. This is insane!!!! It once again proves the internet is destroying FLGS. I have a gaming store near where I live, maybe about 30 minute bus ride. I hardly ever see other people picking up D&D from this store. It's mostly "elite" gamers who tend to disdain 4th ed. Even the core rulebook gift set is $40 less, than if I were to buy it locally.Its kinda like how people could buy a bottle of vodka for $20 from their local liquor store instead of going to the club/bar and paying twice as much for the same quantity. Many people are willing to pay the extra cost for the environment and social atmosphere.
I used to pay more for my FLGS in Phoenix (Game Depot, w00t! Say "Hi" to Patty and Dave!) because I really enjoyed the environment they created - and they hooked me up with some great players! :D
I refuse to buy from my local gaming store because of the attitudes of the guys there. I am uncomfortable in the store. I tried to address it with the people there, but got nowhere. I will not support a store where I have to put up with ogling - from the staff as well as the patrons.
That is pretty lame. There's a game shop here that is staffed entirely by women. I don't know if it's a conscious decision or not, but as far as I know they have no male employees, at all. It also happens to be, according to ever gamer I know, the best shop in town because of the atmosphere they have there.
1. Friendly and helpful staff
2. Conducive gaming atmosphere
3. Cater to my gaming interests (D&D and Star Wars RPGs and miniatures)
4. No more than a 30 minute drive
5. Bearable customers
6. No extra markup (I'll happily pay MSRP for a good store, but not above)
When I was in Idaho, there were two game stores that fit my criteria. Unfortunately, there isn't a game store within 60 miles of me now.
When I go to my FLGS, I want it to be special (like for Watchmen, or Martial Power :D )
That is pretty lame. There's a game shop here that is staffed entirely by women. I don't know if it's a conscious decision or not, but as far as I know they have no male employees, at all. It also happens to be, according to ever gamer I know, the best shop in town because of the atmosphere they have there.
Yeah, I know. I loved my old FLGS in Phoenix. It sucks that the environment is so ... hostile up here. I know it's just anecdotal, but it still speaks to the barriers that still exist for girls in gaming. This isn't the first local gaming store that I chose to avoid because of this. And I'm not even over-sensitive to it, as I put up with a bit, and address the behavior directly (some people really don't know they're being jerks).
I had no idea it was there but now that I know, I plan to be a patron there until the end of my days or as long as I live in Superior, WI. Pretty cool place even if it was a little hard to find. It was built into the side of a building that housed several other business and the sign was rather small. The door looked to be the backdoor of one of the other businesses.
Anyway, it was pretty cool place and they looked to have a little of everything.
I saw the prices for a lot of the 4th edition material, and I was like
Adding to the pain is that the companies impose limits as to the amount of discounts the brick & mortar stores are allowed to offer.
Yet the online retailers can do just about whatever they want with the price.
A conversation between my FLGS & WoTC on the matter (concerning Magic) can be summed up as follows.
Store: Why are you giving me grief for trying to stay (somewhat) competitive vrs _______ (an online retailer)?
WoTC: Well, we can't really do anything about (the online retailer).
Store: Well, if there's really supposed to be a finite limit to the discounting, yes you can. STOP SELLING TO THEM. It's what you're threatening to do to me....
Amazon & other big online retailers get to ignore (and/or play by different) rules because they spend infinitely more $ than any local independant shop ever could on these companies products.
The message was clear; "If you don't spend $x+, you simply don't matter to us."
I don't buy from game stores, (mostly out of habit because we had -none- for so long in my area) and Amazon's frankly far cheaper.
Hobby stores if they are smart carry other products, such as Warhammer or comics, (or both) in addition to D&D.
Back when comic shops were the ONLY place to get comics, you could get away with having a stuffy box where you could treat people like dirt. Now you can't.
Us: Sorry guy, but you can't be a condescending jackass anymore and you have to provide a cool place for us to frequent if you want to keep us. That means effort on your part.
Comic Book Guy: Worst. Development. Ever.
Don't get me wrong, I try to give my local game shop a fair shake. I spend a good amount in those places since I understand they are just usually guys like us who want to support their own RPG/comic addictions.
But I think they should be responsible for stepping up their game and adapting to the market. There is a market for places to game, the internet has not robbed us of that desire yet.
