Poll of the Day > Do you ever feel hesitant about joining a hobby group because you worry that you

(+) Yeah! (+)

I must have these answers.

No I hesitate to do stuff like that cause of my general social anxiety and the inertia of life

If I thought the people were super elitist nerds about the thing I'd probably just drift away from the group

I don't like to join groups period. I can't stand group think unless everyone is chill and into individuality. There's always gotta be some hierarchy and clique.

It's hard to find civilized people anymore outside of certain areas. I wish as a society we promoted better manners and intersocial behavior.

I only join online groups and only feel this way when It's related to like hardcore guilds because I'm afraid someone will try and exploit me.

That's kind of the reason I was hesitant to try going to a convention the first time; I wasn't into cosplay or things like that so I didn't think I would have much place there. But they're really for all levels of fandom from newcomer to supergeek. And you'll probably gain interest in other things the more you get exposed to them.

So I went to a wrestling event in Cardiff over the weekend. First time I've even done this. The stadium had around 65,000 people in it. Anyway before and event after the even I talked to and saw some folk that are REALLY hardcore about wrestling to the point where they even dressed up on some of the superstars. I also talked to folk that were a bit more casual but still enjoy it. I fall somewhere in the middle of these people. All of them were very respectful and I was just happy about being around people who enjoy what I enjoy. The point is don't be afraid of joining a group or even meeting up with folk in real life because you all share the same interest and chances are the people part of the group will just be happy to meet someone with the same interests.

Hey its you... from the advice boards.

I remember you writing a DM to me in 2015! i still have it too :)

How's everything, man? Let's catch up.

Look for people who match your interest/desire of the hobby. Anyone that gate keeps you due to a perceived difference in excitement is an asshole. Let them have their level, and find your own.

When I was in college I passed on joining my school's gaming guild, because everyone in it was way more of a nerd than I was.

By which I don't mean that they were more passionate about any given gaming-related hobby, as much as I mean most of them were socially awkward weirdos with no personality outside of their own narrow sphere. And were the sort of stereotype of the hygiene-afflicted people you tend to see at cons.

When you go so deep into your geekdom that you sort of forget what it means to be a human being, that's a bad thing. And a sad thing. And a thing I really don't want to interact with.

I never met any that far gone. The university off campus housing got pretty bad though. I saw a couple on the top floor get evicted for not cleaning their apartment. They hired multiple companies to renovate it after they left. I took a few peeks. I don't know how folks can live like that. My place was always spotless. I was paying 350/month for it in 06 and it was a decent place. We got a cut on the rent for being full time students.

I'm surprised we never had an insect problem. You do that kinda shit here at the beach, it'll be roach city.

The last time I got into Yugioh, I attempted once or twice to get into the local "scene", but everyone was too hardcore for me.

Same reason I've never gotten good at fighting games.

Yes, but also that they are all already friends for years and don't actually talk about the hobby much at the meet up and topics stray and then you are just the random stranger at a friendly gathering where you don't know anyone and the only thing you know you have in common is what you came to talk about and no one else seems to be interested in talking about that thing because they stopped talking about that thing 5 minutes into the meeting and now you are stuck there.

I think you are talking about Imposter Syndrome... and it's pretty sus

What is the group gunna do, kick you out for not being there? ... oh noes, teh alienationz

I just don't like joining groups in general.

This reminds me of these weird culty discord groups I joined when playing smartphone games during my covid hikes for each game. Some weird ass people and groups are on there.

It's that way in general on the internet. I've never figured it out. It's like a bunch of non-normative socially handicapped people get together and try to mimic how people act in real life, only it gets awkward because they don't have any of the real experiences those people have.. so it's all made up and their humor is based on common denominators that wouldn't be so common in a natural sampling.

It seems to work for them though. I just never am able to relate much unless there are older people. I guess the one good thing about it was one of them recommended Cobra Kai and I wasn't going to watch it and I finally did anyway and loved it. I'm surprised they did such a good job.

i do what i want when i want and idgaf

No.

I have so much other work that needs done an no way to travel outside of my swamp; I also don't like remote play, I prefer to be in the same room.