I would also add it helps you to know the real them at the start. IT will make them more relaxed about any thing they are into. People know when you are not being you. They can pick up on little details and believe it or not we all can read body language to a point. You may not know it is what you are doing, but everyday with everbody you see you are. Starting out a possible relationship on a lie is bound to doom sooner or later, or atleast make you look less honest in there eyes. Why in the world would you want it start out like that?

words to live by.

hmmm, this generation i changed my behaviour regarding electronic entertainment totally.

I almost dont watch TV anymore (1 football live game every two weeks, my favorite tv show, and news -> total of approx. 3h/week)

That spare time is now time i use for gaming.

As i really dont like facebook, and almost everybody plays farmville or MafiaWars nowadays.
I just ask two questions: How much do you watch telly a week, do you play games on facebook? And than compare it to my behaviour and close the dialogue most of the time with: Now who is the nerd, Tv junkie or whatever...or give a reasonable explaination that we are equally obsessed with electronic entertainment, just in different ways

In my opinion games alone wont make you a nerd, its the total time you spent behind screens.

I dont hide the fact that I play games, not from girls not even from interviewers who like to ask for "hobbies". If they dont like it, that's their problem. It's just who I am.

Nope not ashamed.

Perhaps because I'm a little older, I've proven myself in life in reaching some of my accomplishments, and I'm a bit more tolerant of different views, which allows me to portray gaming to people as something of a different experience.

Only cringe when certain gamer fanboys add to the stereotype of being a gamer, especially where hippocracy is relevant.

No not at all.

I wouldn't bring it up in casual conversation, but if somebody asked me, I would respond honestly.

I don't think I've really met anybody with the attitude you describe. Quite a few "What do you see in it?"s from the older crowd, but never stereotypical insults.

Nope, in fact it's quite the opposite.

I'm proud to be a gamer and don't hide it from anyone, be it my family, GF, work collegues, professors, friends, etc,etc.

Why would anyone be ashamed of it's favourite hobby is beyond me.

And by the way, I just checked, and a God of War hoodie is £23. It's also hideous.

Fuck no! I am a gamer through and through if you don't like that then fuck you! lol that kinda rhymed. But yeah I live my gaming lifestyle and my friends are gamers. I may be a huge gamer and I may be a geek but I do not care what other people think. The only time I have been self conscience was when I fell in love but when I found she was just as big of a gamer as me I was like o.o bowchickabowwow