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avantgarde wrote:Be as passive-aggressive as possible. Gamers are infamously passive-aggressive so when they realize you're being PA they'll respect you more and stop touching your models. Also be sure they're not passive-aggressively touching your models otherwise that might cause a Van Smoot loop and result in the implosion of the store or someone whipping out their junk on a table.

Quipster wrote:Nice spelling.

Nice quip.

Nice pun.

LunaHound: I definitely understand. It's that 'back off' emotion that appeals to our deep down animalistic nature. You see it in dogs and cats all the time.

Thankfully I've never been in this situation and had to tell someone to put my models down or not touch them. Maybe it's something about being in the south. Sure we're all a bunch of rednecks but there's that good ol' southern hospitality. (and the rednecks don't usually frequent game stores). I've never had a problem with telling kids not to touch things that don't belong to them. Something about the 'mom' tone I guess.

I agree that assertiveness is the safest way to go. Both for them and yourself, no sense in going to jail for a night over your dolls. It sucks that some people don't have common sense enough to leave other peoples things alone. As far as the kids go, perhaps you could ask the store owner to post a sign saying that children under 16 not allowed unless accompanied by an adult. Works wonders for our store. A group of kids came in today to buy comics. Perhaps 5 or 6 of them accompanied by the mother or older sister of one of them. The kids were well behaved and just wanted to come in and look. I don't know if she spoke to them before hand but they came in, got their look, listened while a couple of the guys explained the game a little and then they all left. It was very uplifting.

i would hate the 16 or older w/o parent not allowed rule
i am well behaved and ask before touching anything
most people end up grabbing my stuff!
if that rule were to be instated at my LGS i would complain to the manager because my chances of ever playing another game of warhammer would drop to 0 (my dad doesn't have the pateince to wait) it kind of frustrates me the way people generalize that kids are so grabby.
kids may do it more that adults but just like the OP said adults do it the same and sometimes they ahve even worse judgement

Luna I think your trying to say you need to look like a Hardass. I think that is a problem for most gamers . I really have never come across another WH40K player that scares me really :/. I'm sure they're are some (ex-military, biker gang type etc.) but being a football and rugby player and lifting a lot, it's just hard for it to happen too much lol .

EzeKK wrote:Luna I think your trying to say you need to look like a Hardass. I think that is a problem for most gamers . I really have never come across another WH40K player that scares me really :/. I'm sure they're are some (ex-military, biker gang type etc.) but being a football and rugby player and lifting a lot, it's just hard for it to happen too much lol .

Then the only thing i can think of is .... ( dont blame this on me if it goes wrong! )

walk up to the guy and wisper into his hear ( touch my minis again , i will scream you touched me )
guaranteed he'll stay away from your minis , and a few meters radius away from you as well.

The 50-year-old should know better than that. Simply inexcusable.

Sidstyler wrote:The 50-year-old should know better than that. Simply inexcusable.

Agreed, but at least he'd be old enough to appreciate having the back of his hand hit with a wooden spoon, preferably before his hand made contact with the minis.

some people have that aura/ability. I developed it as a Law Enforcement Officer, it usually only takes one kid trying to grab my models when I am at a store without asking, I quickly respond in my best cop voice with; 'what do you think you are doing? those are worth more then all the clothes on your back, put it down and ask nicely before I tell your parents and let them deal with you.' it may not be in those exact words and it depends on the mood I am in and if the model is in game.

Cop eyes, or cop stare, William Gibson called it in Virtual Light.

stare at them... and if their a 16 or older...BITCH SLAP the punk!!!

Oooh, It's one of these threads.

Pistol whip in the face.

I have a different sort of scenario for you guys - I use Space Hulk to try and introduce some of my friends to 40k.

It pains me so much to see them move the pieces around like monopoly minis - BANG BANG BANG for every square they move. A part of my dies every time this happens.

I really feel like a dick whenever I tell them to be more gentle - though there was a guy who kept throwing the stealers into a box which pissed me off. Am I being too paranoid? What should I say?

Politely tell them, that your in a game and after you`ll let them look all they want?

Oh, and if that doesn't work jab their eyes with a hot poker and give them a full frontal lobotomy

If you don't want anyone touching your models it really is quite easy.

Walk into your local gaming store that your having problems in, act as usual and begin your game.

During setup, as you take each model out of your case,
lick it...

Every single one, and make sure that people see you do it.

If there is a kid next to you with little reachy fingers, just really get into licking just one model, then set it down next to him.

Worst that's gonna happen from this is that the people who would be touching your models now just think your really fk weird...Guess it depends on which one bothers you more.

