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Number One Rule Of Wargaming, Dont Talk About Wargaming?  [RSS] Share on facebook Share on Twitter Submit to Reddit
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Made in gb
Decrepit Dakkanaut




Swindon, Wiltshire, UK

Now i know alot of people that are very secretive of their wargaming habits almost treating it like a drug addiction, partaking alone or with other addicts but rarely with non-addicts, but what this thread is about is asking you how open you are about your wargaming?
Do you walk around with a warhammer t-shirt, bag, hat, jacket and shoes day in day out?
or do you keep your addictions in the dark?
   
Made in au
Killer Klaivex






Forever alone

I tell people when they ask, and kick them in the balls if they laugh.

People are like dice, a certain Frenchman said that. You throw yourself in the direction of your own choosing. People are free because they can do that. Everyone's circumstances are different, but no matter how small the choice, at the very least, you can throw yourself. It's not chance or fate. It's the choice you made. 
   
Made in us
Dakka Veteran






I don't have a single piece of clothing in my closet that even alludes to wargaming. I carry most of my figs in gun cases so people don't usually ask about them, although I do get curious looks from time to time. I'll talk about it with anyone, though. Usually the topic comes up when I have people over.

   
Made in au
Killer Klaivex






Forever alone

If they're still laughing when I kick them in the balls, then I whip out my hitting and poking stick.

People are like dice, a certain Frenchman said that. You throw yourself in the direction of your own choosing. People are free because they can do that. Everyone's circumstances are different, but no matter how small the choice, at the very least, you can throw yourself. It's not chance or fate. It's the choice you made. 
   
Made in us
Never-Miss Nightwing Pilot






Cheese Elemental wrote:If they're still laughing when I kick them in the balls, then I whip out my hitting and poking stick.
Ah yes... The little red whippy sticks that come in the box sets.


I have a Rogue Trader Champion shirt and an Inquisition shirt. I would never wear them to a Gwar or Rancid show or something, but I do wear them in everyday public. Not often, but I do wear them. They are perpetually at the bottom of my shirt drawer, so I really only get to them when I've been lazy and not done laundry in awhile.



Ghidorah
who wouldn't wear a GW shirt to a donkey show in Tijuanna, either.

   
Made in us
[MOD]
Madrak Ironhide







I have a Warmachine shirt. It gets equal laughs from gamers and non gamers, and maybe little
ire from ex-Privateer Press gamers.

"Play like you have a pair"

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/05/24 14:22:39


DR:70+S+G-MB-I+Pwmhd05#+D++A+++/aWD100R++T(S)DM+++
Get your own Dakka Code!

"...he could never understand the sense of a contest in which the two adversaries agreed upon the rules." Gabriel Garcia Marquez, One Hundred Years of Solitude 
   
Made in au
Killer Klaivex






Forever alone

Speaking of clothing with writing on it, I have a pair of blundstones (sp?) with 'Your ass here' written on them.

People are like dice, a certain Frenchman said that. You throw yourself in the direction of your own choosing. People are free because they can do that. Everyone's circumstances are different, but no matter how small the choice, at the very least, you can throw yourself. It's not chance or fate. It's the choice you made. 
   
Made in za
Junior Officer with Laspistol





South Africa

I don't own any shirt or such but if someone asks what I do in my spare time I will say that I am a wargammer.Which usally results in me being stuffed in a trash can and flung down stairs!

"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."-Groucho Marx
 
   
Made in us
Decrepit Dakkanaut






Burtucky, Michigan

I talk about the crazyness that happens when playing, openly in public. Ill look at toys and ask myself out loud "well I know this is a my little pony, but Captain so and so could TOTALLY fit on its back"
It doesnt bother me at all. And Im not ashamed that I enjoy playing a game. I am however ashamed that I liked a few Spice girls songs once upon a time.... Thanks Brits for that one

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/05/24 14:31:06


 
   
Made in gb
Stalwart Veteran Guard Sergeant






West Sussex, England

I don't keep it a secret among my friends, they all know I play and have followed me into GWs from time to time when out in town. But when talking to people for the first time, or when trying to impress a girl, it isn't one of the first things I bring up.

