Video games + social life

sinkoman

sinkoman

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Anybody else notice that if they play a SHITLOAD of video games, and then place themselves into a social situation, that they feel socially awkward?

I get it all the time, i'll spend a day or two indoors, go out on the town the night afterwards, and end up feeling 100% socially inept.

Really irritating :/
 
Iron_cube said:
Amen, bro.
Click to expand...

Wait, so you agree with me or pitz?

What is it that causes this? It's REALLY REALLY ****ing irritating.

I love playing games. I love getting out of the house. I can't stand how the two don't agree.
 
i play a lot of games and go out a lot. I never have any problems functioning in either world
 
Yeah man, I went out with a friend. We ran into a couple of cute chicks, one had a dog that ran up to me.
I pulled out a crowbar and just started beating the shit out of it, what was I supposed to do? Natural gaming instinct tells me that motherf*cker is going to charge up and blast me with a sonic wave!

Then the cop next to us whipped out his pistol and as he went to call for back up, *BOOOOOM!* I blew up the explosive barrel right next to him.
Shit I gotta stop doing that.
 
I'm not that socially inept ("lol, a real girl!"), but I guess when you spend a lot of time browsing sites like this your humour becomes rather... weird.

For instance if anyone says a number that's over 9000, I will instantly think about saying "It's over NINE THOUSSAAAAAAAND!" and pretend to cursh a scanner.

I don't, but you can see how constantly being inside changes a person's mental status.
 
That used to be my life. I think this happens because you lack social experience and aren't very confident and thus are afraid of something unexpected happening and looking like an idiot. You simply need to clean yourself up. Do something with your hair, get a sense of fashion and go hang out with people and get noticed by girls. This will significantly boost your confidence. Also working out is great. It not only boosts your confidence and improves your health, it increases your reaction time so your even better at games! Games are great and all, but being confident and social will help you in pretty much every aspect of your life for the rest of your life. Game knowledge has very limited uses to real life, so keep it to recreation and keep it in check so you don't cross the line to obsession because you will never forgive yourself for wasting your time. Believe me, I wasted many years being obsessive and I regret it.
 
Maybe your just a loser? I play them there vidja games all day long and then i'll go and my friends think im the funniest mofo they know.
 
Well said, Glirk. That post needs to be emphasized.
 
Glirk Dient said:
That used to be my life. I think this happens because you lack social experience and aren't very confident and thus are afraid of something unexpected happening and looking like an idiot. You simply need to clean yourself up. Do something with your hair, get a sense of fashion and go hang out with people and get noticed by girls. This will significantly boost your confidence. Also working out is great. It not only boosts your confidence and improves your health, it increases your reaction time so your even better at games! Games are great and all, but being confident and social will help you in pretty much every aspect of your life for the rest of your life. Game knowledge has very limited uses to real life, so keep it to recreation and keep it in check so you don't cross the line to obsession because you will never forgive yourself for wasting your time. Believe me, I wasted many years being obsessive and I regret it.
Click to expand...

?

Uh... I don't think I lack social experience at all. Just this past Friday I came home ass drunk from a party at 1 in the morning.

I'm just saying that I notice i'm a bit more awkward when i've been playing a lot of games, that's all...
 
Well, seriously now, I wouldn't say I have a problem when it comes to my social life after playing videogames. Although parts of videogames to come into my social life naturally.

For example, if I am with my friends in the hallway at school and someone is violating a rule I'll walk by and in the female overwatch voice say-
"Civil Protection Team issue 14, personel participation in unauthorized activity"

Or sometimes as I've said before, in class or out in public with my friends when we are bored, I'll make some zombie, antlion, or hunter noises, and someone will turn around and look at me like "What the ****?" but I'll have a perfectly unphased look on my face as though I've been doing nothing.
 
zombieturtle01 said:
Well, seriously now, I wouldn't say I have a problem when it comes to my social life after playing videogames. Although parts of videogames to come into my social life naturally.

