So, #5 hot news article on the BBC is that costumed characters get groped. That seems to be news to a lot of people. In my experience it's teenage boys (of course), and (unexpectedly) middle-aged women who want to feel you up in suit. It's more than likely because I'm furry, but I've never been offended by it. The first couple times were a surprise, but I can certainly understand wanting to cuddle (as it were) the cute animal. Of all the times I've had that done to me, I've never had anyone be rough about it.

The teenage boys are usually pretty easy to spot in advance, at least along parade routes. It's gonna be the one with his arms open to get a hug from the bunny, with three or four smirking friends in back of him, watching to see him carry through on the dare. If there's a way to predict the adult women who're gonna grope you, I've yet to learn it. The women generally seem a lot more serious about it than the boys, who are generally just showing off in front of their friends.