Reactions to Being a Gamer

Hi folks!

I was just curious. When you tell people at work, school, etc. that you're a gamer or you talk about video games around them, what is their reaction?

Most people seem to respect my hobby or are intrigued by it. But a couple of people have reacted negatively. One person implied it was a waste of time, an English professor at my university told me that there weren't enough hours in the day between school, friends, and games. Then, in my Math dept. where I'm a grad student, there's an undergrad who evidently thinks it's silly. He's said stuff to me like, "talking about games again?" (This obviously isn't meant to sound racist) He's of Chinese descent, and one time when I was talking to a friend about games, the Chinese guy says something in Chinese to another Chinese student. I asked him what he said, and he goes, "It's just a little Chinese gossip."

It's just kind of irksome to me when people don't respect your hobby or think it's silly.

Why do you suppose people have such reactions?

My reation: at first I was O_o but then I was like...ahhhh yeahhhhh

Well most people have negative reactions haven't played video games. I only talk about video games some friends or others that play as well.

Hi folks!

I was just curious. When you tell people at work, school, etc. that you're a gamer or you talk about video games around them, what is their reaction?

Most people seem to respect my hobby or are intrigued by it. But a couple of people have reacted negatively. One person implied it was a waste of time, an English professor at my university told me that there weren't enough hours in the day between school, friends, and games. Then, in my Math dept. where I'm a grad student, there's an undergrad who evidently thinks it's silly. He's said stuff to me like, "talking about games again?" (This obviously isn't meant to sound racist) He's of Chinese descent, and one time when I was talking to a friend about games, the Chinese guy says something in Chinese to another Chinese student. I asked him what he said, and he goes, "It's just a little Chinese gossip."

It's just kind of irksome to me when people don't respect your hobby or think it's silly.

Why do you suppose people have such reactions?

MathMattS

Nothing wrong with games, but some people really need to shut the hell up about them.

Like, I've recently taken a few entry-level college art classes, and some of those people get ridiculous. I'll park myself in a certain spot for the semester, then the people near me become friends. And then, what do they talk about videogames and comic books. And that's it. And I've gotta sit there listening to people just blab on and on about this videogame or that comic book. And it's annoying as ****.

Once, one of them had the nerve to ask me why I don't talk to them, as if he was accusing me of being snooty or or something. And I was like, "why don't I ever try to talk to you? Because the ONLY thing you people ever talk about is ****ing videogames and comic books."

Anyway...I'm not a big gamer by any means. I still play games occasionally, even though it's pretty rare. But even though I don't play many videogames, I don't have any disrespect for people who do. Just so long as videogames aren't all that they're interested in, just as long as I don't have to continually and repeatedly hear them sitting around blathering on about nothing but goddamn videogames.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E29iOPSxF94

Pretty much this ^

Idk, I consider myself kind of a geek, so people generally aren't surprised.

Other than that, I don't get much disrespect though.

Nothing wrong with games, but some people really need to shut the hell up about them.

Like, I've recently taken a few entry-level college art classes, and some of those people get ridiculous. I'll park myself in a certain spot for the semester, then the people near me become friends. And then, what do they talk about videogames and comic books. And that's it. And I've gotta sit there listening to people just blab on and on about this videogame or that comic book. And it's annoying as ****.

Once, one of them had the nerve to ask me why I don't talk to them, as if he was accusing me of being snooty or or something. And I was like, "why don't I ever try to talk to you? Because the ONLY thing you people ever talk about is ****ing videogames and comic books."

Anyway...I'm not a big gamer by any means. I still play games occasionally, even though it's pretty rare. But even though I don't play many videogames, I don't have any disrespect for people who do. Just so long as videogames aren't all that they're interested in, just as long as I don't have to continually and repeatedly hear them sitting around blathering on about nothing but goddamn videogames.MrGeezer

I get the same way when someone talk about sports or TV shows.

I sure while your in a group you talk about something that other think you talk too much about.

I don't really tell anyone in public that I'm a gamer unless I'm asked what I like or if the person I'm talking to happens to be a gamer as well. I am kind of insecure about my hobby since I consider myself a huge nerd so I'm really careful about what I say.

I'd shrug then walk away.

Almost EVERYONE plays games nowadays. It not a big deal.

Nobody knows that I'm a gamer. It's my secret hobby.

Since there are more casuals getting into gaming, there will probably be less people who view gaming as something negative or a waste of time.

no one cares

Those few people that know were surprised that I'm a gamer.I don't really talk much about it, only with people that play games too.

people who haven't played video games tend to have negative or ambivalent thoughts towards the medium. they are fed a heavily generalized and biased opinion by the media. this is true of my experience.

