Nerdishness in Public

[Quantom Quak]

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%?

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

I wear my PacMan t-shirt to the gym. That's somewhat flying the flag for nerdom. Occasionally a guy will walk past me and nod in recognition and respect; especially the bloke I saw there with an Atari t-shirt.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Sounds like just where you live. I frequently wear t-shirts that confuse people (my favorite: one with small white text reading "If you can read this, you've just provoked an attack of opportunity."), and Final Fantasy concert souvenir shirts, but if I get any response, it's usually curiosity.

 

[TimeLord]

I wear my Tennant trenchcoat in public with no shame

 

[Zoraste]

You're not the only one who has that problem. The temptation to punch those people in the head is pretty severe. But I say stay the course personally, and tell those people to go f**k themselves if they don't like how you do things in your life.

You aren't out waving your dong around in public for god's sake, you're talking about games and movies and books, which is what, 60% of the entertainment industry today? Yeah, trust me, you're in the majority here. Those idiots are just the vocal minority (who need a good punch to the head).

 

[Fiz_The_Toaster]

I typically wear nerdy shirts and act like a nerd/dork in public, but I don't so that last bit all the time. I only do that if I'm with a certain group of people, other than that, I keep my nerdiness to myself, but an occasion a quote will slip out just to see if anyone will get it.

 

[Saelune]

I would have told that guy to go fuck himself, since I dount anything he is interested in matters any more or less than what I like. What? I have to talk about sports? Why? They suck (to me) but a majority likes them. I am EXPECTED to like sports just because it seems. What is more productive than enjoying yourself? Productivity is a bit pointless since it wont matter how much money you made after death, and presuming there is an after-life, all you keep is your memories...or nothing, which is even more important to enjoy yourself now.

I like games and nerd culture. Its what I talk about regularly, and it is one of the few ways I even can socialize. I made 3 friends last monday almost solely on liking nerdy stuff.
Personal interest is what helps people connect. Wearing a DnD shirt wont make you hundreds of friends down the street, but you may pick up a new party member, and one great friend is worth more than any number of fake ones.

 

[MellowFellow]

I don't show off my nerdiness much in public, although on occasion I wear my "I'm Commander Shepard and this is my favorite shirt on the citadel" shirt, but no one has ever walked up to me and said something about it.

If anyone told me that I need to 'find a more productive use of my time' I would probably just ignore him/her, which is what I would advise you to do OP.

 

[M.J.Proctor]

I don't dress in a nerdy sort of way, instead I like to keep it looking classy, 'cause I'm just a classy guy. - Shirt'n'Shoes, I like to call it. (I don't know why, it just flows nicely.)

However when I'm out with my nerdy friends I'll openly chat about nerd stuff. It's never really been commented on before. In fact usually the groups I tend to be with are loud enough to be heard by everybody nearby, yet funny enough that people are entertained and don't give a crap.

Basically, I just wanted to post to tell everybody how awesome my life is.

 

[Arisato-kun]

I've acted openly nerdy in public plenty of times. Since most people at my school are art majors they usually get it. I've gotten quite a few complements on my Team Gurren messenger bag and every girl I've brought to my room is somehow interested in my anime figures.

Yup, college is great.

 

[LongAndShort]

I find what is needed is a good amount of balance. When someone says that you need to find a better way to socialize, you tell him to fuck off and find a better way to meet people then listen in on their conversations and judge them.
Then continue your conversation, with a bit of extra profanity, sex and violence just to show how displeased he left you.

 

[Ouroboros0977]

I wear nerdy t-shirts and such but will only act truly nerdy if I am with friends who the majority of them are nerdy too. I don't get people complain at me for it though.

P.S. I have worn full cosplay (of teddie from P4) in London Underground before and not had a negative comment on it.

 

[ultrachicken]

I don't talk much at all in public, and I always wear my trademark gray hoodie. I don't really try to hide my nerdiness, but I don't broadcast it, either.

I would have ignored that guy. He's made up his mind on video games, and you're not going to change that.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Be who you are and if people don't like it, then fuck 'em.

That said I'm a computer science major in college... its impossible to be too nerdy.

 

[Swny Nerdgasm]

Sounds like it's just around where you live, I mean i walk around in a Nerdy state all the time and me and my friends even meet and play D&D in a bar so if you're a nerd and you're proud screw all those people

 

[Vault101]

I wear my trenchcoat in public with no shame

hahaha is that a sonic screw driver?

anyway not really, you cant tell Im a nerd when Im out inpublic (that is untill I walk into a game shop)

 

[TimeLord]

I wear my trenchcoat in public with no shame

hahaha is that a sonic screw driver?

anyway not really, you cant tell Im a nerd when Im out inpublic (that is untill I walk into a game shop)

Yes it is ^^
I always keep one in an inside pocket because you never know!

 

[Vault101]

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%?

wait so allow me to just recap what happened

some guy, a total stranger walks up to you and has the FUCKING NERVE to tell you what you should and should be doing in your spare time because?......because why? he knows better than you? he thinks he cooler than you? what an asshole

what was he like? young/ old? boy I would have gone all out and argued his ass into the ground...In fatc I almost wish somone could do that so I can prove how stupid they really are

 

[farq1414]

I wear my trenchcoat in public with no shame

i want one