In my last post, I wrote about one of my favorite fictional gamers. I received some interesting comments about how television sometimes promotes a "gamer stereotype." In particular, one poster said, "I just wish they would find a way to include gaming without making it seem like we are all complete and total nerds."

As many stereotypes are simply over-exaggerations of partial truths, I have to wonder how the "gamer stereotype" came to be. Where would the average citizen, the casual observer encounter and interact with someone he/she would consider a "gamer?" Well, where does a dad go to get his son a Nintendo DS? Where does a girlfriend go to get her boyfriend the latest incarnation of Madden? Where does a college girl whose friends turned her on to Halo go to purchase her very first XBox? I know where I went, and it wasn't Wal-Mart. It was A Game Store.



As I think about every experience I've ever had at any Game Store, I begin to understand why people think gamers are "complete and total nerds." It's all because of a sub-group of gamers known as Game Store Clerks. Now, you may think I am about to unfairly exploit yet another stereotype, but I promise that my analysis is based on my own objective Game Store experiences. Additionally, I once dated a Game Store Clerk, so I can personally vouch for the fact that what you see in the store is, in fact, not just a show for seemingly clueless customers. On the contrary, most Game Store Clerks actually turn themselves down a few notches while at work.

Now, before I describe this sub-class and attempt to paint a picture of the people who I believe fuel the modern Hollywood gamer stereotype, I would like to exclude a few people. First of all, female or minority Game Store Clerks. Obviously, they aren't the ones on which the "gamer stereotype" is based. Additionally, I am going to ignore any Game Store Clerks over the age of 40 because they help encourage an entirely different stereotype: Creepy Old Dude. All the other Game Store Clerks? Completely fair game. Totally who I'm talking about.

Cute, but Pale=Disheveled Dork
Game Store Clerks are generally cute, but it's usually in that "man, I want to give that boy a makeover" kind of way. Their hair is either a complete mess or neatly combed with at least one uncontrollable cow-lick. Their eyes sparkle with energy and excitement, but are sometimes hidden behind almost-hip Weezer-guy glasses. If they have the ability to grow facial hair, they do, but it always seems more sporadic than on purpose. Overall, I would assess them as "slightly nerdier than the average population" in regard to physical appearance. Now, for myself, the line between nerdy and adorable is a nearly transparent one, but I can definitely see how Game Store Clerks' looks add to the "gamer stereotype."

Very Eager to Help, Inform=Obsessive
It seems like every Game Store Clerk I have ever tried to buy a game from wants to give me the entire history of the game. Or, if I'm just pre-ordering, I get to hear all the latest "industry news" that I probably already read online. Sometimes, they even get stuff wrong. I nod, smile and never correct because I hate to bruise anyone's ago. Additionally, I usually get a whole slew of recommendations based off of my purchase or potential purchase. Once, a Game Store Clerk asked me if I was a "frag doll," but typically they don't ask too many questions. They just talk and talk and talk, spewing forth any relevant video game knowledge that comes to their minds. Sometimes, I almost let myself be flattered. I start to think maybe it's just the gamer equivalent of flirting. Until I walk away and hear the same Game Store Clerk start chatting up a poor grandma who just wants to find a Wii for her granddaughter, not hear about how Nintendo is ramping up production to meet consumers' needs. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate knowledgeable employees, but sometimes I just want to buy my game and leave. I know Granny does, too. I think this is why Hollywood always presents us with gamers that talk about nothing but games. Game Store Clerks really make it seem like there is nothing more to life. And remember, I can personally vouch for the fact that this goes beyond the store.

Disorganized=Slob
Why is it that anytime I want to buy something a little off beat like an Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver, my friendly neighborhood Game Store Clerk has to go on an epic quest to find it? His journey usually includes a trip to the back of the store, a search of all the cabinets under the cash register, and a phone call to another Game Store Clerk who has the day off, but knows that the item I want is hanging on a rack behind the batteries. I know that finding such a random item in a store full of items is a tough job. I know it's not the Game Store Clerk's fault. I can see, though, how such occurrences could lead to the conclusion that all gamers are disorganized. In fact, the way those used games shelves look sometimes, I can completely understand why most gamers are portrayed as complete and total slobs.

Whether these types of experiences with Game Store Clerks are what truly lead people to certain conclusions about gamers, I cannot say. This is all purely conjecture. I would love to hear about any experiences you have had with this gamer sub-culture. All the better if you are a Game Store Clerk yourself who wants to set the record straight. I'm sure I'll find you adorable.