Someone is going to find this maybe stupid. But, as a 28 year old woman, I get really really really nervous inviting friends to my apartment, where they are greeted by my book shelves of games and peripherals. I try to balance it out with candles and copious amounts of scarves and stuff too.
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Are you ashamed of being a gamer/nerd in public?
- Thread starter Booker.DeWitt
- Start date
I honestly couldn't give a shit. I'm 29, engaged to a smoking hot girlfriend, own my house with her of course, have cat (lol) and I'll happily buy amiibos in public.
Fuck I even went to MacDonalds a while back and ordered a happy meal just to get a shitty mario toy lol.
Honestly though, I was more worried when I was younger. But obviously you grow up and your self confidence improves. If anyone still in school is reading this and feels this way, dont worry, things get better lol
Fuck I even went to MacDonalds a while back and ordered a happy meal just to get a shitty mario toy lol.
Honestly though, I was more worried when I was younger. But obviously you grow up and your self confidence improves. If anyone still in school is reading this and feels this way, dont worry, things get better lol
You shouldn't be putting your hobbies on your personal resume. It should be education, work experience, relevant technical skills section if it applies, and a formal objective if you really need space padding. I do not recommend a generic skills section and I absolutely don't recommend a hobbies section. It's very, very rare these sections will work in an adventurous way unless you're applying for game industry related positions.
If you're talking about online applications, you should use that space to distinguish yourself from other candidates. For example, instead of putting generic 'vidya' there, put "I write code/model/write scripts/graphic design for independent video games on my spare time" (or whatever your credentials are). That looks infinitely better.
Razzorn34
Member
Since when? That is absolutely the norm these days when you see people waiting.... anywhere.
I try not to make any facet of my interests my overwhelming personality. I don't feel the need to wear clothing that tells other people I'm a gamer. Gaming is for me. It's my passion and my primary interest. Other people are not involved with that in any way unless they specifically ask me questions or want to talk about video games, and even then I try to gauge early in the conversation how 'geeky' it can get before it becomes weird or a turnoff.
You can be a stoner and not immediately start grooming dreads and wearing tie-dye. You can be a gamer and not wear "Nintendo and proud" clothing. You can be a businessman without walking around in a suit.
It's all whatever public perception you want of yourself. As an adult you don't have to hide your personality, but knowing when to dial it down is part of owning it.
You can be a stoner and not immediately start grooming dreads and wearing tie-dye. You can be a gamer and not wear "Nintendo and proud" clothing. You can be a businessman without walking around in a suit.
It's all whatever public perception you want of yourself. As an adult you don't have to hide your personality, but knowing when to dial it down is part of owning it.
Hell no!
I'm 36, and been gaming for 30 years. I have no shame in whipping out my Vita or 3DS on the bus in front of everybody and playing away. People's opinion of me, unless you are my direct supervisor or boss, have no affect on my day to day or nerd habits.
Maybe it's also because I work in the gaming industry that I just don't feel insecure about it. I don't think anyone should be ashamed of their fandom (within reason, I guess?). We're all nerd/geeks about something.
I'm 36, and been gaming for 30 years. I have no shame in whipping out my Vita or 3DS on the bus in front of everybody and playing away. People's opinion of me, unless you are my direct supervisor or boss, have no affect on my day to day or nerd habits.
Maybe it's also because I work in the gaming industry that I just don't feel insecure about it. I don't think anyone should be ashamed of their fandom (within reason, I guess?). We're all nerd/geeks about something.
Via Purifico
Banned
I agree there, if you can't sit still in public without doing that then it's an extreme case of introverted behavior.
It just sounds like OP just put on a shirt and waited in line and enjoys video games but it doesn't get in the way of his day to day life.
Kinda shitty total strangers who doesn't even know him found him to be a loser for that.
ScatheZombie
Member
Explaining to you how other people are making judgments is not being judgmental.
The crux of the argument was that he was getting shitty looks for being a gamer. Being a gamer is irrelevant. You get shitty looks when you project yourself to have a persona outside what is typically socially acceptable.
People who are waiting in line/waiting for their car to be service/waiting for whatever get dirty looks for using there phone? Where do you live?
