves, too "stupid" to think normally, etc.
Keep in mind that there are minors. Many stereotypes are sexualised, please avoid using them.
Rule 7: Try not to eat nor talk about food of their own kind.
It's not only uncomfortable, but disrespectful. It may potentialy even trigger trauma. Animal people don't appreciate it when you bring up or eat food of their own kind.
For example, never bring up consumption of rabbit meat when around/with a rabbit person - they won't appreciate it at best.
This article is intended to be as neutral as possible. If you have any questions or don't know what some of these terms mean, look them up.