40 year old man wants to join my game

[fusangite]

What makes me kinda go "wtf?" though is that this guy seems to be completely comfortable gaming with a group of strangers much younger then he, and I just can't get into his mindset.

That's because you have only been an adult for a year. People more practiced at being adults tend to reach the conclusion that age is no more reasonable a barrier to inter-adult socializing than race or gender.

In any case, I won't be accepting him into the group (I met him at a Timmy Ho's in real life, and he's frankly more than a bit of a weirdo)

It seems to me that the problem here is that this guy is a weirdo, not that he's 40.

but can anyone explain why I keep getting hits from mid 30 to 40 year old guys looking for game?

Because we comprise a significant portion of the hobby?

Are people really that desperate?

Nope. It's just that many of us come to enjoy associating with people of diverse ages, backgrounds, genders, religions and sexual orientations. That's not desperation -- it's just arises from the fact that most people's tastes broaden as they age.

When I was 19, I had friends from 14 to 80 and had all kinds of great times with people of diverse ages. Hopefully, with time, you will become less closed to having fun with different kinds of people.

 

[frankthedm]

In any case, I won't be accepting him into the group (I met him at a Timmy Ho's in real life, and he's frankly more than a bit of a weirdo)

There are a lot of those.

but can anyone explain why I keep getting hits from mid 30 to 40 year old guys looking for game? Are people really that desperate?

Uhm Yes! There are some folks who need their gaming fix regularly even if if that means gaming with strangers. Those still gaming in their 40’s likely have close knit play groups, having gamed with them since college or high school.

Some folks may have left behind their friend circles or been removed from them. With limited experience socializing, they are up feces creek without a paddle, sometimes smelling the part.

I’ve been ‘hit up’ for a gaming group a few times. I've explained to them that I game with those people who already are my friends and direct them to resources like Enworld and Games Plus.

 

[Wraith Form]

Lots of D&D groups are talking about Fallout Boy during sessions?

It's Fall. Out. Boy. Three distinct words.

God, get it straight. Even a 37 year old knows that one.




(j/k)

 

[Asmor]

A while back I had an older player (I don't want to take a guess at his age in case he's reading this... I actually found him through ENWorld). I was around 21 at the time (I'm turning 23 in just under a month, so this wasn't all that long ago), my players ranged in age from 18-24 (the 24 being my fiancée), and then this fellow. He had... I'll be conservative and say at least 15 years on me. Sorry if you're reading this Doug.

It was a bit awkward at first, even more so than meeting new people usually is, but it ended up working out well. Of course, the guy was both a dedicated gamer and not at all a weirdo (no more so than any other gamer, at least).

 

[Aeolius]

I'll hit 42 next week and I had never heard of Fall Out Boy until this post. No great surprise, there. I listened to a snippet of their music via iTunes and it wasn't my cup of tea; someone needs to teach these whippersnappers how to annunciate clearly! Apparently my kids have heard of them, however, as others have used the band's music in Club Penguin video captures on YouTube. Heck, I never heard the term Emo until Spider-Man 3 came out! (part 2 beats the snot out of part 3, but I digress...)

As for me, I prefer New Age and 80s New Wave.

 

[Dirt]

I'm just more likely to have common ground with someone around my same age than with someone 20 years older or younger than I am.

Bah! What are you talking about? You haven't had a good gaming group since you moved out west!

I wonder where the original poster lives? Maybe it was Tewligan who contacted him to join his group....

 

[Dirt]

I think that age does/doesn't matter. As others have mentioned, D&D is a social outlet, so I'm picky about who joins my group...I want someone that I can relate to. In that regard, personality and interests matter more than age. However, I can't discount the differences in age can impact how well you relate. I'd prefer people in my gaming group that I could see hanging out with (even outside of gaming).

So, age does/doesn't matter.

It sounds like you gave the guy the benefit of the doubt, and met with him to determine if you felt he was compatible with your group.

He wasn't. You thought he was odd.

Sorry Tewligan...you'll have to find another teenage group to creep out...

 

[Tewligan]

Sorry Tewligan...you'll have to find another teenage group to creep out...

Sigh...I guess I'm going to have to start leaving the assless chaps at home when I go to meet new groups...

 

[Bubbalicious]

I'm just trying to figure out why anyone in college would want to game with high-school kids! Talk about creepy!

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It's Fall. Out. Boy. Three distinct words.

God, get it straight. Even a 37 year old knows that one.




(j/k)

They're still not letting you into their group.