Ashamed of being a Gamer?

[Elf Witch]

I started it because I thought it would be an interesting topic, and I was genuinely curious how many people out there felt the way my group does.

I'm a bit shocked that there aren't more people that hide gaming in their lives, but on second look, it makes sense since those that hide it probably won't be hanging out there.

Not one person in my long-term gaming group participates on these boards.

It is an interesting topic.

But you do realize that when you share things on the internet even personal things people are going to have an opinion and even say things that you may not like.

I don't get the cries for moderation.

Granted it is one reason I often leave EnWorld for long stretches of time. And why I prefer less moderated sites because I think at times EnWorld moderators use to heavy a hand at it just to keep the peace.

 

[the Jester]

Does this mean you don't love me anymore?

Do you have a problem with me gaming?

N.B. Just got my first girlfriend in many years. She isn't a gamer, but she is absolutely cool with it- she's actually coming to hang out at my place this weekend while we play Mage. She's got hobbies of her own she can indulge while we play; we've already discussed the whole thing so she understands that she cannot be a major distraction and that we'll be gaming for hour upon hour.

I have to admit that I secretly hope that she'll end up deciding she's interested in trying it out!

 

[Olaf the Stout]

As much as my wife is so not in to gaming, and teases me about it from time to time, I know that it is most definitely good natured ribbing, not a lack of respect for me. For example, several of her friends know that I play D&D, so she isn't ashamed of me for it.

We also play at our house each fortnight. She doesn't exactly hang out with me and the guys while the game is on (and it would be a little odd if she did hang around but not play), but she makes polite conversation with them before we start, much like I do when she has some of her friends over.

I don't know if I could stay married to her if she didn't respect me for one of my hobbies to the point of telling me to stop doing it completely (providing of course that hobby wasn't something Dexter-like or similar! ).

Olaf the Stout

 

[Water Bob]

It is an interesting topic.

Thank you.

But you do realize that when you share things on the internet even personal things people are going to have an opinion and even say things that you may not like.

I really had not feeling one way or the other about your remarks. I'm just stating what should be obvious to you--that you really don't know what you're talking about when it comes to my friend's marriage. You're making sweeping judgements based on something a third part wrote on an internet forum.

Granted it is one reason I often leave EnWorld for long stretches of time. And why I prefer less moderated sites because I think at times EnWorld moderators use to heavy a hand at it just to keep the peace.

Wow. I actually think the mods here are pretty even handed and fair. If you want to see some idiot moderators, go to the Citizens of the Imperium forum (Traveller RPG). Those guys are ridiculous.

 

[Shemeska]

Well it's easier to talk to your family about rolling dice and pretending to be an elf than it is to come clean that you spend Saturday mornings with your wife in front of the television watching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.

Though to be perfectly honest, it might not phase my family. They already know I'm wierd, what with the gaming, the mortal combat machine in my living room, the life-sized xenomorph in the corner of my office, etc etc

 

[Water Bob]

My question is this are you really ashamed of it or is just that you don't want to deal with other people who might have issues. That is two different things.

To be fair, no I'm not actually "ashamed". That's a bit of hyperbole on my part.

But, I don't tell people or otherwise indicate to people that I'm a gamer. And, if I'm not just flat cold busted on the matter, I will deny it or steer the conversation away from it, if at all possible.

 

[Elf Witch]

Thank you.



I really had not feeling one way or the other about your remarks. I'm just stating what should be obvious to you--that you really don't know what you're talking about when it comes to my friend's marriage. You're making sweeping judgements based on something a third part wrote on an internet forum.



Wow. I actually think the mods here are pretty even handed and fair. If you want to see some idiot moderators, go to the Citizens of the Imperium forum (Traveller RPG). Those guys are ridiculous.

You are right I don't know your friends marriages which is why I didn't say something like wow he should get a divorce.

But I will stand my my belief that lying in a marriage is not healthy or a good thing and that in the long run it can causes more issues than it solves.

Sometimes I have seen threads that were really interesting get locked just because one person takes it to far. I hang out on CM and I like the ability to just talk about topics without worrying about it getting locked. So sometimes my patience wears thin and I take a break.

Though I understand that to keep EnWorld functioning they need moderators.

 

[outsider]

Pretty much everybody knows I'm a gamer. I discuss my hobbies freely, though I'm more likely to talk about the ones people are more likely to understand and be interested in(ie bass guitar, running). Everybody knows I play video games, and anybody that I think would have a clue what I'm talking about knows I play D&D.

 

[Elf Witch]

To be fair, no I'm not actually "ashamed". That's a bit of hyperbole on my part.

But, I don't tell people or otherwise indicate to people that I'm a gamer. And, if I'm not just flat cold busted on the matter, I will deny it or steer the conversation away from it, if at all possible.

I am not judging you but I could not live like that.

If my dad had ever point blank asked if I was involved with horses I would have been honest.

As I have gotten older, I am 54, I have lost any desire to live my life by anyone else opinions. If they can't accept who I am then basically my attitude is screw them.

I have found that life is to short to let what other people think dictate what you do.

I do understand having to hide things that could cost you your livelihood and I am grateful I never had to worry about that.

 

[Meatboy]

Not at all ashamed. I find being a gamer rarely comes up in conversations though. Even though I work in a very blue collar environment the majority of my coworkers are geeky in someway. Video games seems to be the biggest area for geekiness but films and TV seem to be the other area where geekiness seems to creep into things.

My other hobby, namely martial arts, however seems to come up all the time. It seems you can't hide limps, black eyes, or gi burn on the neck very well. :S