I'll share my experiences.
I've introduced a very wide array of people to D&D during my life time, from seriously ALL walks of life. I'll list a few of those I have introduced to D&D since I've been an adult:
Two clowns (m) and a pair of tightrope walkers (f), a street magician (m), a physiotherapist (f), a tarot card reader (f), a dental technician (m), a podiatrist (f), an eco-energy salesman (m), an accountant (f), a nurse (f), a kung fu teacher (m), an optometrist (f), two factory workers (m), a high school teacher (f), an artisan (f), a graphic designer (f), a theatre actor/lead singer of a punk band and his drummer (m), a mother of 8 kids (f), two of those teenage kids who are twins (one plays electric guitar the other is a drummer) (m), and a musician (m).
I may have missed some.
The cool thing about playing D&D with these folk was that they had never played D&D before with the exception of one of them (one of the factory workers). So I didn't have any of 'those guys' playing the game being a know it all or looking down their nose at typical RPG tropes that popped up in games like starting the game in a tavern or whatever. Everything was shiny new to them. And their enjoyment fed into my enjoyment which fed into their enjoyment ...
Some of the comments when I was roping them into it were related to the stigma of the psycho murders back in the day ... you know what I'm talking about. And others were of 'nah, that *explicit word* is for nerds/losers/wierdos/whatever. However quite a few of the comments were of curiosity, of 'always wanting to have tried 'role' out and see what it was about but never having the chance'.
I'm not in the least bit geeky or nerdy, never have been never will. I don't say that in a derogatory way to those who are. Just stating what may or may not be a relevant fact. So I was able to get past those biases through sheer force of conviction of how much fun D&D is and that they should just try it and see what it's about. And I guess the games I ran backed up what I was saying. Not all of those people become D&Ders, a good few did. But all of them enjoyed themselves, and many were surprised at how much they had enjoyed themselves.
Some, who had committed to more long term games more recently, dropped out due to the fact that, as parents, we were only able to organise games on the weekend after kids had been put to bed, which meant that our normal games were going past 2am in the morning on a regular basis and it was just too much for them, physically.
So in conclusion, I think the force of personality and the conviction behind the person rounding up people to play and running the game plays a big part in whether people are willing to give it a go or not. I'd say for those who do give it a go reluctantly, well then their experience will invariably depend on whoever the DM is making it a fun and exciting experience for them. Kids, jobs and work, they are definite factors. But in my last group every member had at least 2 kids, was married, and both parents held down regular jobs, including myself. But we were having that much fun that we went out of our way to make it work.
All of these experiences have been in Europe where the stigma of D&D and likewise the fame are perhaps less than what it may be in the States. I don't know, I've never been to the States to be able to gauge that, but it is a point that occurred to me that I thought might be worth mentioning.
Having moved back to my country of origin fairly recently, (New Zealand) having had to disband what was my best and most enjoyable campaign ever after nearly 3 years, I am now eyeing up the friends we are beginning to make, trying to pinpoint who might make good members of my next group. So far I have a masseuse and a doctor in my sights! With my wife and faithful sidekick, only need 1 or 2 more and it's game on again!
