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I play every other sunday at my FLGS and nothing upsets me more than the couple who are obviously not gamers bring their children into the back area where we are trying to game. Its distracting enough with the role players a few tables down that smell like dirt, but these people look around and almost show us off to their children like we're some sort of animal in a zoo! Does this happen to anyone else?

People come in to check out the store, yeah.

If this upsets you that much, maybe I could suggest a bit more human interaction for you. This is a weird thing to get all upset about.

Greet them and bring up conversation, unless you haven't yet mastered the powerful art of small talk

Melissia wrote:Greet them and bring up conversation, unless you haven't yet mastered the powerful art of small talk

Small talk's for wimps.

Engage them with BURNING JUSTICE!

Monster Rain wrote:People come in to check out the store, yeah.

If this upsets you that much, maybe I could suggest a bit more human interaction for you. This is a weird thing to get all upset about.

Yeah,I thought the OP being "upset" over "non Gamers" venturing into the "gamers" area was a bit strange....
I mean..it's a fairly simple process to smile,nod say "hello" and get on with your game..
Are the "Non-Gamers" throwing things at you?...Did they show up with torches and pitch forks in an angry mob?...No...so what's the big deal?
Like Monster said...Human interaction...give it a go...you might be surprised by the results.

So noone thinks it somone odd to have these people staring at you? I actually consider myself a normal person who works customer service...


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Maybe I'm just a private person and don't appreciate the rudeness of being stared and pointed at.

You haven't given us a lot to go on, in terms of their behaviour. If they're just coming in and looking at stuff to buy, you're hugely overreacting. If they turn up with camping chairs and popcorn and stare at you solidly for a couple of hours, that might be cause for concern.

Unless they are actually curious or interested in the game, or their child is, I don't really like non-gamers hovering around either. It didn't put me on edge angry, but I think it's kind of like people who don't like baseball going to a baseball game. "Why are you in the way and distracting people who are enjoying themselves with your judgemental stares?" comes to mind. It doesn't happen though because I play at a comic shop, so the non-gamers are geeky pepople too, but the time I played at a GW store in a shopping center, there were beleagured parents, curious randoms looking for video games who misinterpreted the name of the store, grandma, girlfriends, sorts of folks who were kind of seeming disapproving of our geeky fun. It was a bit unnerving feeling like a zoo animal.

guiltl3ss wrote:So noone thinks it somone odd to have these people staring at you? I actually consider myself a normal person who works customer service...


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Maybe I'm just a private person and don't appreciate the rudeness of being stared and pointed at.

I think I can see where you're going with it but why not ask them to watch a game or try out a turn. You may get more fans into the hobby. If they act rudely or snippy then well you have tried and from then on it is best to ignore them and carry out your business.


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mister robouteo wrote:Unless they are actually curious or interested in the game, or their child is, I don't really like non-gamers hovering around either. It didn't put me on edge angry, but I think it's kind of like people who don't like baseball going to a baseball game. "Why are you in the way and distracting people who are enjoying themselves with your judgemental stares?" comes to mind. It doesn't happen much though because I play at a comic shop, so the non-gamers are geeky pepople too, but the time I played at a GW store in a shopping center, there were beleagured parents, curious randoms looking for video games who misinterpreted the name of the store, grandma, girlfriends, sorts of folks who were kind of seeming disapproving of our geeky fun. It was a bit unnerving feeling like a zoo animal.

For this is reason #1 I never play in GW stores. I prefer a FLGS where people come in knowing what to expect.

I had it happen a few times, however I can always sell the game to the kid, much to the horror of their parents (and their wallets), even though I dont work at any of the stores. Possibly the only reason the Manager tolerates my thrifty-ness.

I'll go into more detail then. Our FLGS is setup so the shop is in the front and the playing area is in the back. We always play in the far side of the back as thats where the 40k stuff lies. Every once in a while a well dressed couple with a small child, maybe 7years old, come in. They dont buy things and theyre obviously out of place in the store. They come in and whisper "look theyre playing army men" to the kid. The kid comes dangerously close to touching the models and always seems to get in the thick of it. I dunno, it just doesnt give me a good feeling.


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I have introduced the game to a couple people before, but the folks I'm talking about are different. Kinda what mister robouteo said "beleagured parents, curious randoms looking for video games who misinterpreted the name of the store, grandma, girlfriends, sorts of folks who were kind of seeming disapproving of our geeky fun. It was a bit unnerving feeling like a zoo animal. "

I dunno, haha. My whole gaming group was like "wtf" the last time it happened.

guiltl3ss wrote:So noone thinks it somone odd to have these people staring at you? I actually consider myself a normal person who works customer service...


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Maybe I'm just a private person and don't appreciate the rudeness of being stared and pointed at.

Not trying to be rude, but if thats the case you need you own space for gaming. If you doing something (anything) in a public place, were people with no understanding of what your doing can free walk through, expect some staring at. The store make money by people walking in going, hey that looks fun. Guess what causes this to happen the most, thats right us play on there tables.

Noir wrote:

guiltl3ss wrote:So noone thinks it somone odd to have these people staring at you? I actually consider myself a normal person who works customer service...


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Maybe I'm just a private person and don't appreciate the rudeness of being stared and pointed at.

Not trying to be rude, but if thats the case you need you own space for gaming. If you doing something (anything) in a public place, were people with no understanding of what your doing can free walk through, expect some staring at. The store make money by people walking in going, hey that looks fun. Guess what causes this to happen the most, thats right us play on there tables.