I think that too many FLGS are not getting the idea of how to keep in business. You cannot compare with the internet's prices or availability. What you can provide is atmosphere. If you have a nice place where people can hang out and play D&D or magic and such, peoiple will drop by. If you sell snacks at a decent price, you can rake in money from people who don't want to have to carry in stuff or walk out to the store.
Back when comic shops were the ONLY place to get comics, you could get away with having a stuffy box where you could treat people like dirt. Now you can't.
Us: Sorry guy, but you can't be a condescending jackass anymore and you have to provide a cool place for us to frequent if you want to keep us. That means effort on your part.
Comic Book Guy: Worst. Development. Ever.
Don't get me wrong, I try to give my local game shop a fair shake. I spend a good amount in those places since I understand they are just usually guys like us who want to support their own RPG/comic addictions.
But I think they should be responsible for stepping up their game and adapting to the market. There is a market for places to game, the internet has not robbed us of that desire yet.
+9000!!!
Do you dress provocatively?
I saw your picture on the what race are you thread and thought you were rather good-looking.
Maybe you should take such "oogling" as a compliment... or use it to your advantage...
... or simply don't go back!
I wear t-shirts and jeans most of the time. More, often, because it's Alaska and cold.
Thank you for the compliment, but it's beyond finding someone attractive. It's not only the "pretty girl
" kind of thing, it's also an assumption that girls don't know what they're doing, or that I'm there with someone (while that may be a clumsy way to figure out if I'm single, the context in conversations lead me to believe otherwise), or that because I like D&D then I must want to sleep with all the guys there because they like D&D.Really, it's the environment. The staff shouldn't treat me differently because I'm a girl (even a good-looking one ;) ) - and it is a girl thing, as I'm not the only one to experience it at that particular store. Especially after I had brought it up.
As I've said, I'm used to addressing these things because I've played in public places with random people, and I don't feel the need to put up with things that make me uncomfortable. Now, I don't go around yelling at people who do it, but I make it clear that certain avenues of conversation aren't acceptable. If one continues down those avenues, however, I can get mean.
But I just take my business elsewhere when it is evident that the staff don't care about the gaming environment they are promoting.
Don't get me wrong, you should still be able to buy books, minis, accessories...
but I imagine a studio-like environment that involves sound-proof rooms, laptops, interactive tables (are those out yet?), service to D&Di, surround sound music with playlists for your adventure (methinks Midnight Syndicate, Nox Arcana, etc.) and even stuff like a small food service counter... and hey, I'm not talking all these things at once... you know, baby steps and what-not.
I know the guys in my group would gladly pitch in 10 bucks each for an awesome game night involving that stuff.
But there's so many other factors (comics, tournaments, card games, board games) who knows the profitability of that sort of setup? I just know it would be pretty rockin'
I wear t-shirts and jeans most of the time. More, often, because it's Alaska and cold.
Thank you for the compliment, but it's beyond finding someone attractive. It's not only the "pretty girl
Really, it's the environment. The staff shouldn't treat me differently because I'm a girl (even a good-looking one ;) ) - and it is a girl thing, as I'm not the only one to experience it at that particular store. Especially after I had brought it up.
As I've said, I'm used to addressing these things because I've played in public places with random people, and I don't feel the need to put up with things that make me uncomfortable. Now, I don't go around yelling at people who do it, but I make it clear that certain avenues of conversation aren't acceptable. If one continues down those avenues, however, I can get mean.
But I just take my business elsewhere when it is evident that the staff don't care about the gaming environment they are promoting.
I don't feel any female should have to go through that. Heck, my first DM is a chic. I'm guessing you're aware of the male-to-female ratio there? Guys outnumber women by a lot. In your case, I totally understand. I've been to some places where I felt the service was not that great, and just never went back even if they had rock bottom prices.
I wear t-shirts and jeans most of the time.
1st, don't underestimate the girl-next-door look. Like a girl w/ a simple pony tale, don't knock it. That's often a good benchmark for other fare yet to come. If she can pull off the no bells and whistles look and still appear fetching, that's refreshing/comforting. Same w/ guys.
2nd, don't underestimate it around said cretins that haven't had a taste of honey yet, or more than likley, have to pay to get it given social/physical inadequacies; hence your burden. My sympathies.
Count your blessings though. What kind of girl repels these guys?
