| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
|---|---|
| Jazza224607-10-06, 05:14 AM | Just a random question, how do you guys deal with those people who make fun of you for playing D&D... Just wanted an opinion- Gets pretty annoying! |
| Shaggy_Shaggs07-10-06, 06:47 AM | Blow them off. Obviously they're not worth associating with. :rolleye2: If they're especially persistent, following me around and such just to give me a hard time, they're going to lose some teeth. |
| Azezel07-10-06, 06:52 AM | I don't think it's ever come up. I don't walk up to strangers wearing my 'carpe DM' t-shirt and evangelise, but most of my friends know I play and, whilst it don't appeal to them, I've never encountered any hostility. |
| Witch07-10-06, 07:03 AM | Depends. If it's a one time thing, grin, and ignore it. Keep associating with them. If it keeps on going, and it's not just a joke, stay away from them. |
| kelvinaw27307-10-06, 07:11 AM | Ignore them. If they wish to enter into a religious debate, remind them that it is just a game. |
| SokenzanMarauder07-10-06, 07:15 AM | I just shrug and let them think what they want to. No use getting into an argument with someone who will most likely never see the "light," so to speak. If they push the issue then I just tell them to screw off. :p -Gene |
| Cthulhu312507-10-06, 07:31 AM | Threaten to cast "magic missile" at them. |
| High Octane07-10-06, 07:53 AM | Tell them "Don't be hatin!" |
| JollyRotten07-10-06, 09:48 AM | Don't marry her |
| hmmmm07-10-06, 02:02 PM | I just tend to ignore them. |
| Robert_Fox_Kitsune07-10-06, 02:24 PM | Actually-.... Ok, I enjoyed this. Generally, noone ever cared, but this one guy I knew just kept making up stuff stemming from d and d- rumors, followed me around, basicly irittated the hell out of me. Cue the day I brought my dice to school and followed HIM around, rolling for everything he tried to do and correcting him accordinly if he went against the will of the dice Not something I would recomend, as the school was laughing at me forever, but they were laughing at him too ;-) I'm happy |
| Brotha_T07-10-06, 04:11 PM | That's awesome! It takes a lot of balls to put yourself on the tracks like that just to make a point. I tip my hat. |
| SeraphimDominion07-10-06, 04:35 PM | I'm not really sure what point he was making. A bunch of people called him a dork so he acted like a dork to get back at them? That'll show em. |
| DarkNick07-10-06, 05:00 PM | I think people pick on dnd players for various reasons: A Ignorance B Religious Opinions C We are in the minority D Lack of imagination F Misconceptions and stereotypes E All of the above If your at school, kids will pick on you for being different. I can't remember much about being at school so I can't be much help. Perhaps the only thing that can reliably save you is to be less visible. But as an adult most people seem pretty good about it once you explain what actually happens in a game. You could remind them that dnd players are heavily involved in the occult and are responsible for a majority of ritualistic murders and your currently looking for a sacrifice - any volunteers? You could ask them what they think Dnd is, and if they are really interested in finding out come talk to you some other time and you'll tell them what it is all about. I think ignorance and misconceptions are a big problem. It might help, you might get some more players. You could just accept that you are a ****ing geek and will always be picked on. Secretly you can be satisfied that you have a superior intellect and people can laugh all the like, they are just scenery no more worth your time than say a tree or some dirt. Works for me. |
| TheChilliGod07-10-06, 05:20 PM | Eh, I've only gotten blammed once for playing D&D at school. This guy on a private school bus, we've known (of) each other for a while, and he brings up D&D, asks if I play it. I says I do. He says that he hates D&D. I says that you never gave it a chance, s'all. He says that he, "was born hating D&D, hate D&D today, and will die hating D&D." I think he says something about telling me to stop, can't remember. I nods, thinks about the Puritans for a bit, and then goes back to my daily staring-out-the-bus-window. We haven't brought it up again, so yeah. I suppose first reactions are everything. If you make a show the first time someone blams you, then they'll know it's one of your buttons, and they like pressing buttons. If you remain cool as a cucumber the first time round, chances are that they'll not bother using that angle again. Of course, you could always hide the fact that you play D&D from the grapevine, but it's a little hard to do if you have friends who are also into the game (and, in my case, are about as loud as Woodstock). Solution, find the most reclusive part of the building, the place where the bullies don't even want to go because it involves too much walking. Hang there, but don't break out the dice unless you feel especially cocky. And always try to look cooler than your friends, so the bullies might go for them instead of you. Wait, we are talking about school, right? |
| OctoberRaven07-10-06, 05:26 PM | How can you be born hating D&D? Unless by born he means programmed... Conspiracy theories aside, it's no big deal to me. People are ignorant fools who will believe anything they see on TV. This is why George Bush is President. |
| Archangel_James07-10-06, 05:27 PM | People make fun of you for playing a game? Pfft... losers. I have an "I break for Kobolds" bumpersticker on my car and nobody bothers me. |
| Deadninja35207-10-06, 05:48 PM | i usually just tell'e to screw off. Having a brick in your hand helps too. |
| *Truean*07-10-06, 05:59 PM | Laugh at them. |