Iron Priest wrote:I have a different sort of scenario for you guys - I use Space Hulk to try and introduce some of my friends to 40k.

It pains me so much to see them move the pieces around like monopoly minis - BANG BANG BANG for every square they move. A part of my dies every time this happens.

I really feel like a dick whenever I tell them to be more gentle - though there was a guy who kept throwing the stealers into a box which pissed me off. Am I being too paranoid? What should I say?

Tell them the models are expensive and you don't want them banged around.

If they persist, pack up the game and don't play with them again.

I like the licking ploy- but yukky.

As for the guys learning Space Hulk- show them one unpainted.

Show them one painted.

Explain the time difference and care involved in the two.

Ask them to respect your possessions.

Or to get the heck outta your house.

As for in store knuckleheads- get an Airhorn. Every time a hand begins to descend on your Mini's- give it a toot.

If anyone in-store states that it is "really annoying!"(apart from the gakker you startled with it in the first place-heehee).

Politely say"Exactly- it's a nervous reaction I have had since people started messing with my mini's without my permission- it works really well on my Bassethound, so I figured- what the hey?"

'Nuff said.

^ dude..fantastic i laughed!!!!

Burn down there house.

Then say "Dont be so serious man".

I take a stronger approach than most, being that our local store seems to unofficially double as a day care for the preteen TCG crowd. I usually keep all my stuff as close to me as possible. When I see one of them eying my stuff I usually give them a "I will eat your soul look" If that doesn't work and they seem to be coming closer or in the immediate model molest range I tell em to back off and don't touch. I seriously will not lose any sleep at night of none of those kids like me at days end. Now that I own a Revenant titan I am going to put a sign on the table to that will say. 'I will hurt you in ways that cannot be explained by medical science. Don't Touch.' Originally I was going to have the sign say "I will kill you in a way that can only be described as deeply pornographic.' But figured that might be a bit too much.

I wonder if this is why some gamers don't bathe - to keep model touchers and people in general far away from 'em.

BlackSpike wrote:

raven322 wrote:

Kilkrazy wrote:Ask the shop manager to hang up a sign saying "Please do not touch the models without permission. Damages will be charged for."

hes never around hes leave some guy incharge who use play

Is "some guy" actually employed there?
If he is, then he is responsible for what happens in the store.
If not, the boss is just asking for trouble, leaving his store 'unattended'.

There's probably some insurance clause, Health and Safety law or such that could leave him financially crippled, and possibly in court, if anyone got hurt! Even if it was an "accident" involving a deffdredd in its travel-bag that looks like a sock ...

The owner of the store gives like these 2 guys he knows who are vetran players from store free reign and run store when their not actual employee's.

Kilkrazy wrote:Ask the shop manager to hang up a sign saying "Please do not touch the models without permission. Damages will be charged for."

You have to take action for this man. Talk to SOMEONE that works there and tell them, not ask them, they need to do something about this NOW. If they dont want to or pussy foot around, fo it yourself. Make a sign that is large enough to be seen easily like KK suggested. Then when people STILL touch them (because people are idiots) You have to be very assertive. In a sudden jolting voice, tell them to stop touching your minis. It has to be stern and sudden, that will make the people shock a little and they will never touch them again.
Obviously you dont want to get a rep for being a jerk, so joke it off with whomever your playing with. But still its your minis, you need to take charge to keep people from playing with them

To LunaHound:

There's a book out there, that I won't go into too much. But for those who know:
There are three types of people.
1. Sheep. Ordinary folks going about their daily lives. Not necessarily, weak or dumb.
2. Wolves. Those who prey on the weak, blustering about drunk on trains. Intimidating and taking from sheep.
3. Sheep Dogs. Those with the intent, and capabilty to keep the wolves from their predations.

Congrats - you cousin is a sheepdog, and I tip my cap to him.

Most wolves won't fight they just nudge a bit to get their way, by making sheep uncomfie'.

/out.

While it can not help with units that are being played in the game, for causalities and units not in play, I have found that having them in a tray right by me is a good way to keep people from touch my models. Not that this is a big problem at my store, but the tray allows some of them to be right by me and makes it a little harder for people to just randomly grab them. Just an idea.

Had to post up about that "kill aura" and "murderous look." I toss my hat in for this...

"Killer Intent."

Because in a murder trial intent has to be at least a small part of any prosecution. Not that I expect to read this anytime soon :

"MASSACRE AT GAMER'S STORE"
by frenzied potato

At 8:23pm local authorities claimed a one Miss Lunahound(Forgive Me) apparently in a heated debate over "figures" murdered a one TFG(Name with held) by lobotomy by way of land raider. The mayhem only ensued from there as onlookers who were in support of the TFG were slain one after the other with plasti - card. A witness claims the only thing audible was a loud scream of , "WAAGH!" erupted the whole store into a Nerd Rage Massacre of Biblical Proportions.

