How mainstream is D&D / RPGs

[Host of Angels]

Just how mainstream are D&D and other role playing games? Do you tell your co-workers about your hobby? Do you put it on your CV (resume)?

The question popped up in the "D&D has threatened my job" thread. I'm British and the feeling is that it is a bit more common in the UK than the US - and possibly getting more common. Does anyone have any thoughts on this. Personally, I tend to keep quiet about my hobby as I do feel that there is a social, geek stigma associated with it.

 

[Zappo]

I do tell people I know, fellow students and co-workers if the conversation is about our hobbies. Sometimes I bring it up myself, thinking that it would be pretty stupid if I ended up being friends with someone for months before finding out that he plays D&D too, just because noone mentioned it. I wouldn't put it on a CV, it isn't relevant to the job.

Usually, when I mention roleplaying games to random people here in Italy, I get a "huh?" reaction or, more rarely, some degree of confusion with CCGs and/or wargames.

 

[jasper]

about as main stream as
stamp collecting
o gauge/ ho model railroading
sca
radio control car racing
go cart racing
rc plane

 

[Henry]

I certainly wouldn't put it on my resumé, but then I learned in school you don't put hobbies on resumés, just like if I played golf or followed NASCAR.

It's certainly widely known enough - it's got brand recognition like Conan or Lord of the Rings, even if people know nothing about the actual gameplay. It's a hobby that has the weird designation of being mainstream in recognition, but being perceived as OUTSIDE the mainstream, no matter in what context, whether it's supposedly geeks or satanists playing it. People who don't play look at D&D the same way they look at sky-diving or bungee-jumping - it's not practiced by a lot of people, and the people who do it are looking for something a little too "different" for their tastes.

 

[Algolei]

I don't put it in writing anywhere, but I talk about it all the time. My favourite is to slip in a comment whenever someone around me mucks up:

"Failed that roll."
"Cleric! We need a heal check!"
"Mindy: 1; Dex: 3!"
"I bet you could make that check if you really tried."
"Oooh! Stabilize! Stabilize!"

I also like to admit my hobby whenever I've mucked up in a big way (especially if it requires hospitalization):

"Dungeons & Dragons made me the man I am today."

 

[diaglo]

i know doctors, lawyers, artists, dog catchers, etc... who play D&D.

it is as mainstream as any hobby. but like any hobby many people not interested in the hobby aren't interested in the conversations about the hobby.

 

[GrumpyOldMan]

It is no crazier than keeping tropical fish, or trainspotting, and not to be admitted to my work-mates for that reason.

 

[thalmin]

All of my co-workers know about my hobby.
It's a requirement to work here.

My insanity I keep to myself.

 

[Faerl'Elghinn]

No. Before I was a professional, I used to tell people, but now? No. They'd nail me to the wall. It usually works out ok, though- there's a phone booth on my way home from work...

 

[Belen]

All my co-workers know my hobby. Heck, I get my books delivered to the office. I think it really depends on the environment. You'll know what type of office you can and cannot talk about DnD in.