| Women & Gaming Stores | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 23 2006, 12:51 PM (732 Views) | |
| kismetrose | Jan 23 2006, 12:51 PM Post #1 |
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One thing that I've heard women gamers talk about all over the place is going to their local gaming store. Just about all women gamers seem to know the same experience - they go to a gaming store and feel stares for a good portion of their stay. A female gamer does not have to be gorgeous to get this attention, nor does she have to be obvious. She could be quietly going about her business and still receive the same attention. For some women, this is a creepy occurrence that makes going to gaming stores uncomfortable. Other women honestly don't care. I know that people sometimes look at me strangely when I go into gaming stores, but now of days I don't tend to notice them since I'm too busy looking for books. I have noticed that some stores are worse than others. In one of our local gaming stores, for instance, I always get some sort of look and I get the distinct impression that I am an outsider. In another store we just discovered locally, I didn't feel that way at all. When Valefor took me to his old gaming store up North, there was no problem. I think that this might have to do with some gaming stores seeing more women customers than others. Have you experienced this? Or have you heard women gamers talking about this? |
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| DaveReaves | Jan 23 2006, 01:29 PM Post #2 |
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Can't believe its not butter
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I have experienced this. Well not personally, I don't usually get gawked at as I walk though- what with being a large hairy man and all, but I see it happen to the women folk as they pass by. Usually a girlfriend of a gamer or comic book/sports card collector. But as I hang out with a good many of the people at my local shop in other areas, I can tell you its not just the game store where they let their eyes wander to places their hands can only dream of. Restraints, movie theaters and any other place they seem to just stare at women. I guess people like that are just sort of drawn to specific places. I would say it mostly has to do with the experience level of the people in the store. I can be around women and not give it a second thought; others are always on edge when they are around. They feel cornered having been confronted by something that they find scary and are confused by the fact that they feel a desire to be with this thing that scares them so much. Its hard to turn your back on something that forces that kind of emotion to the surface, and thus the stare. You also can't forget that these guys may have lost more than one girlfriend to their hobby, or that it seems that their hobby has otherwise kept away the girls. I can see how easy it would be to start thinking "Here is a guy who hangs out at the same places I do, plays the same games I do and the girls aren’t repulsed by him" and are simply awestruck that such a girl exists. I would also like to point out that playing any kind of "dorky" game makes a woman instantly hot. Any chick that understands innuendo involving failed saves versus sexy or enlarging rods of lordly might are always a cut above the rest. Its like a famous super model or a classic car: you always have to look :rolleyes: |
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| Didge | Jan 23 2006, 01:40 PM Post #3 |
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Residential Alaskan Igloo & Walrus Inspector
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Yes, I'm just that drop-dead gorgeous that everyone wants to stare at me, and I'm not even female. I tell you, I have to fend them off with a stick! Ok, humor aside... I've seen women in gaming stores and its not that uncommon for most of the men (and I use that term loosely here) to stop what they're doing and take notice. Now this ranges anywhere to the, 'curious glance', to the downright, 'spooky stalker-stare' which is what I think you're referring to. Me, personally? If the woman is attractive I'll take notice and glance occasionally. I always make sure I've established eye-contact to ensure they know I'm looking though, and I'll usually add my patented 'break-the-ice' smile which has won me my adoring public. But my glancing tendencies don't limit themselves to the confines of just a gaming store. If they're out in public I'll take notice of women there too (especially if they are scantily-clad). The trouble here is that the very notion of a 'gamer-girl' is an enigma to most gamers, as they tend to lack a great deal of social skills (not all, but a good majority that I've had the unfortunate dealings with have) and the idea of a female who also interested in the same, "stuff" is almost too much for them to comprehend. This is also where they might try to go and talk with said woman attempting to impressive them with their ultra-knowledge of whatever it is the woman is interested in. |
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| kismetrose | Jan 23 2006, 02:13 PM Post #4 |
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I understand that men stare at women elsewhere. From what I've heard over the years and experienced, however, it seems that the stares in gaming stores stand out. It's one thing to be one woman amongst others at a movie theater or restaurant. It's another thing to be the only woman in the store with several folks who won't stop staring at you.
Is it just me, or does that just sound...sad?
Ahhhh, I see. |
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| DaveReaves | Jan 23 2006, 02:39 PM Post #5 |
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Can't believe its not butter
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I think this is a pretty typical male responce to the opposit sex. I remember a time when I was intimidated by the women around me. Now I got over that but everyone has to learn life's lessons as they come. If they refuse to face their fears in the early teenage years it's going to linger until they do. I guess it does fall into the sad range about the time you hit twenty and can't even function in everyday life because of adolecent fears, but you really can't blame the younger teens, hormones being what they are and all. |
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| Fixxxer | Jan 23 2006, 04:01 PM Post #6 |
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Alcoholic Homosexual Giraffe
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Wow...different. I usually stare open-mouthed while fondling myself and silently mouthing the word s"you're DEAD." That might just be me, though. |
| In my mind, it is that simple. But then, I'm simple minded. -Didge- | |
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| Didge | Jan 23 2006, 04:10 PM Post #7 |
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Residential Alaskan Igloo & Walrus Inspector
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And thus we see a failed Charisma check for you folks. |
| When you're making an Adventure, remember to ask, "WWMPD" (What Would My Player's Do?) Then tailor your adventure around that. | |
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| Mocha Torte | Jan 23 2006, 05:39 PM Post #8 |
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Keeper of the Caffeine Desserts
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Actually, I've never gotten this in a store -- not from staff, anyway. When my husband would attend local weekend Magic tournaments, I'd actually wander the floor and other contestants (admittedly, the younger ones, not the forty-somethings) would hold conversations with me about the merits of various cards. Often the clientele is more surprised by a woman's presence and knowledge. I think there's a general dismissive "oh, she's just getting something for her boyfriend" and they go back to what they're doing. Mind you, I've also seen enough people who claim to play D&D but don't really use the rules that my first thought when someone says they play is "uh huh, I'll bet" followed by "So tell me about one of your campaigns...." out loud. So I can forgive utter strangers assuming that I'm 'just' a gamer girlfriend. The staff and the regulars know better. |
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| Jagyr Ebonwood | Jan 25 2006, 12:36 PM Post #9 |
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Ritual Partaker
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Well, I know that whenever I go to my local game shop dressed as a woman, I'm always stared at. ... What? |
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| Fixxxer | Jan 25 2006, 12:50 PM Post #10 |
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Alcoholic Homosexual Giraffe
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*BOI-OY-OY-OYING* |
| In my mind, it is that simple. But then, I'm simple minded. -Didge- | |
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| Aladdar | Jan 29 2006, 08:04 AM Post #11 |
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I normally don't pay attention to who's in a game store when I'm in there. I normally just run in, find what I'm looking for and run out. That may also come from me being close to 30 and married, so I don't truly care who's in there. I would guess that many guys who work in game stores don't have much experience with women, (based on those I have seen.) When they see a woman in a gaming store, that primal instinct kicks in. A woman with the same interests as me, I've got a chance. That would be my guess as to why women are treated that way. The men are probably not thinking, "someone's invaded my domain." They're probably thinking, "She wants me, I know it." Women shouldn't be treated this way, but unfortunately, that's what I guess is occurring. |
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