Play:
2000 Points 
1000 Points
1000 Points

 
   
Made in gb
Decrepit Dakkanaut




Swindon, Wiltshire, UK

Dexy wrote:I don't keep it a secret among my friends, they all know I play and have followed me into GWs from time to time when out in town. But when talking to people for the first time, or when trying to impress a girl, it isn't one of the first things I bring up.


This is essentially my stance on the matter, most of my friends know as i have a shelf o' warhams in my room that has the majority of my finished products that i am proud of (the ones im not proud of go to the cupboard o' failed creations).
   
Made in us
Wicked Warp Spider





South Carolina

It rarely comes up, even with my good friends, unless they either are interested in 40k/WHFB or are looking at my mini's that I have out on my desk. They know I go out thursday nights to get a few games in at my FLGS and they occasionally wish me luck. If somebody asks me what hobbies I have I usually paint/build model airplanes to get myself away from the computer or tv (usually comes up in job interviews). If im talking to a girl it definatly is not what I usually bring up.

"I suppose if we couldn't laugh at things that don't make sence, we couldn't react to a lot of life." - Calvin and Hobbes

DukeRustfield - There's nothing wrong with beer and pretzels. I'm pretty sure they are the most important members of the food group. 
   
Made in au
Drooling Labmat




Brisbane, Aus

Apparently wargaming to my friends is crappy, nerdy and overly expensive. I find that hilarious as they're PC nerds and WoW fanatics! So it evens the playing field.
Apart from a playful jab here and there, there's nothing wrong with telling people about your hobbies.

Unless they're female. Because chicks just don't understand!
   
Made in us
Nasty Nob on Warbike with Klaw





Buzzard's Knob

All the people I socialize with are also gamers, so I've never tried to keep it a secret.

WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! 
   
Made in gb
Decrepit Dakkanaut




Swindon, Wiltshire, UK

The one time embarressment was caused by women and wargaming in my life it wasn't me being embarressed.
in a business studies lesson a few months ago my socially awkward teacher attempted to demonstrate marketing using toy soldiers (not our kind the litteral green plastic kids toys) and the girl who i am rather close to sitting next to me said "whats next him going to that geek shop in town and bringing in warhammer" to which i replied "i play warhammer..." she promptly took the colour of a cooked crustacean and was saying sorry for about half an hour
   
Made in us
Fixture of Dakka






Arlington, Texas

KingCracker wrote:
I am however ashamed that I liked a few Spice girls songs once upon a time.... Thanks Brits for that one


Psh, that's nothing to be ashamed of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4z0hKKtxPA This, on the other hand, is. My friend and I made this a couple summers ago. It was the culmination of much stupid crap we had talked about doing in high school and finally did a few years after. Hang around til the end, there's perhaps the worst spice girls parody ever.

I'm unashamed of my nerdery but I'm not incredibly outspoken about it either. I don't feel the need to shove it in people's faces like a socially awkward tween, but I make sure to bring it up at least at some point within my first few times of meeting someone. I learned, especially with dating, it's much more worthwhile to throw it out there in normal conversation so you can know up front whether this person is worth the dinner you're paying for.

Worship me. 
   
Made in us
Stubborn Temple Guard






I don't hide it. As a Demo Guy for Battletech, hiding it would be silly. Gaming is a big part of who I am, being secretive about it wouldn't be truthful about myself.

27th Member of D.O.O.M.F.A.R.T.
Resident Battletech Guru. 
   
Made in se
Boosting Ultramarine Biker




Stockholm/Sweden

I don't wear any wargaming apparel... I don't see a reason why since I don't get paid by GW to promote them and I don't really think their logos, etc. look good... I wear my normal metalhead clothing thank you very much

I don't hide the fact that I'm a wargamer though. Most people I know knows about it and if someone, for some reason, asks then I tell them. I'm not ashamed of it if that's what you mean.