Most of the people I associate with know that I box, so they don't call me a geek or make fun of my obsession with gaming (maybe they fear I'll slap them around?), but I ahve a lot of casual gamer friends too.hillelslovak

I don't really tell anyone in public that I'm a gamer unless I'm asked what I like or if the person I'm talking to happens to be a gamer as well. I am kind of insecure about my hobby since I consider myself a huge nerd so I'm really careful about what I say.

marcogamer07

"Oh. Cool."

Or..

"Oh, dude, cool! *starts conversation about videogames*"

Yeah some people react negatively to my large knowledge of video games and how much I seem to enjoy them, then they get to know me and just realize thats the way I am. I have an extensive knowledge of sports, and am cultivating a knowledge of film as we speak. When I get into a hobby that I enjoy I like to know as much as possible about it, and devote as much time as possible to it.

I get mixed reactions when I tell people that video gaming is one of my hobbies. My parents' generation don't understand and usually say it's a waste of money & that I'm too old to be playing videogames (I'm 22 btw). However, people my age are usually gamers themselves (although most are casual gamers). But at the end of the day I don't really care what people think about it. As long as I enjoy it, I'll keep playing games.hrt_rulz01

Yeah, I mean if your not enjoying life why live it right?

All my friends are gamers to some degree. I'm also an admitted tech nerd. So I don't get much flak for saying I'm a Gamer (yes with a capital G). I think most people who look down on it still hold to this old notion that video games are childrens toys. As they typically were back in the Atari/NES days. Usually this is the case with older generations that didn't grow up with them.

The second would be the types who are so fixated on their "social image/status" that they would never do somethig like play video games, they are far too classy for that. Though this is exceedingly rare as more games have gotten much more mature and adult oriented.

The third would be the type of person who thinks its just a waste of time and you could be doing better things with your free time. To that I say the following: Everyone wastes their free time, thats why it's called FREE time. Sure I could be doing more important/constructive things than play video games. But I could argue spending 5 hours a night in your garage rebuilding a hot rod is time that could be better spent doing other things. I could say the same thing about someone who goes and golfs 3 times a week. The same about someone who goes fishing or boating every time they have a day off. We all have pointless hobbies that we only do for entertainment value. Video games are no different.

I've brought up playing WoW to people who didn't seem like they would even know what it was, but then surprisingly turned out to play it themselves. It's amazing the range of people who play that game in particular, though I don't any longer.

[QUOTE="MathMattS"]

Hi folks!

I was just curious. When you tell people at work, school, etc. that you're a gamer or you talk about video games around them, what is their reaction?

Most people seem to respect my hobby or are intrigued by it. But a couple of people have reacted negatively. One person implied it was a waste of time, an English professor at my university told me that there weren't enough hours in the day between school, friends, and games. Then, in my Math dept. where I'm a grad student, there's an undergrad who evidently thinks it's silly. He's said stuff to me like, "talking about games again?" (This obviously isn't meant to sound racist) He's of Chinese descent, and one time when I was talking to a friend about games, the Chinese guy says something in Chinese to another Chinese student. I asked him what he said, and he goes, "It's just a little Chinese gossip."

It's just kind of irksome to me when people don't respect your hobby or think it's silly.

Why do you suppose people have such reactions?

MrGeezer

Nothing wrong with games, but some people really need to shut the hell up about them.

Like, I've recently taken a few entry-level college art classes, and some of those people get ridiculous. I'll park myself in a certain spot for the semester, then the people near me become friends. And then, what do they talk about videogames and comic books. And that's it. And I've gotta sit there listening to people just blab on and on about this videogame or that comic book. And it's annoying as ****.

Once, one of them had the nerve to ask me why I don't talk to them, as if he was accusing me of being snooty or or something. And I was like, "why don't I ever try to talk to you? Because the ONLY thing you people ever talk about is ****ing videogames and comic books."

Anyway...I'm not a big gamer by any means. I still play games occasionally, even though it's pretty rare. But even though I don't play many videogames, I don't have any disrespect for people who do. Just so long as videogames aren't all that they're interested in, just as long as I don't have to continually and repeatedly hear them sitting around blathering on about nothing but goddamn videogames.

Like someone else said in this thread, it seems like the people who criticize you for being a gamer are the people who don't play video games or have never played video games.

I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who has no interest in games anyway. I generally don't talk about games unless it is mentioned in conversation.

[QUOTE="hillelslovak"]Most of the people I associate with know that I box, so they don't call me a geek or make fun of my obsession with gaming (maybe they fear I'll slap them around?), but I ahve a lot of casual gamer friends too.just_nonplussed

I don't really tell anyone in public that I'm a gamer unless I'm asked what I like or if the person I'm talking to happens to be a gamer as well. I am kind of insecure about my hobby since I consider myself a huge nerd so I'm really careful about what I say.

marcogamer07

Where I'm from, no. Not even close.

