I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

Dude, you paint toy soldiers and then use them to play mock-battles.

You are a total nerd.

Thing is, so are the rest of us. Why is that a problem?

Painting miniatures for tactical wargames.

If you try, you'll fail. You're going to have much more success and happiness by owning who you are and what you do. If people would throw you out for a hobby, why even bother building a fake persona to please them?

If I thought the person might remotely get it, I'll say I paint miniatures (science fiction, fantasy, historicals). If I don't think they'll get it, I said I paint scale models.

I'm almost four times your age though, so I really don't care what people think, and I tell them I paint models for use in wargaming. :-D

Why go around telling everyone in the first place?

One of the hallmarks of nerdly behavior that gets us a bad rep is failing to twig that other people aren't as passionate about your interests as you are and fanboying at them regardless, sometimes for inappropriately lengthy periods of time.

If there's really nothing else you can talk about, I'd suggest you have a think about broadening your interests, otherwise only talk about it if it comes up naturally or you're asked directly, and convey the bare minimum of information "I build model kits" or similar. Let the other party's reaction dictate if you offer anything more.

Give it another 10 or 15 years and you won't give a gak, but always remember that just because you love something it doesn't follow everyone else will.

 Nevelon wrote:
Painting miniatures for tactical wargames.

This. Anyone that thinks poorly of it will think poorly of it regardless of how you describe it.

It's going to sound nerdy however you describe it.

The real issue you have to face is accepting that and having the confidence to be yourself, regardless of what others think.

Anyone worth knowing will accept you for yourself, and anyone who has a problem with it probably isn't worth knowing.

Yes, rather than try to hide it, embrace that nonsense. Tell 'em you paint tiny doll men and that it's amazing and fun.

Then kick them in the shins.

Wait, maybe not that.

'Tabletop wargaming and modelling' sounds a bit better. But yeah, having the confidence to be yourself and admit to liking what you like is probably more impressive. More difficult too.

Keep it to yourself mate! No need to blurt it out. If people ask you about it, tell them - you enjoy table top gaming. Don't be ashamed but also don't preach! Easy.

Nothing wrong with being "a total nerd". You have a hobby that you enjoy and you play a tabletop strategy game. People who paint on canvas with oils aren't nerds, they are probably artists. People who roll dice and figure out statistical probability are often times gamblers. People who play games with pieces and/or cards on a table top with other people are playing games in a social situation. All of this is "nerdy" and yet people won't think twice about it. Mix them together and suddenly its somehow different but the reality is that its the same as any other hobby. Embrace your passions and interest and be true to what you like. Those that would judge you negatively for having a particular hobby are either closed minded to new things or generally not worth your time associating with.

If you want to describe the game say that its sorta like Risk where you move pieces and roll dice for combat to capture objectives. And in this hobby you assemble and paint your pieces for your army. Most people will get a vague idea what your talking about from that.

As you are still a Youngling, I can imagine that your fellow Younglings would not be too positive about you painting and playing with miniatures. While the advice about just telling the truth sounds great, at your age I doubt it will be well accepted.

I am 41 years old and when I was young, I played on the Commodore 64 and Amiga 500. Back then, anyone playing with computers/gaming was a Nerd. I didn't talk much about my hobbies, only my 3 friends knew about it, and two of them were also "Nerds".

So, my advice would be not to mention it, at least not to too many people and not until you are a bit older. Kids these days can be ruthless (actually not much changed from when I was young, except the use of bullying through Social Media), especially to Younglings with different interests.

Should you really want to tell people, be advised and prepared for flak coming your way by a lot of Younglings as it really sound Nerdish to them. It's a shame, but that is how it is.

Just vent all your Warhammer(40K)-Geekness here, with your peers.

How about not telling them? If you don't want to tell them, don't tell them. There is no requirement to tell people anything.

I'm a three-dimensional artist.

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

Easy. Don't.

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

Bro I am going to give you some sagely advice: I have been proudly geeky since well before and all through high school. I had a ton of friends who were in the "preppy" caste who would still come over and talk and hangout when I was reading D&D books. It's all about how you carry yourself and being willing to use some self depreciating humor to be able to beat them to the punch.

Be proud of who you are, and don't change for anyone. I am to this day still a geek of epic proportions. And here's how I look:



I don't hide my geeky self from anyone. Hell, I am well known as being a major attender of renaissance faires and I'm even on the local faire's cast. And the other thing man is High School is only temporary. Yes, it can be nasty. But at the same time it's 4 years. Don't worry too much about other people. Make it the best years you can.

