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 Swastakowey wrote:


If you ever come down this way be sure to send me a message. The gaming is great down here. Plus Paraparaumu is full of retired people so its pretty mellow most of the time.

Will keep that in mind mate, thanks.

I cant say more than what has been said, but changing the location is your best bet.

At GW Preston we have had yobs scream insults through the door (a memoriable one was about how all Muslims should die, despite the lack of any black person in the store) and once or twice they have tried to cause trouble.
However threats of the Police backed up by the large amount of big beefy (and some ex military) people in the store usually puts a stop to that.

 throwoff wrote:
That's really sad to read.

I know thee exact feeling though, I am ashamed to say I won't visit my local GW because it is in a very busy shopping mall and I am frankly embarrassed to be seen coming out of there.

I much prefer my FLGS on account of it being very off the beaten track, to the point that I don't know of any reason anyone would go to that area at all unless they are visiting the store.

When I picked the hobby back up a few months ago I had no clue where I would find games as an adult (27) having not played since my young teens, I have since discovered a huge raft of my friend play in private, including the majority of my 7 a side football team! It is strange how we keep it so hidden.

We all seem to have that ability to hide what we do for fun, and we do it rather well i must admit.

You should never be embarrassed going in or out of a GW store, the first one i went to was in a large shopping center, and i didn't give a dam then and i don't now, if anybody has a problem that is their problem

I've never had much trouble, the odd 'toy soldiers' accusation but many gain respect when i show them my humble painting efforts: some toy soldiers eh?

My club is located in a church hall up some stairs, we've had the odd drunk person turn up but we have never been bothered to the extent of the OP. We did have someone call us 'the church people' when we were coming out once, the sarky reply was 'its Satan worship in there' (not far form the truth!).

Others have given sound advice, and that should help

In my case we can throw them down the stairs, if they get too mouthy... did i just say that!

Your comment about the cops giving you looks that you brought this on yourself sounds more like an issue that the cops know the area you are in is a bad area, and the people there are bad people.

Hopefully hanging sheets against the windows will help.

If not, you might have to go through the hassle of finding a new location.

Best of luck!

Steelmage99 wrote:
As for name-calling and jeers....why do you or anybody care about what those idiots think?

Because we're human and not unfeeling robots. It's easy to shrug off snap judgments of uneducated people every so often, but constant long-term abuse takes it's toll no matter how tough you think you are.

I'm lucky in that our FLGS is a pretty nerdy hangout besides. The only group of players who get grief down there are the Yu-Gi-Oh kids because an unfortunately large number of that group don't understand personal hygene. I am not going to criticize your hobby, but Jesus kids, take a shower and invest in some deoderant. Take just a smidgeon of pride in yourself, it's amazing what it can do for self esteem.

Anyway. I can't fathom why people would openly mock others having fun. I understand the pathology behind why, but it's so alien to me. Unfortunately now that kids are getting on the internet before they learn how to socialize properly with regular society, we're just breeding a new wave of sociopaths. Our cultures are going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

dkellyj wrote:
I don't feel so bad now. Our FLGS is next to a tanning salon and you get the occasional buxom hottie walking by.

I'm sorry, what was that? 6 hits on your assault 4 gun? Sure dude, whatever....

One that I visit on occassion has a Yoga studio on one side, and a salon on the other. It feels really wierd walking by those places to go to my nerd store.

Back in the 90s I was playing Warhammer Quest with some friends in our FLGS, which was in a mall. A middle aged woman walked in and asked (I don't remember the exact question, but it was along the lines of), "Is this the game that makes people worship Satan?"

Later on in the early 2000s when I was working at the same store GW came through a few times with their battle tours which were held in the open court just outsie the store. There were many weird looks and the occasional yelling of "NERDS!" One year someone bombed one of the tables by dropping a large foam cup filled with water from the 2nd floor overhang.

If you've watched the Netflix series 'House of Cards', the main character who's a serious high level politician develops a passion for miniatures during the 2nd season, building a table of Civil War miniatures depicting a battle where his great great grandfather fought. The table is seen during a few episodes, he's building and painting the stuff 'to help him relax'.

