At my uni's wargaming club, there is a massive issue with hygiene...

Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc (in stark contrast to my conventional geekiness).

Anyway, almost all of them smell horrid... primarily of whizz.

As people they seem intelligent and actually quite fun to be around, a few of them get me laughing quite easily.

So what I ask is this: Why are quite clearly "normal" people so smelly? Is it common amongst wargamers? I'm relatively sure I don't smell...

I was prompted to make this thread because I saw someone whining about the same thing in the GW experiences 'un

Anyone else have smelly wargamers at their clubs?

Or could it literally be because they're rockers?

This gets me too. I would never go out smelling like some people do. It confuses me that people who seem so normal in other ways can go out like this.

Henners91 wrote:Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc...Or could it literally be because they're rockers?

Well they already don't shave, cut their hair or bother with their appearance. Not washing is just a natural progression of that attitude for them.

I wouldn't put a steroetypical stink to wargames in genral, and certainly not all so called "normal people."

One year at Games a friend and myself literally had to walk away from a pre-reg game because of how bad some of the players smelled. No underarm, no showers... it was horrid.

When I used to play at the Sydney Battlebunker in summer, the aroma had its own nickname. It was a rank, combination of stale gym sweat and general reek.

"The funk of 40,000 years" (thank you, Thriller.).

It's not uncommon - but it's not normal either.

I think it has a lot to do with those guys only having/wearing one set of clothes. They have one pair of pale and torn jeans (the source of the whizz smell) and then their favourite Blind Guardian shirt. Even if you shower dail, those clothes are going to smell like gak in a months time.

I have only ever encountered smelly gamers maybe once or twice, but then again, I keep a close gaming circle (don't attend tournaments etc).

I know what you mean and I feel your pain. There should be a ban for smelly gamers. To the world we already have a sterotype, we don't need it ruining with smelly gamers, it's wrong and there's just no excuse for it. I'm quite a pain when it comes to this too, 'cos if someone smells I say so, why should I, who showers every day, and wears nice clean clothes, have to put up with smelly people, I don't take any other abuse, so why should I put up with a bad smell. Anyway rant over, thanks for making a long outstanding issue known, hopefully it will prompt some hygene

whatwhat wrote:

Henners91 wrote:Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc...Or could it literally be because they're rockers?

Well they already don't shave, cut their hair or bother with their appearance. Not washing is just a natural progression of that attitude for them.

I wouldn't put a steroetypical stink to wargames in genral, and certainly not all so called "normal people."

Well, I wouldn't make such a generalisation. Long hair, beards and rock 'attire' probably means they care a great deal about their appearance. I've known plenty of rockers who smell fine, and I've encountered shaven gamers in regular t-shirts with short hair who really reek!

Anyway, to make even MORE generalisations, there's certainly a 'gamer stereotype' of a big fat guy who spends all day eating junk food, sitting on a sofa and playing computer games. Lots of large people with bad diets in the same little room?

Are wargamers smellier than other geeky gamers?

Personally, I agree with most of the comments above. Anyone with hygiene problems should be banned from the club until they grow up...

This is one thing that I've noticed more in this hobby than in others.

We always complain that there aren't enough women in to GW's hobby.

Every time my other half goes near a GW she's nearly over come by the smell of stale sweat.

I think a memo should get posted down from head office saying all GW's mmust be clean and smelling nice.

Someone stinks - you're out!!!

Unless there is some sort of medical condition to explain it.

Aww man, you mean we could've had chicks in our clubs?

Dagnabbit.

Actually girls go to the wargaming society but they don't play 40k... they sit in the corner playing goofy card games, lolz...

ArbitorIan wrote:Anyway, to make even MORE generalisations, there's certainly a 'gamer stereotype' of a big fat guy who spends all day eating junk food, sitting on a sofa and playing computer games. Lots of large people with bad diets in the same little room?

Are wargamers smellier than other geeky gamers?

Personally, I agree with most of the comments above. Anyone with hygiene problems should be banned from the club until they grow up...

My experience of smelly gamers has not been the older gamers but younger ones, who are going through puberty but have recieved no adult instruction or advisement that bathing once per week may have worked as a kid, but once you're producing hormones and unpleasant bodily fluids, you need to start showering at least once per day, using deodorant and soap and making sure you change your clothes on a daily basis.

The ones that haven't had that advice reek of a mix of ammonia and scampi fry crisps that makes your eyes water.

We don't know if wargamers smell worse than many geeky types, since WoW etc is played in the comfort of your own home.

As to 'if you stink, you're out', has anyone just tried the terrifying option of taking the person to one side and explaining it to them and asking them to clean up their act? It might work a lot better than 'oi, you, you stink, leave!'

I don't go into my local GW all that often, but there have been occasions where there has been a significant BO forcefield in place almost stopping me from going in.

My wife won't go in to GW at all, but that is because most of the people in there have never seen a girl and the GW staff/other gamers can get clingy.