'I play board games. I paint models as well.'
You don't need to tell every person you meet your life story. If they ask for more detail, you can offer a little more. Either their eyes will glaze over, or possibly they will be interested.

 Cleatus wrote:
'I play board games. I paint models as well.'
You don't need to tell every person you meet your life story. If they ask for more detail, you can fill in the details.

This as well. I think it's more he wants to hide it from EVERYONE because he's worried people would talk behind his back about it and ruin his reputation.

You don't need to volunteer the info that you paint space soldiers, regiments of skeletons, wizards, or dragons. If you just say plastic model kits, quite often they assume they are things like scale cars, tanks, planes, etc. These things seem to be acceptable to them, so it's really the content that is the qualifier. People have never made fun of me when I tell them "I assemble and paint plastic model kits". They don't need the specifics nor do they care in my experience.

you paint minis for a table top strategy war game

It's not a hobby that describes well.
When someone sees your models you can explain. Until then, I wouldn't bother much.

"I collect spoors, mold and fungus"

Say you collect scale models and you'll be fine. Collecting stuff is perfectly "normal".

You could try " I build/collect models". Still a bit geeky, but maybe not as much as some of the alternatives.

The other alternative is just to keep it to yourself. Tell your friends if you want but it's nobody's business but your own who you tell.

Nydhog wrote:

Nice Bass. What kind is it?
Im generally pretty knowledgable about basses but I don't recognize it.

I live in the emperors light.

Dude just say you paint models. And then show someone what that means. Watch as they wanna do it too. It spreads. I accidently converted my entire freshmen class at uni.

Toy soldiers works for me before asking what other people's hobbies are!

At 14 it's difficult to come out. Even coming out to your parents at that age is hard enough. I was lucky, my brother was like me too, and a few friends were also that way inclined. Then I tried something with someone and foudn third edition an experience too far. Now, years later, I found someone else like me and came out to family, wife and everyone... and now I'm happy... it took 19 years to admit who I am. There's plenty of time. Don't rush it.

 Matthew wrote:
What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

By telling them you play football.

 Matthew wrote:
What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

Tell them " When I'm not training for my future MMA career or dating older women, I enjoy painting toy soldiers. It helps me relax and focus on my up coming fight "

We wrote:

 Matthew wrote:
What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

By telling them you play football.

Ah football. Knowing every match score since the 60's and following the lives of star players on and off the pitch is somehow not geeky, but hey I have a model tank and I'm dorkmeister mcnerdfart...

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

I'm 43, sit (sleep?) in corporate boardrooms, wear expensive suits, drive fancy cars, and I tell people, with glee, "I paint little plastic guys and use them in war games!" If anyone indicates surprise, I follow up with, "Hey, it's more intellectually stimulating than lugging around a bag of metal clubs to whack balls into four and a quarter inch holes."

Generally, though, it's a great conversation starter -- because it's something different -- and people want to see pictures.

Get good at painting and show them a picture of something bad ass that's been well painted.

Scale modeling's a good one, if not quite accurate. But tell people who ask, if they're truly interested, and ignore the ones who're just looking for a way to make themselves look better. Trouble is of course, telling the difference. Have to decide yourself if it's worth it. Nothing wrong with being a geek/nerd. Besides, you'd be surprised how many people are also interested, or could be interested, if you're confident enough to just throw it out there.

In the long run it's your life, tell them whatever you like the only one you really have to make happy is yourself. If they're going to judge you from a hobby, well they're not the kind of people you probably want around you anyway.

At your age I wouldn't bring it up unless specifically asked. That said, I always describe my hobby as

"I build and paint models, and then use them in games that are essentially risk on crack because I like to use the models for something."

If they're interested and ask about it in more detail, I keep pictures of a few painted models on my phone with a quarter next to them so they can get a better idea. 15mm stuff in particular, especially historicals, seem to get a good reaction and a "holy crap how do you do that".

The best part is I'm a mediocre painter at best, hearing people complement me always makes me laugh after seeing all the masterpieces other put up online.

Actually, painting models is much more likely to give you "cool" rather than "dork" as compared to stuff that doesn't require creativity/talent, like video games, comics etc.

It's a skill that highlights fine motor control and attention to detail, and it adds value to the item you've purchased. Until I got out of college and got a couple real jobs under my belt, it was on my resume, and it helped me get my first job as a tech for a biomech company, which I now work at as an engineer.

If you're worried about girls/boys, don't. Seriously. Just say you paint. If they ask paint what, say mostly scale models. Have a couple models from the less gross/gribbly factions to show off maybe, like a Harlequin or something. None of the girlfriends I had throughout high school or college ever thought it was anything worse than cute. It's a nice relaxing creative stress reliever that shows your patient and care about the little details of things.

