Dysfunctional Gamer Behaviour

[fusangite]

Recently the gamer self/body image thread has been moving out of the territory of trying to redeem people's ideas about how gamers look to discussing how our behaviour is far more important than our looks in making us unattractive.

So, what are the classic gamer behaviours that are most effective in making us unappealing to others socially and sexually -- what are the magic things that tall, fit, good looking people can do to make themselves indistinguishable from the palid obese men oozing out of their frayed t-shirts that we are imagined to be.

 

[Horoku]

I almost always have my dice bag on me, except for when I'm at work (cuz I don't have anywhere to put it).
Also, I find myself almost constantly trying to translate real-world events into various gaming systems in my head. =\

 

[Zogg]

I think it just comes down to talking excitedly (and loudly, within earshot of potential mates) about anything considered to be nerdy - whether it's DnD, Star Trek, or even to an extent the Matrix.

 

[EricNoah]

I think it just comes down to talking excitedly (and loudly, within earshot of potential mates) about anything considered to be nerdy - whether it's DnD, Star Trek, or even to an extent the Matrix.

Yeah that's a good one. Some RPG players could stand to put a few more ranks of their life experience into Sense Motive -- so you can tell when people really aren't interested in hearing about your character or your theories about what's going on with Neo being able to stop those sentinels in Matrix Reloaded.

 

[drnuncheon]

Speak about gaming at all times, even when it is not an appropriate time, place, or audience.

Ignore the signs (subtle or obvious) that the people you are engaged in conversation with are not interested in the topic of gaming, your character, your campaign, or the latest product by X company and why it is the coolest/lamest thing ever.

Do not listen to anyone else's stories. Yours are cooler.

Interrupt other people frequently, and speak more loudly than they do so that even if they try to continue, you are the one that is heard.

If someone expresses a preference or opinion within earshot, begin lecturing them about the proper preference or opinion to hold (your own).

Speak entirely in movie quotes. Continue these quotes far past the endurance of all listeners. Misquote often. Argue about the misquotes.

Stare at women. You don't see them very often. Especially in a gaming store. But don't pay any attention to what they have to say - they're just girls.

Most of these can be summed up in one sentence: treat everyone else like an NPC.

J

 

[Mordane76]

I think that, from my experiences in the gamer community, that only a small portion of gamers meet the standards of gamer geeks openly. However, these few are the ones that make others run from us in fear...


Instead of "treat everyone else like NPCs," like drnuncheon says, I think the behavior is best summed up in "treat everyone else like I was a annoying 10-year old brat." The few gamers out there that give the community its reputation of being nothing but overt, unwashed, unsocialized geeks have the social skills of children. I think everyone has that "phase" in their lives, but the rest of us grew out of it.

 

[fusangite]

Well, I was expecting something a little more subtle and less vitriolic. I would agree that there exist a small percentage of gamers who are complete frothing geeks who speak in bad movie quotes and aren't sure where they stop and others begin. However, I was hoping more for observations about what socially impairs the majority of gamers.

I don't think that we can wholly attribute the lack of social and sexual success of many gamers to the bad reputation generated by a small minority.

 

[Hackenslash]

Whats Geeky about our Hobby ???

Also, I find myself almost constantly trying to translate real-world events into various gaming systems in my head. =\

Yeah, been there done that, and probably made, never mind worn, the T-Shirt...in fact still waering it...DOH !!! However as Eric Noah pointed out you can easily tell if someone is just not interested in "What Strength score do you reckon the Hulk would have if he was converted to DnD ?" or "What do you reckon your alignment would be if you had to catorgorise yourself in DnD terms" plus all the other inconsequential thoughts us gamers have on a daily basis. So I normally I just change the subject, but never deny that I love, Roleplaying Games, Star Trek and Star Wars etc....At the end of the day it's our Hobby and I couldn't care less if people thought I was a geek !! What ! just because we have imaginations and can have fun with our minds....yeah right !!!! If more people could just expand their minds in general, and learn to accept people the way they are, then maybe there would not be as much predjudism in the world. Oh well that's my two cents and hope you all have a great gaming session, no matter what ??? Bye All and Keep on gamein' Cheers !!!!

 

[MarauderX]

I think it just comes down to talking excitedly (and loudly, within earshot of potential mates) about anything considered to be nerdy - whether it's DnD, Star Trek, or even to an extent the Matrix.

Zogg is on to something here...
I dropped gaming for about 9 years and hung out with a different crowd for a while (non-gamers...some call them preps or players). I think what distinguishes someone as not-as-cool, not just gamers, is the Geek factor. Sometimes it's personal hygene, sometimes just how a person walks or their posture, but most of the time it is purely what someone says in public.

I am proud that I play D&D, but sometimes it just isn't cool to talk about it while waiting in line to see a band or during lunch with non-gamers. It's not that D&D is evil or not cool, but it's like talking about politics or religion on the boards - just don't do it since it can hurt you socially, and there are no mods to smack you back into line.

Here are some tips that I have helped my fellow guys with for catching babes; maybe they will help you maybe not, but they helped some guys I know add self-confidence and lessen the Geek factor.

- Be calm. Don't get nervous or excited that often, try drinking less coffee/dew/coke. Think of your voice like a river that you want people to take a canoe on - try to keep it smooth and flowing instead of spitting out words as fast as you can like choppy rapids. Learn to have more patiences than anyone you know.

- Only express vague opinions on all things geeky. Say 'the Matrix was cool' instead of 'the scenes with the flying stuff could have been 3D modeled better if they used the latest overlay programs for Maya'.

- Be aware of how you look, everyday. Just because you are only going to the store to get some milk, check out your look. You don't like your hair? Pay more than $10 for your next haircut. Don't like your clothes? Get some more or try to emulate GQ with what you have. It's not being conceided, it's changing your style a bit so that you will FEEL good about yourself, which helps with the next subject.

- Don't be afraid of any social situations. None. Talk to everyone to get some practice, ask questions, give feedback. Throw out some compliments to some people you don't see that often. Ignore those bad responses, they will happen, some days more often than others.

- There is safety in numbers... when you feel outgoing bring your friends along so that you can have fun together. There are not many easier natural targets than a single Geek out after sunset.

- Don't be afraid to be yourself, but learn when to paraphase. Don't change who you are, only adjust how you are and have fun.

And if you don't like them, it's still OK to be McFly - he got the girl in the end too.

edit: Speling & Grammmer....agian.

 

[Jeph]

Most of these can be summed up in one sentence: treat everyone else like an NPC.

J

Kill them and take their stuff?