This is a question that hasbeen bugging me for some time, lots of my friends, who you would probably regard as the 'cool group' collect it and still people at my school stil get bullied over it
rickyningoo
For the same reason 'chess' is uncool. It requires intelligent thought and patience.
Not everyone is in possession of these abilities.
Therefore it is easier for people to ridicule what they are incapable of understanding.
The same reasoning can be applied to just about any subject that gets prejudiced against.
Insecure people have a tendency to try to make themselves appear superior to certain other types of people.
I just ignore them, and I always have.
Not everyone is in possession of these abilities.
Therefore it is easier for people to ridicule what they are incapable of understanding.
The same reasoning can be applied to just about any subject that gets prejudiced against.
Insecure people have a tendency to try to make themselves appear superior to certain other types of people.
I just ignore them, and I always have.
I disagree with Joker.
If it is uncool (and I'm not convinced it is, although also I'm not looking at it from a school-yard mentality), it's because its all about playing with toy soldiers.
This is a childish thing to do.
Add to that that it does not enjoy mainstream popularity, and you have something that isn't considered "cool".
Certainly, saying "it's only considered uncool by stupid people who are hiding insecurity" isn't going to do much but perpetuate any problem that exists, and is just as arrogant and incorrect as the view that it is uncool.
Of course, not knowing the specifics of the situation, I could be way off.
If it is uncool (and I'm not convinced it is, although also I'm not looking at it from a school-yard mentality), it's because its all about playing with toy soldiers.
This is a childish thing to do.
Add to that that it does not enjoy mainstream popularity, and you have something that isn't considered "cool".
Certainly, saying "it's only considered uncool by stupid people who are hiding insecurity" isn't going to do much but perpetuate any problem that exists, and is just as arrogant and incorrect as the view that it is uncool.
The emphasised part of this post would indicate to me that Warhammer has little to do with the bullying, and is merely used as an excuse (and, hey, you've got to have some reason). If it wasn't Warhammer, it would be something else.
Of course, not knowing the specifics of the situation, I could be way off.
As Joker said the only reason people ridicule the game is beacause they dont understand it.
If anyboody hassles you about "playing with toy soldiers" point out to them that it isn't just playing the game there is the modeling and painting and the only reason they make fun of people who play it is because they havn't got the mental capacity to understand the rules.
The way I see it unless you try it or have a solid reason for hating it then they have no right to mak fun of you.
There was this one boy at my old school who used to make fun of the warhammer players and schooll club, he would turn up to the club to make fun of people but in the end it turned out he played it but didn't tell anyone because he had a reputation for being "cool"..
If anyboody hassles you about "playing with toy soldiers" point out to them that it isn't just playing the game there is the modeling and painting and the only reason they make fun of people who play it is because they havn't got the mental capacity to understand the rules.
The way I see it unless you try it or have a solid reason for hating it then they have no right to mak fun of you.
There was this one boy at my old school who used to make fun of the warhammer players and schooll club, he would turn up to the club to make fun of people but in the end it turned out he played it but didn't tell anyone because he had a reputation for being "cool"..
Since two people posted while I was editing, I'll add this back in, so it doesn't get missed:
Of course, not knowing the specifics of the situation, I could be way off.
In reply to those who replied: I think you missed my point.
Obviously, I don't think Warhammer is uncool. If I did, I wouldn't be hanging around on LO.
However, first up, warhammer essentially is playing with toy soldiers. That can't be denied. Sure, there are relatively complex rules, but that doesn't contradict the fact, nor will those rules change the impression of an outside observer that that is what a miniatures wargamer is doing.
You'll get a long way in life by recognising that, and by realising that there are childish elements in a wide range of things enjoyed by adults.
As to intelligence: a lot of smart people play wargames. I have no doubt this is true. A lot of wargamers think they're smarter than most people. More often than not, they're wrong.
The emphasised part of this post would indicate to me that Warhammer has little to do with the bullying, and is merely used as an excuse (and, hey, you've got to have some reason). If it wasn't Warhammer, it would be something else.