I never showed chicks on a first date my shelves of comics, extensive video game collection, or miniature warriors. But they all discovered them eventually. One day the woman who became my wife asked if I was 13 or 30. I told her I could always engage in activities more befitting my age like alcoholism, domestic violence, drug use, watching sportsball and ESPN constantly, impregnating other women, spending thousands on guns, expensive cars, or gambling. She never mentioned it again.

 Talys wrote:


I'm 43, sit (sleep?) in corporate boardrooms, wear expensive suits, drive fancy cars, and I tell people, with glee, "I paint little plastic guys and use them in war games!" If anyone indicates surprise, I follow up with, "Hey, it's more intellectually stimulating than lugging around a bag of metal clubs to whack balls into four and a quarter inch holes."

Generally, though, it's a great conversation starter -- because it's something different -- and people want to see pictures.

LOL, wow. I'm also 43 and whenever my patients ask me if I have any hobbies, I tell them I paint little miniatures that are smaller than my thumb and yeah, they want to see pictures! I'm also a musician, like one of the other posters in this thread.

I do Golf though, lol. I kinda find it intellectually stimulating, too.

Own it, man. Who cares what others think. I know it's tough at your age, but I was one of those comic book, AD&D geeks back when. I understand, but it's who you are. Approach it with enthusiasm one way or the other! If you love it, don't be shy about telling anyone and everyone.

Just tell people you paint. That simple. If they're interested past that, tell them that you paint sculpted figurines. In high school it might be a stigma, but once college hits, if you get good at it, girls will see it as artistic and that you take your time and you're good with your hands. If that sounds like an innuendo...it is.

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

build and paint models, and then use them in games that are essentially risk on crack

I've used this description several times. Seems to convey the message well. But as I get older I care less and less what people think, and now openly say yeah my friends and I play with toy models in the garage on weekends. Kinda proud of it actually.

Though I have had a few people try and give me grief about it. An ex girlfriend a while back thought it was weird and tried to bring it up in a social setting as a cheap laugh. She wasn't laughing when I left her.

I say own it. But I understand at your age it can be tough.

When people ask what my hobbies are I say "Muscle cars, race cars and scale miniatures". Most people seem to find it an interesting contrast

These days it's probably be more accurate to say "Waste time on the internet and occasionally paint a model or fix one of my cars when it breaks". I've gotten boring in my old age.

Just tell them you paint models. That's what I tell most people. Those who ask what kind, I tell about gaming. I don't feel ashamed about it and neither should anyone else. It's your life and your hobby, no one can take that from you.

 Strombones wrote:

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

build and paint models, and then use them in games that are essentially risk on crack

I've used this description several times. Seems to convey the message well. But as I get older I care less and less what people think, and now openly say yeah my friends and I play with toy models in the garage on weekends. Kinda proud of it actually.

Though I have had a few people try and give me grief about it. An ex girlfriend a while back thought it was weird and tried to bring it up in a social setting as a cheap laugh. She wasn't laughing when I left her.

I say own it. But I understand at your age it can be tough.

I mainly use the "risk on crack" explanation because it's easily relatable. A lot of people I know have played risk at my age (20's) and consider it a pretty crazy game. So when I say it's basically that cranked to 11, they understand pretty quickly with "ohhhh OK that makes sense".

For my gamer friends, I just say it's a turn based strategy game like XCOM or Advanced Wars, but you're the computer and do all the math yourself.

Either one works well, gets the gist across, and if they ever want to know more I can always give them a proper demo

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

 Strombones wrote:

 MrMoustaffa wrote:

build and paint models, and then use them in games that are essentially risk on crack

I've used this description several times. Seems to convey the message well. But as I get older I care less and less what people think, and now openly say yeah my friends and I play with toy models in the garage on weekends. Kinda proud of it actually.

Though I have had a few people try and give me grief about it. An ex girlfriend a while back thought it was weird and tried to bring it up in a social setting as a cheap laugh. She wasn't laughing when I left her.

I say own it. But I understand at your age it can be tough.

I mainly use the "risk on crack" explanation because it's easily relatable. A lot of people I know have played risk at my age (20's) and consider it a pretty crazy game. So when I say it's basically that cranked to 11, they understand pretty quickly with "ohhhh OK that makes sense".

For my gamer friends, I just say it's a turn based strategy game like XCOM or Advanced Wars, but you're the computer and do all the math yourself.