"Pain Is Temporary, Glory Lasts Forever"

My Space Wolves WIP Thread

My Miniature Blog 
   
Made in us
Yellin' Yoof




San Antonio, TX

Cannerus_The_Unbearable wrote:I'm unashamed of my nerdery but I'm not incredibly outspoken about it either. I don't feel the need to shove it in people's faces like a socially awkward tween, but I make sure to bring it up at least at some point within my first few times of meeting someone. I learned, especially with dating, it's much more worthwhile to throw it out there in normal conversation so you can know up front whether this person is worth the dinner you're paying for.
Quoted for truth.

It's all about perspective, really.

It's a hobby, and if people are interested in learning about you, your hobbies will come up as a topic. People may find it intreguing, curious, odd, or distasteful, just as with any hobby. In the end, if they don't like it, then fine. If so, they may show an interest in wargaming (or, for some 40K players, WAAAAUGH!gaming), and possibly even take it up themselves. Ultimately, if they judge you or look down their noses at you because of your pastimes, then they're not people to associate with anyway.

On the other hand, if it's not a hobby for you, but rather a WHOLE WAY OF LIFE, then people are going to get turned off by that. The same happens with obsessive fans of Star Trek, Star Wars, Dungeons & Dragons, Halo, and even reclusive chess masters who live only for moving game pieces across a checkered board. In these instances, it's up to the geek himself to decide whether the obsession or the desire for social interaction with other (non-fandom) people is more important.

   
Made in us
Longtime Dakkanaut






Las Vegas

Müller wrote:I don't wear any wargaming apparel... I don't see a reason why since I don't get paid by GW to promote them and I don't really think their logos, etc. look good...
...I don't hide the fact that I'm a wargamer...


And I would add that if asked I approach it for what it is, a hobby. Albeit a somewhat obsessive one (I keep that part out of it).

This sums it up for me. I don't wear ANY logos for these reasons unless I just can't help it (like my eyeglass designer in small print on the arm of my eyeglasses). It's not about wearing "silly" stuff because I'll wear Cthulu, Dawn of the Dead and Godzilla T-shirts occasionally and they are definitely "geeky" in most peoples opinions. If I got a T-shirt for a tourney or something then I'd probably wear it, just not out and out promo.

Of course I'm older, been married, had my kids, etc. so its an easy answer for me now.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/05/24 20:01:28


 
   
Made in us
Ollanius Pius - Savior of the Emperor






Gathering the Informations.

I'm more embarassed about my major in college than I am about wargaming.(Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice certification)
   
Made in gb
Tough Treekin






Birmingham - England

Really I have no problem whether people know or not.

Most of my non-wargaming buddies just ignore when I go off on a "nerd rant" as they called it (it usually happens when someone says Babylon 5 is crap) in the pub but apart from that many people understand its part of who I am.

In my experience its had a positive effect on the woman front, many can't believe that I sit there and paint them etc etc and they think you have an artistic side or some crap like that even though your painting elves and "giant space men in armor", still got me a second date so boo yeah!

When you give total control to a computer, it’s only a matter of time before it pulls a Skynet on you and you’re running for your life.

 
   
Made in jp
[MOD]
Anti-piracy Officer






Somewhere in south-central England.

Some of you have got friends who aren't wargamers?

HERETICS!!!!11!!!

Actually I agree with RabbiTucker. If it's a hobby, it's no worse a hobby than fishing, or football, or watercolours.

When it becomes a way of life, you become a frother, that's when things have gone too far.

I'm writing a load of fiction. My latest story starts here... This is the index of all the stories...

We're not very big on official rules. Rules lead to people looking for loopholes. What's here is about it. 
   
Made in au
Anti-Armour Swiss Guard






Newcastle, OZ

Many of my friends are wargamers - or are familiar with the hobby. I have family into model railway as well.

I don't preach about my hobby, but I also don't 'hide' it.

Mind you, I had already finished school when this game began, so I never had to worry about schoolyard crap.

I'm OVER 50 (and so far over everyone's BS, too).
Old enough to know better, young enough to not give a ****.

That is not dead which can eternal lie ...

... and yet, with strange aeons, even death may die.
 