MeanGreenStompa wrote:We don't know if wargamers smell worse than many geeky types

It's a pretty fair statement to say they don't. PnP gaming cons always have a couple 'catpiss men' whose presence you can detect without visual cues, and any time stories start getting swapped about bad gaming experience, overwhelming BO is going to make a couple of appearances. Anime conventions frequently have signs about, 'gotta wash 'em all,' and how using the shower in your hotel room doesn't cost extra. Some people just don't care about personal hygiene, and others don't see the need to shower. Johnny Depp and his wife never shower, believing that it's more au natural to not constantly remove all the oils and other stuff your body makes - all of his co-stars find it takes a little getting used to.

Bookwrack wrote: Johnny Depp and his wife never shower, believing that it's more au natural to not constantly remove all the oils and other stuff your body makes - all of his co-stars find it takes a little getting used to.

The thing is that he has enough money that he can do that sort of thing. For all us regular poor people, you've got to take a wash every now and then

Perhaps events could just use some (tons) of those plug in air freshners as well.

But yeah, if you're mates with someone who smells like that, have a word with them privately before the poor sod is called out publically.

heh... I shower, shave, and put on deodorant every time I go out to play warhammer... and wear clean clothes.

that said, by the end of the day, I will smell funky. Hot stores, lots of people, not a good combination.

Especially at tournaments... by the end, I might as well be swamp thing. Oh well... at least I started clean. I can't imagine how bad it would be if I started dirty.

Well, my GW smells fine. . I have awesome personal hygiene BTW.

Oh, and also, what is the average age of wargamers? 16-30?

Ugh, this does hit close to home.

I played a game a week ago where I almost did not want to shake my opponents hand. His hand was crusty and he reeked of something fierce.

I'm in my late 20's, married, wear worn out metal t-shirts when I'm not confined to a tie at work. I also abhor the idea that my personal hygiene could bother other people. So I shower and wear clean clothes to be sure I am an acceptable part of society.

If I sneeze, I make a b-line to the rest room to wash up as to not annoy other players.

Could it possibly be that these smelly, gross gamers are just a product of parents abandoning their kids at game stores at a young age? They do not receive the proper socialization a parent would normally prime them with as well as hygiene habits when their time comes.

One point in the OP... this is a University club, right? Impoverished college students that probably spend more on food and drink than on laundry and think Febreeze is a good alternative.

Febreeze is used by the unclean to mask the smell. So you still know the gross is there.

the_trooper wrote:Could it possibly be that these smelly, gross gamers are just a product of parents abandoning their kids at game stores at a young age? They do not receive the proper socialization a parent would normally prime them with as well as hygiene habits when their time comes.

If you only found smelly people at the game store, then there could be some truth to that. Some people literally just don't care, others are quite adamant that if THEY can't smell it, then you're just being overly sensitive, and they're everywhere, not just geekdom.

On days that I don't work and I don't plan to do anything at all I won't shower... but if I plan to go somewhere I always make sure to look as good as I should.

doesn't have anything to do with rocker types, it's just gaming attracts smelly people. go to any con and there's tons of stinkies around, with long hair, short hair or no hair. I've seen some con program booklets that say someting like "please have proper hygene when in the convention areas" or somethng like that.

I think this could be solved by a simple addition to any game store. An in store shower!

I second the above. And get air conditioning, it get's.... stuffy in my local stores.

I think this sums it up for you:

Air conditioning does help, but the sign says it all... We used to call our short-lived high school gaming club the "gamey club".

In my games room we are all washed down first by nubile waifs, showered with Hugo and then sat down with a brandy and cigar as we shovel troops into the meat grinder.

Lingerie models drift by the tables, awarding bonus game-points to the most fragrant.

By the time the rose petals float down from the ceiling, we all laugh at our dirty brethren whose little ruddy noses are pushed up to the window.

- Actually, I just shower and scrub up, like I would any other day. After all, it's not as if I don't have enough to defend already, what with all the toy soldiers!

yes, I shower and dress for a night in public... call me old fashioned, but even in a t-shirt and jeans, I like to be presentable when I am not working in the backyard; I don't go into town looking like I just walked out of the backyard!

I bet if the OP asked them they would all say that they use deoderant. It is only very few that do not.

The reason that students [and indeed most smelly adults] smell is that they do not dry there closes properly. Washing them is easily done but if you are rushing off to that oh so important Warhams game then on goes your lucky Iron Maiden shirt for the third time in a week and you are good to go.

My rugby kit stinks for the same reason, its washed threee times a week, dries for a few hours then its back in the bag for the next session.

They don't realise that they smell because their whole house probably smells like it.

I think every FLGS has the smelly fat guy. Everyone I go to has at least one. As for me I' the rocker type but the buzz-cut skin-head looking kind (I am by no means a skin head I just love having really short hair) but I try to bathe regularly, once per day but some days I just get swamped at work.
Either way I never go more than 2 days without washing up. Hell I'd just tell the person they need to bathe, it actually works & they don't take offense mostly, they truly don't notice it.

Yeah, it's always someone else who smells.

Most people can't smell their own funk, so BO is not intentional for most folk. Some people have BO associated with a health issues.