| tizonacampeador07-10-06, 06:00 PM | Kids at my school tend not to provoke the 6'2" freshman that swordfights as a hobby. But kids will continue on the D&D line as long as you let them know it annoys you. If they think it doesnt affect you they'll get bored and leave you alone. |
| Zombayz107-10-06, 06:54 PM | People don't bug me about playing DnD The reason why: People tend not to bug the guy with a pair drumsticks (and a pair of knives hidden in the [everpresent] jean jacket). |
| DarkNick07-10-06, 07:32 PM | People don't bug me about playing DnD The reason why: People tend not to bug the guy with a pair drumsticks (and a pair of knives hidden in the [everpresent] jean jacket). Hey, drummer dude! I'm a drummer too. I find I get bugged more for being a drummer - all those darn drummer jokes. "why does a drummer keep a pair of sticks on their dashboard? So he can park in handicap zones" Why would you keep knives in your jacket? Probably the same reason why there are nuclear weapons.. |
| Fat Man07-10-06, 07:38 PM | people **** you off for being a roleplayer move to scotland here there are three type of "geek" roleplayers, wargamers and those (like me) who do both a wargammer will kill you for mocking them a roleplayer willemploy a wargamer to kill you for mocking them the thrid type will kill you slowly feast on your bones then go down to the pub for getting in thier way you dont want to know what we do to mockers |
| Callista07-10-06, 07:46 PM | Well, I carry a knife; and a lot of my friends do... they're the sort of sturdy folding knives, with blades about three to five inches long, that come in handy as tools and double as weapons if necessary. Not that it's been necessary; but I'd carry a knife just for the sheer utility of it, even if I weren't a college-age woman living alone. I've never had any trouble with people who didn't like D&D; generally I and they just accept we have different interests. I do have one or two very conservative Christians who've heard Chick-esque rumors about D&D; and despite that they'd still prefer I didn't play, we generally agreed to disagree. A bit of information about D&D can go a long way--even my mom, a fundamentalist if there ever was one, is no longer all that anti-D&D... though I'll admit I was a bit crafty with her: I described D&D in terms of all the "crunchy" numbers and things, using so much jargon that she got the point--I may be a geek, but I'm not a devil worshipper! (Also I showed her my PHB, which she didn't read much of, but that action made the point that I haven't got anything "evil" to hide.) |
| Bane07-10-06, 07:49 PM | No one ever bothered me much about D&D in school. Of course, I started applying 'mad scientist' abilities early, taking chemistry, calculus, and physics as a sophomore. Everyone knew that I had the power to 'make bad things happen,' and no one wanted to be the one to make me prove it. The running joke was that if there was ever a bomb threat, they just had to come ask if I had made a bomb to prove or disprove the threat. |
| Jere_RB07-10-06, 07:51 PM | Um....display your superior kung fu? Honestly, never happened. Most people that knew me knew I was into "weird things." Also happened to know i was smart as hell. Figured it went hand-in-hand. |
| Watchdog_of_Hades07-10-06, 08:00 PM | I have an "I break for Kobolds" bumpersticker on my car and nobody bothers me.That's probably because they aren't kobolds. Nobody bothers me about it, but if anyone did, I'd smile at him, agree (mock-)earnestly, and tell him to get back to playing that game with all the different classes and races and spells and swords and armor and stuff and with gold as currency... er... what's it called? Oh, yeah. World of Warcraft. If he continued pestering me, I'd do one of three things, depending of the arguments. Argument #1: "D&D is Satan's game! Dr. Demento told me so!" (last part is optional)Solution: ask him if God could make a rock that's so big that he can't lift it under any circumstances, ever. Then laugh and walk away while he's confused. (Point being that if he can't, he's not omnipotent, and if he can, then he can't lift it and he's not omnipotent.) Argument #2: "D&D is stupid."Solution: tell him that he should like it, then. Argument #3: " :censored: nerd! D&D is just :censored: lame! I'm going to beat you up!"Solution: tell whoever's in charge that he's harassing you and making threats of assault. If he calls you a tattle-tale, let him know that if he tries to deal with threats in real life by fighting back, he might get in trouble. If he tells the police, though, there's only the danger that the police have been paid off by the threat-maker and they'll shoot you and hide the body (If he still doesn't get it, tell him it's a very small chance.). |
| arjomanes07-10-06, 08:57 PM | Good advice, aside from the nonsense about threatening other people with violence. Just make sure it's D&D they're teasing you about. Uh, I hate to mention it, but there are people who game who have poor social skills and hygiene. But if that's not the case, then there's nothing you should change. Chances are they like making fun of "geeky" hobbies, so they'll make fun of you if you like comics, or Star Wars, or science fiction of any kind, or writing or reading or listening to xx music or whatever else is on the list of unacceptable behavior. . . If they're fundamentalists or other extreme religious types, just ask them if they think Jesus would be going around making fun of you? It's basically the same as Lord of the Rings and Narnia, so if they think those are ok, then they're just confused about what D&D is. Some christians have difficulty with the idea of fantasy, since they live with the constant fear of demons and such, so they don't quite understand that you see it as just a game. Just be grateful you don't engage in groupthink. I know people who laugh about D&D (mostly the stereotypes and some fo the extreme cases) but then nearly everyone I know has played D&D or some other roleplaying game before. |