Of course, not knowing the specifics of the situation, I could be way off.
In reply to those who replied: I think you missed my point.
Obviously, I don't think Warhammer is uncool. If I did, I wouldn't be hanging around on LO.
However, first up, warhammer essentially is playing with toy soldiers. That can't be denied. Sure, there are relatively complex rules, but that doesn't contradict the fact, nor will those rules change the impression of an outside observer that that is what a miniatures wargamer is doing.
You'll get a long way in life by recognising that, and by realising that there are childish elements in a wide range of things enjoyed by adults.
As to intelligence: a lot of smart people play wargames. I have no doubt this is true. A lot of wargamers think they're smarter than most people. More often than not, they're wrong.
I don't believe Warhammer is 'uncool'.
I believe it thought of that way by people who don't understand it or won't understand it.
Stating the truth isn't arrogance in the least.
Intelligent people rarely refer to anyones hobby as 'uncool' (unless it's pulling the wings off bugs, or other things like that).
I don't see the hobby as 'playing with toys' as you refer to it. And only an outsider looking in would.
These 'toys' were being used in military councils in one form or another for hundreds, even thousands of years to show troop placements, troop movements likely battle scenarios and terrain to help generals understand their battlefields.
Warhammer is an extension of that mentality. It's sad that you don't grasp that concept.
While you go play with your dolls, I and the rest of the Warhammer community will be solving tactical situations using military strategies under various terrain conditions.
No worries.
Thing is, the childishness makes a strong first impression on the outsider. While it isn't a bad thing, people often don't see past it. Conversely, the childishness of many other activities are overlooked because they have gained popular support for various reasons.
Gaming also has a lot of stereotypes associated with it - while many people in this thread will again jump up and down in disagreeement, it forms a subsection of "geek" culture, with all the baggage that entails.
Realistically, there is probably no good reason for Warhammer to be considered uncool. But, there are a lot of real reasons, even if they don't stand up to fair examination.
Thing is, the childishness makes a strong first impression on the outsider. While it isn't a bad thing, people often don't see past it. Conversely, the childishness of many other activities are overlooked because they have gained popular support for various reasons.
Gaming also has a lot of stereotypes associated with it - while many people in this thread will again jump up and down in disagreeement, it forms a subsection of "geek" culture, with all the baggage that entails.
Realistically, there is probably no good reason for Warhammer to be considered uncool. But, there are a lot of real reasons, even if they don't stand up to fair examination.
If you really believe intelligent people don't insult others, you are very naive.
You may also wish to note that you have just implied that playing with dolls is something worthy of scorn.
I understand exactly where wargaming comes from. It's still playing with toy soldiers, whatever its origins. Why do you feel it is so necessary to argue otherwise? Why should I consider playing with toy soldiers wrong? Again, you are the one implying it is, by needing to claim Warhammer is not such a game.
IMO Warhammer is way uncool. You have a bouncha toy soldiers that you make up stories for and roll dice to see if they kill heretics/stunties/traitors.
It's also common knowledge that DnD is uncool, which is almost the same thing as warhammer.
But why give a dirt I say, and continue playing. Almost ALL hobbies are considered 'uncool', but they are still being practised because people love the hobbies.
It's also common knowledge that DnD is uncool, which is almost the same thing as warhammer.
But why give a dirt I say, and continue playing. Almost ALL hobbies are considered 'uncool', but they are still being practised because people love the hobbies.
I remember in my junior school we had something like a show and tell, where people came and tlaked about their hobbies. One boy did warhammer. He explained the rules to us (this was before i started) Something like this:'There are two tipe of models , metal and plastic. The plastic models have one life point and do 1 life piont of damage. The metal models have 2 life pionts and do 2 life points of damage' He is now one of the largest bullies concerning warhammer in my school. He remindes me every day of how 'sad' my hobby is across the classroom.
Thanks All for the replies I'll tell him next time he speaks to me
Thanks All for the replies I'll tell him next time he speaks to me
I go to a computer school and Warhammer is considered cool. We've got DnD groups, Magic TG tournaments and lots of other geeky stuff going.