About the only time I've ever see someone get shit for using their phone is when they are walking and texting and walk into someone.
Sparkedglory
Member
Not ashamed at all. I'll readily tell people I'm an gamer/anime fan. I'm not gonna talk their ear off about it if I know they're not, but i couldn't really care less what people think of me. They have their own issues if they're gonna judge me based on that alone.
Always honest
I never thought about this before, but it actually makes a lot of sense. Can't say I share your feelings on this, but that's because I don't have any friends to invite over.
SmackAttack
Member
Not stupid, really.You could have said, you try to hide them. I like a woman who proudly displays her games. Book shelves make them look fancy, too.
Bl4ckSunsh1n3
Member
Nope, not ashamed in the least. Although, admittedly, I don't really care to go out in public much. People are just too much of a hassle for me on most days.
Rockman Wright
Banned
my little apparement is just a geek lair, have a huge library with books, comics, manga and video games, with a lot of megaman figurine on top of it! Add some gaming poster to the wall and that's it!
when i invite someone to my place, sure i feel a little bit awkward, but i'm proud of it and they know beforehand that i'm a nerd, so no real problem here, so no it's not stupid don't worry!
JeTmAn81
Member
I figured it out, I think he's a time traveler posting from 2008, the time before everyone was constantly on their phones in public everywhere.
Transistor
Banned
I've never, ever been ashamed of it, but I don't really use the word "gamer". I tell people I enjoy games, and that they're my main hobby. I've occasionally worn gaming shirts outside and I plan on getting a tattoo of a cactuar, but it's no different from any other hobby. If people want to judge you for it, they can go fuck themselves.
Via Purifico
Banned
In America at least, the medias misconception on videogame and "nerds" plays a part in why people are so apprehensive about showing off their hobbies.
It's still seen as juvenile and we could be doing grown up things with our time.
But being in your phone all day is somewhat seen a bit better lol. Everywhere I look people are in their phones and I bet those are the same ones who gave OP a dirty look lol.
It's still seen as juvenile and we could be doing grown up things with our time.
But being in your phone all day is somewhat seen a bit better lol. Everywhere I look people are in their phones and I bet those are the same ones who gave OP a dirty look lol.
ohhthegore
Member
I hit up my local Toys R Us once a week looking for new action figures and get weird looks sometimes. Being ashamed about being a "gamer" is the least of my worries
Booker.DeWitt
Member
I understand your concerns, but my field of work is different, and they always ask about hobbies during interviews.
I did not tell my profession because I don;t like to tell unless asked, but I am a physician - specialist, so I really don't care if they will think I am a man-child for wearing videogame shirts of showing up to pre-order games.
I've been doing that for years, and has worked in my favor. when I was younger and living with my parents, yes, it used to bother me, but now that I am thankfully successful on what I do and I have a lot of good feedback regarding my performan, I really don't care what people think of a doctor wearing videogame shirts on his day off
ScatheZombie
Member
Jesus christ, everything is extremely black and white with you guys, huh? Using your smartphone in public doesn't garner dirty looks. Neither does playing your 3DS. Neither does just wearing a game shirt.
But... when you are being obnoxious with your phone - you know, projecting that your phone is more important than the world around you - texting in your car after the light changes and people behind you honk/flip you off - having a loud-ass conversation in public - walking into people/traffic because you can't be arsed to pay attention - holding it up a concert and blocking the view of the people behind you - yeah, I will give a dirty look. As will a lot of other people.
No, I don't care what people who I don't even know think about me. If you do then that's something you need to work on because at the end of the day no matter what your hobies or interests are people are going to judge you on something. People judge all the time, it is how humans are naturally. Even if you didn't wear any gaming-related clothing they would find something else to judge you over, to make assumptions about the kind of person you are and how you behave.
However, all that matters is what you think of yourself and if you're proud of who you are -- if you are, then you have no reason to be ashamed of anything. Once you've learned and figured that out, going out in public with whatever should be no more shameful than being in your own home with those same things.
However, all that matters is what you think of yourself and if you're proud of who you are -- if you are, then you have no reason to be ashamed of anything. Once you've learned and figured that out, going out in public with whatever should be no more shameful than being in your own home with those same things.
