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

[Tyrant T100]

Probably because they wan't to go home, and don't really want to talk to you, but don't want to de rude. That and cashiers usually have to say something stupid by their company or ask you if you want to but something. And when you start a conversation such as "Oh, so you like gears of war and games like that" the person will usually think you're going to finish with "Well maybe you should get these games(insert generic FPS here) and also buy these microsoft points to get the DLC too. And then when they say no, they think you'll ask again(which a lot of people do). Most people just like to cut the conversation short and save some time. Also, it's probably not just 'cause you're a girl and they're video games, I see this happen all the time at Wall-Mart and Target.

Yeah I have that problem a lot. Especially the "Why don't you get this with your purchase." personally as soon as I get the money for a game that's basically all I can afford. So I couldn't buy additional stuff even if I wanted too.

 

[Nargleblarg]

I have had this happen to me but I haven't gotten spooked more of suprised...like if my dog were to suddenly start talking to me about the stock market...and I don't even have a dog.

 

[DaedalusIcarus]

As stated several times - it's not that you're a girl, but an employee. If I'd go in there to be greeted by a gaming conversation I'd probably get out soon as well. But it wouldn't matter whether the clerk is a guy OR a girl. There's just so many things that will prompt me to cut a conversation short, among others:

- I've *finally* got the new game (YAY!)
- Is he/she just trying to be a good salesperson/clerk by being friendly ?
- What about the other people around here ? Am I holding them up?
- How long does this person expect me to talk ? Do they want me out ASAP or are they *actually* interested in talking ?
- I don't feel social right now, I still have to pick up XYZ there, got to go shopping too, this (school)bag is killing me etc. etc. etc.

This applies equally well to stores and libraries for me and I suspect that the people who you feel you're driving off might feel some of the same things.
Ok, it *might* be that one or two of those persons are genuinely scared because a girl is talking to me (however, I find that highly unlikely) - but assuming gender is the reason out of so many other possibilities is just jumping to conclusions.

(I just want to add weight to that view)

PS! Gaming is very mainstream these days, and there's lots of normal people (including girls) who have more than a passing familiarity with things like World of Warcraft, Guitar Hero, Counter-Strike/Team Fortress, Warcraft 3 etc.
When things to mainstream its natural for both sexes to be involved - I think sometimes girls are being overly conscious about their gender leading to warped interpretations of social situations.
Now, if you were a hardcore coder on the other hand....

 

[G1eet]

Because only one in a thousand girls play video games regularly?

and that 65% of statistics are made up on the spot...

 

[PureChaos]

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

I'd rather say it's a stereotypical nerd hobby (exept those jocks who only play Halo 3 and Madden...Both games suck).And it's plays not playes.And that "i" should be "is".Man even the greasy turkish stereotypical foreigner knows english better than any silly american or silly english person thing...Shut Up.

firstly, although the mistakes you pointed out indeed wrong, they are typos, not because i'm thick. i've had to correct about 6 typos already on this post, i'm cursed with them. secondly, just for the record i'm a 'silly english person'. thirdly, all those countries need capitols; Turkish, American and English. and, finally, nerds aren't the only people that play games so neeeeer

 

[Pickel Surprise]

Personally, at least, I don't really know any hardcore girl nerds, so whenever a girl talks to me about video games or anime or anything of the sort, I always get this feeling that they're not sincerely trying to have a conversation, but rather they're trying to get me to say something embarrassing about myself that they can report back to their gossipy friends.

I know that sounds sexist, and I won't deny that it is. I'm just very paranoid and cynical about interaction with people that I don't know very well. That being said, how I actually get to know certain people very well is beyond me.

 

[FinalHeart95]

It's not really spooked as it surprised with some of them. Some just don't seem like the kind of people that would play World at War or something like that.

 

[JackiJinx]

Because they're not use to it?

 

[TheRealCJ]

Girls are mysterious objects, seen from a distance and hard to fathom without visual aids. Also known as plastic novelty breasts.

