Why do some guys get "spooked" when girls talk to them about video games?

[Jinxzy]

I work in a book store, it's a pretty simple and slow job. Just cash people out while saying hello and goodbye. Make some small chatter while ringing up some items. Once in a while some guys will come in and get a halo, starcraft, diablo, gears of war, world of warcraft or some sort of gaming comic, book, or gaming guide. So since I myself am a gamer, I try to make my day seem less boring at work by starting up some game chatter. Some will talk back others will nod their head and then grab the bag and run.

I just don't seem why they get "spooked" or what it seems like it. They give like an odd glare when you bring up a video game too sometimes.

 

[skyfire_freckles]

Yeah. I bet it's just shock. "Oh shit a girl is talking to me what do I do bye" sort of thing. But most guys I talk to about gaming just talk back. They don't seem nervous or spooked or anything.

 

[THEMANWHOIS]

What bookstore? When I worked at Barnes and Noble I got a lot of that too. It's not that it's a girl talking to them, it's that people just don't like talking to employees. And if you're checking out, you're only one person away from exiting the store and reading your merchandise.

However, try that in a game store and you could be there for hours. I used to work at a game store as well (until I discovered it was evil, the discount wasn't even worth it) and would get into REALLY long conversations. One of my good friends works at a game store and she and I have crazy long game conversations together.

 

[nYuknYuknYuk]

I think it's more being an employee than being a girl.

 

[Lord George]

I had this a few days ago, just went round to one of my friends house to find she was playing Age of Empires and that she actually plays quite a few older games. WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS?, and know she keeps beating me whenever we play. I think it was just a bit strange, its typically only guys I expect to find playing games and killing aliens.

 

[PureChaos]

gaming i stereotypically a male hobby so meeting a woman that playes games is strange to them.

 

[Golden Gryphon]

I do that every time I go shopping. I'm not very good at making small talk with strangers. It might be that rather than you being a gamer.

 

[Chrissyluky]

though sexism is really common in vid games(im not going to bring up alot of the examples i have) in real life via games it doesnt seem too common ive never had someone avoid talking about games with me just because i was a girl.

 

[bushwhacker2k]

I think there are several possibilities.

1) You are presumptuous and hear about guys not believing girls play games so often that you get paranoid about it and just to conclusions.
2) In general girls just don't play games as much as guys do (in GENERAL, I'm not specifically talking to you) and they are surprised. Also, they could just be overreacting.
3) You might be fairly attractive and they are surprised because attractive people can't play games, it's like dividing by zero, it just doesn't work. (P.S. kidding)

 

[bodyklok]

Well I guess they're just surprised to see a girl interested in something they think of as a male hobby, that or they just remembered their house is on fire.

Seriously though, I think it has more to do with the fact that they, personally, see gaming as 'private' hobby, something they don't like to share with people they don't know. I'm a bit like that really, I don't mind talking about gaming with my friends, but it's not something I'd just start talking about with someone I just met. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything like that, it's just not something I think of as good first impression stuff.

That or, you know, they think you're trying to learn their routine in order to eviscerate them.


EDIT: 3100st

 

[Chrissyluky]

Well I guess they're just surprised to see a girl interested in something they think of as a male hobby, that or they just remembered their house is on fire.

Seriously though, I think it has more to do with the fact that they, personally, see gaming as 'private' hobby, something they don't like to share with people they don't know. I'm a bit like that really, I don't mind talking about gaming with my friends, but it's not something I'd just start talking about with someone I just met. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything like that, it's just not something I think of as good first impression stuff.

That or, you know, they think you're trying to learn their routine in order to eviscerate them.

i am very open with the fact that i game constantly(at least 6 hours a day) infact i was talking with a random stranger last weekend about how hastings never has anything good to rent then we spun off our favorite titles at each other for awhile checked out and went our seperate ways.

 

[Ayrav]

Sorry to say but its not really about gaming, its just about the individual person your dealing with. I do a VERY similar job as you and I've found that some people are comfortable with small talk and some aren't. For me I have the best luck chatting with oldish ladies and the worst with girls my age. That might just be me or it might be them I don't really know; what I do know is that the subject matter is completely irrelevant.

Some people can make small talk with strangers and some can't, its all about the person.

 

[Soxafloppin]

I think its incase they get too excited.

girl: I like zelda

Guy: (a 15 minute review of the game)

Girl: ..............................

 

[bodyklok]

Well I guess they're just surprised to see a girl interested in something they think of as a male hobby, that or they just remembered their house is on fire.

Seriously though, I think it has more to do with the fact that they, personally, see gaming as 'private' hobby, something they don't like to share with people they don't know. I'm a bit like that really, I don't mind talking about gaming with my friends, but it's not something I'd just start talking about with someone I just met. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything like that, it's just not something I think of as good first impression stuff.

That or, you know, they think you're trying to learn their routine in order to eviscerate them.

i am very open with the fact that i game constantly(at least 6 hours a day) infact i was talking with a random stranger last weekend about how hastings never has anything good to rent then we spun off our favorite titles at each other for awhile checked out and went our seperate ways.

Good for you! I'm just saying that if I just met someone I wouldn't ask them something like "so what did you think of Gun Battle Slap Fight IIIX: REVENGE OF THE EVIL ELDER GODS SHAPED LIKE FLACCID PENISES 2 for the PS14", that just doesn't strike me as a good first question to ask someone. If I got to know them better I'd definitely bring it up, but it's really not that important to me.

 

[The_Healer]

Hmmmm maybe they are just shy...

Or maybe they mortally dread the possibility that a girl might defeat them in a videogame, therefore denying the fact that you said anything in order to remain in their deluded, male dominated world. Oh they can't escape the truth that its too late, a female has already triumphed over them.

Of course no girl has ever beaten me!!!!!!

 

[Julianking93]

Guys get spooked by girl gamers?

I usually welcome the idea.

 

[Chrissyluky]

Well I guess they're just surprised to see a girl interested in something they think of as a male hobby, that or they just remembered their house is on fire.

Seriously though, I think it has more to do with the fact that they, personally, see gaming as 'private' hobby, something they don't like to share with people they don't know. I'm a bit like that really, I don't mind talking about gaming with my friends, but it's not something I'd just start talking about with someone I just met. It's not that I'm ashamed or anything like that, it's just not something I think of as good first impression stuff.

That or, you know, they think you're trying to learn their routine in order to eviscerate them.

i am very open with the fact that i game constantly(at least 6 hours a day) infact i was talking with a random stranger last weekend about how hastings never has anything good to rent then we spun off our favorite titles at each other for awhile checked out and went our seperate ways.

Good for you! I'm just saying that if I just met someone I wouldn't ask them something like "so what did you think of Gun Battle Slap Fight IIIX: REVENGE OF THE EVIL ELDER GODS SHAPED LIKE FLACCID PENISES 2 for the PS14", that just doesn't strike me as a good first question to ask someone. If I got to know them better I'd definitely bring it up, but it's really not that important to me.

well no it started with "they dont have anything good today" him responding they never do going from there i asked him what his favorite titles where and why then i listed mine etc. its not like i go up to people and ask lol but if it comes up ill talk as long as they will. too bad we didnt exchange steamid's he was pretty nice in more than one way .

 

[Sgt Doom]

Where I live, gamers are rare, never mine female ones. That, or they avoid me like bubonic plague.