I bet some of the people responding to this thread who indicate they don't have BO have "issues" they don't realize. It helps if you're married, but friends don't seem to want to tell friends they stink. (They should)

Don't attach nonwargaming pictures to Dakka. Ta.

As OP this is probably massively hypocritical but in my old Halls of Residence the showers were so gross that I'd sometimes go up to 5 days without showering.

I'd ask my friends if I smelt but they always said no...

Wonder if I smelt musky, eheh..

Mind you, this was mostly in the winter... I HAD to shower in the summer lol.

I am amazed there are people who do not shower twice every day, and once before they go out.

I showever every morning (you do realize you sweat while you sleep) and every night before bed.

And when attending gaming cons or anything like that, I bring a spare shirt, and a cloth towel, and at lunch I go to the mens room, wash my chest and arms down, dry myself, re-deoderize and change my shirt.....

its not even a matter of smelling but a matter of feeling icky and horrible due to dirt and grime...

I'm... not that extreme about it, but yeah. Shower every day, clean clothes, deodorant, and the like. Oh, and for the record I'm one of those rocker-types mentioned in the first post (well, no beard, but I think I'm genetically incapable of a decent one), and I have to say, all kinds of nerds can smell awful, not just us. In fact, I'd say that, if they're like me, they'd shower more often because of how awful unwashed long hair feels.

Roleplayer wrote:I am amazed there are people who do not shower twice every day, and once before they go out.

I showever every morning (you do realize you sweat while you sleep) and every night before bed.

And when attending gaming cons or anything like that, I bring a spare shirt, and a cloth towel, and at lunch I go to the mens room, wash my chest and arms down, dry myself, re-deoderize and change my shirt.....

its not even a matter of smelling but a matter of feeling icky and horrible due to dirt and grime...

I certainly can't claim this level of cleanliness. I think Roleplayer wins the Hygiene Wars.

Henners91 wrote:At my uni's wargaming club, there is a massive issue with hygiene...

Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc (in stark contrast to my conventional geekiness).

Anyway, almost all of them smell horrid... primarily of whizz.

As people they seem intelligent and actually quite fun to be around, a few of them get me laughing quite easily.

So what I ask is this: Why are quite clearly "normal" people so smelly? Is it common amongst wargamers? I'm relatively sure I don't smell...

I was prompted to make this thread because I saw someone whining about the same thing in the GW experiences 'un

Anyone else have smelly wargamers at their clubs?

Or could it literally be because they're rockers?

Ugh, this hits close to home. This is actually one of the reasons why I like to game at HOME, and not at our LGS. I'm a girl with an oversensitive nose, and add to the fact that it seems that girls rarely play 40k, you would think that most guys would think about the whole "I stink like a cat box" thing. So much for wishful thinking; there's a ton of stinky gamers and they're all over.

Im not sure if this is hygiene related or some sort of "anti pheromone"

But lots of people in wargaming have a certain type of smell and they cant seem to detect themselves.

Rinkydink wrote:In my games room we are all washed down first by nubile waifs, showered with Hugo and then sat down with a brandy and cigar as we shovel troops into the meat grinder.

Lingerie models drift by the tables, awarding bonus game-points to the most fragrant.

By the time the rose petals float down from the ceiling, we all laugh at our dirty brethren whose little ruddy noses are pushed up to the window.

This had me chuckling.

As a metalhead with a beard the length of your troops' assault range, hair to mid-back, currently wearing what were once pants and a Dark Funeral T-shirt, both of which are now more hole than clothing, I can say with confidence that the only time a passerby would notice my reek is if I'm fresh from the pit of a New Brunswick basement show (scientifically proven to be some of the stuffiest, sweatiest places on earth). Usually, I'm less offensive in my odor than most, if only because I manage to avoid significant man-stink and have the courtesy and taste not to douse myself half a can of Axe (male-targeted deodorant/cologne spray, to those unfamiliar with the plague). In my experience, "the stank" isn't something specific to metalheads or wargamers, it's mostly people who don't have enough social contact to get the reinforcement that it's socially unacceptable. I've known a depressing amount of seriously skanky folks in my meager 22 years, and while there are a few who (usually as a "statement") don't give a , the majority really don't seem to know any better, be they too engrossed in their horde of lvl. 80 characters, studying, or just being too socially inept find their way into the smell-range of company. The gamers (of whatever persuasion) almost always fall into the latter category and with greater frequency that many other "types" of people. Sad, but true. I'm happy to count myself as one of the exceptions to the majority of negative stereotypes associated with my look, hobbies, and musical tastes.

This thread made me put on two deoderants (1 bar, 1 spray) and i am now going to brush my teeth.

Yeah, I probably stink, but I think its only because I bathe, not shower (its just really nice and relaxing )

Maybe ive just lived in Japan too long

I shower atleast once a day, and use body wash and deodorant. I imagine I simply smell bad because I am a teenager.

Well, all the 40k players at my store are decently hygienic, and in relatively good shape.

The RPG people (DnD and such), on the other hand, are almost all massively obese and don't wear deodorant at all.

