I'm too "cool" to game

[Creideiki]

And here I was thinking that nobody understood my sense of humour...

*One might consider--
*Carefully, cautiously--that
*That might not be THEIR fault.*

 

[Timothy]

I almost never have problems, but do mention it quite often, since it's part of my life. Usually I explain it as game where you use your imagination that can go on for hours and is really fun. That satisfies most. I'm going to university soon, and just to be on the safe side: I checked. They have an official gaming club, so the unofficial ones should be there as well.

 

[Numion]

I've never had that kind of problems.. some of my non-gaming friends and girls may find it odd, and comment about me having no life, to which I can always say: "if life is going shopping like you do, I don't need a life!". That retort is mostly reserved for females, of course.. and most of my non RPGing male friends play computers, so they've got no business telling me whats cool and whats not.

RPGs are cooler than computer games, since most people play CG's home alone, or on the net. Not very cool, but cooler than that! (my geekiness is better than yourz!)

 

[Barak]

Oh geez. in High school, we played in the darn cafeteria during lunch. No one ever bugged us. Of course, that might have been due in part that a couple of the players were those kind of huge metal heads freak that could have worn a pink tutu to school and not be bothered. Only once did I hear a negative comment about gaming (we were discussing it in study hall), and it was by one of those "hanger-ons to school bully type". At which point the school bully type person told him to shut the f*uck up, as he himself played with his cousins. You'd be surprised.

Do you know how high the percentage of gamers are in the military and in prison? Who is gonna make fun of people who are either murderers or people trained to kill? Nobody with an ounce of sense. The only time I got odd looks for reading an RPG book in public was once in the subway. Of course, it wasn't because it was an RPG book. It's because it was a leather-like book with "Complete thieve's handbook" written in gold letters on the cover. That was weird.

 

[F5]

If anyone asks, I tell 'em straight up, "It's that freaky, weirdoes game where people kill themselves and worship demons... wanna play?"

You know, it's always been hard to come up with a good answer when non-roleplayers ask me "what is D&D all about, anyway". I usually stumble around using words like "interactive storytelling" and "simulation" and "codified guidelines". Predictably, they just look at me funny and go "uh-huh. That's fun?" I think you're onto something there, fourecks. I'll try your answer next time. Either way it'll spark a more interesting conversation...

 

[Daredevill]

No Aurin, you're too gifted not to game.

I'm usually just lurking on these boards, but this post really got me thinking, so I'll throw my 2 coppers in...

As a teenager, I was in the "cool" crowd. Parties, girls, cars, skipping school, road trips, rock concerts, everything. You name it, I've probably tried it at least once. Somehow though, I stilled played D&D! Yeah, some of my friends thought it was a little strange, but some of them tried it and liked it as much as me. A few of our sessions were quite "intoxicating" but we had fun, and kept out of trouble.

Now that I'm old(er) sometimes I think about those guys who did play. And you know what? We all had one special thing in common: the gift of imagination.

I guess my point of this ramble is forget about "cool". It's meaningless when your 35 yrs old. Been there done that. Your lucky to be able to play such an awesome game that many people just don't have the imagination to play. A game that truly is cool.

So get out there and game Aurin, Right Now!!

Peace out.

 

[HellHound]

I disagree that cool is meaningless at 35.

I still wear what is styling clothes in my scene, I still try to keep up with the music, I still party and hang out at the clubs, wear my body jewelry, tattoos and brands with pride. I am still "cool" and there is nothing wrong with that. And I don't think in four years I should suddenly STOP being cool because I'm 35.

I also game, and I write, the thing here is that COOL and D&D are NOT mutually exclusive.

 

[Datt]

It is really easy to tell people you game. If they ask what D&D is all about just tell them it is like playing Solid Snake or any other action/RPG video game on paper with friends instead of on the PS2 or PC alone. People usually understand it much easier that way. My best friend of 10 years now knew that I gamed when I met him. He doesn't game but he is cool with it. No ribbing or anything. My wife didn't have a problem with me gaming either, but her mom sure gave me some really strange looks when she found out. I just told her it was it was an action game that I played with friends using paper and books. After my wife talked to her a bit she was fine with it. Heck I am so comfortable with it that I had my wife buy me D&D books as a wedding gift. She said I could have anything $100 or less that I wanted. It was between DBZ DVDs and D&D books. I chose the books. Got 5 books I was really wanting! It works for b-day presents too. If you come out of the gaming "closet" you could be getting books and what not too you know.

 

[Dinkeldog]

I disagree that cool is meaningless at 35.

I still wear what is styling clothes in my scene, I still try to keep up with the music, I still party and hang out at the clubs, wear my body jewelry, tattoos and brands with pride. I am still "cool" and there is nothing wrong with that. And I don't think in four years I should suddenly STOP being cool because I'm 35.

I also game, and I write, the thing here is that COOL and D&D are NOT mutually exclusive.

Okay, so first. So says the youngster who hasn't hit 35 yet.

Really, though, do you have body jewelry, tattoos and various brands to try to impress someone or because it fits you and your personality? I think part of the point is as you get older you pretty much learn that faking your life to impress other people is kind of pointless. I think Trev hit the nail on the head.

 

[francisca]

I disagree that cool is meaningless at 35.

I still wear what is styling clothes in my scene, I still try to keep up with the music, I still party and hang out at the clubs, wear my body jewelry, tattoos and brands with pride. I am still "cool" and there is nothing wrong with that. And I don't think in four years I should suddenly STOP being cool because I'm 35.

Good points. And I'm sure you'll agree that those of us in the 30-something bracket (or any age group) who don't care to keep up with a particular lifestyle/fashion aren't un-cool, simply for lacking a definable style.

All through middle school, high school, college, and the rest of my adult life (except for one job were I had to wear a suit), I've dressed the same: jeans, sneakers, pocket t-shirts, and flannels. In the early 90's, it was called "grunge". In high school, we just called it "slob". Look, I lettered in football and wrestling 3 times each in high school, played guitar in a garage band with a bunch of stoners (I don't partake), played D&D, and did computer stuff (programmed, ran BBSs, everything you could do in the 80s, pre-internet), and even helped the drama group build a couple of sets. Certain elements of each of those groups disliked me because of my involvement in one or more of the other things. To hell with those guys. There were plenty of others around in each "faction" who were just happy to be friends.

Anyway, be happy with yourself. I don't shy away from discussing RPGs in the workplace anymore than I do so for my other diversions (hunting, fishing, guitar playing).

Someone asked for funny stories relating to hiding D&D. I recently invited a co-worker to join our game. I started the conversation with, "Ever play D&D?" He paused, and said, "Um. Maybe. Is it good or bad thing?" He starts playing this weekend. On a similar note, one of my co-workers came into work with a nice long Tom Baker style Dr. Who scarf. I said, "Hello, Doctor!", in my best Sontaran accent. He was stunned. This openly gay man proclaimed that I was "normal guy" and had no business knowing about Dr. Who. WTF is that all about?