For example, if I am with my friends in the hallway at school and someone is violating a rule I'll walk by and in the female overwatch voice say-
"Civil Protection Team issue 14, personel participation in unauthorized activity"

Or sometimes as I've said before, in class or out in public with my friends when we are bored, I'll make some zombie, antlion, or hunter noises, and someone will turn around and look at me like "What the ****?" but I'll have a perfectly unphased look on my face as though I've been doing nothing.
Click to expand...

It's not even like that. I just end up being alot more quiet and self conscious after i've been sitting infront of the computer for an extended period of time.
 
Maybe subconcious guilt? I used to feel socially akward after playing games for long periods of time alone til I realized I was just internalizing other peoples perceptions too much of what I do that made me feel akward. Not neccessarily that Im a nerd, but that I accepted that gaming is a waste of time..and I still feel that way from time to time, if I dont spend my time well and instead spend hours in a game all day I feel less confident and outgoing than usual. Am I getting at what you mean? Probably not. :sleep:
 
mchammer75040 said:
Maybe subconcious guilt? I used to feel socially akward after playing games for long periods of time alone til I realized I was just internalizing other peoples perceptions too much of what I do that made me feel akward. Not neccessarily that Im a nerd, but that I accepted that gaming is a waste of time..and I still feel that way from time to time, if I dont spend my time well and instead spend hours in a game all day I feel less confident and outgoing than usual. Am I getting at what you mean? Probably not. :sleep:
Click to expand...

I think that might be it D:

I've been bitching all day in the HL2.net chat that i'm just wasting away infront of th computer.

By gum, YOU'VE GOT IT!

Now to make some internal adjustments and we should be good to go...
 
Yea well let me know how it goes, and how you did it. I remember someone held a poll awhile back of what their desired attribute was and alot of people said will power. I was definitely one of those people. :O
Anyways good luck and yea Ive found doing something rewarding before hand and putting gaming off til I feel satisfied makes my life in general more rewarding, but I dont feel guilty gaming anymore either.
 
sinkoman said:
?

Uh... I don't think I lack social experience at all. Just this past Friday I came home ass drunk from a party at 1 in the morning.

I'm just saying that I notice i'm a bit more awkward when i've been playing a lot of games, that's all...
Click to expand...

Coming home drunk doesn't mean much. Anyone can do that. Do you consider yourself a fairly confident person? Do you talk to attractive females often or even get attention from them? I used to be a total loser, yet I had lots of friends. The problem was that they were all also losers and all of my friends were guys or loser chicks that were pretty much guys. I am not saying you need to become popular or anything like that, but don't assume that just because you have friends and do stuff with them that you are socially adept. In any case, improving your social life will always improve the rest of your life. Work on your confidence and you might also have a problem with making small talk. Improving your confidence will help this and just getting out there and putting yourself into situations will help immensely. I don't know you or whats going on in your brain, so the only person that knows whats best for you is you yourself. You might already know what the problem is but it's buried in your brain and your hoping for an easy answer. Just think about what goes on in your head when you get nervous and start with that. Once you find the root to a problem a solution isn't far away.
 
Glirk Dient said:
Coming home drunk doesn't mean much. Anyone can do that. Do you consider yourself a fairly confident person? Do you talk to attractive females often or even get attention from them? I used to be a total loser, yet I had lots of friends. The problem was that they were all also losers and all of my friends were guys or loser chicks that were pretty much guys. I am not saying you need to become popular or anything like that, but don't assume that just because you have friends and do stuff with them that you are socially adept. In any case, improving your social life will always improve the rest of your life. Work on your confidence and you might also have a problem with making small talk. Improving your confidence will help this and just getting out there and putting yourself into situations will help immensely. I don't know you or whats going on in your brain, so the only person that knows whats best for you is you yourself. You might already know what the problem is but it's buried in your brain and your hoping for an easy answer. Just think about what goes on in your head when you get nervous and start with that. Once you find the root to a problem a solution isn't far away.
Click to expand...