Either one works well, gets the gist across, and if they ever want to know more I can always give them a proper demo

Yeah. I've used the "Risk where you can actually use the canon as a canon" line a few times. Most people then turn around and say that they've always wanted to do that instead of just rolling dice.

I tend not to say anything about that part unless they ask further.

As to the painting aspect - "I paint statues"

I am training hand eye co-ordination and tactical awareness for when i join the battle to fight ISIS in the army.

USE YOUR OWN WORDS, OWN WHAT YOU DO AND BE PROUD!!!!! Sure you'll take a barb or two, who cares. It's water off a duck's back. Infinitely more rewarding in this equation is the fact that those who accept you and your hobby will be the individuals with which you will be able to develop real friendships.

"I paint man dollies"

Mdlbuildr wrote:

 Talys wrote:


I'm 43, sit (sleep?) in corporate boardrooms, wear expensive suits, drive fancy cars, and I tell people, with glee, "I paint little plastic guys and use them in war games!" If anyone indicates surprise, I follow up with, "Hey, it's more intellectually stimulating than lugging around a bag of metal clubs to whack balls into four and a quarter inch holes."

Generally, though, it's a great conversation starter -- because it's something different -- and people want to see pictures.

LOL, wow. I'm also 43 and whenever my patients ask me if I have any hobbies, I tell them I paint little miniatures that are smaller than my thumb and yeah, they want to see pictures! I'm also a musician, like one of the other posters in this thread.

I do Golf though, lol. I kinda find it intellectually stimulating, too.

Own it, man. Who cares what others think. I know it's tough at your age, but I was one of those comic book, AD&D geeks back when. I understand, but it's who you are. Approach it with enthusiasm one way or the other! If you love it, don't be shy about telling anyone and everyone.

Hehe ... yeah, I play golf too -- it's very much a mental discipline, get your head in the right space game, IMO but it's always fun to make fun of, because practically everyone I interact with on a daily basis plays at least one game of golf a year.

It's amazing how much more interesting 40k and miniature wargames are to total strangers than the things they're accustomed to talking about. Like you said, OWN IT!!

I generally just say it's my hobby and that we all have our things.

My bestie though used to describe the hobby to her friends as "It's like playing with toy soldiers, but better!"

Hivefleet Jr is 15 and has similar issues.

There's only one thing to do, really: front it out, but manage the information. It works for politicians.

So I'd say, "it's a geek thing, I paint figures that I use for strategy games."

And don't be embarrassed; it's demonstrably cooler than playing endless Call of Duty or watching endless porn, which are two more mainstream male teenage pursuits.

Most important: it's how you say it that matters. If you're embarrassed about it, don't mention it or it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. But better to be upfront and not worry about it.

Mine hobby doth involve the application of paint to sculpted figurines. Hence forth, they are then used to take part in militaristic simulations where books of lore are consulted and the rolling of dice is partaken.

Make sure you look down your nose as you say it, or have your little finger sticking out if you are drinking tea. Frilly jacket is optional

I didn't get into wargaming until after my 18th birthday, so I have no idea how a kid would handle it.

I was into electronics at 14 - and model rockets. I had a couple of friends also into that stuff. We didn't exactly advertise it around - but we were also science nerds, so it's not like the wider school community knew who we were or cared (big focus on sport at my school).

Don't tell them if it's that big a deal. It's not so much a secret as not advertised. If they ask, you can tell them, but you don't need to be out about it. Teens have enough other issues to deal with without opening up other cans of crap.

 ZergSmasher wrote:
Just tell them you paint models.

To me that makes it sound like you paint body art on human models....

Google images "painting models" for a NSFW example of what I mean

AllSeeingSkink wrote:

 ZergSmasher wrote:
Just tell them you paint models.

To me that makes it sound like you paint body art on human models....

Google images "painting models" for a NSFW example of what I mean

...yeah, tell them that
I'm pretty sure that's every 14 year old guy's fantasy.

'I paint.'
'I paint model kits'
'I paint scale models'
'I paint miniatures'
'I build and paint dioramas'
'I paint playing pieces, for a board game'
'I paint rpg models'
'I paint plastic infantry, for a game'
'I paint men of the Cadian Shock troops XIVth, armed with 19 megathule M36 Kantrael Pattern Lasrifles, in winter camouflage'

"My hobby is assembling and painting 28mm sci-fi miniatures"

Vänta tills du börjar gymnasiet så slutar folk att bry sig

 Mymearan wrote:
Vänta tills du börjar gymnasiet så slutar folk att bry sig

2 år kvar...

 TheCustomLime wrote:

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

Easy. Don't.

