Chess does have some players poor dress sense and poor social skills. If you're worried about being seen as one of these types then you probably aren't one of them - because if you were you wouldn't notice it or be concerned by it.
However most people have experienced the feeling of being socially awkward at some time or another and the nice thing about chess clubs is they usually have someone more socially awkward - so it's kind of reassuring. But anyway I'm growing to like the quirky slightly odd people you meet through chess and it's only one or two of them who are like this.
The other night I was going out and was about to change my clothes as I might do if I'm going out for a beer with friends but then I thought...hey I'm going to chess club...what I'm wearing is fine.
The reason that chess players are considered as nerds by many stems from a couple of reasons:
1. The old brainiac syndrome that says the geeky guy with pants two inches above his ankles, calculator hanging from his belt (Nowadays it should be laptop in tow), pocket protector full of pens and pencils is the stereotype many have placed on the geniuses who play chess.
2. The fear of the unknown. many consider chess to be far too complicated to comprehend and therefore it is somewhat taboo or an unknown. Anyone who can delve into the unknown and decipher it's purpose is deemed to be just as feared and unknown. That's right, they are all freaking jealous of the chess geniuses. If we can master chess, we can take over the world and they are afraid of that.
Originally posted by kmac27I've never really had that problem, and I was very much into athletics. I think that was because people knew me much better as an athlete than as a chessplayer; they knew chess was not my primary interest.
why do people give you funny looks when you say you play chess? if you do your concidered below them whats with this and why is it this way?
Many people do know at least a little bit about chess, but never became interested in the game. So they can relate. And most of my high school varsity cross country team were converted into chess players. 😀 Although my high school chemistry teacher was not at all sympathetic that I occasionally missed class for interscholastic chess meets (among other things)...
Now, when I told friends that I sometimes played on the Ping-Pong club... 😉
Perhaps because I am studying engineering, live in an engineering dorm, and many of my peers are gamers, chess is socially acceptable now. 🙂
Originally posted by YugaLike you, I also was an athlete in football basketball and baseball. I went to a strong private collge prep high school so most everyone was fairly intelligent. But there were the stereotypical "nerds" that were there and were perpetually glued to a book. I also studied Electrical Engineering and Business in college, and played baseball in college as well. Until I blew out my shoulder, I was possibly headed to professional baseball as a career. So I don't fit the "mold" either, but most were afraid to call me a geek to my face anyway. Others weren't so lucky. But I never ventured into the name calling crap anyway. It wasn't worth my time.
I've never really had that problem, and I was very much into athletics. I think that was because people knew me much better as an athlete than as a chessplayer; they knew chess was not my primary interest.
Many people do know at least a little bit about chess, but never became interested in the game. So they can relate. And most of my high school varsit ...[text shortened]... e in an engineering dorm, and many of my peers are gamers, chess is socially acceptable now. 🙂