I agree, I'd like to have my own space but it's just easier for everyone to goto the FLGS. Maybe I'm just ashamed of myself. I know I am a self-hating nerd, haha. But these gawkers just bother me...my mother taught me it was rude to stare at people. And its not like theyre trying to understand the game. Theyre just watching us play..creepily.

guiltl3ss wrote:I'll go into more detail then. Our FLGS is setup so the shop is in the front and the playing area is in the back. We always play in the far side of the back as thats where the 40k stuff lies. Every once in a while a well dressed couple with a small child, maybe 7years old, come in. They dont buy things and theyre obviously out of place in the store. They come in and whisper "look theyre playing army men" to the kid. The kid comes dangerously close to touching the models and always seems to get in the thick of it. I dunno, it just doesnt give me a good feeling.

Once again I have to say..."So what..."

A couple who are not familare with the game come into the store with their kid,make a few off handed comments (which honestly anyone not involved in 40k might make) and then go about their business...no harm..no foul...unless their child is climbing on the tables and touching your minis...in which case I'm sure if you'd explain to the parents the cost of your "army men" and that you'd prefer their kid not attempt to handle them would quickly resolve that issue...I honestly don't see the big deal.

...Are you perhaps embarased by being seen playing "army men" by people who don't?

I tell little kids that, if they touch my models, they'll explode. They tend to watch nicely after.

I greet people who come into the store and come by our table, so long as they stop and look. If they are just passing by I don't really pay any mind.

If they really want to show their kids a zoo, have them go watch a highschool football (american) game.

I always smile, say hi and tell them if they have any questions feel free to ask. All I see are potentially new opponents, and the occasional hot mom

Although I am 6'2 with a buzz cut and shoulders like a Line backer and am from Detroit so I tend to scare people.

I have to agree, the OP is overreacting.

More precisely, I get the impression that the OP feels shame in general about the hobby. This really is an internal issue for the OP that he is projecting externally.

OP, you need to embrace your geekiness and stop feeling shame of it. People don't care that you like to play army men, and their "judgemental stares" are more likely them being confused as to what they are seeing than an expression of contempt.

I'm more than happy to reduce what I do to "playing army men" because that's what it is. I don't feel shame of it, and neither should you. Some people play video games. Some people knit or sew. Some people like to climb large rocks. No reason anyone should feel shame for harmless hobbies that keep them entertained. Army men is just another one of those.

I've had a family come in and watch me and a buddy game before. They were very respectful and told their kids not to touch any of our stuff. No bigs, and they didn't throw peanuts either.

I play with the OP, and it's not the genial situation most of you are thinking of. The sort of folks he's talking about see you about to greet them and step out of range so they don't have to discuss anything with you. Moments later you can see them pointing at you and talking under their breath.
While I'm not ashamed of the hobby at all, I don't appreciate feeling like an F'n lion being studied by people on safari.

@Guiltl3ss: When I spotted the topic, I thought you were referencing the comment our wives made

@Son Of Dorn: Who gives a rats ass what anyone says about you? I learned a long time ago that anyone who judges me by the way I look or what hobbies I enjoy is not worth the sweat off of my left testicle. (and it is big and sweaty let me tell you)

I suggest that you guys grow a thicker skin and ignore the fools.

Mr Nobody wrote:I tell little kids that, if they touch my models, they'll explode. They tend to watch nicely after.

Lol. I Just have my Orks, Nids and Chaos models to be extra pokey. Dat kid will learn fast enough these aint child's play.

I told kids that if you touch my models he won't get a presents from his parents this year. I will. lol

Son 0f Dorn wrote:I play with the OP, and it's not the genial situation most of you are thinking of. The sort of folks he's talking about see you about to greet them and step out of range so they don't have to discuss anything with you. Moments later you can see them pointing at you and talking under their breath.
While I'm not ashamed of the hobby at all, I don't appreciate feeling like an F'n lion being studied by people on safari.

@Guiltl3ss: When I spotted the topic, I thought you were referencing the comment our wives made

When they do this point at them and pick at their faults while whispering. If they say something ask how they felt, making them look like the idiots. Best thing to do is stare back and see what they say then, or say " Do you see something you like? ". Be polite when making people look like the idiots and rude goffs that they are because without any fuel to fire back they simply burn red and wallow in their humility. Makes me warm inside to expose rude idiots and call them on it.

When people come into our local store we all encourage them to take a look. Now baring the kids actually lifting up models I will explain all about the game even when in a tournament. That is how we get more gamers everyone!

I think I may come at this from a slightly different angle then the original poster. I am 41 and have a 12 year old. I can tell you that without a gamer explaining to me what he was doing graciously we would not have ever know what this 40k game is. No, my son and I have traveled the country together, all because someone introduced it to us.

I also think that while we are in these various shops all over the place, playing for FREE in most cases, its our duty while there to make a good showing and advertize for the owners.

When ever "non-gamers" come by our tables. I greet them, ask if their interested, perhaps even hand them one of the rule books (flipped open to the painting or hobby section, something with color). Explain a bit if their curious. If they dont carry on the conversation I just go back to playing, I actually enjoy people watching me play.

In November and December, we get a lot of women in their 50's and 60's coming to my FLGS to buy board games or chess sets for their grand children. They see the rowdy crowd in the back playing wargames and peek in, but it's that sort of minimal exposure quick glance, like they're afraid to make eye contact. That's exactly how I like it. Leave the nerds alone and they won't try to get frisky with your daughters. You have been warned.

I agree with Happy.

I genially greet spectators and give them a little bit of a sales pitch for the hobby. If they were to back off and decline conversation, I'm not sure what I'd do. Maybe walk straight up and extend a hand and not let them get away unless they wanted to walk out. If they really were muttering and pointing in a way which came off as rude. Maybe just turn my back on the table and look right back at them until they went away.

We like to meet and greet folks. Have gotten probably a half dozen people to start in the last 4 months. It's the people who won't let you greet them that piss me off.

Man, everybody complains about Gamer Funk™, but when you really need it.......