Miniatures are actually shown as a rather serious hobby in the scenes, there's no nerdiness or comedy going on. It might actually generate a bit more acceptance for the hobby in whole - I don't recall seeing many serious dramas where miniatures play a part.

Honesty man, if you don't want to deal with the hood rats, stay out of the hood. I understand the property is cheap, but theres a reason for that. It sounds like its starting to become an issue for the members safety. Not all gamers are the alpha male type and the hood rats will view them as easy prey. Its a matter of time before someone gets hurt. Find somewhere else to play. Good luck.


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 bbb wrote:
Back in the 90s I was playing Warhammer Quest with some friends in our FLGS, which was in a mall. A middle aged woman walked in and asked (I don't remember the exact question, but it was along the lines of), "Is this the game that makes people worship Satan?".

My response would be point to the other table of players and say " no Ma'am, thats those guys over there."

If you're having to take measures to stay in a cheap venue, it might be worth spending those resources on moving.
Either that, or get a few mates to sit at a table in the corner sometimes, and play cards or something. If one of the regulars wanders in, that should stop them doing it again.
Or, put it to the parents that you're not going to run their crèche for them if they don't take turns helping out.

Raven911 wrote:

Not all gamers are the alpha male type...

Well, according to the internet, EVERY male hobbyist is a 6ft plus, muscled beefcake who is not to be trifeld with. Yeah they're gentle but when they snap - BAM, choke holds and roundhouse kicks are on the menu and you best hope you're hungry.

Joking aside though, "get the feck out of dodge" is sound advice. I wouldn't mind coughing up a few extra £s for peace of mind.

Since you are not willing/able to hire security of some kind, there's no effective way to deal with this unless you lock the doors or pay the premium (cheaper than a guard) to relocate to a better hall. Doing something as peaceful and relatively niche as wargaming, in an area that you describe yourself as a bad part of town is sort of asking for trouble.

Foot the bill (as a group if possible) and better it for all of you. Think of the increase in enjoyment and attendance!

Good luck.

This is just baffling to me. I've never caught any flak for gaming. Most people seem to regard it as a more intricate form of chess or bingo. In fact some people that would otherwise simply pass by have stopped upon noticing the similar models but different paint schemes and means of construction.

Sucks that some of you guys are getting gak on for having a hobby.

Sorry to hear that, particularly the idiot who thought it was funny to call you a pedophile.

The church youth group I went to when I was younger was in a sketchy area, and we'd have problems like that sometimes. To be honest, I'm not sure what was done about it, as I was pretty young at the time.

Moving seems like the best option if feasible, and curtains for privacy/locks after that. I'd suggest to keep calling the cops when it seems like it might get out of hand, no matter how annoyed they may be. If you make a report each time the paper trail might be helpful later on.

I work in law enforcement. I can't speak for your country but in mine there are some cops who might think it a waste of time for "nerds" to have a club in a bad area. Cops can be alpha sports oriented types who might not understand wargames. At the same time others will be more focused on responding in a situation where by the time they arrive the bad guys are gone and might be annoyed for not getting to respond to "real" in progress crimes.. Fight for your rights in spite of this. In government if it isn't documented it didn't happen. This is important.

I apologize if you feel caught between negative reactions from both the jerks giving you problems and the officers that should be helping. Cops are people and even though they shouldn't they often bring their own beliefs and prejudices into calls. I understand when this happens but it should never affect service to private citizens engaged in legal activities as you are. I can only say it would be different if I were the officer responding.

When i was about 16 our local gaming store was next to a very rowdy redneck bar. A buddy and me were packing up for the night and we get to door to leave we notice a guy pissing on the side of the building and started to laugh he intern zipped up and attacked the both of us it didnt end well for his drunken self but still was kinda scary and random. Not really being harrased by passers by but still not fun just when wanted to have a fun night out. Sorry to hear about your troubles

i really only had a couple of problems over my 20 career of Wargaming.But when we confornted them they usually apolized or were cowards. But most of my friends that gamers are scary large punk rock types that you would think that are Neo Nazis.The other bunch of us i guess you could call us preppies i guess,.Ralph Lauren clothes and Luxery VEhicles. drive a NAvigator and few others have BEnz and BMWs.But we are all pretty good sized guys i am 6'3 200 lbs. i am one of the smaller of us.Another ones is that a few of are members are decoratd Army Veterans.