What I love is after an 8 hour tounament the haze of humanity that the game room gets. It ismixture of sweat, tears and shame with a touch of desperation for flavor.

best thing to do is rub your head on their neck if they smell and claim your a lion marking them with its scent. if they ask why tell them its because they smell bad. if they just look uncomfortable then let them know they smell and your marking it. if they rub back remind them you initiated it and they are the strokee not the stroker.

Simple. rwaring quietly also adds to the realism.

^ Lulz

The pheromone point earlier got me thinking... maybe some of us have taken so long to show any progress with the wimminz to mother nature that she simply decides to do the genepool a favour and sabotage any potential sex life by producing this so-called "anti-pheromone", thataway no little socially-akward kiddy-winks'll get cranked out one day.

It always used to be teenagers who had the personal admin issues, but as it has become more expensive to get your own property this has led to many in their twenties and even beyond still living at home, for many this is an excuse to just not grow up so there are now an increasing number of "adults" who are living as teeneagers do and therefor just not growing up. Teenagers tend to go one of two ways, they either rebel against society and do things which don't conform such as grow long hair, wear scruffy clothes and not wash. Or they become super clean and fashion conscious in an attempt to get their end away. Now the ones who are trying to get the girls are more interested in spending their money on clothes, their first car and taking said strumpet for a slap up McDonalds. The others who have poor hygein tend to be drawn into any number of geeky past times (wargaming included) where traditionaly there is a lack of girls to worry about.
A major part of this is bad parenting. It is the parents who should have instilled the need for good personal hygein not just for the benefit of those around you but for any number of health problems that can arrise from being a grubby little goblin.
I have had the unpleasant task of informing others of their whiff, responses have ranged from embarasment, denial, tears and anger. It's a bit like when Simon Cowel tells people on X factor that they have no talent, if done properly the results can be highly amusing, however as said previously it is far kinder for a close friend or family member to have a quiet word than to be loudly kicked out of a shop for smelling like a mixture of fox piss and twigletts.

I had a small (well, large considering it was my home) tourney, of about 16 people.

this one guy when I he got to his third game I had to DQ because he threw his shoes at my fish tank. (thats a WTF) and ever since then, my moms cofee table has smelt like stale foot.

and, you know in upmarket brisbane, thats kindof disturbing, especially since most of the guys I'm friends with are good people... this guy just doesn't wash. and he lives with his parents.
so weird.

Pipboy101 wrote:I think this sums it up for you:

That is a hilarious announcement poster to have up at MTG event, because 10+ years ago when I sometimes played MTG tournaments I frequently had to sit back from the table the entire time because of the horrible smell of my opponent. I once heard some players smell intentionally to put their opponents off their game.

My friends and I used to just take deodorant sprays with us to tournaments, and when someone stank we kept spraying it all around him.

Imo there really is no excuse for people to go out like that. It is anti-social even.

We used to have a serious hygene problem in the wargaming circle at my FLGS, but those smelly numbers have dwindled recently. I don't mind that I have fewer people to play against, at least my nose isn't being raped by funk.

Now the role-players and card flippers on the other hand....

I always carry a can of deodorant with me, as much for other people as myself. Anyone who reeks will have it quietly, and politely, pointed out to them, then the use of the spray will be offered. I hope that if i ever reek, someone would do the same for me!

The local GW is pretty good for funkiness; the only time it's ever a problem is when it's busy, and it's pretty hard to pick out one nasal offender in a room of 25+ people. Unless you want to go around sniffing everyone in turn that is....

I went to my local FLGS to pick up an order on a Saturday last month. They were having a 40k tournament, but the AC went out. They had a repair guy there working on it, but the games went on! They had a fan, after all. And the door was open. But it didn't help.

10 - 12 teenagers
June
Houston, Texas
No AC.

I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Some of it rubbed off on me. My wife was in the car and asked, "What stinks?" It was me. My clothes had adsorbed some of the smell of the funk in less than 5 minutes.

lol, if you think that sign is funny, our local store has it painted on the wall in the back with the rest of the rules: "BO is a no-no!"

This thread's got me thinking though, I'm always self-conscious about my smell and I don't usually get complaints, but now I wonder if I really do stink, lol...that and I'm starting to think I should switch to a different deodorant, since Axe is apparently not "courteous"?

Sidstyler wrote:I'm starting to think I should switch to a different deodorant, since Axe is apparently not "courteous"?

I think it is just if you bathe in the stuff - can be as bad or worse than just having bad BO

Roleplayer wrote:Maybe ive just lived in Japan too long

And while for 3 seasons your level of cleanliness is a bit more than is needed, during the Japanese summer your approach almost identical to my own.

I believe on the whole gamers don't really smell worse than the norm. It's just that there is a certain percentage of the population who lack a basic grasp of how to interact with ordinary people in an ordinary social situation. And these people are drawn to escapist hobbies like gaming, anime, star wars, etc. They make up a tiny percentage of the members of that hobby but put out a smell more powerful than the rest combined.

Am i the only one who straight doesnt care and will tell them to their face they should probably go home and shower, because theyre making everyone else sick?

Had to handle that situation a few times ... yea i guess i can come off like a donkeycave, but jeez who doesnt use deoderant and shower?

