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 General Annoyance wrote:
I think that could be a PSA for social interaction in general, not just in a hobby store, although I definitely run into more people in hobby stores who turn me off with their initial behaviour than in general life happenings. It doesn't mean that they can't put weird behaviour right if they do it, but that first impression in a social environment can be much more important than people like to admit.

I'm very self conscious about it; people will only get the lewd jokes off me when I know them well enough

Too right, it can apply to all walks of life, the first impression is key and if potential newbies associate weird behaviour with the hobby they'll likely be put off. Which is a shame.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Regarding the "strange behavior" thing, keep in mind that this hobby does tend to attract a larger share of people with ASD compared to other hobbies.

I suspect that to be true though I've never seen any data to back it up. Regardless - if you're on the spectrum that should be more reason to understand and acknowledge that your behaviour might need to adapt to certain situations.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:
Regarding the "strange behavior" thing, keep in mind that this hobby does tend to attract a larger share of people with ASD compared to other hobbies.

This is a good point; I'm happy to accept "Strange" behaviour if that's the case. However I will say that, for every hobbyist with ASD or something similar, there's plenty who are just plain weird and uncomfortable in a social situation.

I don't expect people to be socially flawless, silver tongued or in possession of a improv class certificate, but it doesn't take much to be pleasant to interact with, especially when you're sharing a common interest in playing TT games.

ASD, or just general social anxiety, is easy enough to work around. It's demanding and asks for a lot of patience, but it's worth doing if it helps someone feel included. Far more annoying to me are the "Mean Girls" of nerd-dom - narcissistic snowflakes who think the gaming group is their own personal fiefdom and use their "expertise" at Warhams/ MtG/ whatever to cover up gaping deficiencies in other areas of their life.

 BBAP wrote:
ASD, or just general social anxiety, is easy enough to work around. It's demanding and asks for a lot of patience, but it's worth doing if it helps someone feel included. Far more annoying to me are the "Mean Girls" of nerd-dom - narcissistic snowflakes who think the gaming group is their own personal fiefdom and use their "expertise" at Warhams/ MtG/ whatever to cover up gaping deficiencies in other areas of their life.

We have a buddy who fits into this category. He is super normal when we go out for drinks or whatever but anytime he plays with us (which thankfully isn't all the time), he gets basic rules wrong, tries to manipulate them to his advantage. The narrative is completely ruined and all fun is sucked out of the room basically. One of the wives mentioned we laugh so much more when he isn't there.

I think there was an article I saw about the type of tabletop gamers that exist. He fit into the snake category, pretends to be casual but isn't. Worse then a WAAC player because he tries to hide behind being a casual/narrative based player until the gaming begins.

...what if they play Nurgle? Maybe they need the blessing of the Unclean One?

topaxygouroun i wrote:
...what if they play Nurgle? Maybe they need the blessing of the Unclean One?

Thats what they make anti-bacterial air freshener for.

 Tannhauser42 wrote:

 Lion of Caliban wrote:
But i've been to some cons, smelled some smells and can confirm that a little deodorant while not a difficult concept is definitely ignored by some folks (not lots but some.)

That's the problem right there, though, "a little deodorant". Or rather, too little deodorant. One little swipe of the stick under your arm isn't enough for most people, especially in warmer climates.

I don't know exactly what it is your'e implying. It's a manner of speaking. Obviously use an appropriate amount of deodorant, and wash daily. Twice a day if needed.

Another poster might be on to something...This is just anti-Nurgle propaganda isnt it?! Inquisition scum!

Maybe Russia is different. I've never encountered game-store stinkiness here.

It's definitely not a stereotype in the CIS countries. In the states, we pretty much all have stories about 'That Guy' (not TFG though often these overlap) who for some reason just cannot interact with people, from the smell, the generally unkempt appearance, the incredibly odd speech and language patterns.

But in Ukraine, where I currently live, all the 40k players I've encountered are trim, hipster types who vape and have tattoos.

Never met any person like that, I wonder if it's somehow cultural? I am pretty sure 95% of those stories come from people in English speaking countries.

 GuardStrider wrote:
Never met any person like that, I wonder if it's somehow cultural? I am pretty sure 95% of those stories come from people in English speaking countries.

It's not a big problem where I am. In my FLGS and the local stores I've visited its very very rare bordering on non existent. If anything it's people visiting the store who play other games. Butt at larger conventions it crops up occasionally. Presumably because you get a wide swath of hobbyists from all over. I mean if a few hundred people are there and you bump into a few people who entirely disregard their hygiene then its rare, but it's still unpleasant.

I feel this shouldn't even need to be a PSA, its just good hygiene and generally expected in any social situation, people shouldn't need to be reminded to wash and shower before being in a hall with potentially hundreds of people..