Bl4ckSunsh1n3
Member
The irony is that in my area the people condemning things as juvenile are the ones who are at the local pubs getting sloshed and whoring around on their loved ones all week long. If that's non-juvenile entertainment then I'll stick with my PS4.
GTR R35_Supra RZ
Banned
I'm million miles away from being a nerd, but being a gamer yes I'm ashamed. All of my colleagues, friends, relatives and some of fam members have no idea I game on ME time.
DirtyLarry
Member
This may seem to obvious and it also may seem too something, aggressive perhaps, but really truly and sincerely I believe who the fuck cares what some other people may think of me?
Meaning if some random stranger wants to look at me and think that A) they know everything about me based on what I am wearing and B) what they think they know about me that they definitely do not gives them the ability to pass judgement on me, I say fuck them, and fuck anyone who thinks like them.
I know it is easier said than done, and I also know not everyone is thick skinned and may take it personally, but seriously who cares what some stranger may think of you. For that matter who cares what anyone may think about you. Even family and friends.
With that said I will end this little life lesson on this pearl of wisdom.
You cannot ask others to love you if you do not love yourself.
If you are focusing on what others are thinking about you, more often than not that is actually a reflection of you not being confident in who you are and wondering if anyone else is also recognizing that lack of confidence.
If it truly is none of the above and you just care what other people think of you who do not know you, stop caring. Life is much better, and simpler, if you do.
Meaning if some random stranger wants to look at me and think that A) they know everything about me based on what I am wearing and B) what they think they know about me that they definitely do not gives them the ability to pass judgement on me, I say fuck them, and fuck anyone who thinks like them.
I know it is easier said than done, and I also know not everyone is thick skinned and may take it personally, but seriously who cares what some stranger may think of you. For that matter who cares what anyone may think about you. Even family and friends.
With that said I will end this little life lesson on this pearl of wisdom.
You cannot ask others to love you if you do not love yourself.
If you are focusing on what others are thinking about you, more often than not that is actually a reflection of you not being confident in who you are and wondering if anyone else is also recognizing that lack of confidence.
If it truly is none of the above and you just care what other people think of you who do not know you, stop caring. Life is much better, and simpler, if you do.
People aways mix things.
For example, one of the..well gropus of people that bullied me in school were...the "nerds". You know, the people that always have A+, cried when they got a B, made the best school projects, had the answers to everything, raised the hand first, and so on.
I was always average in grades, but because I looked like a nerd (glasses, acne, slim...hitting puberty!) and had Nintendo stuff all over my books, I was the one getting punched and pushed aside..because...NERD!!
Sadly, I still wear glasses and I still like Nintendo, and that kind of people grew up too and became went to college, work, etc. with me. Then throw the fact that I'm gay into ,the mix, and..yeah, kinda hard to make friends. But in a way, I feel that made me a bit stronger. Like I'm used to failure and dusapoointment so I can take it, while they get desperate at the mere sight of things not going well.
You had it rough, aaaaannndd I got more confused. Lol.
Later Alligator
Member
Most of my friends play games in some capacity so not really. If someone wants to give me shit about it i dont really care at this point (31 years old)
Lord British
Member
Honestly? Yeah, kind of, what with... recent events.
Via Purifico
Banned
Amen to that.
QFT
Mauricio_Magus
Banned
No, I'm not ashamed at all about it.
Elitist1945
Member
Not at all. I embrace that shit. When I was in highschool, when people found out I played video games they'd be like "Haha you virgin!" and I'd just laugh in their faces.
GustyGardens
Banned
People that have an issue with my interests are people that, more than likely, don't know me very well. I'm in my 30's and while I've been playing video games for a very long time, I also have a variety of other interests. I also have a career where I make a good living, and I'm a responsible member of society. There's nothing shameful about any of that.
I wear game shirts on relaxed days. If I wear a suit or sport coat, I have quite a few lapel pins that I switch out daily, some of which can be thrown into the nerd category. Currently, my pin is of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
I wear game shirts on relaxed days. If I wear a suit or sport coat, I have quite a few lapel pins that I switch out daily, some of which can be thrown into the nerd category. Currently, my pin is of a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
TheOctodad
Member
The older I get, the less I care what others think. As long as you are happy with your choices, who cares?