There are two rules concerning Axe body-spray and cologne:

1. They are for AFTER showering, not INSTEAD OF showering.

2. A little dab will do you. A little goes a long way. It only takes a little bit. DON'T FREAKING DUMP THE BOTTLE ON YOUR HEAD.


I am very sensitive to perfumes, deodorants, and such. Over use affects me as much as bad BO. Perhaps worse.

I agree. Not a big fan of smelly players. Espeaclly going to a touney post-lunch time. I rember going to play at a LGS before the change in ownership and there was a guy in the gaminign group who would noisly conusme burgers and soda on a hot day (the AC wasn't good at this place becuse one day the owner somehow forgot to pay the bill) and peww it was like I was downwind or soemthing all the scents of 30+ gamers waifting to the game tables.

However one of the many reasons why I game at night. Less hot ness, and I get time to shower myself.

Nothing like showing up to a game and you have 65+ million year old sediment all over everything. You pretty much smell like Dust , Outdoors, and other stank.

None of the people in my group smell. Ever. Thats just gross. Seriously you know your going out to a public event, why wouldnt you wash up? I mean at least a clean up in the sink or something. Ive been to stores and such where people playing just reek of nastyness and its not fun.

Most of those that go are rocker types, long hair, beards, baggy trousers with chains etc (in stark contrast to my conventional geekiness).

Anyway, almost all of them smell horrid... primarily of whizz.

Hrm...hell's angels whizz on each others jeans and never wash them...do they have motorbikes?

KingCracker wrote:None of the people in my group smell. Ever. Thats just gross. Seriously you know your going out to a public event, why wouldnt you wash up? I mean at least a clean up in the sink or something. Ive been to stores and such where people playing just reek of nastyness and its not fun.

Im kinda scared to light a match sometimes.

my flgs has a sign up that if you dont shower you will be ejected.

and hes done it.

he did expand it to the mary juwanna smokers that would go to their car and toke it up then come back in too.

amazing how many of those people start taking showers before they come to the game store if they know they cant get their fix without it.

lixulana wrote:my flgs has a sign up that if you dont shower you will be ejected.

and hes done it.

he did expand it to the mary juwanna smokers that would go to their car and toke it up then come back in too.

amazing how many of those people start taking showers before they come to the game store if they know they cant get their fix without it.

^
That is what I gotta see

My FLGS is a converted shopfront, used to be something else. The back rooms are a bit run down, and there's the bathroom. Generally a few of us will surround the smelly kid, cover his mouth and drag him out into the room as quietly as possible. There we order him to strip, and then hose him off. Problem solved.
They usually refuse to comply, but you show them you mean business by shooting the Yu-Gi-Oh cards out of his hand with the hose. They go crazy sometimes when the cards get wet. Had to put a couple down last week... shame. They buy a lot of snacks.

I bathe every other day and shower on the days i dont bathe, I havent really started puberty and so dont really stink.

Its a younger crowd at my FLGS and so most kids dont `find` the time to wash so it can get bad.

i have a beard and dreads and all the "rocker" clothing you are talking about and i shower every morning and if im going to a club or GW for games i take deodrent with me. Just because i look a certen way doesnt mean i have to smell, your just unlucky with the few people you have.

in my local shop after a night of gaming (its a small shop with loads of people) the hole place smells a little bit evan more in summer.

why not take your own spray and put some on it might hide there smell a little bit

Once there was this place I played where some of hte people were really stinking it up right in the middle of a hot humid summer. I got some tissue paper, balled it up & plugged my nostrils. Some people were really pissed off but I won the tourney. Never ever went back there again.

G

Some people just stink. I don't know what to say. Ironically, the two smelliest people I've ever met were a cheerleader (who always smelled of doo doo), and one of those guys who primarily identified as a Christian, as in church was the most important thing is his life. He always smelled like BO and pee.

Yes, many gamers are stinky, but most have the decency and self-respect to keep clean.

I've never really noticed overly smelly Warhammer players. However, let me tell you, the average Magic the Gathering player smells like they use body odor scented cologne.

I frequent a bi-weekly hobby collection show called Frank and Sons and that place smells like garbage. Considering that I live in SoCal and it is usually in the 80s, a few hundred men in their late teens to adulthood crammed in a large warehouse with little to no ventilation can be quite nauseating.

Common at my GW, which is pretty sad.

It's just shameful.

at my GW gamers smell so I try not to stay in there long

If you're going to be any where near people, please shower. Keep your house smelling nice if your hosting games night. Kick the smelly's out of your store.


I carry around febreeze just in case.

I met a friend from Dakka last night for a game and about halfway through I realized that I smelled distinctly of swampy ass. I thought of this thread and pulled up a chair so I wouldn't be pointing my stench-blaster at innocent bystanders.

Oopsie DX

Mylocal GW store used to have a list of rules up one of which was that if your personal hygene wasnt of an acceptable standard you where not allowed in. Sadly it didnt last. Thats certainly how id run the store if i ever had one.

at my flgs people complain about some other guys smelling(i am not one of them i asked) i honetly cant smell it. Maybe it is because i am 14

Some people have an amazing sense of smell. Others not so great. Gawd help ya if you have a good nose!!

