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"Oh man, I totally blew my shooting phase with my Orks, man. BS 2 sucks so much. My Boomgun scattered off into nowhere, and my Lootas rolled a 1 for their attacks and missed with all 15 shots! His terminators stormed across the table and Lightning Claws and Power Fists just tore me apart."

Okay, we all understand what that means. Now, to the average outsider, we've just said NOTHING. Here's how you say the same thing to somebody who's watching, but doesn't understand the game.

"I'm shooting all my guns at that guy. My tank just missed, and then my guys with really big guns missed; Orks are no good at shooting. Now, see those black armored guys with the spikes and the claws and such? Yeah, they're hurting me really bad with the claws and such. They're really powerful guys."

Okay, now here's how you explain this to somebody that isn't present, and uninitiated, later in the day.

"I played a boardgame with a friend today. I had some bad luck and lost."

For a lot of us, who are socially awkward, the realization that there are people who are unaware of our hobby is difficult to grasp. Even moreso, there are people who don't understand the SETTING.

"Yeah, it's like a medieval fantasy thing."
"What?"
"You know, dragons and magic and such."
"Hunh?"
"..."

In these situations, it's best to ignore as much detail as possible, because they won't follow and won't care. But, if you feel the need to have a discussion with somebody about something they don't know a thing about, it's best to do the following things;

Step Number 1 - Establish a Baseline.
Test the person's base in the setting, so you can give them an idea about what you're talking about. Firm understanding of Fantasy/Futuristic? Good. They've read the books or played the games, or whatever, so you can go on talking about Dwarves/Orks/Space Marines/whatever. That's a good point to move forward. If you're having trouble, try and find some things that are similar; Lord of the Rings for fantasy, for instance. If they're that clueless, aim even lower. I had to explain the Fantasy world once by saying "Seen Shrek? Yeah, it's kinda like that." To establish the type of game, try and talk them through it. I tend to describe 40k as like Risk and Chess, but played on a bigger board and with a lot more rules. Most people get that.

Step Number 2 - Give a VERY brief description and background of what you're about to describe.
Don't use the real terms, or explain the real terms in a way that you might use to explain to a three year old. Orks are "angry green aliens." Just about anybody can dig Space marines. "Evil space marines" for Chaos, "space elves," for Eldar, "Robot zombies" for necrons, "giant bug alieans" for Tyranids, and so on.

Step Number 3 - Use very simple explanations and leave ANY game mechanics out of it.
"My robot zombies tried to zap the evil space marines, but they missed and on his turn they shot a bunch of rockets and I lost." Everybody can understand what just happened. "His little guys there just blew up my tank." "He used a magic power that killed all my guys."

Step Number 4 - Never assume that the person can learn.
Never graduate beyond the simplest concepts. I've been LARPing for 7 years now, and to my parents I still have to say "I did that thing I do in the woods this weekend." People will never remember the real words for things unless they're interested and involved. That's just the way it is.

Step Number 5 - Finish the conversation quickly.
Don't prattle on. Remember, your victim doesn't know what you're talking about and that said, very much likely does not care. Keep your story simple and to the point if you have to talk about it (unless the conversation is about getting him to play), and then move on to another topic.

How do you tell people about your hobbies? Do you tell people about your hobbies? Do you have trouble? Have any other tips or fun stories? Share!

I generally tell no one of them (I'm a freshman, can I really be blamed?) But to those that ask I say "In essence, it's a board game". I drop it there, and leave out ANY detail (Unless of course, they want more detail)

I was always very open as a kid, and now at 24, living on my own, I don't care what anybody thinks of me. Both my jobs know I'm a LARPer, and they know I take time off to LARP, and I've shown them my LARP gear. I talk to people about Magic and 40k at college because frankly, I'm looking for people to play with. I mean, you kinda have to ease into it "you play a lot of games? I do." and see if they're somebody you might WANT to tell about your hobbies, but I've always been really open about it. I sit in the student lounge and assemble my models between classes. We used to play D&D at the food court in the mall.

Would be neat to see this as an article

i don't talk to people I don't know.

http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Not_Everybody_Gets_It

I've never submitted a Dakka article before, did I do it right?

