2.0 PAGEANT ETIQUETTE -How To Treat Other Contestants; The Role of the Director; Pageant Do’s and Don’ts.

HOW TO TREAT OTHER CONTESTANTS

Pageant etiquette is of such extreme importance that often the organizers will have it listed in their information papers and you will be reminded of it during any rehearsals or pre-pageant speeches.
You will be encouraged to treat others with respect and in a friendly manner.  If during the pageant you or any member of your team is found behaving with anything less, the organizers will take you aside and chat you about it, which will NOT go in your favor, and if your behavior is too bad, you may also be disqualified.
The reputation of the pageant is very much dependent on how all contestants conduct themselves so don’t think you are not being observed.  Your ethics and etiquette must be exemplary, and not only because the organizers expect it of you and you want to develop a winner’s attitude, but also because young eyes are watching you.  Impressionable young contestants look at the older contestants for inspiration and as role models. It is your duty to set a good example.
Right from the word go, when you arrive at the hotel or venue for the pageant, you should be wearing your best attitude.  Realize that often, when you least expect it, officials and even judges may be watching you and already forming opinions.  If they are going to hold any biases, let them be positive!

Being a “good sport” is not just following a set of rules.  It is an attitude that has a positive influence on everyone around you.  Good sports are always the most popular people who tend to succeed in life… ever noticed that?
It’s a natural competitive trait to view our competition in a them versus us manner. You may find yourself comparing yourself with other contestants and unfairly deciding the prettier ones or the ones you feel have an advantage are not worthy of your hand of friendship. You may secretly hope somebody accidentally rips or spills ink on their gowns, or that they come down with spotty hives and have to pull out of the pageant!  You may wish every kind of ill on them, while outwardly smiling.
It is one thing to secretly wish that a contestant will magically decide to withdraw from the pageant for whatever reason, but it is not very sportsmanlike, and it is behavior unbecoming of a pageant winner.

Let me explain further.