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| How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for nerds? http://gbain.powweb.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=27817 |
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| Author: | Balin son of Fundin [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for nerds? |
so guys recently i tried to get my friend roberto into the hobby however this has proven to be difficult as he believes that its for nerds. (he highly values social standings) has anyone develeped a tactic for dealing with this? or is it a worthless cause? he also believes that its too expensive. (which i can understand.) Its weird because we played a game and he seemed to really enjoy (this was 2-3 weeks ago.) |
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| Author: | Oldman Willow [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 3:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
 I may be a nerd but I am an Alpha nerd.Quote: (he highly values social standings) He probably believes he does not have much. He will never have any if he spends his time worrying about it.Time for "tough love" Tell him to man up and stop caring what other people think. He is your friend you can figure out the best way to to tell him. |
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| Author: | LordoftheBrownRing [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:02 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Well for 1 I love this stuff and it is too expensive. If he doesnt want to get into it because of social standings, then I dont want to put it in an insulting way, but he has social issues he needs to deal with. I mean, does he really need to tell anyone he plays? I have friends in social groups who range from regular joe sports fans, criminal types, fun outgoing party people, hard working family people. You dont need to tell them all you play this game. The only people that know I play this are my girlfriend, my parents, and the people I talk to who play it. Everyone else doesnt need to know same way I dont tell everyone that I play playstation. I dont see his deal. If he thinks because he plays it he cant be cool or hang out with other people then hes wrong. Is he still a teenager? I know if I had a gf when I was a teen messing with this game, yeah, there would be issues. But now I have the most serious gf Ive ever had and she actively encourages me to go with the hobby to make myself happy and even tells me which models are cool lol. He needs to surround himself with better ppl imo. At the very least, he can just play with you sometimes and make it his little fun secret hobby! I still dont like telling some folks about it because honestly ppl do think its nerdy stupid or weird but they dont appreciate it. I mean, I dont go to bondage parties and have swing fests either, but I still respect that they like to do it and I dont want to haha. None of it really means a damn thing. Ive always been LOVED by women and guys respect me in all social groups. Im a combat veteran. Im 25 years old. If someone doesnt like it they can (a lot of explicit things here) |
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| Author: | JamesR [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
I think you need to explain that "being a nerd" doesn't mean "uncool". I have always been a bit of a nerd, always taking advanced placement etc. But you don't have to let that define you. I was also (and still am), an avid athlete and fitness buff. When you literally do not care if anyone thinks it's "uncool" then nobody will waste their time pointing that out to you |
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| Author: | VandalCabbage [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
The objective is not to avoid developing a nerd mindset, but to avoid just hating things either because they are too nerdy, or because they are too mainsteam. Formerly nerdy things such as comic books are now much more acceptable anyway; miniatures are more likely to inspire admiration than mocking (since they require painting skill and such). Besides, if someone didn't want to know you cause you're "nerdy" why would you want to be friends with them? The people who would reject him if he became "nerdy" are the ones who are losing out. |
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| Author: | KathaariaRandall [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Old Man Willow and LordoftheBrownRing are right. In the end, its down to your friend deciding whether having fun and doing what he wants with his time is worth more than being exactly what he thinks society wants him to be. To be fair though, out of the game systems and interests ive come across commonly percieved as being for nerds, most LotR SBG fans have to be some of the least anti-social, most down to earth people I know  Anyway, I hope you have success in showing him what a great community this is to be part of and how litte it will mean to his social standing
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| Author: | Bofur The Dwarf [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 4:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
I wouldn't think Wargaming is "nerdy" in many ways. Of course, you've got miniatures that in the current social world would be described as "toys", but I don't see them as that. The more so ignorant people would see it as that. I think this hobby shows passion and talent, rather than nerdiness. Same passion as people may have for video games, sports, cooking and other hobbies. Few of my friends know I play(more so the girls) and they have been intrigued and inspired by my minis. I do want people to see this game and not think it's nerdy/geeky in any way. I'm sure we all want that. Anyway, I don't care what others think of me playing this game and painting minis. It's easy to ignore social standings in my opinion, especially after playing this game. It made it easier then actually. I don't particularly tell people I play, not unless they're a lotr fan or a mini fan. Even then I restrain myself not telling. So if your friend does decide to play, tell him to keep it to himself and between you and other players. Theres no need to worry about social standing if he doesn't tell anyone. |
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| Author: | Dorthonion [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:35 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Nerdy used to be applied to anyone who was a bit of a scholar, a reader, a scientist, or a techie. Now, correct me if I am wrong, but most people carry around a phone of some description, many of these being so-called Smart phones. Some people carry tablets (the electrically powered type, I am not referring to medications). So, they are READING texts, browsing the internet, using APPS and various forms of connectivity requiring some amount of technical knowhow. Oh wait, that makes all of them NERDS, going by the approximate definition. So be comfortable with what you are interested in, don't try to force others into anything but maybe use something less intimidating as a first port of call, like a boardgame (Risk perhaps), or a hybrid like Deadzone or Dreadball, with simple rules and high entertainment value. The world would be such a dull place if we were all the same. |
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| Author: | ste271276 [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:38 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Well Im the coolest mo fo I kno And I love this hobby so that says as much as you need to know my friend!!!! lol |
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| Author: | army-of-the-dom [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