Agreed. I typically don't go around advertising and telling everyone all about what I am into. Guess what, they just don't care.

If you have o tell them, be upfront and tell them what it is in a nutshell. let them ask questions if they want to learn more. It also helps if you sort of make fun of it yourself.

If push comes to shove, just tell them you do modelling. Then do a Zoolander face.

'I paint miniature figurines for historical and fantastical military recreations'.

But what I really do is paint my miniatures in public - the other day my good lady and I were painting miniatures at Wendy's, and had fan girls watching us paint (age... 14 to 16?).

Megan told me that they were my fan girls, because it is all about appearances, and I look like a crazy artist, while she looks like a crazy artist's girlfriend.... (Megan is an art school student - she will always be my crazy artist.)

If you look like you know what you are doing, and like you are enjoying yourself doing it, people tend to think that what you are doing is cool.

The Auld Grump

*EDIT* I have gotten customers and commissions by painting in public.

I work with micro-sculpts of varying topics, finishing them to movie prop standards.

(pfffffffffffffttttttttt lol)

"I paint".

Not my fault people assume wrongly the medium, paints, themes and general ambient I paint in.

In my experience don't tell them (nowadays I give much less of a feth). Keep it to yourself and maybe some people you trust.

Telling people you play Warhammer will be met with the usual taunts of "Oh Warhammer? That's for kids! I gave that up when I was like three!"
"Oh look, this guy likes Warhammer, what a fething gakker!"
"Warhammer? That's gay!"

And so on. yeah, you'll get the impression I don't just issues about this topic I've got the whole goddamn subscription. A few things may have changed in the decade or so since I finished school, but the cockwomble hegemony that are the ruling class of students have not.

I just say I enjoy painting, let them come up with there own interpretation even in interviews when asked what my hobby's are. In highschool it was funny I'd see the "popular" kids in there occasionally but that was 10 years ago.

I always tell people I build scale models, which sounds much more impressive than toy soldiers and technically is not incorrect
Otherwise you could just say you "do modelling"

 Grimtuff wrote:
In my experience don't tell them (nowadays I give much less of a feth). Keep it to yourself and maybe some people you trust.

Telling people you play Warhammer will be met with the usual taunts of "Oh Warhammer? That's for kids! I gave that up when I was like three!"
"Oh look, this guy likes Warhammer, what a fething gakker!"
"Warhammer? That's gay!"

And so on. yeah, you'll get the impression I don't just issues about this topic I've got the whole goddamn subscription. A few things may have changed in the decade or so since I finished school, but the cockwomble hegemony that are the ruling class of students have not.

I will admit I have always avoided the word "Warhammer" when describing what I do. Scale models, military/scifi/fantasy miniatures, table top wargames. I think "Warhammer" has too many preconceptions for me to use that as a descriptor.

Of course these days it's mostly true because I don't play any Warhammer based games any more, lol. But there was a time when that's mostly what I played.

Manly teaparties with my hand painted dollies.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
My conversations always devolve into

"Like Dungeons and Dragons?"

"Sure."

"Cool."

But that's as an adult.

AllSeeingSkink wrote:

 Grimtuff wrote:
In my experience don't tell them (nowadays I give much less of a feth). Keep it to yourself and maybe some people you trust.

Telling people you play Warhammer will be met with the usual taunts of "Oh Warhammer? That's for kids! I gave that up when I was like three!"
"Oh look, this guy likes Warhammer, what a fething gakker!"
"Warhammer? That's gay!"

And so on. yeah, you'll get the impression I don't just issues about this topic I've got the whole goddamn subscription. A few things may have changed in the decade or so since I finished school, but the cockwomble hegemony that are the ruling class of students have not.

I will admit I have always avoided the word "Warhammer" when describing what I do. Scale models, military/scifi/fantasy miniatures, table top wargames. I think "Warhammer" has too many preconceptions for me to use that as a descriptor.

Of course these days it's mostly true because I don't play any Warhammer based games any more, lol. But there was a time when that's mostly what I played.

I should clarify, in the uk at least, warhammer is pretty much a synonym for any wargame. It's been nearly 13 years since I left school and I don't think attitudes will have changed much regardless of what wargame you play. Just like all computer games are Nintendo to your mum, all miniatures/wargames are warhammer to your "in crowd" student.

Think more broadly about "painting". This can often include not only the painting, but sculpting, model making, kit bashing, scenic construction, and if you are into it, creativity in the backstory. That is a tremendous array of artistic skills that most people don't get to exercise.

 toasteroven wrote:
Yes, rather than try to hide it, embrace that nonsense. Tell 'em you paint tiny doll men and that it's amazing and fun.