OVerall dont let it bother you.If it gets bad go find a few scary looking friends to show up hang out.that usually stops it.If continues let them talk to your friends.Dont know anyone like that.Stand outside a BEer shop and Buy them a few and let talk to them for you.

Sounds like a questionable place to have your game nights. I would suggest a different location firstly.

Threats need police involvement if you can't move your location for whatever reason. Doesn't matter if the cops have an attitude, as long as they take the report and file the incident.

As for people calling out from the parking lot, who cares? Get a portable stereo and crank up some of your favorite tunes and drown it out. In the end the opinions of strangers about your hobby are meaningless.

Skriker

Sad topic is sad. Truly, I'm sorry you have to deal with this sort of gak, but sadly where there are people, there are donkey-caves.

I've known groups that deal with issues like this in different ways, ignoring the offenders, finding ways to meet during different hours to lessen the chance of running into the 'winners' of society. Even knew some guys who started open carrying to their FLGS for fear of getting fethed with after hours.

And as much as it sucks to hear it, it really doesn't matter what a bunch of mouth breathing, 3rd time parolee, assbags have to say about you or your sexual orientation. That's fact. Bullies are cowards and generally pretty stupid, the ones who spout bs will run off if you confront them and the ones who want to tussle won't bother screwing with a random FLGS group.

Again, I hope you guys find a way to deal with this gak.

Your best bet is to try to move. You shouldn't have to move because of donkey-cave passers by and its wrong that you are in this position but it sounds like its best for the safety of your group. Sadly pragmatism has little to do with right or wrong.

One of the most important factors in self defence is avoiding places that are dangerous if you can help it. If you and your group are afraid that at some point its going to escalate to violence and that your safety is compromised you should try to move halls.

Even if you do not fear for your safety it is probably better to try to move so you can be in a more comfortable environment to enjoy your games, its probably worth the added cost for that alone.

Very sad, i have seen this before, in my local shop theres a very nice and funny bloke in his 40s, and he was once questioned by a nosey GW temp, even when this guy goes in pretty much everyday! I think its best to go in with your son, i see lots of Dads in my local painting alongside them.

We get the odd comment, but half the time they can be stopped, a few kids from my old school barked at the shop, when they looked in and saw me they acted like...well my school friends and never bothered us again. I also bring girls in (ex's and errr friends ) which then makes boys stop gerring and coming in to take a look!

Thanks for everyones support and advise, just thought I would update to say I took it upon myself to look into the change of venue, and im happy to say our next games night will take place in the second story of a rather secluded office Building. Very exciting, going there to day to check it out and transfer all our terrain and boards.

Good luck with it mate. I hope you enjoy your gaming nights more now.

Sounds good.
Keep it tidy and you should be fine.

I fear the same at my FLGS. We are in a mall but in a back corner so its not that bad but across the hall the mall is opening a bar. Luck for us some of the patrons are rather large (verticly) and one of the staff is an active Army ranger.

Although that doesn't happen to me often, since my FLGS is close to a shady part of town and I play at night, I am always horrified of getting mugged when I leave it.

My army is the only valuable thing I bring with me, so I just hope if that happens they aren't interested in toy plastic men.

 RobZie wrote:
Thanks for everyones support and advise, just thought I would update to say I took it upon myself to look into the change of venue, and im happy to say our next games night will take place in the second story of a rather secluded office Building. Very exciting, going there to day to check it out and transfer all our terrain and boards.

Glad you were able to find a better place to get together. Shouldn't have to risk your life just to get in some mini gaming time.

Skriker

But seriously, we have a dance studio next to ours.

Unfortunately it's a like, kids dance studio.

Fortunately there are enough attractive mothers that come to pick up they chilluns that it's worth it.

I work next to one and agree totally cincy, though it is disturbing how many greasy looks I have to give middle age men who stop and gawk to get them to move on.

In regards to the OP I hope everything works out well in the new location.

If you can't change locations, is your location enclosed enough to be able to jury rig some temporary privacy curtains of some sort?

Even some weighted cloth strips can help.