I have to commend you for being so open about your hobbies. I used to play D&D and Star Wars pen and paper with friends I've known for years. We always played in the comfort of our homes though. We were all Band Twinkies/Band Geeks or whatever the term is these days back in high school. Somehow word got out to the rest of the band that we gathered to play Star Wars RPG and such. We were considered Star Wars nerds and to me that was a badge of honor haha.

I have some advice for encountering folks that don't have a clue about LARPing though. Recommend the movie Role Models to them. Love that movie hehe. Your example of using Lord of the Rings or Shrek is exactly the way I establish a baseline with people.

I'm the same. I Keep Myself to Myself and can't speak to my friends as no-one likes what I like.

Cease

i accidently got three people in to the hobby.
but a good friend of mine, well she just thinks im a geek who does karate.

I prefer to keep game-talk to gamers, and let the rest of the world remain ignorant. I don't go around to sports bars asking people about the fine points of professional sports. Even when I watch UFC, I tune out 90% of what the commentators say and just watch guys hit each other.

^ What he said.

No explanation is necessary for some.
No explanation is possible for others.

Frosty Hardtop wrote:http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Not_Everybody_Gets_It

I've never submitted a Dakka article before, did I do it right?

Heh, looks good. I'm going to go in there and edit some things (numbered list and such).


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I sectioned it according to your steps, but I think it needs a shorter introduction. Any ideas?

I've always run by a few simple steps.

Tell them its like a big expensive board game

If they ask, tell them what kind of armies you play (I use actual army names and if I get a blank look say something like "their kinda like big bug guys")

And if they ask how it works I saw i sit around, roll a bunch of dice, push some plastic around and talk crap.

If by some amazing chance (this has never happened to me) they take an interest I would probably take them into a store and show them stuff in more detail.

And I don't see any shame in people knowing that I play, most of the people at my work know, my friends from school etc know that I play. Afterall, I do a lot besides warhammer, so whats wrong with having a quieter hobby? Right?

I've always been very open and talkative about my hobbies, including D&D, 40k, etc. For Warhammer, people generally seem initially impressed about the "painting tiny, detailed miniatures" part, and are often fascinated at the idea of actually measuring distances and moving the little tanks around. I don't bother with fluff aspects at first besides "it's basically science fantasy, like combining technology and magic together."

I've actually gotten about a half dozen people to start playing 40k since I started it last year, and most of the players in my D&D groups were all newbs that I brought in, too. I think I'm a natural salesman, and I can convince people to try new things very successfully. A bit unfortunately, I think I'm a better 40k teacher than I am a 40k player, because the guys I bring into the hobby tend to kick my ass pretty often!

Heh, I'll talk to anybody about it. Never know when you're going to find a new convert, someone that decides it sounds like fun and gets into the hobby. I usually start off with something along the lines of "I play with little toy soldiers". If they ask questions, then I start going into details about the game being points based, the 40K fluff and fiction behind the game and the different types of armies. "So you've seen the movie Aliens, yes? That's Tyranids. Seen Terminator? That's Necrons. Seen Starship Troopers? That's Imperial Guard. Etc etc.

Honestly, if anyone who doesn't know what the hobby is, I'll say 'oh, those are just model kits'. I used to build a lot of Airfix/Revell/Tamiya kits years ago, and most people have a faint idea what I'm talking about.

If someone wants to know about the game itself, rather than models I'll generally tell them it's a strategy game. Anyone who knows about computer games, I'll tell them it's sort of similar to a RTS game in some areas.

Generally though, if someone asks, I'll let them know what the hobby is, but in basic terms without going into detail. If they want to know more, I'll try and explain things a bit more. Using terms like 'robots' for Necrons, 'army troops' for Imperial Guard and 'superhuman guys' for Space Marines, it helps people to understand, rather than saying "man, even with my Multi-melta my Devastators can't dent that Leman Russ", which just does nothing but get a blank expression.

Kind funny, my stepdad has lived here for 3/4 years now, and still draws a total blank whenever I mention 'those Warhammer things' or anything of the like

Man dolls. I call them man dolls.