| Damior07-10-06, 09:21 PM | For Annoying Idiots: Note that all the books are hardcovers. Use this fact to your advantage. For Religious Fundementalists: Explain to them that it is a GAME. If this doesn't work, show them the rulebooks. If this doesn't work, threaten to put a curse on them. If this still doesn't work, reasort to my method of getting rid of annoying idiots. |
| Vlatko07-10-06, 09:50 PM | My language arts teacher heard a few of us talking about it and Magic the Gathering. We managed to convince her the second one was ok. I quote "YOu shouldn't play games with demons in them." We decided it wasnt worth the trouble to play in her room and found a teacher who had played as a kid and used his room. Then we went to ask for a laptop form the media center. They told us to screw off becuase they didnt think D&D was "right". I wish i had taken the time to explain it to them as that is probaly the best course. |
| devinmdp07-10-06, 09:58 PM | I show them my expensive car, my beautiful wife, and my million dollar house and then ask them what it was they just said.... Devin |
| Fruity_w00tness07-11-06, 01:47 AM | Well, me and my friends used to play Magic: The Gathering at lunch time in the college library and no-one cared, except the librarian who didn't like the idea of games being played in the library. Dunno if this was because us Aussies are more laid back about stuff or the fact that only one person in the group of 8 of us was less that 6 foot tall. :D (please note that none of us were skinny either :weep: ) |
| elfofthenight07-11-06, 02:19 AM | This kind of thing was how i eventualy got into dnd. it was in high school, i was walking down the hall during lunch, when i saw some jack*****es ( aka jocks) where picking on some other kids (now friends) for playing magic the gathering. doing the typical jock thing nocking there decks over pushing them around and calling them names. the head jack***** and me had gone a few round the day before, so i figured i would step in and since i kicked his ***** once before he would go away and stop bothering them. once a few words had been exchanged him and his friends left. i had seen the game played before and always wanted to play so i asked if they would teach me. they did and after a while of playing magic with them they got me into dnd and from then on i have been hooked on both magic and dnd. when people give me crap (mostly at work, which is funny cause alot of my coworks play ) about playing either game now i just ask them have they played and when they say no i simple remind them that it is probely to complicated for them to understand and walk away |
| InterSilva07-11-06, 02:34 AM | People rarely made fun of me for playing MtG in high school. When they did, I didn't really let it bug me. I'm 6' 2" and I weigh 215, and I'm not fat by any stretch of the imagination. That seems to be a big (pun intended) trend in this thread. I was a big troublemaker and center of attention in high school, I gave a lot of people a hard time (I guess you coudl call them "jocks," they were just popular kids) and I got away with it because I'm big. I have a friend who makes fun of D&D, but he also wants to play, so it's not a big deal. It's really funny when he makes D&D jokes and has no idea what he's talking about. I've met with a small amount of the "D&D is evil" attitude, but that's really a thing of the past. I did have a teacher in Middle School whose husband was a youth pastor (I lost a lot of respect for her when I learned this, don't get me started on youth pastors) who wouldn't let us play MtG in her classroom, though. |
| Whisper_Swiftblade07-11-06, 02:50 AM | It sounds to me that you are dealing with someone ignorant-and just for the record ignorance does not always equal bliss- and the best way to deal with that is to put the "ignor" back in ignorance. Another idea is to just be as calm as possible and ask them what their problem with D&D is, after that they will probally say something along the lines of "because it's stupid" from then just ask why it is stupid to which he will not likly have a cohearent responce. If he does have a reaon D&D is stupid it will probally involve religin (in which case you explain D&D to them), fanticy (this is when you bring up how popular LoTR is/was) or the less then athletic nature of the game (now we talk about video games, chess.....). If all elce fails what do you care, unless this person or persons is realy becoming a problem for you they are not worth your time, administrators are useuly happy to get rid of problems. also lets not forget that a game of D&D normaly has five parpisipants in a group (fore players and a DM) so where are your pals, they will be happy to support you in that D&D is nothing to be ashamed of. Power in numbers perr presure works both ways. |