I think sometimes people aren't truly happy with who they are and their insecurity feeds other's perceptions of them.
That said, I don't really talk about video games/nerdy stuff much to others. I don't hide it, but I don't see the need to bring it up. I'm like that with most topics though, I like olympic weightlifting as well, but if the crowd I'm in doesn't share an affinity for it, I won't bore them with details.
I think sometimes people aren't truly happy with who they are and their insecurity feeds other's perceptions of them.
That said, I don't really talk about video games/nerdy stuff much to others. I don't hide it, but I don't see the need to bring it up. I'm like that with most topics though, I like olympic weightlifting as well, but if the crowd I'm in doesn't share an affinity for it, I won't bore them with details.
themadreaper
Neo Member
Not really when it's just about being a fan, I don't really care what strangers think of me. That said, I'm a bit apprehensive to tell people I study programming for video games at college. They kind of just give me a weird look and don't ask any follow up questions, so I just say I'm studying "programming" and leave it at that.
Crankshaft
Member
I am 36, married with a child.
I wear gamer shirts on the weekend and I usually get compliments. I wear an 8-bit Mario shirt and I have people of all ages tell me my shirt is awesome. I even had like a 60 year old (im guessing, he could have been in his 50's) tell me it was cool. So I think the gamer generation is growing older.
On the flip side of that, I told my manager at work that I play games and he said, "Aren't you too old? Games are for kids". We then laughed, but I couldn't tell if he wasn't trying to sneak in how he really felt into the joke.
I wear gamer shirts on the weekend and I usually get compliments. I wear an 8-bit Mario shirt and I have people of all ages tell me my shirt is awesome. I even had like a 60 year old (im guessing, he could have been in his 50's) tell me it was cool. So I think the gamer generation is growing older.
On the flip side of that, I told my manager at work that I play games and he said, "Aren't you too old? Games are for kids". We then laughed, but I couldn't tell if he wasn't trying to sneak in how he really felt into the joke.
Shining Sunshine
Banned
I'm pretty sure that gaming is more than an accepted culture now.
OfficerRaichu15
Member
This is a topic that is very personal for me but Ill share my opinion.
I am in high school right now and as expected there are many dudebros at my school. I am a Nintendo guy who just loves all games but I get bullied for liking Nintendo. They treat me like crape and tease and push me around everyday due to my different tastes. They all act like; " I play Cod and Madden and oh you play is shifty games like Mario!" I tried to ask help from various adults including my parents and teachers but it doesn't help.
So in conclusion I am ashamed sadly.
I am in high school right now and as expected there are many dudebros at my school. I am a Nintendo guy who just loves all games but I get bullied for liking Nintendo. They treat me like crape and tease and push me around everyday due to my different tastes. They all act like; " I play Cod and Madden and oh you play is shifty games like Mario!" I tried to ask help from various adults including my parents and teachers but it doesn't help.
So in conclusion I am ashamed sadly.
My friends and I have always had multiple game systems and what not in our apartments, and anyone who knows us know we all play games.
That being said, If we are hanging out with new people, or are out at the bar, we don't get into this subject unless it is brought up by the others. Specifically girls we are interested in....(which they usually don't bring it up unless we are at the apartment and see he games)
Long story short, we keep it on the DL.
That being said, If we are hanging out with new people, or are out at the bar, we don't get into this subject unless it is brought up by the others. Specifically girls we are interested in....(which they usually don't bring it up unless we are at the apartment and see he games)
Long story short, we keep it on the DL.
SmackAttack
Member
I get what you're saying and agree that some people are way too into their phones but how does that translate to the OP?
dinosaur_hunter2
Member
Not at all. Rather, I'm proud of myself for being a nerd and gamer.
This.
Real question is how are you 33 and still give a fuck what other people think about you?
Leave that shit in the 20s breh.
wanderingprostheyltite
Member
I don't really broadcast it with clothing or anything, and don't do handhelds so it's not really an issue. Gaming hasn't really been a huge part of my social identity either though.