Then kick them in the shins.

Wait, maybe not that.

This applies to me so well to me.

I've been a miniature wargamer for 14 years, and I recently started Karate (5 months now, got my Red belt, and then Yellow in June).

 Talys wrote:

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

I'm 43, sit (sleep?) in corporate boardrooms, wear expensive suits, drive fancy cars, and I tell people, with glee, "I paint little plastic guys and use them in war games!" If anyone indicates surprise, I follow up with, "Hey, it's more intellectually stimulating than lugging around a bag of metal clubs to whack balls into four and a quarter inch holes."

Generally, though, it's a great conversation starter -- because it's something different -- and people want to see pictures.

To be fair, things you paint are actually impressive!

You are a total nerd, just own it dude.

 Nevelon wrote:
Painting miniatures for tactical wargames.

Hit the button. I'm a wargamer and I have no excuse for other people.

Nano-tactician and acrylic engineering.

Boutique figurine colourist?

I usually say scale modelling, but normally end up referring to it as "like Warhammer, but historic".

I think my CV said 'painting and playing tabletop games'

I went for an interview for a pretty high level engineering position, and was asked about my interests. Turns out, one of the interviewers plays WarMachine. The other interviewer had to stop us talking about Malifaux so he could ask me more questions about the job! I got the job.

Never be ashamed of what you enjoy buddy!

Just don't tell anyone that you paint them or play warhammer?
I don't tell a lot of my friends cause they won't care but with some friends they would think it's cool...so just pick and choose who you tell


Automatically Appended Next Post:

Thebiggesthat wrote:
I think my CV said 'painting and playing tabletop games'

I went for an interview for a pretty high level engineering position, and was asked about my interests. Turns out, one of the interviewers plays WarMachine. The other interviewer had to stop us talking about Malifaux so he could ask me more questions about the job! I got the job.

Never be ashamed of what you enjoy buddy!

I also agree with this though don't be ashamed of what you like!
Great that you got a job out of it though (probably not because of wargaming but because you were yourself!)

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

What's the context in which the information is being disclosed? Are you being asked or are you volunteering it?

I'd be tempted to say just don't mention it if you have concerns over how it'd be perceived. It's all very well adults telling you to own what you like and stuff like that, but it's a bit more complex and awkward than that as a teenager when you're regularly around people you can't easily avoid (school) and when all your peers are still figuring themselves out, choosing to define thmselves as much by what they're not as what they are (often viscerally so). When something outside their frame of reference or something they feel even tacit condonement of would belittle them in the collective eyes of the peer group in any way comes up, they'll react strongly and negatively towards it.

I taught secondary school for a bit and teenagers are brutal towards each other in a way that adults can often forget once they're a bit removed from it. Be secure in yourself, but don't invite difficulty into your life unnecessarily.

I'm 26 and give very few s about others' opinion of me, but I don't bring up my painting modelling as a) most people don't care and b) a lot of people won't/don't get it and even if you take the time to explain it to them, won't care. In the same way, there's a very limited number of people I talk to about rugby or the music I listen to; others simply don't care.

 Grimtuff wrote:

AllSeeingSkink wrote:

 Grimtuff wrote:
In my experience don't tell them (nowadays I give much less of a feth). Keep it to yourself and maybe some people you trust.

Telling people you play Warhammer will be met with the usual taunts of "Oh Warhammer? That's for kids! I gave that up when I was like three!"
"Oh look, this guy likes Warhammer, what a fething gakker!"
"Warhammer? That's gay!"

And so on. yeah, you'll get the impression I don't just issues about this topic I've got the whole goddamn subscription. A few things may have changed in the decade or so since I finished school, but the cockwomble hegemony that are the ruling class of students have not.

I will admit I have always avoided the word "Warhammer" when describing what I do. Scale models, military/scifi/fantasy miniatures, table top wargames. I think "Warhammer" has too many preconceptions for me to use that as a descriptor.

Of course these days it's mostly true because I don't play any Warhammer based games any more, lol. But there was a time when that's mostly what I played.

I should clarify, in the uk at least, warhammer is pretty much a synonym for any wargame. It's been nearly 13 years since I left school and I don't think attitudes will have changed much regardless of what wargame you play. Just like all computer games are Nintendo to your mum, all miniatures/wargames are warhammer to your "in crowd" student.

It was the same when I left 22 years ago, so if it hadn't changed by the time you did, it probably still hadn't.

