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Ok, so there will always be those people who stand tall against society and hail from the roof tops the things they love to do most in their spare time......

However, I would hasten to admit, I'm not one of them. Call me a coward if you will, however, it's plain to see that anything involving grown men and "action figures" be they metal/plastic/resin miniatures right up to full blown 1/6th scale action figures does equal social slow for many of the denizens of this world. I draw your attention to 40yr old virgin for proof on how society in general views us.

The question is, why do some of us feel this way? Why do we deny what we obviously enjoy doing? Is it because deep down inside we realise on some level that we are doing is "wrong"......oh I'm not talking kiddy fiddler "wrong", but maybe "sitting in your basement watching porn" wrong?

Do most of you guys find it easier to deny your hobby or do you think you might actually feel better letting people know this facet of your life?

I'm sort of indifferent about it. I won't go up to everyone and start talking about it, but I won't change the subject if someone asks either. I guess the main reason people would try to hide it is the apparent social stigma that is associated with games like this and D&D and the embarrassment thinking about it creates.

n0t_u wrote:I'm sort of indifferent about it. I won't go up to everyone and start talking about it, but I won't change the subject if someone asks either. I guess the main reason people would try to hide it is the apparent social stigma that is associated with games like this and D&D and the embarrassment thinking about it creates.

Pretty much what I would have said.

It's something I mainly keep to myself unless someone is talking about it, then I'll add a bit into that conversation but I'm not one to just nerd out on the first random person talking about Space Marines.

I don't care what other people think. I'm quite open about it if it comes up in conversation.

It's not generally something I'll bring up in conversation, because you're right you're example of the 40 year old version, that's exactly how I imagine I'd be viewed if I did. Some hopeless sort of nerd unsuited to real life, and in many cases the gamers I do meet conform painfully to that stereotype.

If you dont want to speak about warhammer in public or to 'new folks' then you shouldn't, but what i've expirienced is that in your family/friends circle it's cool/ok to have a hobby like this and at work im not ashamed of it too,
I mean i found out that 5 people at my work play 40k/warhammer fb just because i was reading the 'blood for the blood god' novel.

Fact is,
only 30 percent of the 16 million people here in the netherlands know of the gw/hobby's existence,
GW is opening up shops to make that at least 70 percent, in 1.5 year we went to 3 GW's to 8!
And in the coming 4-5 years GW is planning to open up at least 20 more! Ontopic mode: if you dont want to you dont have to, no-one is forcing you so do as you please fellow hobbyists!

Im not ashamed of the hobby. Im ashamed of how much it costs

"this little thing costs how much??"

We've all had that talk at one point or the other. It's even more fun if it's SoB.

"So that unit costs over $200?"
"Yes, but I brought it online back when they still came in a box and it was only $40"

I'm not ashamed, just self-deprecating.

"What are those?"

"My little mans!"

"You play with little...mans?"

"Hell to the yeah!"

Do you mind me asking how old you are Dele?

Back when I was 17-18 I was the same, woudnt talk about 40k on the bus or in school or when out.

But since the years have ticked by, to put it crudely, I couldnt give a toss what people think about it these days, facebook, non gaming forums, in work, out in the pub, all have been exposed to my 40k hobby and tbh Im quite proud of it.

I think you reach a stage where you dont really care and if you do, you are well able to show your passion to those questioning it and if they are anyway balanced they'll appreciate said passion.
If they dont, well they probably werent real friends or colleagues anyway.

n0t_u wrote:I'm sort of indifferent about it. I won't go up to everyone and start talking about it, but I won't change the subject if someone asks either. I guess the main reason people would try to hide it is the apparent social stigma that is associated with games like this and D&D and the embarrassment thinking about it creates.

that is what I would agree with

I think Mr Lewis put it best.

C S Lewis wrote:
Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.

I'll tell anyone I play these games, if they find that amusing, so be it. I've found as the years go on, more folks I meet at least know what Games Workshop is even if they have no interest, although thats probably thanks to the saturation of shops here in Blighty.

I find that people who I tell about it have either tried it before or know someone who does. We joke about playing with little army men and the costs and that's that. Definitely not first (or second) date conversation though, not only because of the stigma but also because about 99.999% of the female population will find it completely uninteresting and you're their to keep them interested

As a side note for all the legal-drinking-age gamers: having some fun drinking stories involving your hobby maked for good conversation when it comes up.

Actually I used to stand tall and proud I just don't tell people the things I do because I have always loved mystery books so everything I do is hidden and its for people that are close to me have to figure out by themselves. I tell people I do parkour and freerunning (Which is absolutely true by the way.) When asked I will answer. When not I will not tell. It matters who is asking.

Bakerofish wrote:Im not ashamed of the hobby. Im ashamed of how much it costs

"this little thing costs how much??"

Eeeeexactly.

Asherian wrote: I tell people I do parkour and freerunning (Which is absolutely true by the way.)

Thats awesome, I love watching videos on Youtube and such of freerunning. Do you have any videos up?

I'm not ashamed of this hobby and openly discuss with most people. I'm also not ashamed of what it cost. i come from a rough background and am not someone you would think plays this sort of game, but what i have learned is that most people that play this game are decent people and intelligent and if some one makes fun of that, well, their loss. I would much rather spend my time on my "dolls" than most other things because my kids get involved and sometimes my wife and i would much rather have a plastic-crack problem than the problems i see a lot of the people who "make fun" of us go through.

I was secretive about it when at school but after dropping it at uni and picking it up again In my late 20's, wasn't really that bothered about what people think.