 Galmakh the moonkiller wrote:
I feel this shouldn't even need to be a PSA, its just good hygiene and generally expected in any social situation, people shouldn't need to be reminded to wash and shower before being in a hall with potentially hundreds of people..

Ya know, they SHOULDN'T.

Shouldn't.

.....Shouldn't.

quentra wrote:
It's definitely not a stereotype in the CIS countries. In the states, we pretty much all have stories about 'That Guy' (not TFG though often these overlap) who for some reason just cannot interact with people, from the smell, the generally unkempt appearance, the incredibly odd speech and language patterns.

But in Ukraine, where I currently live, all the 40k players I've encountered are trim, hipster types who vape and have tattoos.

Vapers are just as bad, if not worse. Get that gak away from my table and feth off outside.

I too object to smelly people.

BUT.

Remember, there's a genuine difference to a 'daily whiffy', and a more erm,cultured, stench.

Not everyone can wear deodorant. Some peeps find it plays havoc with their skin, and I dunno about you, but I don't much fancy itchy inflamed oxters. So it's not always a genuine lack of hygiene.

But yeah. When it's not a sweaty smell but something....earthier....they need to just go take a shower.

In my experience, 40k players usually don't have that issue. Historical wargaming people though....

Alright. I'll agreee to shower, but I'm using this entire bottle of Axe afterwards. People need to know what kind of MAN it takes to dominate with a pokemon themed Slanessh list.

Okay, some observations or notes, especially from a dad that showers every day and has two young teenage boys:

- Young men will smell, no matter what deodorant used and showering twice a day. It is the nature of the beast. (http://www.momjunction.com/articles/body-odor-problems-in-teens_00353333/#gref)
- Many of these games are held during the evening and there would be little or no time to clean-up after work, the dude could be a welder so you also have sweaty leather stink (much like hockey gear stink).
- Usually you have to fit in grabbing some food on the way, some may not think to hold off on onion or garlic.
- Most places we game in are rather small... not much volume of air or air-flow so it only gets worse. They may have smelt fine when they got in... not so much later.
- Speaking of that, poor climate control, how many times have those areas seemed too hot?
- Between family I have and people I know, there are a fair number of people who fall in the spectrum of Autism who play the hobby. When the physical act of cleaning the body can be uncomfortable (high skin sensitivity): these folk may need a higher dose of empathy in that regard. It does not come easy. Something to keep in mind.

- My own personal "problem", when I get into a good painting session for a few hours, you keep your arms down and possibly clamped shut the whole time. My wife calls them "the hobby pits of doom", there is nothing to save those armpits other than a shower and scrubbing.

As a side note, we just recently had a new MTG release and gaming started at midnight on Fri/Sat, I had the "pleasant" experience of walking into a room in the morning of some 40 people who have been up all night drinking energy drinks, coffee, spicy food and had smoke breaks.
It was like hitting a wall and I am a guy who grew up on a farm. The washroom needed to be burned to the ground.

I guess I can say as the original OP said, the majority of people are good, there is typically a horde of mitigating circumstances I think at work for the remainder.

My gaming bag has dice, cards, tape measures, books, a stick of deodorant, a toothbrush, a bottle of cheap cologne, boxers and a t-shirt.

It's never impolite to show people what you carry as a means of conveying what proper preparation looks like. I rarely need the hygiene stuff, it's there to set the example.

Good to have it all on hand to loan your opponent for those times things get all Nurgly.

We had this one player at my FLGS who would pop zits on his face during games then touch his opponent's models. Everyone was too polite to tell him to stop. For a while, I was carrying Purell, 70% Isopropyl and Cotton Swabs as a hard counter.

 Talizvar wrote:
Okay, some observations or notes, especially from a dad that showers every day and has two young teenage boys:

- Young men will smell, no matter what deodorant used and showering twice a day. It is the nature of the beast. (http://www.momjunction.com/articles/body-odor-problems-in-teens_00353333/#gref)
- Many of these games are held during the evening and there would be little or no time to clean-up after work, the dude could be a welder so you also have sweaty leather stink (much like hockey gear stink).
- Usually you have to fit in grabbing some food on the way, some may not think to hold off on onion or garlic.
- Most places we game in are rather small... not much volume of air or air-flow so it only gets worse. They may have smelt fine when they got in... not so much later.
- Speaking of that, poor climate control, how many times have those areas seemed too hot?
- Between family I have and people I know, there are a fair number of people who fall in the spectrum of Autism who play the hobby. When the physical act of cleaning the body can be uncomfortable (high skin sensitivity): these folk may need a higher dose of empathy in that regard. It does not come easy. Something to keep in mind.