In my experience (Im nearly 34) a lot of people just dont realise how smelly they are. They need to be told otherwise they will keep doing what they do. No one wants to tell them but you should.

The worst is those who dont brush their teeth. That type of smell can make one puke. Not only that, but if its real bad the smell will cover a large area. OMG gross.

Wash clothes in washing machine - 30 min.
Hang up cloths outside on hot day - 1 hour.
Thats 1.5 hours of which you can still do whatever around the house.

During the above time wash yourself.
Shower - 5-10min. Use soap people!!!
Brush teeth - 2-3min. Brush your tongue.

Tell people this.

I had a friend who always had smelly breath, I one day just said to him "Do you not brush your teeth or something, your breath reeks!" and he claimed he had brushed :-/

There is no FLGS near me, so I cannot speak to the "Wargamer specific" smell.

However, I once took my stepson to a gaming store that played RPG/card based games for a MTG tournament. Posted prominently on the front door was a sign much like the one previously posted, indicating that gamers play in close contact with each other and good hygiene is required - offenders will be asked to leave.

I was a little embarrassed to be there and left soon after dropping him off and buying the Order Of The Stick board game. Not because I smelled, but because I didn't want to be in the company of what were clearly going to be no-social-skill Aspertastic neckbeards. As a big guy with a beard who does shower, I'd like to be thought of as "one of the good ones" and the sign made me sad.

I have virtually no sense of smell and cannot determine when I have an offensive odor. As such, I assume I do and wash carefully and frequently.

I can understand where a lot of the complaints come from but I would just like to say in my younger days I suffered from bad body odour.

*waits for screams of abuse*

In my defence it was nothing to do with bad hygiene, I used to have to shower three or four times a day, I suffered from a condition called hyperhydrosis which is where the body produces too much sweat. This led to many times when small minded and petty people would insult me over something I had no control over.

So before you start having a go at people think for a second, not everybody who smells offensive doesn't wash.

Oh and before the hate starts I had the condition treated with special roll on deodorants and medication but it took about 2 years to clear up completely.

Remember people think before you hate. Bullying people over something this petty isn't really worth it.

I sympathise but even if it is beyond someone's control, they're still impacting other peoples' experiences (think someone with teretes in a cinema)... And thus the utilitarian in me would go for the "greatest good for the greatest number" logic and ask the minority (the unfortunate individual) to have to make a sacrifice for the enjoyment of others.

It really isn't nice I know, but I see it as producing the greatest utility amongst everyone else.

Though I guess that leaves you with the moral dilemma of "well people who affect others don't necessarily choose to do so and it's immoral to mistreat people due to circumstances they can't control": Of course, I would like to think I subscribe to that too... I guess that the fact such hypocrisy exists is why there's no real consensus on such matters.

Bah, perhaps a balanced approach is best... tolerate an unhygienic person for an hour and THEN say "Man, you stink..."


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But if we're going to use examples, when I was at Sixth-Form, in my politics lessons, I used to sit next to a fat girl who must've had some kind of urinary problem... you could smell her from several seats away and it was like sweat, urine and gone-off milk all in one sick odour... Putting up with her for 1-2 hours every day REALLY did affect me negatively... Obviously I'm not suggesting there was any horrific traumatising damage, but I used to feel like I would wretch in my mouth and always try to edge away as far as I could from her.

Now of course, the poor girl could wash (we thought about buying her soap for Christmas) or she might have had a problem we didn't know about: But should I have treated her like I would everyone else? When I and several other people privately complained about her and couldn't stand her odour?

Ah, I understand we can now discriminate against certain individuals depending on the opinions of the majority

How far we have come along the path of acceptance and understanding.

I suppose the only question left now is what other groups of people can we prevent from enjoying a game? Smokers? Well they do smell like ashtrays. Short people? If you aren't this high you can't game here.

Elitism at it's best, thank you for renewing my faith in the tolerance of the gaming community

Justicar Alaric wrote:In my defence it was nothing to do with bad hygiene, I used to have to shower three or four times a day, I suffered from a condition called hyperhydrosis which is where the body produces too much sweat. This led to many times when small minded and petty people would insult me over something I had no control over.

So before you start having a go at people think for a second, not everybody who smells offensive doesn't wash.

Oh and before the hate starts I had the condition treated with special roll on deodorants and medication but it took about 2 years to clear up completely.

Remember people think before you hate. Bullying people over something this petty isn't really worth it.

My ex-fiance had a similar condition. Her hands were always really cold and clammy and she had to use similar medications. This is not the case with every person at the shop that happens to reek. It happens. Tournament is at 9 am, you drank enough the night before to embalm a racehorse, and then wake up late and not have time to shower. I always try to be able to, but sometimes it just does work out. I typically make sure to hit up the deodorant prior to taking off. The litmus test for me is if the guys I drive over to the LGS yell at me about not showering. Usually I don't get any flak, even if I ask, but then again, I'm not really a sweaty guy. Other times I just hit the deodorant harder and hope for the best.