   
Made in gb
Horrific Hive Tyrant





London (work) / Pompey (live, from time to time)

Meh, no random clothing for me
funny thing is im pretty chavvy, so people tend to be suprised when i tell them i play alot, do i care? do i feth

i could be out there shooting up drugs and mugging people, but instead i do something half decent with my lief

most people know that i got a few shelves with my stuff on it, if they go near it then they die.

the girl has no problems with me collecting and playing, if she did then she can stop aswell

Suffused with the dying memories of Sanguinus, the warriors of the Death Company seek only one thing: death in battle fighting against the enemies of the Emperor.  
   
Made in us
Fireknife Shas'el





Reedsburg, WI

My teenage nieces poke fun at my 40K models all the time...they say they are toys and I say "no way, they are models"! They then giggle and say "what ever...they are barbies with guns".

Wyomingfox's Space Wolves Paint Blog A journey across decades.
Splinter Fleet Stygian Paint Blogg Home of the Albino Bugs.
Miniatures for Dungeons and Dragons Painting made fun, fast and easy. 
   
Made in us
Slaanesh Chosen Marine Riding a Fiend






The sink.

I refer to warhammer as playing with toy soldiers.
   
Made in us
Willing Inquisitorial Excruciator





Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Where you are in life has a lot to do with how you handle the topic of your gooby hobbies. As a teenager, I didn't talk about gaming with people other than my friends who roleplayed. It certainly wasn't something I brought up with relatives or people I just met, since A) they wouldn't understand it or B) they wouldn't understand me. Gaming has always been a big part of my life, but it has never been who I am, so I make liberties for others who might not be as socialized in the geek culture as the rest of us

Being in my mid-30s, married with kids, and having a stable job, I could care less what people think at this point. Nothing I say or wear tells people that I'm a gamer, but I'm not shy about talking about it if it comes up in casual conversation. If someone is insecure with themselves enough to think that what I do is wierd, 'em.

   
Made in ca
Sister Vastly Superior






Canada

Well, wearing 40K apparel isn't high on my list of things to do, mostly because I've not seen a shirt I like and I've yet to see GW come out with embroidered silk boxers. Wearing 40K shirts to a tourney is like going to a concert and wearing the shirt of the band you're going to go and see. I just don't want to be that guy.

For the rest of it though, I don't make a secret of my hobbies period. If I'm in a new relationship, it generally falls into the same category as my RPG's, 'It's not porn, but you still have to explain it.' The tabletop stuff is actually easier for people to grasp than the RPG's though. A good chunk of that is because I paint more than I play. I can show folks a picture of something I've painted and my friends tend to be able to provide me with some constructive criticism and positive encouragement at the same time.

- Deathskullz - 6000 points
- Order of the Sacred Rose - 2000 points 
   
Made in us
Incorporating Wet-Blending






Glendale, AZ

I have a LOT of wargaming shirts. I wear them all the time. I usually bring up wargaming fairly soon when I first meet a person. I think having been a white punkrocker in a primarily hispanic highschool helps me to realize that you are who you are. People either accept it, or they don't. Usually they do. EVEN the girls. (We even had a Fantasy Gaming Club in H.S., complete with a teacher for a sponsor and school supported trips to conventions; although for some reason we could never get our battletech tournament wins into the school announcements.) The Valedictorian for our school was in the club. Truthfully I have nothing but contempt for people who are so insecure about themselves that they feel they have to hide something so harmless as a wargaming hobby. Grow up. The people who make fun of you for it, they usually aren't smart enough to matter.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/05/25 00:08:25


Mannahnin wrote:A lot of folks online (and in emails in other parts of life) use pretty mangled English. The idea is that it takes extra effort and time to write properly, and they’d rather save the time. If you can still be understood, what’s the harm? While most of the time a sloppy post CAN be understood, the use of proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling is generally seen as respectable and desirable on most forums. It demonstrates an effort made to be understood, and to make your post an easy and pleasant read. By making this effort, you can often elicit more positive responses from the community, and instantly mark yourself as someone worth talking to.
insaniak wrote: Every time someone threatens violence over the internet as a result of someone's hypothetical actions at the gaming table, the earth shakes infinitisemally in its orbit as millions of eyeballs behind millions of monitors all roll simultaneously.


 
   
 
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