This is usually what i say when i'm confronted about my hobby though.
<SomeGuy> Are you going home to play with your toy soldiers again?
<Me> Indeed I am, and I intend to have FUN.
This is usually what i say when i'm confronted about my hobby though.
<SomeGuy> Are you going home to play with your toy soldiers again?
<Me> Indeed I am, and I intend to have FUN.
The problem as far as I see it is that people don't use their imagination. Phrases like "they're just toy soldiers" and "they're just bits of plastic" are stock phrases that get used in these cases.
The mentality that this is a bad thing sets in because people can't see past the basics. Lumps of plastic aren't interesting. However, lumps of plastic that represents an evil genius bent on destroying the universe in several ways is. It's just a mental leap.
Add to that that most things sound boring or "uncool" when reduced to their basic elements: D&D is just paper and dice, football is just twenty-two people trying to kick a bit of leather, and sex is just two lumps of flesh rubbing against and inside each other.
It's all a matter of how far people are willing to take it. Things have value to someone because they can see past the basics. Those that can't acknowledge that there's anything to see apart from the basics (in any activity) are being narrow-minded about things.
The mentality that this is a bad thing sets in because people can't see past the basics. Lumps of plastic aren't interesting. However, lumps of plastic that represents an evil genius bent on destroying the universe in several ways is. It's just a mental leap.
Add to that that most things sound boring or "uncool" when reduced to their basic elements: D&D is just paper and dice, football is just twenty-two people trying to kick a bit of leather, and sex is just two lumps of flesh rubbing against and inside each other.
It's all a matter of how far people are willing to take it. Things have value to someone because they can see past the basics. Those that can't acknowledge that there's anything to see apart from the basics (in any activity) are being narrow-minded about things.
Let me set the record straight here.
Nowhere in my post did I infer that intelligent people don't insult others. You even quoted me and still managed to read it wrong!
I said that intelligent people rarely refer to anyone's hobby as uncool.
Also, the use of quotation marks does not convey emotion about what is quoted, which in your case you assume scorn. It merely references what someone else said.
My point is, that if all you think of your hobby is that you are "playing with toy soldiers" than that is all it ever will be for you.
For others the hobby includes much more than that.
Perhaps your narrow view is obscuring the bigger picture, and preventing you from gaining more enjoyment from the hobby as a whole.
You cant help the faqt that other ppl will look down on you because you play warhammer. Same counts for magic cards lotr card or anything simulair related. The best thing is just to ignore them and form litlle groups that do understand wat you do and do show some interest.There are only like 3-4 peepz in my class that call warhammer as stupid all others see it as a very kewl hobby. Most things I get to hear are like,,I would never understand those rules'' or ,,I dont get it how you paint them ,I wouldnt have the patience for it''. Best thing is these are the more populair ppl but there are off course also those wannebe tough ppl and start calling warhammer a hobby for nerds. My reputation on school is somewat screwed as others might say I have played all ''geek'' hobby's fro mmagic the gathering till warhammer 40k/fantasy therefor ppl will look down on me but why should I care? I am only 4-5 hours a day on school and when school is finished this geek leads a normal life with normal friends. The gothic like ppl are the nicest (And yes also the normal looking ones) But the ones you would least expect it from will ''protect'' you and show interest in yoru hobby. I started a fight for my friend becaue he showed his Tau model he had worked hours on (he just strated) and some bully took the model and was planning to break it in 2. That was the only time I fraked out and started a fight because some1 called warhammer a game for nerds. But see it liek this you meet ppl from all different ages ou get to know eacother better then normal friends (in my case) you hang outtogether etc. Let them all talk about warhammer why should you care? The most important thing is that YOU have FUN that us the only thing that matters.
Who said that he got less pleasure out of thinking of it as toy soldiers than you do by including all this "much more" gubbins (which I wholeheartedly support, I love the fluff)? He could get infinitely more from looking at it that way.
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