But seriously, I only know a handful of female gamers, and while I get along with them fine, I can never see them as more than just, well, GAMERS. Being a socially-retarded, mouth-breathing misanthrope trancends Gender, race, sexual orientation, and personal hygene.

 

[ace_of_something]

In answer to the thread title:

Ignorance.

These are the types of gamers that don't go out enough to realize there are tons of female gamers. I can't think of the last game shop I went to that didn't have at least one or two female employees. Message boards (like this one) have plenty of gamers who happen to be female on them. When you play online there are women gamers.

I don't understand how this stereotype is still around.

 

[annoyinglizardvoice]

The only time I'd have a problem is if I were picking something up for someone else and didn't really know what it was myself.
I'm normally glad to have a quick chat with the person at the till, as I have a much high opinion of them than I do of the other customers (I have persomal space issues and a massive grudge against able-bodied people who walk slowly, so crowded shops aren't for me), so it help de-stress me a bit.
Anyone who's panicked by a girl getting into their hobby is a dick in my opinion.

 

[Jinxzy]

Probably because they wan't to go home, and don't really want to talk to you, but don't want to de rude. That and cashiers usually have to say something stupid by their company or ask you if you want to but something. And when you start a conversation such as "Oh, so you like gears of war and games like that" the person will usually think you're going to finish with "Well maybe you should get these games(insert generic FPS here) and also buy these microsoft points to get the DLC too. And then when they say no, they think you'll ask again(which a lot of people do). Most people just like to cut the conversation short and save some time. Also, it's probably not just 'cause you're a girl and they're video games, I see this happen all the time at Wall-Mart and Target.

Yeah I have that problem a lot. Especially the "Why don't you get this with your purchase." personally as soon as I get the money for a game that's basically all I can afford. So I couldn't buy additional stuff even if I wanted too.

But at my book store there is nothing game related there except more books, I normally ask "oh are you going to get ODST? I seen some clips from the game it looks ok" or "Your a gears fan? Can't wait till the third game comes out. Did you get the new download."

I know it's my job is to plus sale but it gets boring, also I feel pushy on customers.

 

[Chicago Ted]

*FLAILS ARMS*

DIDN'T YOU SEE THE SIGN THAT SAYS NO GIRLS ALLOWED?! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!! RETREAT TO THE SECRET UNDERGROUND BUNKER!!!

[/sarcasm]

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

There probably confused as hell. I would be.

 

[Doug]

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.

Probably; I know I'd be shocked in I encountered a girl in the real world who was interested in gaming. After the initial shock, I'd probably try and marry her, lol, and then the restraining order, and ... yeah, maybe it's best I'm keep away from women in the world.

 

[EeveeElectro]

I think its incase they get too excited.

girl: I like zelda

Guy: (a 15 minute review of the game)

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

That's happened

:'(

OT, my male friends aren't bothered. We have a good old chinwag about games and one said 'if you didn't have tatty bojangles, I'd think you were a guy'
He's so sweet!
But I just think they're nervous round the opposite sex, especially first meeting them.

 

[FallenRainbows]

If Chloé took an interest in gaming I think I'd be hard pressed not to hug her to death with pure glee.

 

[Jinxzy]

*FLAILS ARMS*

DIDN'T YOU SEE THE SIGN THAT SAYS NO GIRLS ALLOWED?! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!! RETREAT TO THE SECRET UNDERGROUND BUNKER!!!

[/sarcasm]

secret underground bunker? :O can I see, do you have night vision goggles?

 

[Neesa]

Yeah, I think it's more of the concept of "I'm just here to get my shit and go. I didn't ask for your two cents." Or at least that's how I think when I'm ringing up a customer that tries to talk to me. Then again, I'm a pretty mean cashier. Especially if I noticed that it guys and their eyes keep wandering from my eyes to my chest.

Typical.

Then again, the stereotype is that girls don't play video games. We aren't on the internet. We're just Neanderthal creatures that just shop, talk about boys, complain about how fat we are, and PMS all day. Duh. /sarcasm

 

[Fraught]

I don't know why other people do things. I wouldn't get spooked though.