| Gedrin07-11-06, 03:01 AM | I can't remember being mocked specifically for gaming. I don't ever remember meeting a "D&D Hater". From my observations, I think the following are the... Top Five Reasons for Being Persecuted for D&D 5. "Those Games": We all know that some games are...well...unflattering on the hobby. While not the norm, there are a good number of games that are run as murder fests and hentai recreation groups. I'm not saying you don't have a right to run your game how you want, just don't pretend that spending four hours every Friday night playing demon rules for the Book of Sex is going to be tollerable to anyone's parrents. 4. Gamer Hostility: I see a lot of venom directed by gamers to certain traditionalist groups. Gamers tend to be non-traditional, which probably goes along with any non-standard hobby, but that's no excuse for some of the vitriol I've seen. Anyone who doesn't aprove of RPG'ing is usually lambasted in the harshest terms. Even those who just don't like gaming are tagged as being dim or unimaginative. Violence is occasionally advised against anti gamers, and not always with hyperbole. People who don't like gaming are to be written off entirely. I regularly see children advised to sneak around on their parrents in order to game. Sure, some people have gone off the deep end against gaming, but that's no reason for us to go off the deep end as well. 3. Gaming Wierdness: If you're in the IHOP at 2am talking about what to do with the bodies...it's not that the waitress is a gamer hater, it's that you're talking about dead bodies in IHOP at 2am. Gamers talk about wierd stuff. They throw around obscure terms and play with numbers and dice. All that looks wierd to people who don't know anything about gaming (that's most folks). Maybe those people will be curious and watch, or even ask questions. How we react to those questions and curious looks has a lot to do with how people percieve our hobby. Giving people a positive overview will help. If you send Mr. Smelly to tell them about how his drow assassin just got a +5 dagger of poisoning...yeh... 2. Gamer Odor: Every once in a while you'll see a hygene thread on these boards. If the people who like you enough to game with you are woried that you smell, it's bad. D&D, like all RPG's, is basically escapist entertainment. I'm sure that links to social issues and a desire to step outside your own moores and limitations. I'm using Gamer Odor as the extreme example of a lack of social grace. I'm not saying that D&D cripples social development, or that all gamers are socially inept, I'm just saying that people who have social issues often gravitate toward escapist entertainments. 1. Teenager: Not really your fault, but let's face it...teenagers are generally messed up. You've got an odd hobby and if that can make you a target for pre-adult viciousness, it will. It's not the D&D. If you were a pogo-stick hobbyist you'd get flack just the same. Nearly every "why are they out to get me" post seems to come from a teen. I'm sure that's partly becasue teens are, almost by design, insecure about their place, and extra sensative to external pressures. Teenagers can also be pretty mean to each other. I'm not trying to insult anyone here. I had the same issues and had to deal with the same crap. I'm not saying there aren't D&D Haters. I'm sure there are people who irrationally hate D&D. I just think it's a lot more common that people see bad games, get a negative impression, or that individual gamers are, for one reason or another, the target of negative attetion that latches on to D&D as a point of difference. Many of these things we have a certain level of control over, some we don't. However, it's good not to mistake a general hostility that finds a point of difference, for a specific hostility toward the game itself. It won't make it any less hurtful when people attack us, but it will provide greater clarity when we examine the situation. It's easy to write someone off if you decide they're "just a moron". It's much more productive if you realize that it's a good idea to talk over your BoVD with your family before they find it on your nightstand. |
| DarknessEternal07-11-06, 03:11 AM | Ask them how they spend their free time. If they're at all intelligent, once they answer outloud, they'll realize how pointless their free time is as well. If they do not, there's no point in ever speaking to them again except when they ask if you want fries. D&D is just like any other hobby; a complete and total waste of everyone's time, but it's something to do with your friends. |
| Sphyre07-11-06, 03:58 AM | Tell them "Don't be hatin!" I absolutely hate, with a passion, that phrase, but that is the only case that I've ever heard it that I'd actually condone the use of it. Use their own words to get them to shut up :P |
| maghana07-11-06, 04:01 AM | I speak openly about the games I play. Most understand, some don't. What matters IMO is what you gain from the game. If someone don't understand why you would play a stupid/satanic/geek whatever like game (D&D), then think of all the fun YOU get from it. Now you could try to explain and all that, but in the end if nothing works, just do as I do: Play for the love of the game, and let the world be damned :D |
| OgreMonk07-11-06, 12:41 PM | Back in my Army days, I had to hide it. Playing a game that includes pretending to be an elf when you are, in real life, an E7 and a Ranger, does not go over well in such a testosterone-supercharged environment. Now that I am out and working as an executive chef, I flaunt it. My wife still says that if I ever teach my kids to play that she will leave me. Funny, considering she used to play. Advice on dealing with those who poo poo on your pastime...fark em. |
| Far_Traveler07-11-06, 02:32 PM | Back in my Army days, I had to hide it. Playing a game that includes pretending to be an elf when you are, in real life, an E7 and a Ranger, does not go over well in such a testosterone-supercharged environment. Really? I heard nowadays the millitary is just a bunch of geeks with guns. |
