Nerdishness in Public

[Taynas]

Definitely be yourself. People who don't like it aren't worth your time. I was at my own wedding talking to my friends and I got lectured for talking about "stupid" stuff. We of course ignored them and kept talking about TF2 and Dr. Who. Don't let other people being rude get you down.

 

[Nihilism_Is_Bliss]

yeah we all have these problems. I see it as a handy social 'filter'.
If people are giving you crap for being a geek in public they aren't worth your time.

 

[Belated]

I've always been one to carry my DS around in my backpack and wear my Project Teva hat with pride, but occasionally I meet people who don't respect that. I love talking about games and movies and awesome books in public, but sometimes I talk to those that don't understand. I was walking with my friends and talking about Kirby's Air Ride, when some random guy walks up to me and tells me that I "need to find a better way to socialize" and "find a more productive use of my time". Things like this happen to me quite a lot (maybe it's just where I live?) and I really have a hard time controlling myself around these strangers. If you have a good suggestion of how to deal with them, this would be the place to put it.

On the other hand, I really appreciate it when people recognize my nerdy appeal and often join in the fun. I've gotten quite a few girls with my seemingly-endless knowledge of Scott Pilgrim trivia and occasionally have a "nerd-off" with a fellow geek. My favorite event was when I was humming "The Trial of the BSD Knights"(look it up) when someone next to me on the bus started singing it.

So, does the ridicule outweigh the reward? Or is it better to be 100% nerd in public rather than 40-50%?

Be yourself. If somebody tells you how to live, say "Piss off! Fictional escapism is great!" You're not doing anything wrong, and it's not like you're planning on sitting around in your room for the rest of your life playing video games. If you're seeking a career, there's nothing wrong with your "nerdiness" being your hobby.

 

[Angerwing]

I don't really fit too much in to the gamer stereotype, so it's not really important. When I'm with my best friend, we'll discuss things like politics, Wikileaks, uni, gaming, movies, friends, recent events, etc etc. Our gaming discussions get pretty hardcore, but we're in to stuff like WoW, S.T.A.L.K.E.R, Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Bioware games, and whatnot. So not really anything to be ashamed of in public. I can talk with most scenes around my fair city.

I know a lot of hardcore kids, so I always get along with them. Usually talk about dubstep and alcohol abuse, which I'm fond of, and they warm up to me, usually. I'm a funny guy, so I usually charm people over.

Gangsters: Don't really associate with them that much, but again, dubstep and alcohol abuse. Seriously, those two topics will allow you to talk with a lot of different groups.

Hipsters/Metalheads: My roommate knows most hipsters and metalheads in Canberra, so that always helps. I find that metalheads are usually pretty chill dudes, if you get them when they're not talking about music. Getting in to a musical discussion with a metalhead, (which happens all too often) is an uncomfortable and alienating experience. Do not want.

As for Gamers (minority) and other, non-genre-specific folk, I rely on wit and charm. Mostly depends on how much alcohol I've consumed, but once you've broken the ice with someone, it's easy to talk to them. I've made a lot of friends from random, beer-fueled ramblings. And hundreds of great stories. Hell, last party I went to, I passed out in a toga and got graffiti-ed with a Sharpie. And made friends.

I'm also delusional as to my own popularity and self-worth, so take that with a grain of salt.

Edit: Hilarious side note. I once accused my roommate of being a hipster, and when they rejected my carefully thought out hypothesis, I stated "Perhaps the most telling sign of a hipster, is that they deny being a hipster." This brought forth murmurs of assent from our mutual friends. When she decided to counter-accuse me, I dismissed it with a confident and quick, "No, that doesn't really work for me."

And all of our friends agreed. Winning!

 

[Shymer]

It could be argued that the language and trappings of the 'nerdish' are simply mechanics of tribalism - deeply rooted in absolutely normal human behaviour and nothing at all to worry about. It is not a surprise that your vocabulary and dress identify you to fellow members of the tribe and as something alien to those outside the tribe.

It is also common for members of tribes to reinforce negative stereotypes of those people, and those trappings, alien to their tribe. You're either in, or out. Tribe behaviour discourages people on the fringe, pretending to belong, or paying lip service.

When members of different tribes meet, you can get a very charged reaction. In this case - you have been approached by someone not of your tribe; clearly identifying you from your mode of dress and, perhaps, language. He has suggested that your way of being is inferior to his. He has, in effect, invited you to leave your tribe and join his.

You must understand that his statements are fuelled by his tribes constant reinforcement of beliefs such as "nerds cannot socialise properly" and "games are not useful". Nothing wrong with this - it helps to have a distinctive social agenda to better identify fellow tribal members.

I don't agree with forum members suggesting that you should react with violence, verbal or physical. You don't need to defend nerdishness to someone indoctinated to think that his way is better than yours. He is right from his point of view and simply wants you to accept his correctness. What he fails to see is that, from your perspective, he is missing out from a great social life and that playing games is normal for people and can be useful.

I'm sure there is common ground between the two of you. Most often the best place that can be arrived at is a polite recognition that people belong to tribes, tribes have their different beliefs and ways, and not all tribes get along, or agree.