The aftermath is measured in bodies as the death toll rises into the twenties. More on this as it develops.

I knew a guy who carried a replica severed hand around (at least, I hope it was a replica) and pulled it out when someone touched his models. 'This is the hand of the last man who touched that model without permission...and I like him more than you.'

My name is Inigo Montoya. You touched my models. Prepare to die.

If some one handles YOUR things, without your say so, ask them what they think they are doing?

If they say "just taking a look", grab their hands and with a shocked look on your face say "wow, this is a first, you actually have eyes in your fingers!!"....

Seiously though, can you imagine if someone just idly plunged their hand into you bag, or coat pocket? or opened the door of your car and started going through your glove compartment? or better still, at the check out in the super-market started lifting items out of your basket?....in each situation what would you do?

The response should be the same if someone starts handling your miniatures.....

Here's the simple solution and I can pretty much guarantee that no other will work. DO NOT "ask" them not to touch your models; TELL them in a loud and firm voice so everyone in the near vicinity can hear "DO NOT TOUCH THAT!" If they tell you to relax, inform them that you will as soon as they unhand your property.

Quipster wrote:

avantgarde wrote:Be as passive-aggressive as possible. Gamers are infamously passive-aggressive so when they realize you're being PA they'll respect you more and stop touching your models. Also be sure they're not passive-aggressively touching your models otherwise that might cause a Van Smoot loop and result in the implosion of the store or someone whipping out their junk on a table.

Quipster wrote:Nice spelling.

Nice quip.

/bow

DEATH TO THE EMPREHA!

HurricaneGirl wrote:

avantgarde wrote:Be as passive-aggressive as possible. Gamers are infamously passive-aggressive so when they realize you're being PA they'll respect you more and stop touching your models. Also be sure they're not passive-aggressively touching your models otherwise that might cause a Van Smoot loop and result in the implosion of the store or someone whipping out their junk on a table.

Quipster wrote:Nice spelling.

Nice quip.

Nice pun.

LunaHound: I definitely understand. It's that 'back off' emotion that appeals to our deep down animalistic nature. You see it in dogs and cats all the time.

Thankfully I've never been in this situation and had to tell someone to put my models down or not touch them. Maybe it's something about being in the south. Sure we're all a bunch of rednecks but there's that good ol' southern hospitality. (and the rednecks don't usually frequent game stores). I've never had a problem with telling kids not to touch things that don't belong to them. Something about the 'mom' tone I guess.

I agree that assertiveness is the safest way to go. Both for them and yourself, no sense in going to jail for a night over your dolls. It sucks that some people don't have common sense enough to leave other peoples things alone. As far as the kids go, perhaps you could ask the store owner to post a sign saying that children under 16 not allowed unless accompanied by an adult. Works wonders for our store. A group of kids came in today to buy comics. Perhaps 5 or 6 of them accompanied by the mother or older sister of one of them. The kids were well behaved and just wanted to come in and look. I don't know if she spoke to them before hand but they came in, got their look, listened while a couple of the guys explained the game a little and then they all left. It was very uplifting.

If someone comes at you with the condescending "Don't be so serious.", the verbal judo-block to that is ridicule for their opinion. Usually this is coming form someone who is feeling superior, as they are calling your position inferior to theirs. Begin by questioning their upbringing. "Didn't Mommy tell you to look with your eyes, not your hands?", "Maybe she didn't tell baby to lift up the ring so he wouldn't piss on the seat, either."; etc... If that doesn't do it, you can move into virtually an branch of ridicule. Works best with questions. Be fast-paced, aggressive with it, and don't be afraid to throw volume in there.

Don't be afraid to remove your models from their hands, either. I've got a buddy who rides a motorcycle. Huge guy, looks like a biker, but he's just really nice until you screw with his bike. He's stopped at a corner store, comes back out with a drink, sees some guy that pulled up in a convertible Vette astride his bike and putting his greasy mitts all over what WAS freshly polished chrome. So Broseph walks calmly over to the Vette, gets in (muddy boots and and road dirt and all), and puts his hand on Vette Guys Wifes knee. Vette guy comes flyin oer pissed, but what's he gonna do? When Broseph gets out of the car, he tells the dude to stay the hell off his bike. Worked for him. Says he read about it in a biker rag.

Hey HurricaneGirl: Smile whan you say redneck. Good to see another on here on the boards.

Sidstyler wrote:The 50-year-old should know better than that. Simply inexcusable.

Copy. That.