Justicar Alaric wrote:Smokers? Well they do smell like ashtrays.

I resent this. Smokers that hotbox in their cars and in the little "smokers boxes" you see at colleges smell like ashtrays. Most people I work with were surprised to hear that I smoke, and I've been working with them for years.

I smoke myself I was just trying to point out how ludicrous it is to say that a particular person/group should be stopped from playing just because of a few, and I mean a few, individuals are too quick to judge somebody on there outward appearance.

Well Alaric, I would hope you could at least empathise with the troubling nature of the dilemma? Surely you're being just as arrogant to suggest that people should *blindly* tolerate detractions from the experience of the majority?

On the one hand you have someone who can't control the fact that they smell who will obviously not be very happy with being chastised.

Then on the other hand you have the rest of the shop who have to put up with the god-awful smell.

It's hardly an easy problem to solve.


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To summarise, just as it may be wrong to block the minority (and I would expect the minority to complain about that), it's just as wrong to waltz in and not expect to be goaded for a bad smell... though, of course, it's likely humiliating and embarrassing for the individual, but at least they can explain the problem?

Henners91 wrote:Well Alaric, I would hope you could at least empathise with the troubling nature of the dilemma? Surely you're being just as arrogant to suggest that people should *blindly* tolerate detractions from the experience of the majority?

On the one hand you have someone who can't control the fact that they smell who will obviously not be very happy with being chastised.

Then on the other hand you have the rest of the shop who have to put up with the god-awful smell.

It's hardly an easy problem to solve.

How bout you just bite the bullet? OR better yet, if you have your heart set on believing that they are bringing their acrid stench the LGS just to be spiteful, then you should respond in kind and carry a can of Fabreeze around.

Henners91 you say that the person could explain, but are you going to listen? Er no because you have already made that person feel so bad about themselves they have likely already left never to return because of your attitude.

Austragalis carry a bottle fabreeze around? How to make an already bad and embarrassing situation worse.

At the end of the day while it may seem unpleasant to some, the fact of the matter is you cannot and should not try and enforce you views on other people however well intentioned you feel you are.

People have the right to live how they want, no matter how distasteful you may find this.

So to summarise if you have a problem with it find somewhere else or better yet just shut up at leave people alone.

One day you may find somebody who finds fault with you and starts bad mouthing that one character trait of yours they don't like. In which case karma is a .

Justicar Alaric wrote:Henners91 you say that the person could explain, but are you going to listen? Er no because you have already made that person feel so bad about themselves they have likely already left never to return because of your attitude.

Austragalis carry a bottle fabreeze around? How to make an already bad and embarrassing situation worse.

At the end of the day while it may seem unpleasant to some, the fact of the matter is you cannot and should not try and enforce you views on other people however well intentioned you feel you are.

People have the right to live how they want, no matter how distasteful you may find this.

So to summarise if you have a problem with it find somewhere else or better yet just shut up at leave people alone.

One day you may find somebody who finds fault with you and starts bad mouthing that one character trait of yours they don't like. In which case karma is a .

I agree with you - mostly. The question of whether somebody stinks or not isn't an issue of social justice. It's just "hey, you're stinking up the place. Next time you show up, please wear clean clothes" (which, by the way, is a much less offensive thing to say than "take a shower").

I do believe that people have the right to live how the want, but the caveat is that if I choose to separate myself from that element than they should respect that as I have respected them. Respect is a two way street.

And for the record, I was trying to be snide with Henners - I wasn't agreeing with him.

Sorry just had the red mist rise. I was personally subjected to Henners type for years until I got my problem sorted. For about 3 years I wouldn't go anywhere enclosed because of his type and their constant comments and abuse.

"Type"

I wouldn't say I'm abusing, I'm simply being honest (or stupid) enough to bring up the ethics of the situation. To be honest, in real-life I'm so reserved that if someone *really* stank I'd probably just give them looks and try to space myself away from them rather than say anything... and even then, telling someone they stink (when you are ignorant to the cause) is hardly bullying them: Most people would probably imagine they're doing the person a favour, assuming they live in that kind of smog and must therefore be used to it/ignorant of it.

Is telling someone I like having the air around me to be clean "enforcing my views" on them? We're not talking religion, politics or sexuality here... I'm pretty sure a pleasant gaming environment is a universal wish for most people.

I'm sorry you got abused where you went, but I think you should understand that there's a difference between being honest about how I feel about smelly types and making personal attacks on you as a person...

At the end of the day why should the majority "find somewhere else" if one person is the problem? This applies to if, like you said, I was ever annoying people: If I'm whipping out remarks, or behaving in a way that others find uncomfortable then, yes, it's best for everyone that they act gutsy and tell me to my face: If I'm raving on about some crap they should just say "shut the hell up": I don't think you've bothered to actually understand the principle that I put forward, which is the greatest good for the greatest number. Although I wouldn't live my life by that creed I'd still consider it when looking at situations and that includes those of which I am a part.

