D&D General In this day and age, people still laugh when you invite them to play D&D.

[DrJawaPhD]

I can't tell you how many people Ive talked to that "I want to try D&D!" and then when you invite them laugh and look away,

I've never had this experience - I always see people excited about the idea of playing, seem serious about putting a group together, but then everyone is only available on the 37th of Febtober (leap years only) so everything breaks down after a session or two. I'm not actually sure which experience is worse, being laughed at or having your hopes raised only to be let down.

People always talk about a DM shortage but honestly for in person DnD it's 100% a player shortage

 

[Sulicius]

Maybe they’re not interested in playing a full campaign. I have introduced many people to the game by proposing just an introductory session.

 

[payn]

Try adventure league and/or Pathfinder society.

 

[Ulorian - Agent of Chaos]

I'm in my late 40s. I often meet people and chat with them about hobby stuff around my job area.

Every so often I meet someone mentioned D&D/RPGs and they show an interest. "Oh I've always wanted to try that." or "I used to play 10+ years ago." Etc etc.

So I invite them to my weekly game at the FLG and they chuckle and look away and convo moves on.

I read a lot about how now-a-days there is a surge to play RPGs. I haven't really seen it in person. I've also read that people are having a hard time finding new friends, well maybe don't laugh when someone invites you to something.

I have a young co-worker who just works, studies, and plays games at home. He moved here from another state right before i met him. Figured he could use some friends in this new area he finds himself in. Invite him to play. Chuckles and we move on.

Another employee, a young lady. Big Star Wars fan. She says she wants to try D&D. I invite her. Laugh. Move on. Group later tries Star Wars D6. We are having a blast and next time she and I are chatting I mention we are playing it. "Ive always wanted to try that!" I invite her. Laughs. Move on.

I can't tell you how many people Ive talked to that "I want to try D&D!" and then when you invite them laugh and look away,

Not to mention randos that are talking D&D and I greet them etc. Some are nice enough to not laugh but just keep the convo rolling.


I can only assume the issue is me. IDK. Just wanted to rant.

Inviting someone to your house is a big deal, socially. At least in the sense that the invitee needs to feel comfortable with your company/likes spending time with you (and safe).

Establish that comfort zone first, then you're gold. Human beings actually like spending time with other human beings... you just need to lay the table in a manner that appeals to others. Do you get to know the people you are asking first? Are you curious about their lives? I think you'll find if you show genuine (emphasis on the genuine) interest in these folks, the likelihood that they'll show up to your game night will increase dramatically.

 

[Charlaquin]

I don't mean when you were young. For folks in their early to mid 40s and older, I think many would find it strange for adults to be playing TTRPGs. I don't think that is the case for people in their 20s. Just personal experience. I don't know if there are any good polls or studies on this.

“Folks in their early to mid 40s” are older millennials. The youngest of gen X are in their late 40s now, and “people in their 20s” are mostly Gen Z. The youngest millennials are still clinging to their late 20s, but that’s not going to hold true for much longer.

Anyway, I do think there’s a real generational difference here. Millennials and gen Z folks are much more loath to relinquish our childhoods than previous generations were. I mean, this is the cohort that, upon being thrust into the workforce, invented the euphemism “adulting” to refer to the associated social and fiscal responsibilities that transition entailed, because we neither felt adequately prepared for them, nor had any desire for them. There are a lot of complex socioeconomic reasons for this, but I digress. Point is, yeah, despite now being in our 30s to 40s, we have absolutely no shame in being invited to play children’s games, and indeed many would be delighted to still be thought of as “cool enough” to invite despite our age.

 

[Charlaquin]

Inviting someone to your house is a big deal, socially. At least in the sense that the invitee needs to feel comfortable with your company/likes spending time with you (and safe).

This is accurate, but @DarkCrisis did say they invited these people to play at their FLGS, so probably not a factor here.

 

[Zardnaar]

I've never had this experience - I always see people excited about the idea of playing, seem serious about putting a group together, but then everyone is only available on the 37th of Febtober (leap years only) so everything breaks down after a session or two. I'm not actually sure which experience is worse, being laughed at or having your hopes raised only to be let down.

People always talk about a DM shortage but honestly for in person DnD it's 100% a player shortage

I'm finding.
. Internet Randoms. Very flakes. Turn up few sessions then afk. Generally.

50% flakesy or unsuitable
30% ok
10% ideal
10% toxic

Something like that

 

[Zardnaar]

“Folks in their early to mid 40s” are older millennials. The youngest of gen X are in their late 40s now, and “people in their 20s” are mostly Gen Z. The youngest millennials are still clinging to their late 20s, but that’s not going to hold true for much longer.

Anyway, I do think there’s a real generational difference here. Millennials and gen Z folks are much more loath to relinquish our childhoods than previous generations were. I mean, this is the cohort that, upon being thrust into the workforce, invented the euphemism “adulting” to refer to the associated social and fiscal responsibilities that transition entailed, because we neither felt adequately prepared for them, nor had any desire for them. There are a lot of complex socioeconomic reasons for this, but I digress. Point is, yeah, despite now being in our 30s to 40s, we have absolutely no shame in being invited to play children’s games, and indeed many would be delighted to still be thought of as “cool enough” to invite despite our age.

Youngest Gen X mid 40s

 

[Koloth]

For those work place folks that say "I would like to play...", bring some character sheets to work and see if you can get them to sit down over lunch and fill out a character sheet. If they are not willing to spend 1 or 2 lunch hours doing a bit of educational prep work, pretty safe putting them in the column of Not Really Interested. Bonus points if you can run them through a quick 1v1 encounter during lunch. Doesn't even have to be combat. How much can the Bard earn performing? Will the thief be successful lifting that purse? Etc.

For a quick to learn game, consider something like Melee from Steve Jackson Games. Free PDF download. Quick gladiator combat type game. If you can get them to play anything, much easier to move over to your game of choice.

 

[DragonLancer]

Many years ago on these forums I remember a poster who said that they could never let their colleagues or managers know that they played D&D. The reason being that although we've come along way since the panic of the 80s that it was still frowned upon in some business circles. I remember them saying that they could get passed over for promotions or special projects because of bias. Sad but true.

A long stretch but could it be something similar here? Maybe they would like to try D&D but are concerned how it might affect how they are seen by colleagues/work and/or friends and family?