That said I don't bring the subject up nor have ever know it to come up in conversation be it at social activities, usually the Rugby club or the pub.

I don't bring it up at work, as it is not compatable with the locker room that is construction and suspect it would undermine my authority if I had lines of minis on my desk.

So arguably no change, but not ashamed.

Lormax wrote:

Asherian wrote: I tell people I do parkour and freerunning (Which is absolutely true by the way.)

Thats awesome, I love watching videos on Youtube and such of freerunning. Do you have any videos up?

You don't always need videos. But when a Girl asks me to do some tricks. I will. But if a guy does. I just stand there and say "No."

No not really.

I was up-front with the girls I've recently dated. If it's a deal-breaker, it's only fair for them to know it up front.

Also, if it's a deal-breaker, I don't want to date them anyway.

Nobody is ever ashamed of their hobby. They are ashamed of the people they are seen with when they play.

Honestly, I don't think much of it. I don't broadcast that I play the game, but in my mind it is no different than video games. In fact, I would challenge that it is more intellectually stimulating than video games. There is a lot of strategy, cognative (check that spelling) reasoning, as well as social interaction that is not present in video games. Sure you can make the claim that video games are social with the introduction of online gaming, but I would challenge that as a result sportsmanship has declined rapidly as a result. You know what I mean if you have ever heard what some of these kids say while playing first person shooter games.

Many of my friends don't play 40K, are aware that I do, and think nothing of it. I still go to the gym with them, play golf on the weekend, and attend the occasional poker night. I just have an additional hobby that they don't share. Many of them hunt and I don't so I find it to be similar.

Horst wrote:Nobody is ever ashamed of their hobby. They are ashamed of the people they are seen with when they play.

This. I've said it before, but the only embarrassing moments in the hobby for me involve some of the less than hygienic individuals that also enjoy the hobby. I've yet to truly have a positive experience in a game store where I wasn't surrounded by dirty, smelly people. Its the one stereotype I still find that holds truth, from my personal experience.

That said, I'm personally not ashamed I play. I was, a while ago, but now I just don't give a .

Im not really. Im afraid of being aasked. Because unless you are familiar with the game its really hard to explain the hobby.
Im also ashamed of how much i spend.

kronk wrote:I was up-front with the girls I've recently dated. If it's a deal-breaker, it's only fair for them to know it up front.

Also, if it's a deal-breaker, I don't want to date them anyway.

Pretty much this. I've mentioned it to a potential girlfriend, but she doesn't know what it is and probably doesn't care.

hotsauceman1 wrote:Im also ashamed of how much i spend.

Don't worry about the expense. Financially speaking no ones hobby really makes sense to other. Take for example, anyone that has ever completed a project car. For all the time and effort someone could have just gone out and bought a new vehicle. That however is not why they restored the car. It wasn't because they needed another vehicle. It was because they love cars and working on them.

Golf is another prime example. If you buy a name brand set of irons, woods, a driver, and a putter brand new you are looking at somewhere between $1000 and $2000 depending upon style and level of the equipment. Then you have the option of high end balls made by the name brand companies, shoes, gloves, tees, etc. THEN you have to pay to play the damn game. My point is.....you have joined what is yet another elitiest hobby. So, I wouldn't worry about the expense factor.

My point is not to say that the game is appropriately price because it isn't. My point was to prove that the majority of hobbies are over priced and they definitely are to those that don't have an interest in them.

Delephont wrote:Ok, so there will always be those people who stand tall against society and hail from the roof tops the things they love to do most in their spare time......

However, I would hasten to admit, I'm not one of them. Call me a coward if you will, however, it's plain to see that anything involving grown men and "action figures" be they metal/plastic/resin miniatures right up to full blown 1/6th scale action figures does equal social slow for many of the denizens of this world. I draw your attention to 40yr old virgin for proof on how society in general views us.

The question is, why do some of us feel this way? Why do we deny what we obviously enjoy doing? Is it because deep down inside we realise on some level that we are doing is "wrong"......oh I'm not talking kiddy fiddler "wrong", but maybe "sitting in your basement watching porn" wrong?

Do most of you guys find it easier to deny your hobby or do you think you might actually feel better letting people know this facet of your life?

Dude - you have the wrong attitude. It really is amazing just how cool Warhammer 40,000 is. I mean, it is freaking awesome. You should never be ashamed of playing one of the most awesome,
engaging hobbies out there.

Not everyone that plays it is what you would call a "geek". I am a cool, normal person that plays it. Let's see:

1 - I drive a Mercedes
2 - I wear Oakley sunglasses and clothing
3 - I hold 3 different blackbelts in martial arts, and used to compete in MMA events
4 - I used to Wakeboard a lot
5 - I used to play professional level Paintball
6 - I own an Old English Bulldog
7 - I used to be a bartender, with a large clientele
8 - I have no problem with the opposite sex
9 - I believe I can get anyone excited about battling it out on the tables of the 41st millenium.

Am I still an anti-social geek?

NoArmorSave wrote:
Not everyone that plays it is what you would call a "geek". I am a cool, normal person that plays it. Let's see:

1 - I drive a Mercedes
2 - I wear Oakley sunglasses and clothing
3 - I hold 3 different blackbelts in martial arts, and used to compete in MMA events
4 - I used to Wakeboard a lot
5 - I used to play professional level Paintball
6 - I own an Old English Bulldog
7 - I used to be a bartender, with a large clientele
8 - I have no problem with the opposite sex
9 - I believe I can get anyone excited about battling it out on the tables of the 41st millenium.

So is everyone else on the internet...