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I am new to warhammer and tabletop gaming in general but have noticed that at my FLGS there seems to be an extreme case of so-called evil smells (flatulence, bo, etc...). My question is whether I should drive an extra hour away to go to a different store or will I likely experience the same issue. Would it be reasonable for me to call the proprietor of the other store to inquire or would I likely be scorned for such a question?

It always seems like there is at least one of those guys at every store. I will admit i have let a few rank ones fly but only cause i was in the middle of a game and am still learning and need to see every move taken. At least i admit to it though.


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Hang pine tree air fresheners on your ears.

You'll likely experience that at any FLGS. Every gaming group has at least one hygiene challenged individual. Pack some febreeze in your backpack, and invent excuses to use it. Also, mint gum and mouthbreathing works in a pinch.

If malodorous individuals are commonplace, would it seem odd if brought and placed some incense on the table. Thematically, it seems to fit with the 40k fluff but I dont want people to think I am a freak.

To be honest, I haven't run into "The Pigpen" gamer that much. I have seen them though, you know... the guys with t-shirts 2 sizes too short (exposing their belly button) with ketchup stains on the chest area.

But in my general experiance they are rare.

Oh.... and your going to find out that, in general, hobby games seem to attract a certain socially awkward type of individual.

GG

edit....insense would definately make you "The Freak" unless you know the crowd fairly well anyway.

I'm a follower of Nurgle and even I de-stinkify myself before a game, though I am a virtuoso of the barking spider.

DooDoo wrote:If malodorous individuals are commonplace, would it seem odd if brought and placed some incense on the table. Thematically, it seems to fit with the 40k fluff but I dont want people to think I am a freak.

You find a "Great Unclean One" at every store.

One of the stores I went to placed a sign that said "All Customers are required to shower before gaming." It was because of one person. So talk to the store owner. Others might have the same issue.

Definitely talk to the store owner. The owner probably wants your business and would want to know if something was about to cost them your business.

give up 40k now!

The smelly, the strange, the freaks you will meet playing this game will blow your mind.

I just play with friends now, for I am too delicate for such encounters.

Well, I decided to give the incense a try but I took it a little further. I went to a religious store and purchased one of those swinging incense holders. I arrived at the FLGS with a skull mask on and my incense burner smoking. The other people thought my chaplain outfit was awesome and i was able to take the mask off after a few minutes and play the rest of the night in a room that smelled like a den of inequity rather than a stinkfinger.

DooDoo wrote:Well, I decided to give the incense a try but I took it a little further. I went to a religious store and purchased one of those swinging incense holders. I arrived at the FLGS with a skull mask on and my incense burner smoking. The other people thought my chaplain outfit was awesome and i was able to take the mask off after a few minutes and play the rest of the night in a room that smelled like a den of inequity rather than a stinkfinger.

Well done! Your a genious

Indeed there are very umm... stereotypical people in this hobby but that's life. Luckily i dont have any of them at my FLGS but yeah i liek the chappy idea

If you know who the stank comes from, try "Nurgle bless you..." and see if they take the hint.

But yeah, tell the store owner that you're bothered by the stench and he'll likely put up a sign.

Alternatively, a little constructive criticism goes a long way: Take whomever it is outside, or off to the side in private, and tell them that their body odor is seriously affecting your asthma, and ask them to make sure that they shower and wear clean clothes before going gaming. Constructive, simple, and don't be offensive about it.

You and I - we might be offended because we are clean people. Someone who is unclean won't be offended if you ask them to clean because they haven't ever considered it - otherwise they would be clean. Don't be ashamed to say something.

That, or make your tourney prizes gift certificates to a bath and body store.

LeperMessiah wrote:That, or make your tourney prizes gift certificates to a bath and body store.

I like this one.

It may seem mean, but the way we would handle smelly people at my gaming store is that we would make fun of them for it (in a joking manner). Nine times out of ten, the next time we saw them in the store they would be in clean clothes, and will look as if they had showered in the past nine months.

My club and I refuse to play in a gaming environment that smells like a karate studio.

I've seen similar problems in the convention scene. I knew a couple of people on the security staff who had Febreeze in one holster and a can of AXE in the other.

Most places have a hygiene rule, if nothing else for the fact that Nurgle's Rot often affects profit margins. If talking politely to the offender doesn't help, bringing it up with the owner might.

What you are experiencing is called 'The Reek of Geek' and can be found in most FLGSs, cyber-cafes that have at least 1 MMO installed, computer clubs (believe me, the computer club room at my uni hums!). Fortunately for me the local store has a lot of assembly going on at the moment, and the sheer volume of plastic glue fumes has got into the air conditioning and is constantly re-circulated so all you get is a nice aroma of glue fumes!

Well, it seems that things have only gotten worse at my FLGS. Tonight I walked into the restroom to get some water for my paint when what did I find but a massive floater brewing in the pot. This is the last straw for me as I saw the person who just left the restroom and it was none other than papa nurgle himself. I cannot bring myself to go back to that sewer.

Awwwww....
Papa Nurgle gave birth..... to a..... well.... turdling. *sorry snotling didnt seem to fit* hur hur hur

DooDoo wrote:Well, it seems that things have only gotten worse at my FLGS. Tonight I walked into the restroom to get some water for my paint when what did I find but a massive floater brewing in the pot. This is the last straw for me as I saw the person who just left the restroom and it was none other than papa nurgle himself. I cannot bring myself to go back to that sewer.

I find this terribly hilarious given your user name.

Yeah, I don't think it's a coincidence. With a name like that, how can you help but attact turdlings into your life

DooDoo wrote:Well, I decided to give the incense a try but I took it a little further. I went to a religious store and purchased one of those swinging incense holders. I arrived at the FLGS with a skull mask on and my incense burner smoking. The other people thought my chaplain outfit was awesome and i was able to take the mask off after a few minutes and play the rest of the night in a room that smelled like a den of inequity rather than a stinkfinger.

I think you're making the right decision in that case, although a word to the owner before you go may help others still remaining.

However your option above is so utterly awesome I'd consider doing it even though the store I go to doesn't have the issue at all.

You've got the tell the owner why you did that awesome stunt. He deserves to know if something is hurting his business.

DooDoo wrote:Well, I decided to give the incense a try but I took it a little further. I went to a religious store and purchased one of those swinging incense holders. I arrived at the FLGS with a skull mask on and my incense burner smoking. The other people thought my chaplain outfit was awesome and i was able to take the mask off after a few minutes and play the rest of the night in a room that smelled like a den of inequity rather than a stinkfinger.

That's pretty freaking great. I guess I'm just lucky that despite having relations with their relations people in Kentucky at least tend to have reasonable hygiene.