To be fair, there are things that can be done to minimize the issue that don't involve attacks on others or embarrassing anyone. In the case of a big tournament, you can turn down the AC or invest in better ventilation. I seldom ever see this actually done though, to such an extent that it's uncomfortably stifling without taking stench into account. I turned the second bedroom in my apartment into the "War Room", containing bookshelves for all the 40k stuff my friends and I own and a 6x4 table to play on. We typically have 2vs2 matches. Four (or five if we have a spectator) fat guys and a dog in a 10 x 12 room start to reek after a while, no matter how recently you showered and how much deodorant you've applied. My solution was to put a large box fan in the doorway and turn down the thermostat about 5 degrees. It worked wonders and doing it for 6 hours out of the day doesn't really cause much damage to the power bill.

I think it's admirable that you two, Alaric and Henners, were able to lay the issue to rest peaceably

Just sick of beating my head against the wall trying to get through to him.

Having managed a comic shop. I started to jump at the opportunity to let a player know he smelled. There was no general type. Long hair, short hair, old, young, there were rank ones of every variety imaginable (one rank female at one point too >.<. Especially when you consider that it's a place of business you're fouling up, there's really no excuse.

Justicar, you say Henners is 'enforcing his view' on other people:-the problem here is that smelly people are 'enforcing their smell' on the rest of us.

If it's a medical problem fair enough. You tell me that, and I'll nod, smile, and try and grin and bear the odour. It's not your fault after all.

If it's because you're unclean and don't shower, then why is it 'enforcing my views' on someone to politely request that they wash up next time they come in? By entering into my personal space, and smelling terrible, they have 'enforced' themselves upon me in an offensive fashion, and I will treat them in the same way I would someone who shouts all the time, or calls me insults. I'll ask them to stop, or if they cannot, to leave me the hell alone.

If you think I don't have the right to request people who are doing things offensive to me to stop, then you are removing my right to free speech. You are telling me that I must tolerate anything anyone does around me that I find distasteful, be it hitting women, or swearing in ront of kids. These are more extreme examples, but the principle remains the same.

I sympathise with you if this bites close to home, but I'm afraid asking smelly people to wash if they're in close proximity to me, does not make me a facist, or intolerant. I'm simply putting my concerns and worries before those of a (smelly) stranger.

It seems to be yet another example of the stigmatism shown towards gamers; ie. in the eyes of the uninformed, not only am I a nerd, but a smelly nerd too; the two are inextricably bound and this needs to be broken. If I come into contact with someone who stinks, then I damn well say so - I resent being tarred with the same brush.

@Alaric I'm going to just stop trying to demonstrate that my discussion with you is meant to be in the abstract: In other words, an attempt to simply find a "rule of thumb" or state of mind with which to approach the problem, it's not supposed to be personal and I guess the issue is close-to-home for you so it's foolish of me to think you won't take any points personally. Thus I'll cease and desist, since I get the impression I am bothering you.

I apologise.

Cannerus, i find it mildy amusng that you are talkin about stink with your username...

Why do some people walk around stinking like that? I mean, drag a bar of soap across your ass! What advantage does it give them?

An aura-range pushback effect?

Living creatures within 10 feet must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or the character takes a –2 penalty on all attack rolls, weapon damage rolls, saving throws, skill checks, and ability checks for 1d6+4 minutes

Heh, Heh.

I have conceded a game of magic the gathering at a national tournament because i was about to puke due to my opponents breath...

Im a nurse so in order for something to be that offensive to me its an obscene level of stink...

Wargamers arent as bad as MTG players in my experience. It also helps you have a 4x6 table between you and your opponent.

+1 to ShivanAngel

I also work in a hospital system in the Psychiatric Ward. To get to that level of funkiness almost requires some mental illness/hard drug abuse issues! While the places I've gamed at haven't ever reached that kind of stank level, I have run into gamers who are on their way to Funktown via bad breath or unwashed clothes, body odor, heavily spiced foods, etc., especially at the GW.

Usually I try to be as friendly as possible to let them know their aroma is unpleasant. Of course, as a therapist, I've got stone skin so I don't mind having to be bold at times.

The key is politeness and care, not abusiveness. Most people don't even know they smell. Others are very self-conscious about it when they have a medical condition.

Haha your kinder then i am...

At our FLGS if you smell we attack you with air freshener and spray deodorant....

We are all pretty good friends tho and for the most part have good hygiene, everyone slips up tho... I have forgotten to put on deodorant when im in a hurry.

I also made the grave mistake of stopping by the shop to buy something on the way back from a 5 mile run through the woods in texas heat..... I was assaulted with 2 cans of axe and a bottle of febreez....

ShivanAngel wrote:Haha your kinder then i am...

At our FLGS if you smell we attack you with air freshener and spray deodorant....

We are all pretty good friends tho and for the most part have good hygiene, everyone slips up tho... I have forgotten to put on deodorant when im in a hurry.

I also made the grave mistake of stopping by the shop to buy something on the way back from a 5 mile run through the woods in texas heat..... I was assaulted with 2 cans of axe and a bottle of febreez....

Hope you dont have asthma!