This subject was brought up on another forum and I thought it would be interesting to see what people here thought. A few fellow players I've spoken to seem resigned to the fact that their parents and friends -- or if they're older, partners and colleagues -- don't understand and generally make fun of the hobby. In some cases, light-hearted joking becomes outright disrespect and bullying. Some feel quite maligned by their peers and I wonder why that is and how people feel about it.
My long term girlfriend thinks it's "geeky but cute" and will happily sit and watch a soap on TV while me and a mate bash out a game of Space Hulk on the floor. She enjoys looking at figures I've painted but other than that, she doesn't have one bit of interest in it. But at the same time, she knows that I do and respects that. Of course, I've got my fair share of mates who think painting toy soldiers is the most retarded thing ever, but they accept that that's part of who I am. We're all geeky in our own way and everyone has hobbies, no?
I think part of the problem is the classic stereotype; unwashed, socially awkward, metal listening nerd who plays D&D and Warhammer, crowding around FLGS tables rolling dice. On one hand, I can't say I really fit that stereotype (I love D&D, but can't stand metal -- I'm a massive hip hop fan though) but from my experience in my local GW I can definitely say that others do! Which is fair enough, but sometimes when I'm there checking out new releases I almost can't help but think, "Guys, you really don't help yourselves."
It's really quite unfair to criticise, happiness is of course relative but I wonder if the mockery so frequently directed at Warhammer players is because of how the hobby is perceived, or are we contributing to that negative perception?
Discuss.
My long term girlfriend thinks it's "geeky but cute" and will happily sit and watch a soap on TV while me and a mate bash out a game of Space Hulk on the floor. She enjoys looking at figures I've painted but other than that, she doesn't have one bit of interest in it. But at the same time, she knows that I do and respects that. Of course, I've got my fair share of mates who think painting toy soldiers is the most retarded thing ever, but they accept that that's part of who I am. We're all geeky in our own way and everyone has hobbies, no?
I think part of the problem is the classic stereotype; unwashed, socially awkward, metal listening nerd who plays D&D and Warhammer, crowding around FLGS tables rolling dice. On one hand, I can't say I really fit that stereotype (I love D&D, but can't stand metal -- I'm a massive hip hop fan though) but from my experience in my local GW I can definitely say that others do! Which is fair enough, but sometimes when I'm there checking out new releases I almost can't help but think, "Guys, you really don't help yourselves."
It's really quite unfair to criticise, happiness is of course relative but I wonder if the mockery so frequently directed at Warhammer players is because of how the hobby is perceived, or are we contributing to that negative perception?
Discuss.