Of course, I had the advantage of being bigger than any of the bullies, and there's a singular pleasure in watching the expression on those troglodytes' faces as they come to the realization that you're too big to hit and too smart to outwit!

When talking about it to people who won't understand, I explain that I put together and paint tiny scale models. Some historical, a mix of historical ones, fantasy ones like Lord of the Rings and some sci-fi, like Star Wars. When asked what do I do with them, I explain that a lot of the time they sit on the shelf and look cool, but you can also use them as playing pieces for various boardgames and such. It's enough relatable information for people to get their heads around and go "Oh, okay - cool!" If you're asked for further information, you can elaborate then.

I'm very happy to own what I do, and I'm old enough to be very firmly in the "don't give a feth what people think" category, but there are ways to describe most hobbies make you sound like a complete geek that lacks social skills and others that explain it in a way that people with no idea what you're talking about can understand it without feeling alienated or like they're talking to Sheldon Cooper.

When I was at school in the early 90's we had a Wargames club and it was far far from a cool thing to belong to. But we got disbanded when a teacher walked in and one of the boys was rolling a joint which the teacher thought was just a rolling cigarette so we were lucky not to be expelled! We morphed into the role playing club the following month. It wasn't cool but no one seemed to care, uk schools are maybe different we had vibrant chess clubs, scripture unions, bridge clubs and debating societies each one had their own geek following so we never thought about the cool kids and their feelingsover us there were enough of us in our little clubs not to care!

"I partake in the artistic enhancement of masterly crafted miniatures, these jewels of wonder us mortals call Warhammer."

"Miniature artist" is generic enough as a start.

"I paint with brush and airbrush.": I have found I can paint up pretty much anything even in "real world" applications.
"I build all kinds of stuff.": Models are the gateway to pretty much any kind of assembly, gluing, hot wire cutting, sanding... a diverse set of skills there for fabrication.
"I like tactical war games.": Chess, Risk... let me know when you want to play a "real game" and play toy soldiers!

For the women:
My now wife took a strong interest when she saw I literally could make anything I decided on.
I made jewelry for her (low heat cast metal, gold became a challenge) and the jewelry box I put them in.
Made a Lord of the Rings chess set all painted up (looking at what I can do for Harry Potter).
Something about painting up a fairy, basing it nice and sticking it in a display jar from Michael's makes it better than any figurine trash from a jewelry store.

Guys:
Saying things like WW2 or Vietnam and quoting a few weapons here and there make it all right.
Even better if you can state a few strategic terms like "Weinberger-Powell Doctrine" or "game theory" and have studied them.
A well painted up plane, tank or soldier on-hand tend to look better than plain old "toys" or some ranked-up stuff.
Heck, unless these people are completely into sports there is usually something "cool" to talk about in gaming.
Even with Sports: memorization of individual player stats, overall team strengths and weaknesses... many of the strategy elements are there.

Keep in mind few have anything more "interesting" to say than they play some kind of sport.

 Talizvar wrote:

Something about painting up a fairy, basing it nice and sticking it in a display jar from Michael's makes it better than any figurine trash from a jewelry store.

Is it wrong I picture a little fairy turning blue as she pounds on the side of the jar, trying to break out so she can breathe. Or did you poke holes in the top of the jar?



I’m going to assume that I am probably wrong, but not alone in laughing at that image.

 Nevelon wrote:

 Talizvar wrote:
Something about painting up a fairy, basing it nice and sticking it in a display jar from Michael's makes it better than any figurine trash from a jewelry store.

Is it wrong I picture a little fairy turning blue as she pounds on the side of the jar, trying to break out so she can breathe. Or did you poke holes in the top of the jar?

I’m going to assume that I am probably wrong, but not alone in laughing at that image.

Actually transfixed with a pin and a small label "Fata Communia".
(My goodness the beatings I would receive from her on that one (original was given to my now wife)... oh I should get right on that.)
Ooooh! Make the same one and swap it out one day! Oh, this is not going to end well....

Talizvar beings up a good point. I've had success explaining wargames to sports friends as "fantasy football except instead of the Denver Bronco's I have Patton's 3rd army, and instead of quarterbacks I'm deciding what kind of tanks I should take"

I had a great one the other day, a girl in work asked what I was doing with the upcoming weekend. I said I was going to a gaming expo in Plymouth and she said her brother might be interested in that. I then explained it was tabletop/board gaming rather than video games.

She chuckled and asked if it was "Sheldon Gaming".

