Encountering anti-D&D sentiment

[Napftor]

Wasn't sure what to call this topic, but it has to do with an incident in my place of employment today. I work in a small town drug store and I have grown to enjoy many of my customers' visits, chatting with them on a variety of topics. Well, one such woman came in today and must have recalled I wrote as a side-job as she asked, "What did you say you write about, again?"

I responded in the simple way I usually do, "I write for the Dungeons & Dragons game," adding, "My first book is coming out in December."

Well, let me say I might just as easily said I was the spawn of Satan. This woman in her mid- to upper-50s, who I've gotten along handsomely with in the past, narrowed her eyes and said, "That makes my skin crawl. Write for something else."

She was not joking around as she quickly turned and left without her usual friendly goodbye. This incident disturbed me to no end for minutes afterward. Is there still such hostility for our hobby out there? Perhaps it doesn't help that I live and work in a suburban mid-PA town with under 10,000 souls living in and around it.

 

[Wombat]

There are people who are freaked out by the mere thought of D&D.

There are also folks who are creeped out at the thought of tattoos, gun ownership, gambling, and a host of other matters.

I ran into a family very recently (about 3 months ago) here in suburban CA who were convinced that D&D = Satanism, but that all NASCAR drivers, mechanics, and afficianados were moral Christian souls who never swore, drank, or were unfaithful to their spouses. Then again, I've met rpg-ers who have nothing good at all to say about anyone involved in racing of any kind, auto, horse, or otherwise.

In other words, smallmindedness abounds in the world. It's just the filters we have on that define where it comes from. It would be nice if everyone was open-minded, but since that is not the case we just have to make do as best we can.

 

[James Heard]

That's pretty funny actually. I hope you just told her "No, I think I'll do as like." so she'll come back later with the lynch mob.

 

[Arrgh! Mark!]

Wow.

Here in Aussieland, most people either say 'Ahh well, if you like that sort of thing' and shrug and let you get on with it or ask questions and think you dress up as fairies.

People have preconceptions and all, but its just because they've never actually talked to someone who mentioned it.

 

[Thalantor]

What's actually the CR on one of those Skincrawlers? I hear they are mighty strong.

 

[Turanil]

What's actually the CR on one of those Skincrawlers? I hear they are mighty strong.

I don't know the CR, but: Int= 5, Wis=5, Special ability: Psionic Infection and Intelligence Drain.

 

[Keeper of Secrets]

I live in Ohio and the worst I get is a humorous, 'ya bunch of geeks' from my co-workers (a bunch of lawyers). I honestly think that the real 'D&D is Satanism' stuff is, for the most part, a thing of the past.

 

[Mark]

...she asked, "What did you say you write about, again?"

I responded in the simple way I usually do, "I write for the Dungeons & Dragons game," adding, "My first book is coming out in December."

I didn't realize you'd written for WotC or TSR.

I usually respond by saying something like, "Are you familiar with the Conan movies that star Arnold Schartzeneggar? Or the Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter Movies? Well, there are games based on the type of fiction on which those types of movies are based. In them you take on the part of a character and work with others as a team to overcome obstacles and hardships, solving puzzles and mysteries, fighting against injustice or evil sometimes, to reach certain goals."

Over the years I've added the newer, more popular references (I used to mention LotR as "books" ), and use this now to describe what I publish, as opposed to having used the description in the past to describe just my hobby gaming. I've never run into anyone who has responded confrontationally to that quick explanation, though some might shrug and express disinterest.

I think, perhaps, you might be allowing the wrong impression to be fostered. I think a lot of people like that woman have the impression that anyone associated with D&D is skulking around, virtually alone, and associated with devil worship. It doesn't hurt to loosely align yourself, right from the outset, with one of the most popular movie stars on the planet (now a governor, of course), and some of the most popular fiction (book or film) ever known. I've noticed that people like that paragon of virtue who looked down her nose at you thrive when they can intimdate people, and that's much harder to do when the perspective presents the appearance that they are in the minority in which they actually exist. In my experience, people with a false sense of righteousness lose a lot of their steam in the face of certain realities, even if they continue to express their denial.

 

[Adlon]

Heh, I try to have fun with this subject.....

first off, as you probably have heard: Ignorance is Bliss. I'm sure these people are totally at ease..........

I occasionally get the 'stare'. When I tell people about my D&D activities, I look directly at them, with a look of 'you mean you DONT play?'. I found that rather than trying to backtrack/defend/explain, just look at them right back, like they're idiots for NOT playing.

Good material for tonight............... We'll see what Monte says

 

[shilsen]

I think, perhaps, you might be allowing the wrong impression to be fostered. I think a lot of people like that woman have the impression that anyone associated with D&D is skulking around, virtually alone, and associated with devil worship. It doesn't hurt to loosely align yourself, right from the outset, with one of the most popular movie stars on the planet (now a governor, of course), and some of the most popular fiction (book or film) ever known. I've noticed that people like that paragon of virtue who looked down her nose at you thrive when they can intimdate people, and that's much harder to do when the perspective presents the appearance that they are in the minority in which they actually exist. In my experience, people with a false sense of righteousness lose a lot of their steam in the face of certain realities, even if they continue to express their denial.

All true, but only if you care about the opinions of said paragons of virtue. Admittedly Napftor seems to do so.