[QUOTE="MathMattS"]

Hi folks!

I was just curious. When you tell people at work, school, etc. that you're a gamer or you talk about video games around them, what is their reaction?

Most people seem to respect my hobby or are intrigued by it. But a couple of people have reacted negatively. One person implied it was a waste of time, an English professor at my university told me that there weren't enough hours in the day between school, friends, and games. Then, in my Math dept. where I'm a grad student, there's an undergrad who evidently thinks it's silly. He's said stuff to me like, "talking about games again?" (This obviously isn't meant to sound racist) He's of Chinese descent, and one time when I was talking to a friend about games, the Chinese guy says something in Chinese to another Chinese student. I asked him what he said, and he goes, "It's just a little Chinese gossip."

It's just kind of irksome to me when people don't respect your hobby or think it's silly.

Why do you suppose people have such reactions?

MrGeezer

Nothing wrong with games, but some people really need to shut the hell up about them.

Like, I've recently taken a few entry-level college art classes, and some of those people get ridiculous. I'll park myself in a certain spot for the semester, then the people near me become friends. And then, what do they talk about videogames and comic books. And that's it. And I've gotta sit there listening to people just blab on and on about this videogame or that comic book. And it's annoying as ****.

Once, one of them had the nerve to ask me why I don't talk to them, as if he was accusing me of being snooty or or something. And I was like, "why don't I ever try to talk to you? Because the ONLY thing you people ever talk about is ****ing videogames and comic books."

Anyway...I'm not a big gamer by any means. I still play games occasionally, even though it's pretty rare. But even though I don't play many videogames, I don't have any disrespect for people who do. Just so long as videogames aren't all that they're interested in, just as long as I don't have to continually and repeatedly hear them sitting around blathering on about nothing but goddamn videogames.

Uhhhh............. don't sit by them

unless it's a small room

All my friends are gamers to some degree. I'm also an admitted tech nerd. So I don't get much flak for saying I'm a Gamer (yes with a capital G). I think most people who look down on it still hold to this old notion that video games are childrens toys. As they typically were back in the Atari/NES days. Usually this is the case with older generations that didn't grow up with them.

The second would be the types who are so fixated on their "social image/status" that they would never do somethig like play video games, they are far too classy for that. Though this is exceedingly rare as more games have gotten much more mature and adult oriented.

The third would be the type of person who thinks its just a waste of time and you could be doing better things with your free time. To that I say the following: Everyone wastes their free time, thats why it's called FREE time. Sure I could be doing more important/constructive things than play video games. But I could argue spending 5 hours a night in your garage rebuilding a hot rod is time that could be better spent doing other things. I could say the same thing about someone who goes and golfs 3 times a week. The same about someone who goes fishing or boating every time they have a day off. We all have pointless hobbies that we only do for entertainment value. Video games are no different.

keech

Exactly video games are no more a waste of free time than, playing recreational sports, watching tv, going to the movies, eating out, going fishing, drinking, etc. Not saying those things are bad, but unless your curing cancer with your free time video games aren't more of a waste than anything else.

I don't mention it. I don't find it something worthy of discussion unless I'm playing them with friends, am at a gaming store, or what have you. Not to demean gaming or anything, but there are much more relevant things to talk about than gaming when around strangers.

I wouldn't want to be friends with someone who has no interest in games anyway. I generally don't talk about games unless it is mentioned in conversation.

HaLoMaStErJT

Dude. All the people who think that gaming is lame, dumb or a waste of time, are complete losers. Gaming is the new way of having fun. They haven't evolved nor moved up with the technology yet. Even thoughmany people have had negative reactions to me being a gmer, I'll say it out loud: I'M A GAMER AND I'M PROUD!!! 8)

BTW statistics show that gamers have a higher IQscore than non-gamers. Now there's a good argumentyou can tell toanti-gamer personel. 8):lol:

I've had people tell me before that if they knew I was a gamer before they met me, they wouldn't be friends with me.KHAndAnime

Whoa. That's cold.

Most of my friends don´t play videogames as a hobby, so I don´t really talk about videogames with them.

For me I try to keep it down. I only talk about games if the other person mentions them first (I don't want to be considered as a nerd, freak, immature, etc). Of course, I also have a couple of gamer friends to talk about games, but they are old friends and I have confidence with them. I think nowadays gaming it's a developing entertainment, so the people in the future will accept it like any other hobbie. It's almost like when the TV came from

I really don't tell anybody that doesn't play games that I play games. I don't feel like getting heckled for enjoying my hobby.

Most of my friends don´t play videogames as a hobby, so I don´t really talk about videogames with them.

unrealtron

I don't put it out there, but if it shows up in conversation I just go along with it and stuff.