Gamers but not geeks?

[SimuLord]

As most of you know, I'm really uncomfortable with being labeled as a nerd or a geek unless it's a cute girl using it as a term of endearment because she likes my intelligence. I never lead a conversation with it---some of my friends have no idea I have any nerdy interests at all because I'm busy talking about sports, military matters, and other stereotypical "guy stuff". I completely check out when someone starts talking comics, anime, or any nerdy stuff other than games.

Yet I'm a gamer. And gaming is as nerdy a hobby as there is out there (especially if you're talking strategy gaming).

So what I want to know is am I stuck in the middle? Not nerdy enough to hang with the nerds and yet too much of a geek to hang with the jocks? Am I the only one who is just not comfortable with the geek label on here? (with the exception of taking any compliment on offer from women)

 

[DeadlyYellow]

You only feel this way because you are insecure with your identity. Just enjoy what you like and to hell with what people think.

 

[Irridium]

Doubt your alone, but I don't feel the same. I've long since stopped caring about getting labeled as a geek or nerd. I've met plenty of people in your situation as well. They're basically just normal people.

So congrats, your normal. I think. Maybe. More or less.

 

[Marter]

Am I the only one who is just not comfortable with the geek label on here?
You are never the only one.
Sorry, I just had to.

OT: That's pretty much me as well. Apart from gaming, I don't really have any "nerdy" interests. (Although some people are slowly getting me into anime) I actually spend far more time watching sports than playing games nowadays, and follow sports teams far more closely than I even follow game releases or things like that.

But with that said, games are a huge hobby for me, and I do spend a large amount of time playing and talking about them.

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I take offence to the geek label if someone means it in an offensive way.

I can talk about 'guy stuff' (with the exception of cars which is funny because my grilfriend knows loads about cars) but generally I just lead with games.

One of my ways of meeting new people anywhere I go is to take an xbox magazine. Similar minded people are drawn to it and before long there's like 6 of us huddled round an article of Gears of War 3.

But I can see why people wouldn't want the geek label. As in popular culture it seems almost a social stigma even though more people than ever play games now.

And yeah the cute geek thing from girls is great.

1000th post!

 

[Je Suis Ubermonkey]

Did you know 'geek' is a synonym for 'people who are likely to do well in life thanks to superior intellect'.

Those who "have no life" win at life.

Geek Pride! XD

 

[The Procrastinated End]

Why would you care about what others label you as hang out with who you want to hang out with.

 

[ace_of_something]

I think there there is much less stigma around comics, gaming and nerdy things than when we were in high school Simu. It's okay to be in the middle now.
I'm much the same talking D&D and Marvel Comics one moment followed by Hockey and Football the next. It just means you're a complex person who has more than one dimension.

 

[mad825]

really anybody who uses stereotypes are somewhat less worthy than any other racist/sexist ect person regarless any insults on that level is rather irrational as it's an peronal attempt to make you angry/upset however if they mean it as an insult then they are a pitiful anti-intellectual who thinks that their dumbness is a higher cause.

 

[Your Nightmare]

I like strategy games.. ):

TBH, i'm like you. If people start talking about games in public, i'll often vanish into the corners. Simply cause I don't want to be labelled as someone who just plays games. But that was the old me. I'm always really self conscious and i'm trying to go through a process of just accepting myself and not caring what others think. I see it like this, i've got one year left of college before we all go our seperate ways - so i'm using it as training to build myself into a better person.

Yeah..straying off-topic..
Just try and be yourself. I've come to realise - no one cares. If you start to make a thing about it, then so will others. If you enjoy games, accept it. Talk to your friends about it. Who knows? you might even meet someone special 'cause of it. Girls do play games you know? you just got to find them

Also, hows the whole weight-loss going? I seem to recall you having a topic about it ages ago?

 

[Midnight Crossroads]

I'm a nerd. I'm also a college student, a cadet, I love sports and the outdoors, and there's a lot of other things to list. It's just a part of my identity. Some girls like me because I'm nerdy. Don't get so tied down by one facet of who you are as a person.

 

[randomrob]

Being a nerd is a good thing. We're more intelligent, will probably live longer and are the ones that will get lasting, meaningful relationships with women. What more could you want?

 

[rockoffanddie]

i actually use the geek label for myself because i like gaming, anime and stuff, but i also like cars, music and sport. so really its just how you choose to label yourself that matters, if you even decide to use a label at all, at least as far as im concerned.

 

[viranimus]

Isnt it all really about perspective?

I mean it really seems to me that its all just the same thing. People who are into sports are really just sport nerds, people into cars are just automotive nerds. People who are into guns are gun nuts. People into film are film geeks, people into music are either, music history nerds or equipment nerds.

I think its not what your into, but more about the level into it you are, and diversity of interests. I do consider myself a geek and a nerd, but I can talk to just about any fan of any sort of interest cohesively and logically, Though I do have some trouble with cars because I am about as automotively inclined as an amish barn builder, and sports, simply because being able to keep up on sports takes entirely too much homework to keep up to date.

To each their own,but the fact is... its just a word, and only you give any sort of power or weight to that word.

 

[SimuLord]

I like strategy games.. ):

TBH, i'm like you. If people start talking about games in public, i'll often vanish into the corners. Simply cause I don't want to be labelled as someone who just plays games. But that was the old me. I'm always really self conscious and i'm trying to go through a process of just accepting myself and not caring what others think. I see it like this, i've got one year left of college before we all go our seperate ways - so i'm using it as training to build myself into a better person.

Yeah..straying off-topic..
Just try and be yourself. I've come to realise - no one cares. If you start to make a thing about it, then so will others. If you enjoy games, accept it. Talk to your friends about it. Who knows? you might even meet someone special 'cause of it. Girls do play games you know? you just got to find them

Also, hows the whole weight-loss going? I seem to recall you having a topic about it ages ago?

Weight-loss! Ah yes, how kind of you to remember! I've only lost about 5 pounds but I lost two and a half inches off my waist, so I'm thinking the exercise is building muscle as I'm losing fat. If that means I get stuck between 175-180, I can live with that. I think I look great.

 

[The Bread is Delicious]

I am a self proclaimed nerd because of my gaming and intellect, but otherwise I'm just another guy. Practically everyone I know plays some games, it's really just accepted in the world today. One day I walked into my history class and found a girl screaming "Assassin's Creed 2!" at the word Renaissance on the board (a couple months before release). Games are still a nerdy thing, but they are accepted and people don't just get caught on that part of others. A lot of people are in your position including myself, you can just stick in wherever.

 

[Meggiepants]

I never had a problem with this. I like what I like.

Anyone who wants to criticize me or call me names for what I like can stuff it. I don't choose my fun based on what they like, I choose it based on what I like. It's my life to live, I'm the one stuck with it. Ain't nobody going to tell me what I can and can't do for fun. Ain't no names they can call me that would scare me away from doing what I love to do. They could call me the "biggest nazi scumbag on earth" because I play games, or read comic books, or watch anime. I wouldn't give a fuck.

It's too bad you seem to be so uncomfortable with who you are. I truly think you would be a happier person if you didn't let this stuff bother you.

Labels, whether pejorative or ingroup, are designed to exclude some while elevating others. The fact that you seem comfortable with terms like "Jock" yet uncomfortable with the term "Nerd" indicates to me that you are more concerned with the perception of others than about your own pursuit of happiness.

If you change your priorities, then you will find these issues moot.

And this is just a general statement, any ingroup that anybody fears would ostracize them for having a hobby that they disapprove of shows me that particular group is not a group of friends. Friends don't dump their friends over hobbies.