- My own personal "problem", when I get into a good painting session for a few hours, you keep your arms down and possibly clamped shut the whole time. My wife calls them "the hobby pits of doom", there is nothing to save those armpits other than a shower and scrubbing.

As a side note, we just recently had a new MTG release and gaming started at midnight on Fri/Sat, I had the "pleasant" experience of walking into a room in the morning of some 40 people who have been up all night drinking energy drinks, coffee, spicy food and had smoke breaks.
It was like hitting a wall and I am a guy who grew up on a farm. The washroom needed to be burned to the ground.

I guess I can say as the original OP said, the majority of people are good, there is typically a horde of mitigating circumstances I think at work for the remainder.

I think these are all fair points. and of course concessions should be made. I think this is more for those around (extremely rare they may be) who just disregard their hygiene entirely and have gone noseblind so don't notice.

 techsoldaten wrote:
Good to have it all on hand to loan your opponent for those times things get all Nurgly.
We had this one player at my FLGS who would pop zits on his face during games then touch his opponent's models. Everyone was too polite to tell him to stop. For a while, I was carrying Purell, 70% Isopropyl and Cotton Swabs as a hard counter.

I commend your preparations.
Few are prepared to face a Nurgle champion.
I suspect hygiene is within your top 5 of importance in daily affairs.
For some, it may be in the bottom 20 so would not "warrant" that degree of foresight.

Heck, I keep thinking I should be clean, got an office job and all... still surprised on occasion when one becomes less than fresh.
I now bring in a tote of stuff just for working on models (keep me and my son supplied) which seems like alot, I suppose I can replace my winter survival kit with a stench mitigation kit in the van and pull in as needed (good for anywhere and the inevitable coffee spills).

<edit> All these people need is a breed of dog known for a strong sense of smell.
The darn dog has almost lifted me off the floor with the nose-probe in the nether regions when dealing with food that has not agreed with me OR a really hard day of sweating.

My oldest is starting to stink, so this sort of thing is really on my radar. Usually I try to make sure I get in a quick shower before heading out, wearing clean-clothes not smeared with grossness, and it's something I'll have to teach him. He's already dis-satisfied with the notion of showering more than twice a week...

 Nurglitch wrote:
My oldest is starting to stink, so this sort of thing is really on my radar. Usually I try to make sure I get in a quick shower before heading out, wearing clean-clothes not smeared with grossness, and it's something I'll have to teach him. He's already dis-satisfied with the notion of showering more than twice a week...

Caught my eldest in bathrobe and towel wrapped around his head after a "shower"... did not typically do that, took it off him under much protests and the hair was bone-dry: he faked his shower.
Threats of scrubbing them myself and sitting there to witness proper washing technique embarrassed him into compliance, I will still check though.

Twice a week is happening AND immediately after every sport event: martial arts, hockey and any school Phys-Ed events.

Another thing: braces. Those suckers need a power washer and disinfectant I swear.
Giving a kiss goodnight can bring the wrong tears to daddy's eyes when the brushing was not done or not done well.
Time he will never get back but we all need a little mercy.

There is a small, yet important difference between a teenage boy smelling of what a teenage boy smells of, and the unholy nostril assault that can come from some individuals.
There are a small collection of such individuals (3-4 of them) round my way who are responsible for the local gaming stores all keeping a couple of cans of deodorant out the back. The smell was so offensive that they were losing custom.

I will always give leniency to someone who might have done a full day of manual labour on a hot day, who has at least brought along some deodorant.
The issue is with the people who show up week in, week out with that distinctive 'festering' smell.

A store I often go to put up a sign about it.

Somebody was so extremely offended about how he is being discriminated against because he takes medication which causes B/O. Made for an entertaining read.

 techsoldaten wrote:
We had this one player at my FLGS who would pop zits on his face during games then touch his opponent's models. Everyone was too polite to tell him to stop. For a while, I was carrying Purell, 70% Isopropyl and Cotton Swabs as a hard counter.

I'd have a cigar cutter. Touch my ladies or dudes with that gak on your hands and you lose a finger.

Also one of those extendo boxing gloves so he could have a slap whenever he started picking his zits, because feth no.

Ah yes, now we come to the point in the thread where people start talking about all the violence they would inflict upon the gross TFGs, because the awkward boasting about how capable they are at basic cleanliness wasn't cringe-worthy enough yet. Can we put this trainwreck of a thread out of its misery yet?

Perri- champion of the unwashed masses or internet contrarian? You decide...

The phenomenon of Nerd Funk is in no way limited to 40k/wargaming. I actually had to ban a player from one of my D&D campaigns because he refused to bathe before coming over to my apartment. I asked him politely on multiple occasions, but he (no joke) said something about not wanting to conform to society's standards of appearance and hygiene.