No offense but I think you missed the whole point of what hes sayin. Yea confidence matters, but from what you say I get that the ACCEPTANCE of attractive people is supposed to make you feel better? I dont think thats what you mean, but it sounds like it. Also how do you define your old friends as losers? I think sinko is dealing with the samething I am which is when someone approaches me and says 'what do you do?' theres maybe a sense of dread or whatever brought to your attention that makes you inept when you realize that you've 'wasted' hours on gaming that you could have done better with. I dont care about attention from hot chicks as much as I used to, Im not saying I wouldnt talk with one. Of course I would, Im a guy, but Im not putting it on a pedestal like being some stuck up bitchs pet is something worthwhile.
 
Glirk Dient said:
Coming home drunk doesn't mean much. Anyone can do that. Do you consider yourself a fairly confident person? Do you talk to attractive females often or even get attention from them? I used to be a total loser, yet I had lots of friends. The problem was that they were all also losers and all of my friends were guys or loser chicks that were pretty much guys. I am not saying you need to become popular or anything like that, but don't assume that just because you have friends and do stuff with them that you are socially adept. In any case, improving your social life will always improve the rest of your life. Work on your confidence and you might also have a problem with making small talk. Improving your confidence will help this and just getting out there and putting yourself into situations will help immensely. I don't know you or whats going on in your brain, so the only person that knows whats best for you is you yourself. You might already know what the problem is but it's buried in your brain and your hoping for an easy answer. Just think about what goes on in your head when you get nervous and start with that. Once you find the root to a problem a solution isn't far away.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say i'm an excessively confident person, but i've hit a point in my mental growth where i've learned to control it mentally.

If I want to be totally confident, I can be. If I want to feel like the king, I can be. At this point in my life, I control my confidence. It's all up to me at this point in my life.

It's not that I get nervous, it's that I get quiet. I just think a lot more about what i'm about to say instead of saying it.

If i've been out smoking, drinking, or just cruising around town, I have no problem just flowing conversation, flirting, hitting on people, being light, being funny, whatever. But if i've been sitting inside playing games, I tend to analyze what i'm about to say a lot more, and I end up saying less.

mchammer75040 said:
No offense but I think you missed the whole point of what hes sayin. Yea confidence matters, but from what you say I get that the ACCEPTANCE of attractive people is supposed to make you feel better? I dont think thats what you mean, but it sounds like it. Also how do you define your old friends as losers? I think sinko is dealing with the samething I am which is when someone approaches me and says 'what do you do?' theres maybe a sense of dread or whatever brought to your attention that makes you inept when you realize that you've 'wasted' hours on gaming that you could have done better with. I dont care about attention from hot chicks as much as I used to, Im not saying I wouldnt talk with one. Of course I would, Im a guy, but Im not putting it on a pedestal like being some stuck up bitchs pet is something worthwhile.
Click to expand...

That's exactly it!
 
mchammer75040 said:
No offense but I think you missed the whole point of what hes sayin. Yea confidence matters, but from what you say I get that the ACCEPTANCE of attractive people is supposed to make you feel better? I dont think thats what you mean, but it sounds like it. Also how do you define your old friends as losers? I think sinko is dealing with the samething I am which is when someone approaches me and says 'what do you do?' theres maybe a sense of dread or whatever brought to your attention that makes you inept when you realize that you've 'wasted' hours on gaming that you could have done better with. I dont care about attention from hot chicks as much as I used to, Im not saying I wouldnt talk with one. Of course I would, Im a guy, but Im not putting it on a pedestal like being some stuck up bitchs pet is something worthwhile.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm think I am not really getting my point across very well. I am pretty much just saying that it sounds like he needs to improve his confidence if he is getting nervous around social situations. It could also be that he is scared from the un known and simply needs more social experience to learn to handle that. As I said only he really knows the root of the problem. I was simply trying to outline trouble spots he might have and ways he could improve. What I listed is in no way the best solutions but are merely things that can help. I am not saying that all there is in a social life are trying to get hot chicks and popular friends. I was more so saying that if you can talk to and get the attention of hot chicks without being a nervous wreck your doing good.
 