In answer to your question - I would recommend that you 100% belong to your tribe, but also understand that other people live in different tribes with different conditioning, and sometimes you have to respect their mores and folkways.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I don't get ridiculed for being awesome. I didn't know this happened.

 

[Nouw]

I don't have any nerdy shirts or clothing ('cept a Gorillaz shirt but that doesn't count really) but if I did I'd wear it with great pride and joy.

 

[Kwaren]

I wear a shirt with Applejack's cutie mark on it.

 

[Klumpfot]

My entire wardrobe is essentially jeans and logo t-shirts for metal bands, so I suppose I show off my nerdiness quite a bit. This got me thinking though. Is it nerdier to wear a t-shirt with the triforce and some vaguely game related lingo (say, "always bring a fairy in a bottle") or a Cannibal Corpse shirt with gruesome zombie imagery and the title "Butchered at Birth" over a skeletal foetus? :O

 

[EradiusLore]

I've always been one to carry my DS around in my backpack and wear my Project Teva hat with pride, but occasionally I meet people who don't respect that. I love talking about games and movies and awesome books in public, but sometimes I talk to those that don't understand. I was walking with my friends and talking about Kirby's Air Ride, when some random guy walks up to me and tells me that I "need to find a better way to socialize" and "find a more productive use of my time". Things like this happen to me quite a lot (maybe it's just where I live?) and I really have a hard time controlling myself around these strangers. If you have a good suggestion of how to deal with them, this would be the place to put it.

On the other hand, I really appreciate it when people recognize my nerdy appeal and often join in the fun. I've gotten quite a few girls with my seemingly-endless knowledge of Scott Pilgrim trivia and occasionally have a "nerd-off" with a fellow geek. My favorite event was when I was humming "The Trial of the BSD Knights"(look it up) when someone next to me on the bus started singing it.

So, does the ridicule outweigh the reward? Or is it better to be 100% nerd in public rather than 40-50%?

never forget who you are and what you believe in, wear it like a badge of honour and nothing anyone else says can change it.

 

[Watchmacallit]

I laugh at those people and normally tell them to "Fuck off" I proudly wear my Optimus Prime ink blot t-shirt, I also openly advertise the fact that I have a katana, lightsaber and keyblade.

Ignore them, or pick on some stupid quality that they waste their time with eg. football, watching men chase a ball and tackle each other...I'd pick Kirby any day,

 

[thedevilscousin]

I hide my power level, except for the occasional internet joke t-shirt

 

[swankyfella]

Let your nerd flag fly. If some random stranger looks down on it, so what? I definitely lose respect for someone when I find out they hide their real personality in public.

 

[Zipa]

I wear my Loadingreadyrun shirt in public with pride, can't say anyone has said anything about it yet. I wouldn't worry about it though just tell them to piss off.

 

[Buizel91]

I wear my Tennant trenchcoat in public with no shame

You sir, are one awesome dude! xD

OT: Ooooh i'm constantly nerdy, me and my mate (who i have known since nursery) always walk around town, talking about gaming stuff etc, getting looks from everyone, but we don't care ^_^

I don;t have any nerdy clothes though =\ time to invest me thinks!

 

[VaudevillianVeteran]

[EDIT= Guess I got mixed up, move along nothing to see here...] Nothing wrong with being publicly nerdy, friends. Wear what you like and be proud.

 

[Realitycrash]

I regularly wear DC/Marvel shirts, Companion Cube earrings, My Joker wallet, Sometimes Ellis' [http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_XOtOoG-L0bk/S3dsEzO8XaI/AAAAAAAAAJY/lj3OkKzdu7U/s400/250px-EllisWeaponsRender.jpg] trucker hat, hell, 7 out of 10 times I leave the house is to get a new game so I usually have the game with me on the way back because I hate bags. Nothing wrong with being publicly nerdy, friends.

Why is this nerdy?

 

[VaudevillianVeteran]

Why is this nerdy?

Huh. I've been called out as being a nerd for wearing any of that stuff. Sorry, I guess. I'll edit.

 

[Quaxar]

Let's see... bowler hat, waistcoat, pocketwatch, goggles. That's my everyday attire. Don't know about you, but I'm not giving up on myself.

You are no nerd... you're just a plain old gentleman!

OT: Science, math and geek shirts. And I read astronomy books in public.
I'd like to have more nerd shirts, but not having a credit card makes it complicated to get the good ones online.

 

[TheFinalFantasyWolf]

Be proud man! who gives a crap what anyone says.
In all honesty what kind of an asshole has the time to tell other people that they need to "socialize better". Its like, whats it to you? Maybe he needs to socialize better since all he does is bag other people.

That guy must have no life. Sometimes I come across random stupid people (non-gamers, or non nerds) who say "god, those people that play WoW have like, no life."(or COD or cosplayers or whatever you get my point) Ans I'm like yeah, cause yours is so fullfilling, since all you do is rag on about people who have a fun hobby? People that doen't judge others based on interests?

Please, these are the REAL sad people, the kind that go on through life insulting others to try and feed their own ego's just enough so they won't have to come to the realisation that THEY are the real pathetic losers.

Trust me, just be yourself. Once you start changing yourself to "fit in" in the public's eyes...then you become one of THEM! Or as I like to call them...*clears throat* "douchebags"