| EternalZzyx07-11-06, 02:34 PM | i have three stages of dealing with the (thankfully) few people who have a problem with the game 1) offer them reasoned debate (often good fun) 2) offer unreasoned debate (not so much fun) 3) direct them to the exit (rather not have to use this one) most people i deal with at school are reasonable enough so that i donut need any of these (most of us are geeks to some degree... bizarrely) interestingly, we once had the most devotedly Christian individual in the year play with us... |
| Bulletproof_Condom07-11-06, 03:10 PM | Just a random question, how do you guys deal with those people who make fun of you for playing D&D...I graduated high school. |
| OgreMonk07-11-06, 06:02 PM | Really? I heard nowadays the millitary is just a bunch of geeks with guns. That is mostly E4/O3 and below. Beyond that, normal people tend to get out. |
| Raymond_Luxury_Yacht07-11-06, 06:59 PM | Sacrifice them to various dark gods. |
| cat_god07-11-06, 08:51 PM | I quote from the only person that really had something against it: "D&D is stupid!" I asked why, and this was his answer: "Because it's geeky." I knew the guy and asked him what his hobby was. He said: "Something cooler." He then proceeded to elaborate and say that he played Magic the Gathering. With a five hundred dollar deck made up entirely of rares and lands. He never seemed to understand why I laughed at him so much. |
| Phael07-11-06, 09:54 PM | Such a topic was only brought to my attention once. Having never met any opposition to my hobby of choice in all my time of playing it - imagine my surprised one day when I was accousted while standing in my local Waldenbooks store flipping thru the latest copy of Dragon magazine. Me: *standing in front of the magazine rack quietly reading* Complete and Total Stranger (CTS): *steps up besides me and nudges my elbow* Me: *blinks and looks around questioningly at CTS* CTS: *speaking quietly so no one else can hear* That is a sin what you're reading. Me: Uh . . excuse me? CTS: It's a sin and you'll go to hell for it. You should ask God for forgiveness. At which point I made my escape. Afterwards I regretted not coming up with some light-hearted but witty reply. Ironically, I had a church pastor who played D&D in college and knew a youth minister who played D&D with his youth group. In South Carolina no less! (the most bible-ly bible belt state there is, next to Texas maybe. Or maybe Georgia) |
| Zheon07-11-06, 11:57 PM | Kids at my school tend not to provoke the 6'2" freshman that swordfights as a hobby. Bahaha. ditto. ..except im only 5'10" and im better with a knife. i think my sheer disposition to violence makes up for it thought. im pretty sure most people know i'd rather cut thier vocal chords out than listen to them spew about my hobbies. im pretty sure they think im a little crazy too. :twitch: People tend not to bug the guy with a pair drumsticks (and a pair of knives hidden in the [everpresent] jean jacket). .. :D sweet idea :evillaugh |
| OgreMonk07-12-06, 11:55 AM | Bahaha. ditto. ..except im only 5'10" and im better with a knife. i think my sheer disposition to violence makes up for it thought. im pretty sure most people know i'd rather cut thier vocal chords out than listen to them spew about my hobbies. im pretty sure they think im a little crazy too. :twitch: .. :D sweet idea :evillaugh Dude, I hope that was a joke. Otherwise, you might need to talk to somebody. |
| Far_Traveler07-12-06, 12:38 PM | Bahaha. ditto. ..except im only 5'10" and im better with a knife. i think my sheer disposition to violence makes up for it thought. im pretty sure most people know i'd rather cut thier vocal chords out than listen to them spew about my hobbies. im pretty sure they think im a little crazy too. :twitch: YOU STOLE MY GIG! I guess i am an inch or two taller though :D Well, Backstory: My last name starts with a C I'm known as Crazy Kevin C.(last name omitted for privacy concerns) Is Kevin my first or middle name? the world may never know! |
| Zheon07-12-06, 03:32 PM | Dude, I hope that was a joke. Otherwise, you might need to talk to somebody. umm.. half joking? ;) im not really that psycho.. i just appear to be. :P |
| Khan200007-12-06, 08:05 PM | Originally posted by OgreMonk: That is mostly E4/O3 and below. Beyond that, normal people tend to get out. I was an E4.... :eek: :D |
| Argo07-13-06, 12:00 AM | here's what you do: look the guy square in the eyes and say with a smile and a laugh and enough sarcasm that your words should collapse in on themselves and go nova: wow, thanks for telling me. i can't believe i was doing something that you don't like to do! man, that was pretty stupid of me, huh? hey, why don't you take this pencil and a piece of paper, go sit over there and write me up a list of other things you don't think i should do. then bring it back over here, i'll look it over, and then i'll continue ignoring your dumb-ass opinions about my life. <laugh> have you noticed that i don't initiate conversations with you? <dead serious> it's not because i'm afraid of you. it's because i don't like you and i want as little to do with you as possible. alright, now beat it, tough guy. your breath is making me see colors that don't exist. then turn away from him and continue whatever you were doing. if he hits you, aim for the ball-bag. most likely, though, he'll leave you alone. and even if he does hit you, he'll get kicked out of school for a while, and everyone will remember that you made him look like a jackass. then when he comes back, key "I'M A PRETTY PRINCESS!" into his car. should put him in his place. |
| hiryuu07-13-06, 09:39 AM | Laugh at 'em. Why? Nerds play D&D, and ever since the mid-90s, nerds rule the world. In the 80s, nerds were funny and made fun of. In the early 90s, people realized they'd rule the world. Now, they do. Look what movies are popular right now: fantasy epics and comic book adaptations. |