Hope it helps sinko :thumbs:. And I feel the same so no biggie.
Glirk Dient said:
Yeah I'm think I am not really getting my point across very well. I am pretty much just saying that it sounds like he needs to improve his confidence if he is getting nervous around social situations. It could also be that he is scared from the un known and simply needs more social experience to learn to handle that. As I said only he really knows the root of the problem. I was simply trying to outline trouble spots he might have and ways he could improve. What I listed is in no way the best solutions but are merely things that can help. I am not saying that all there is in a social life are trying to get hot chicks and popular friends. I was more so saying that if you can talk to and get the attention of hot chicks without being a nervous wreck your doing good.
Click to expand...

Well Ive talked with some hot chicks without problems, but it doesnt make me feel any less akward really. I guess the only thing to cure the problem is to spend ones time doing something worthwhile, so when you go to bed you feel decent about how you spent today.
.
 
CyberPitz said:
I never have that problem :(
Click to expand...
This. I consider myself an introvert, but I'm not socially awkward. I can carry on a conversation to a chick without mumbling and stuttering. "Uhhh... ahem..., well, uh, nice day we're having huh? So uh, what's your sign?" /facepalm :dozey: I have other interests too, so I can easily fit in during non-video game social gatherings.
 
Can't say I've ever had that problem.

What is..... out?
 
I just feel disorientated after (not playing games) shutting myself up (working) for sustained periods of time.

You get back into the swing very quickly.
 
I can get disorientated for a while if I go do something supposedly antisocial for a while, but it never really lasts.
 
nope! i always love gettin out and having a crazy ass time. i make new friends where ever i go..
jail.. satop.. bars.. intarnets.. races.. work.. restaurants.... and
the corener on the street where i work my sechsiness.. :D
 
i dont feel socially inept after playing video games, but probably less talkative than i usually am.
I think its kinda because youve just been concentrating hard on something that isnt much of a conversation starter.
Whilst it would be different if for instance, you had just gone to a gig, cinema, football game or whatever.
 
sea said:
The worst, though, is when you're talking to a group of people, suddenly become aware of the fact, and then have to try desperately not to pause, or choke, or whatever. Inevitably, you'll look like an idiot.
Click to expand...
You mean like this?
Saturos said:
"Uhhh... ahem..., well, uh, nice day we're having huh? So uh, what's up guys! Umm, I have a motorcycle and umm, my trans-flexor coil thingy went bad so uhh, um I had to change it. I like to go to parties and drink beer too! Yeah, and I like football! But um, I don't have a favorite team. I like video gam- I mean, video gays are retarded! I never play'em." /facepalm :dozey:
Click to expand...
I really hope none of you out there are like this though. :| Not being yourselves is even geekier than openly admitting your a geek by most people's standards. People admire self-confidence, and self-respect. You'll fit into any crowd's social circle just fine as long as you show it.
 
toaster-chan said:
I'm really shy and have no social skills anyway. I don't think the video games have anything to do with it... I've just always sucked at talking to people unless we're already bffs.

:<
Click to expand...

I'm sorry Chan... I'll be your friend!

As for me, No matter how many games I play, no matter what I do, I always feel ready for a social outing. I love to play games, and I love to talk and see people. Games are not a problem. I think that it's just everybody's self confidence. I'm not the cutest guy around (I'm handsome in a certain light I suppose), but I have lots of friends and I don't know where to start because I have so many girls (and some guys) wanting dates. It's all a matter of self-confidence.
 
Level 70 Warlock is the best pick up line.
 
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