She is into Marvel/DC films and TV series etc so kinda understands the geek thing

I just straight up say I paint miniatures for table top wargaming. Usually accompanied by an explanation of exactly what that entails, explaining (if they're a gamer) that it's like the predecessor to RTS games. If they're not, explaining that it's often like a larger scale, customizable game of chess with more rules. Chess and wargaming are very different things, but it gets the general concept across.

It's worked for me since I started with the hobby when I was 13, so the last 14 years. I'd even bring stuff to school on occasion to paint on my lunch/homeroom. That actually garnered a lot of interest when people actually see you painting such tiny details. Don't let yourself be embarrassed by the things you enjoy.

"You practice color theory on small scale hobby miniatures."
I say this a lot. When they ask what kinds, I know I've got them on the old proverbial baited hook and show them pictures of my older completed projects. While at the same time I mention there is a super fun game I'm able to play with these cool models. I also tell those same people that this is a hobby shared by millions of people world wide who travel to compete with how well they have painted or how well they play.
The main thing to remember is to be passionate about what you are talking about. If you are enthusiastic, the person who asked will feel that. But when explaining it, don't go into specifics. Keep it fun and easy to grasp.

I generally live my life by the following 4 rules:

1. I am perfect in every conceivable way.
2. Poop happens when you party naked.
3. Fuggum if they can't take a joke.
4. What would John Wayne do?

As far as when people ask about warhammer, I say: "It's possibly the nerdiest thing anyone can do and I love it. Picture risk, but with 100 models, and they're all 1" to 6" inches tall."

My only advice is own it.

You're coming at the question all wrong.

You are a human being, and human beings contain multitudes. You aren't a nerd or a geek because you think warhammer is cool as feth, and you don't need to pigeonhole yourself into an identity based off a single activity you enjoy.

For example, I paint models, I work out 4 days a week and have a physique like micheal phelps, I'm an introvert who works in an extrovert's job and beats them at it 98 times out of 100, I have a degree in English Lit but can box and grapple. I write 250,000 words or more a year, and read 3 books a week, and play 3 instruments and have a reasonable tenor to boot. I can kick down a door and yard someone out of a pool of blood without batting an eye, but the smell of dead bodies still grosses me out. I can verbally solve almost any person to person issue. I can build a bookshelf or write a sonnet. Am I a geek? I'm sure as shootin' not ashamed of who and what I am because all the things I am come from what I do.

A single person can be a fething cosmos waiting to be explored. Recognize that in others, and in yourself.

Think about this: you're asking how to respond to a question that makes the answer more appealing to the questioner. Which implies you've already judged the answer to be negative, which means in your mind you've decided that you're trying to answer the question to people who you think will disapprove, and to that, I say this: you don't owe people who will disapprove gak, including any answer at all.

You're under no obligation to earn the approval of people who will disapprove of things you enjoy. You don't have to explain yourself. I'll say that again for emphasis.

You don't have to explain yourself.

BUT!

If someone asks what you do, and they seem genuinely interested, tell them what you're into. Don't qualify it ("well, it's super geeky but..."), don't sugar coat it, or try to deceive the person because if they're interested, they'll ask more questions and then they'll wonder why you feel like you have to be ashamed of what you enjoy. Be honest and share your passion for it with them and why you love it (it's relaxing, i enjoy the feeling of focusing on tiny details, whatever) .

Birds of a feather flock together. Be yourself and you'll find your kind. Trust me.

Changed a quote slightly:

Tyrion: Let me give you some advice nerd.
Never forget what you are.
The rest of the world will not.
Wear it like armor, and it can never be used to hurt you.

Jon: What the hell do you know about being a nerd?

Tyrion: All gamers are nerds in their father's eyes.

 Matthew wrote:
I know, I know, stand up for yourself blabla. I'm a 14-yearold, I can't go around telling everyone I paint little plastic guys and then use them in fights. That would sound ridiculous. What is the best way to say that I play warhammer (preferably with the painting part in focus) without making me sound like a total nerd?

Basicly I see two options.

1) You own it. Comes straight out and say it is a really nerdy hobby that sounds boring but is really fun.
Or
2) You hide it in words that mean other things for non-gamers. Like: I paint. Or maybe something more confusing like: I practice my artistic talents both with paint and with analog 3D modelling. Both at a small scale.

Anyway you do it remember. That all of us are standing behind you, you are not alone in this.

/Farstrand

"I play boardgames. The wargame type. It's less straining on the eyes than playstation. I paint models too"

Keep it to yourself in any way. If people first see that you are a normal guy, and not a niche hobby on two legs, they will treat you like a human and not define you by your hobby.

I sometimes mention an origin story about building scale model planes first, then gravitating towards more "challenging 28mm models". Most people think they understand how that happened.