It's not only the "pretty girl
Grr, thank you for opening an old wound(s). Every f'ing time I'd go to Nord's Games, Gencon, or like-minded venue w/ my g/f, the pigs come out of the woodwork. She's an avid (well versed) gamer too since '02; you can practically see these dateless wonders pi$$ away hundreds of dollars of prospective sales to attempt (massive Cha penalty) flirtation...despite the fact I'm standing right next to her w/ a stack of books, minis, maps (big sale enroute) and it's clear we're together as it were. Way to retain a loyal customer base, right? No chance of getting girl and just killed a big sale. So, I guess a big Wis penalty is right up there too.
Typical trip to the store w/ pooky
Show
"Yeah, yeah, I'll ring you up in a second..." *stares at her ass more* "So, you like 'x', you'll love 'y'. Let me tell you about [something you could care less about but makes me feel cool]. You can come to my game, it'd be cool, but he, uh, can't (opposing male threat in the hunter/gatherer sense :rolleyes." No grasp of social texture or nuance.
Then the "mentorship" begins. She couldn't possibly know who Jackson, Gygax, Miller, or Moor are (she has more trades than me), right? Too stupid & inexperienced to know they're condescending and posturing...
." No grasp of social texture or nuance.Then the "mentorship" begins. She couldn't possibly know who Jackson, Gygax, Miller, or Moor are (she has more trades than me), right? Too stupid & inexperienced to know they're condescending and posturing...
She was the only girl in the store, and as soon as she walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing, looked up, and watched her. I could've sworn I saw a couple jaws drop. It gave us all a nice laugh when we left.
...She was the only girl in the store, and as soon as she walked in, everyone stopped what they were doing, looked up, and watched her. I could've sworn I saw a couple jaws drop. It gave us all a nice laugh when we left.
Ha. That's classic if it weren't so disturbing. I mean, it's cool of you to take it in stride/good humor, but I'm a little particular about scumbags and my sister. Even fellow gamers, doesn't matter. Blood thicker than water bla bla bla.
HATER: Well, yeah, it sounds like the staff has a problem.
It seems more of a social/personal one than a vocational one IMO. I guess, all you gotta' do is figure, "Would I get fired @ job 'x' (your job, someone else's, etc) for acting in this manner?"
But maybe they just want to be helpful and don't know how?
That's polite of you to give them that "out", but the kinda' help they're offering isn't of the commercial variety, you know? ie)Baring strip clubs, bars, and the like, this type of behavior would get you canned or written up in most spheres of influence. Makes the coworkers look bad, management look bad, store, possibly whole franchise. IMO, not worth the risk.
A lot of guys I know get "weird" when they are around "hot" women... I dunno...
Also, maybe it is such an uncommon experience for them to see a woman interested in D&D that they can't help but stare...?
And there you have it, the final irony; if they actually got out there and dated, made proper attempts, it wouldn't be so weird when these isolated incidents happen. They'd know how to act correctly per situation 'x'. (Wo)men that are getting normal intimacies and/or relationships don't act abnormally (often) when everyday occurences like these happen cuz' their libido/need or want per Maslow's has been fulfilled. Thus, they don't act like idiots when the opposite sex comes around and continue to date, have relationships, and so forth normally. XP fosters more XP basically.
...so I would say... trust your instincts.
Like your most basic one, Fight or Flight.;)
And as for the "don't know how to interact": screw that, they need to learn how to if they are in a freaking service job. I'm not going to take pity on them just because they work in a gaming/comic book store - I can go into almost any store and not get stared at/flirted with/etc. Gaming stores shouldn't be the exception! The store should address these problems, like they do in other places.
After being treated like my FLGS token pet *Apprantley black people are a rarity in this hobby*
Your ethnicity shouldn't matter. Imagination and storytelling transcends the physical.
After being treated like my FLGS token pet *Apprantley black people are a rarity in this hobby* and constantly being treated like I don't know what I'm talking about when it comes to my hobbies *D&D, TVG, and anime* I really could care less if they go away.
Heh, one of the comic shop locales I go to not only has a black owner/patron, but also I would say the majority of customers are black.
As with my last post (think its on the first page somewhere) the thing I find lacking/troubling at the gaming spots is progression. They're still pretty old-school with cafeteria style tables and fold out chairs... I want to see some change!