| Donraj07-13-06, 10:04 AM | Really hasn't come up since I started playing instead of just reading about it, but my basic strategy is either to nicely disagree, ignore them or tell them off, depending on whether they're a friend or not. If they keep it up I'll file a complaint with the relevant authorities. I'm a 22 year old man, I've studied abroad three times and I'm just a couple of years away from graduate school. Harrassment is not something I intend or need to deal with. |
| Twisted Puppy07-13-06, 11:37 AM | I had one instance a few years ago. I was buying the just-released 3.0 PHB at the local Media Play. As I stood in line, paging through it, a woman behind me told me she had heard that D&D was a satanic game that taught witchcraft and sorcery. "No, Ma'am, it isn't," I replied. "It's more like acting, pretending to be someone you aren't, able to do things you can't really do." She sniffed and said she'd never let her children play that kind of game. I looked into her basket, reached in, and lifted up the "Mortal Kombat" video game (don't remember which version) she was about to purchase. "Is this for your children?" I asked. "Yes," she responded. "Then with all due respect, Ma'am : shut up." The person most upset by my comment was some guy in the next line; he was taking a drink of soda and blew some out his nose when he started laughing. |
| Zaku07-13-06, 02:20 PM | here's what you do: look the guy square in the eyes and say with a smile and a laugh and enough sarcasm that your words should collapse in on themselves and go nova: wow, thanks for telling me. i can't believe i was doing something that you don't like to do! man, that was pretty stupid of me, huh? hey, why don't you take this pencil and a piece of paper, go sit over there and write me up a list of other things you don't think i should do. then bring it back over here, i'll look it over, and then i'll continue ignoring your dumb-ass opinions about my life. <laugh> have you noticed that i don't initiate conversations with you? <dead serious> it's not because i'm afraid of you. it's because i don't like you and i want as little to do with you as possible. alright, now beat it, tough guy. your breath is making me see colors that don't exist. then turn away from him and continue whatever you were doing. if he hits you, aim for the ball-bag. most likely, though, he'll leave you alone. and even if he does hit you, he'll get kicked out of school for a while, and everyone will remember that you made him look like a jackass. then when he comes back, key "I'M A PRETTY PRINCESS!" into his car. should put him in his place. Naw, go for the pelvis, it only takes 18 pounds of pressure to break it and if it frags right, none of his spawnlings will ever bother anyone again.... |
| hollow_ghost07-13-06, 06:59 PM | And if it's your parents telling you that DnD is a waste of time? What can you tell em. (roleplay that you are under-aged and need their cash to eat, sleep and play DnD) |
| DarknessEternal07-14-06, 01:10 AM | And if it's your parents telling you that DnD is a waste of time? What can you tell em. Tell them that your alternative is boozing it up with some other losers and killing your brain instead of nurturing it. |
| Ront Iron-Roar07-14-06, 01:37 AM | I didn't really have much a problem with people like that. Occassionally, I had to deal with a few people but most of what they were doing was just jest. Though, the most irritating thing that ever happened was when I was in 9th grade. About two years after I started playing DnD. At that time I was generally carrying two or three DnD books with me during the day in addition to my normal books. Someone made an off color comment about me playing DnD and my physical fitness. Here was my retort. "I gaurantee I have a stronger arm from carry all these damn books then what you get from going home and lifting a bottle or a roach." Another situation me and my friends had involve us playing DnD in the school cafeteria. A group of girls the kind that talk all gangster and stuff asked us what we were doing. I replied that we were playing DnD. My friend Jared added that we were summoning satan. My friend Chris after that rolled a dice and said "Oh no, Satan stubbed his toe on the way up and he can't rise from hell today!" |
| Robert_Fox_Kitsune07-14-06, 01:58 AM | I'm not really sure what point he was making. A bunch of people called him a dork so he acted like a dork to get back at them? That'll show em. The point I was trying to make? Well, people can call me the hell they want. I don't care about that, but the intent behind it. This guy was malicious, creuel. At least now he's getting the same trouble as he was giving me |
| LordofIllusions07-14-06, 01:07 PM | Ignore them, these are usually the people that are not intelligient enough to understand the game anyway. I remember seeing a comedian making jokes about D&D; he was supposedly a Dungeon Master. He had a book in his hand and was making a bunch of symbols with his other hand while I guess narrating an adventure, with what he said was his DM guide. The funny thing was not the jokes that he made, the crowd barely laughed(guess that is because well over a million people in the US alone are playing or have played D&D; it is popular), the funny part was the fact that his so-called DM Guide was actually a Player's Handbook. He did not know the difference, as a matter of fact he said he never played because the rules were too hard and there was too much reading to do. :rolleyes: Many of the people that ridicule the hobby are nothing more than mental midgets and don't really deserve your attention anyway, as proven above. ~~~ |