Even to strangers.

ESPECIALLY to strangers.

Firstly, Malfred what the hell is your avatar?


Secondly, That was actually rather funny. Ive honestly had to do the same to people as well. We play in my garage, and random neighbors will come over and get that blank look. Its almost akward explaining.
But that being said, Ive no problem talking about this hobby to people. Never been embarrassed about it.
And Shrek? Really? Goodness lol

I'm pretty open about 40k, but I always start with the backround of it if someone wants to know. I always start with what the Imperium and Chaos is. Then I go into other things.

I would follow a lot of what the OP says, although I also tend to emphasise the collecting and painting aspect- most people don't find that so wierd.

Da Boss wrote:I would follow a lot of what the OP says, although I also tend to emphasise the collecting and painting aspect- most people don't find that so wierd.

"CONSUMER WHORES, bow down before my hobbies!"

When people ask me, I ask them if they've ever played Starcraft, Command and Conquer, or any RTS games. I say it's like that but you push the soldiers around. They usually get it.

If they don't I say it's kind of like a boardgame with a more artistic aspect to it.

Good job! I usually start off explaining that I build little model soldiers and paint them, then we play a game with them. If they're vaguely interested I tell them how the board has little buildings and junk and if they actually care I have a few sample cellphone pictures that get the point across. Some people are very much satisfied with "it's a game I play with figures you build and paint."

I explain it as "it;s much like risk except you get more models to play with".

At a bar:

Hey you sure are cute. Say, I've been looking for a hot girl to come over to my place and paint up some Spaize Mareenz and play a 1850 battle. How 'bout I buy you a drink and we go? I'll let you play the Eldar. They're like these elves in space. Isnt that cool?

Never fails. Try it.

KingCracker wrote:Firstly, Malfred what the hell is your avatar?

It's 'Malfred's Famous Manbag'. It gives him +d20 charisma!

I say, "You measure distances, roll dice, and argue about rules."

"I play the humans because I'm boring."

I took a hint from 1d4chan and describe the setting as "Catholic Space Nazis", that makes it sound interesting.

I've never hidden it, I just tell folks I'm into wargamming, if they press it further I mention little soildiers lots of dice, usually most folks leave the conversation right there.

Hehe, but seriously, most folks I know or have worked with in the past knew I was a wargammer. I've even advertised on the wall here at work for fellow wargammers and met up with a guy I play 40K with.
I can sometimes go into too much detail mind you, but you tend to recognise the blank looks on folks faces and scale it back. Here at the shop all the staff know because I paint/model here on occasion out back and have fantasy themed pics in the office.

The only thing I have to be careful of is using GW lingo in conversation or elsewhere on stuff like facebook. The phrases 'Eat my choppa!' 'Its best if its a little bit urty' and 'da red ones go fasta' are fine comments when chatting with GW fans, not so good if they don't know what your referencing.

malfred wrote:

Frosty Hardtop wrote:http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Not_Everybody_Gets_It

I've never submitted a Dakka article before, did I do it right?

Heh, looks good. I'm going to go in there and edit some things (numbered list and such).


Automatically Appended Next Post:
I sectioned it according to your steps, but I think it needs a shorter introduction. Any ideas?

I fancied it up a little bit, it looks a little smaller now. Looks great, though, I'll put some thought into shortening it up a bit.

I find that I talk to people because I'm looking for new people to play with, and to a somewhat lesser extent, I'm looking to recruit. People with our interests might not know that this stuff is out there. More to the point, I just don't think about many regular things, and if I'm going to talk about anything, I have to talk about my hobbies. So I've had a lot of practice explaining the concepts to people.

And to everybody out there that's concerned about what people think, don't be. Your image in high school doesn't matter, and it won't matter later on, and really, if you're confident about your interests and don't act ashamed by your hobbies, people will generally leave you alone about it. The first step to people accepting your hobbies is being able to explain to them what it is you're doing. Hence, this thread.

I just say I paint miniatures, that suffices for most social contexts. A few people know the game by name, so they get a bit more indepth response.