The fact that he thinks this is for "nerds" is ridiculous, if he enjoys is then enjoy is but that doesn't mean scream out to the world about it, if you want to tell people you enjoy this awesome hobby this is the place to do it. I have enjoyed this hobby for 6 years and I wouldn't say I'm a nerd. If it's a school thing then ignore it, I have told a few friends and if they are true friends they are not bothered by what you do in your spare time just be friends, I have had friends who enjoy war games then drift away but don't say anything to anyone, I am just a normal teen who does 16 year old things like party and be idiots but when I'm at home I do my own thing. I will admit that I don't go to gw often but that is because I know no one else who goes there and they aren't interested in lotr but not because I don't want to be seen by anyone, at the end of the day everyone is a nerd whether it be an a grade student a gamer (everyone plays games) or wargamer a hobbyist a cook a enthusiast of any kind is seen as a nerd by a bunch of nobodies so why try to be normal, if everyone was normal life would be boring |
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| Author: | LordoftheBrownRing [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 7:52 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
KathaariaRandall wrote: To be fair though, out of the game systems and interests ive come across commonly percieved as being for nerds, most LotR SBG fans have to be some of the least anti-social, most down to earth people I know Truer words havent been spoken in this topic yet! I keep running into people who have great jobs or at least have a good college social life and people who are so incredibly easy to talk to. Im ridiculously social myself and love to talk to people hence my 80000000000 posts in a few months lol. |
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| Author: | cereal_theif [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:29 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
I actually don't care about your mate. If he wants to put people in boxes he is the type of person we don't want in the hobby. Haha. I played football for my college at uni, I ran a badminton club and play ultimate frisbee. I play fantasy football now, I teach maths, I play the Hobbit and Xwing. I love films, pizza, my girlfriend, God. I play electric guitar and bass guitar. I also dabble in a bit of banjo. If anyone wants to pigeonhole me good luck. A geek is just someone who knows a lot about something. But I know what your mate means. Just introduce him to people in a none warhammer setting. Once he likes them then he might fit in more. |
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| Author: | Zirak-Zigil [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 10:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
If he was honestly not too interested in the game then, that's his choice but if he enjoys it and it's only due to how he would be viewed socially, he is missing out an extremely enjoyable hobby for an very silly reason. Like others have said if he doesnt want people to know, then he doesn't have to tell anyone!! it can be a guilty pleasure for him and you can promise to keep his dirty little secret!!! I would certainly keep trying to get him to play though because if you think he enjoyed the first game, that can only increase the more he plays. On the 'nerd' issue, I love (and I mean love!) this game and hobby and yes I guess I consider myself a nerd, particularly a Lotr nerd. However outwardly to people who don't know me, I doubt many people would guess. I have a lot of tattoos, love my rock music, love my soccer and sport in general and I'm extremely outdoorsy. Also one of my mates who enjoys the hobby is a very out going, womanising, lead singer in a rock band!! Neither of us would be your dictionary definition of a nerd!! The game is not played only by 'nerds' and you certainly don't have to be a nerd to have a great time playing it!!! |
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| Author: | Knife in the Dark [ Sat Feb 08, 2014 11:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
I think everyone here is giving excellent advice on the topic, and I can say he is definitely missing out on the hobby if he enjoys it. Although I don't know how old you are I can understand how some people can be concerned about the whole "social labeling and nerd calling". Since it's been about a decade since I've been started collecting starting at age eleven and now I'm almost twenty and I can say I experienced some of the fears he faced. The easiest way to get through this is just keep getting him to play until he either sadly loses interest and stops playing or stops caring what others think and starts joining in the hobby full swing. I know the whole social class thing is scary growing up but eventually you will get over it like I did. I was nervous about people finding out but when you don't tell people about it no one will find out and label you things. As I grew up I eventually started telling what it is to people and didn't really care what I they said. Through the couple of girlfriends I've told to the friends I have now, none of them say anything bad or offensive about it and when I told one of my roommates that I might have a job this summer just painting models for someone this summer he thought it was an awesome idea. So just keep trying and hopefully he will feel the same way after a while and want to join in the hobby fun. |
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| Author: | typhoon2 [ Mon Feb 10, 2014 9:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Plenty of excellent and insightful responses so time to lower the tone... Samuel L. Jackson plays 40K. Who dares call HIM a nerd?! |
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| Author: | JamesR [ Mon Feb 10, 2014 10:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
typhoon2 wrote: Plenty of excellent and insightful responses so time to lower the tone... Samuel L. Jackson plays 40K. Who dares call HIM a nerd?! I wouldn't call him a nerd, just a mediocre actor... but that's a discussion for another day |
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| Author: | VandalCabbage [ Tue Feb 11, 2014 8:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Watch Unbreakable and tell me he's mediocre. Or just watch it cause it's a good film. |
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| Author: | Dorthonion [ Tue Feb 11, 2014 9:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Someone on DakkaDakka started pulling together a list of famous people who are (or were) wargamers: Brian May, musician, PhD. Deryck Guyler, actor (d.1999). Peter Jackson, film director. Edward Woodward, actor, (The Equaliser). Vin Diesel (Actor) is a DnD gamer Will Wheaton, archnemesis of Sheldon Cooper Robin Williams (Mork from Ork) Will Smith HG Wells was a gamer and had the first set of rules published near the turn of the 20th century Billy Crystal supposedly could be seen playing on occasion with Robin Williams Kirsten Dunst picked it up from Williams while they were working on Jumanji And then on The Miniature Page there are more listed - Mike Myers (yeah baby!) Peter Cushing (Governor Tarkin) Nathan Fillion is quite comfortable at an RPG table (Mal from Firefly/Serenity) Jack Black plays Warhammer (allegedly) Jack Nicholson does Napoleonics And there are lots more. |
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| Author: | Hill-Troll [ Tue Feb 11, 2014 9:55 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
Quite an intresting list that you have got there, Dorthonion. |
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| Author: | Dead Marsh Spectre [ Tue Feb 11, 2014 11:16 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: How to beat common perceptions that wargaming is for ner |
At the end of the day who really cares what anyone might think of them. If you enjoy it - do it! |
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