| R2-DS07-14-06, 01:08 PM | As a 31 year old roleplayer with 16 years of gamming under my belt I have had very few problems with this. In the early days in highschool, we just stayed away from those we knew would give us a hard time. Later on, when asked "what are you doing" I would (and still) aquaint roleplaying games to "acting". As acting has no real stigma associated with it people find it easier to relate to. Interstingly enough when people see it in that light they often have a different opinion about it. Mostly because they know their own acting ability and are quick to point out how good, or not good they would be at it. And as far as military players are concerned.......my entire gamming group (including myself) are all military. I can go as far as saying that I know of at least 2 other groups in my unit alone, and none of those people are social misfits by any stretch of the word. |
| Sereno07-14-06, 02:56 PM | and even if he does hit you, he'll get kicked out of school for a while, and everyone will remember that you made him look like a jackass. then when he comes back, key "I'M A PRETTY PRINCESS!" into his car. should put him in his place. Thanks, Argo ... this really did make me :heehee !! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: |
| Tormsskull07-14-06, 03:46 PM | Well, to be fair, D&D seems to extract a certain type of people as its stereotypical players. "Nerds" typically have poor person-to-person skills, and I'd be willing to bet people get picked on for that rather than the fact that they play D&D. If that doesn't apply to you, and people pick on you just for the fact that you play D&D period, then there's two options. 1.) If you are younger (High school or younger) you can just avoid it. The majority of people do not understand D&D or role-playing games at all, and thus they dislike what they don't understand. Talking rationally to kids in a kid-to-kid dynamic is usually pointless because lets face it, kids are mean to one another. 2.) If you are above the high school crowd, talking seems to work the best. I really like to write a lot, and I'd always explain to people that it was like taking part in a novel that multiple people write that isn't planned out, it just comes together as it progresses. |
| KyleKatarn07-14-06, 04:00 PM | Well, to be fair, D&D seems to extract a certain type of people as its stereotypical players. "Nerds" typically have poor person-to-person skills, and I'd be willing to bet people get picked on for that rather than the fact that they play D&D. If that doesn't apply to you, and people pick on you just for the fact that you play D&D period, then there's two options. 1.) If you are younger (High school or younger) you can just avoid it. The majority of people do not understand D&D or role-playing games at all, and thus they dislike what they don't understand. Talking rationally to kids in a kid-to-kid dynamic is usually pointless because lets face it, kids are mean to one another. 2.) If you are above the high school crowd, talking seems to work the best. I really like to write a lot, and I'd always explain to people that it was like taking part in a novel that multiple people write that isn't planned out, it just comes together as it progresses. You have a point about the nerd thing Tormskull, but you can choose to show that your a nerd of not. I admit, I'm a freaking big nerd,lol. Everyone knows that I'm into that kinda stuff I don't realy care, nor do they. What realy helps is not to look nerdy, or just choose to let the nerdiness inside come out when needed. I'm accepted by my peers and stuff nerd or not. But when someone does insult me or DnD I just ignore them, it prooves they have nothing better to do with their time, than to pick on something so small as a game. |
| Drodain07-14-06, 04:16 PM | i havent had much trouble with this even though i am an awkward teenager still in highschool, i really just dont talk about it in public a lot as ppl dont seem to appreciate it so im quiet my parents did bring it up and i just said i dont play for satan, i play b/c i dont wanna do drugs or drink, id much rather hang out with my friends and have a few laughs plus i get to actually think about puzzles and stuff they left me alone with the few ppl that have made fun of me i just laugh at them and tell them i dont really care what they think and they leave me alone for that or the fact that im bigger than them(6' 200lbs im surprised how many 'big' ppl there are on here i figured most ppl would be scrawnier, no offense just how most of my gamer friends are) in the end just ignore them or make jokes about them chances are they dont do anything like this, it really just comes down to having fun with some close friends....that sounds a lot like other sports except for we dont man handle each other while we do it, or afterwards(dont ask we just have a really gay football team) |
| Trill_the_Ranger07-15-06, 12:53 AM | honestly? if someone is bugging you cause you play a game they have no life cause they have to insult someone who does something they enjoy doing...and if they just enjoy seeing ppl get annoyed?...well make them annoyed by kicking the guys in the nuts as hard as ya can...and kick the girl's boyfriend in the nuts as hard as possible to prevent any of the bad genes from getting into the pool :P |
| gamerd0rk07-15-06, 01:04 AM | My school is very tolerant of this stuff. not only does my school have an after school dnd / warhammer 40k / magic the gathering club. I've played dnd in school with my friends. People that go to the club carry their dice and books in their hands not in their bags. Whenever I go to my friends house after school I carry my books in a laptop bag, people are always playing magic during lunch. And with all of this, I've never heard of one insult that was thrown. To me, my friends, or any of "us". You know what. . . maybe my school is made entirely out of nerds!!!!! Man have the times changed. |
| Donraj07-15-06, 01:23 AM | And if it's your parents telling you that DnD is a waste of time? What can you tell em. (roleplay that you are under-aged and need their cash to eat, sleep and play DnD) Pretty much the same way your would handle them telling you any other hobby is a waste of time. If you and they aren't able to hash it out reasonably and fairly you probably have much bigger problems then getting into trouble for playing D&D. |
| AaronDireBear07-15-06, 01:39 AM | Eh, I've only gotten blammed once for playing D&D at school. This guy on a private school bus, we've known (of) each other for a while, and he brings up D&D, asks if I play it. I says I do. He says that he hates D&D. I says that you never gave it a chance, s'all. He says that he, "was born hating D&D, hate D&D today, and will die hating D&D." I think he says something about telling me to stop, can't remember. I nods, thinks about the Puritans for a bit, and then goes back to my daily staring-out-the-bus-window. We haven't brought it up again, so yeah. I suppose first reactions are everything. If you make a show the first time someone blams you, then they'll know it's one of your buttons, and they like pressing buttons. If you remain cool as a cucumber the first time round, chances are that they'll not bother using that angle again. Of course, you could always hide the fact that you play D&D from the grapevine, but it's a little hard to do if you have friends who are also into the game (and, in my case, are about as loud as Woodstock). Solution, find the most reclusive part of the building, the place where the bullies don't even want to go because it involves too much walking. Hang there, but don't break out the dice unless you feel especially cocky. And always try to look cooler than your friends, so the bullies might go for them instead of you. Wait, we are talking about school, right? Let me guess, his Dad works for Whitewolf? |
| Kaneohe07-15-06, 01:50 AM | Personally, I would avoid talking it out. The thing about people who pick on roleplayers is this: whatever their reason for hating the game (presuming that IS why they attack you for playing) they are probably operating under impressions created prior to learning this. And if they are willing to go out of their way to slam you about it, they are not going to change their minds easily. If you show anger, they will disdain anything you say after that - it is impossible to really change another person's mind through argument. On the other hand, if you try the sensible, logical approach, it is doubtful they will listen and attempt to comprehend, rather waiting their turn to talk. The best way is to just shut your ears to their haranguing and move on. If they persist, complain to someone who can shut them up. (Despite anything else that's been said, it's a bad idea to knife someone over the game [creates bad press et cetera] but openly carrying one never hurts.) |
| RoCkEtInToXiCaTe07-15-06, 09:17 PM | If it were me, I'd try to play it off like I didn't. If they were like, "Why do you play D&D?" I'd be like, "WHat are you talking about, I don't play D&D." Then give them a real puzzled look like they were crazy for thinking such things. |
| Drausktanchache07-15-06, 10:51 PM | i like the more convincing ways of replying..(see the second tip and the first quote from kalelmusk in my sig) But really you should not concern yourself with them; look at it this way, you have a hobby as a gamer, they have a hobby of making their life devoted to mocking those who have true hobbies....tell me..which is more pathetic? |
| High Octane07-16-06, 01:04 AM | Know what I try to avoid talking about? D&D. Am I ashamed of it? No. Its just that in general, 95% of all people I talk to just dont care at all. And I tend to TRY to avoid subjects of conversation that dont hold in some small way the interest of the other conversationalist. I was caught perusing these forums a couple of times at my tech school. One kid who had a real mouth decided to try to poke fun at it. After a couple of comments about the game I said "Hey, ever played D&D?" he replied "Hell no." I said "Then shut up cause you dont know what you are talking about." The class lit up with "DAAAAYYYUMMMM!"s and "OOOOOHHH!!!"s. He backed off saying "Alright, you got me." D&D is, in the end, just a game. Like any other. It is not a way of life. It does not define who you are. Dont try to explain it. Dont try to bring them into it. Dont try to make them understand it. You will fail. Just say "Its a game. Just an excuse to hang out and joke around for a few hours with friends." You arent lying. You are just explaining what it is well enough. I can almost guarantee whoever asks about it doesnt want to hear much more than that. If someone tries to make fun of you for playing it, Dont try to explain why its cool. You wont succeed. No matter how eloquently you put it, it is too far stuck in their minds.Take the fight to them instead. Best defense is a good offense. Ask them why do they care? Why do they care about some dumb game you play? Dont apologize or be ashamed of it in any way. Its nothing to be ashamed of, and as long as you willfully act as such, they wont have the advantage. If you do that, then the guy will inevitably look or feel stupid for thinking you would be or should be ashamed of it. |
| hmmmm07-16-06, 02:34 AM | Another way to get them off is dnd books, I found out they can pack quiet a punch. |