Do people ever try and make you feel embarassed about owning games?

[Magog]

I've been in the coin op biz since I was 15 year old. I started my first game route at 15 while high school. I'm 42 now.
Whenever someone gives me crap about what I do for a living (they all seem to think I just plays games all day) I just tell them about my house I bought at age 21, the 4 new cars and trucks I've bought over the years, show them the Rolex on my wrist, mention I work for myself and pretty much do what I want when I want. When I ask them if they can take off to see a movie at 2 pm on a Tuesday, they say no, I have to work. D'oh!

People seem to think if you love your job/work then it can't be a job/work. Just because they are miserable at their job they think it should be like that for everyone.

Absolutely. Well said.

 

[Stuffmonger]

I've been in the coin op biz since I was 15 year old. I started my first game route at 15 while high school. I'm 42 now.
Whenever someone gives me crap about what I do for a living (they all seem to think I just plays games all day) I just tell them about my house I bought at age 21, the 4 new cars and trucks I've bought over the years, show them the Rolex on my wrist, mention I work for myself and pretty much do what I want when I want. When I ask them if they can take off to see a movie at 2 pm on a Tuesday, they say no, I have to work. D'oh!

People seem to think if you love your job/work then it can't be a job/work. Just because they are miserable at their job they think it should be like that for everyone.

Score one more for the responsible youngsters. Bought my house at 22. I wish I had the money at 21. Wouldn't have had to sell my red tent, 2 of my minicutes, and my other cyberlead.

 

[savit4l8r]

I've been in the coin op biz since I was 15 year old. I started my first game route at 15 while high school. I'm 42 now.
Whenever someone gives me crap about what I do for a living (they all seem to think I just plays games all day) I just tell them about my house I bought at age 21, the 4 new cars and trucks I've bought over the years, show them the Rolex on my wrist, mention I work for myself and pretty much do what I want when I want. When I ask them if they can take off to see a movie at 2 pm on a Tuesday, they say no, I have to work. D'oh!

Do you have any job openings?

 

[Stuffmonger]

Do you have any job openings?

I think the commute would cost more than the pay for you >_<

 

[Mylstar]

Do you have any job openings?

Um, things aren't as good as they used to be, so no jobs. Sorry. :-(

 

[sosage]

People shouldn't throw stones from glass houses. Being a sports geek or a car dork carries the same baggage being into games does. The socially acceptable pass-times are slowly being accepted as being just as silly as anything else.

 

[gutsman004]

Most people I know find it unique or quirky more than anything.I see it as a reconnection to fond memories.It's the same thing as say....a woman collecting dolls or a guy who collects classic cars or bikes.They all find enjoyment in reconnecting with those good memories.

Someone who doesn't understand collecting and restoring games,or any hobby for that matter,probably doesn't lead a very enjoyable life.

 

[StreetzKing]

for my friends its the coolest thing in the world, they grew up with me and played the same games.

Family seems to love it, my parents hate the space it takes up LOL

I havent had anyone say anything negative yet, but im sure in time people will be jealous

 

[delroy666]

Most people have a positive reaction about the arcade machine games I own but sometimes people will come over and give me a blank stare. I guess they can't understand why a 33 year old is still wasting his time restoring and playing video games. Do you guys ever get mixed reactions from people who just don't seem to understand?

That happens occasionally, but other people's positive reactions more than make up for it. For example, we had a guy from a window company in recently to do some measurements for our replacement windows in the basement. When we got downstairs, he's like "Oh my god, you have a Joust arcade game! I remember playing this when I was young, it was my favorite.." etc. Or at my daughters' last birthday party, some of their friends' dads were more excited about the games than the kids were.

 

[zfcamaro]

I usually turn it around on them.... Everyone spends money on SOMETHING, and once you put it back on them they usually shut up.... I have a friend that sinks THOUSANDS into circle track racing, but he absolutely loves it so he understands the hobby aspect of it.

 

[HudsonArcade]

Most people have a positive reaction about the arcade machine games I own but sometimes people will come over and give me a blank stare. I guess they can't understand why a 33 year old is still wasting his time restoring and playing video games. Do you guys ever get mixed reactions from people who just don't seem to understand?

...mostly people who've got my arcade crap in their space... heh

 

[Robotron Jon]

Once in a while we will have people over and I'll turn on the games. Usually people between age 35-45 will be interested but the rest pretty much just look and walk out.

 

[bungy]

People either "get it" or don't. I have yet to see much of an in-between.

The people that don't "get it" have no soul. Reminds me of the Comcast commercial with the turtles, "Why don't you like fun?"

 

[pacman71]

People don't really get it until they see it. Then the reaction changes.

I think the hobby prevents alcoholism. Most people have other much less healthy vices. Most people aren't collectors of anything but belly lint and boogers. They don't understand the community and the hunt is so much fun.

Just look back at them like they don't understand.

 

[cadillacman]

its like everything else, its not for everyone, but in my experience 98% of the reactions i get arw positive and most people cant wait to get thier hands on them.

The other 2% can lick my balls

 

[cadillacman]

Nope. Worst i got was some douchebag college kid who was friends with my girlfriend's friends, and happened to tag along one day. As soon as he walked in the door, he said my NES was dumb because it was old and had bad graphics, he could get my swords for much cheaper than I bought them for, and my arcades were overpriced. He has never been back to my house, and was pretty much shunned by my girlfriend's friends since then. Oh, and he ended up getting fired from his knife shop in the mall job about a month later. Karma's a bitch.

LOL!! When people say that krap to me i reply with "you aint got one" and/or " if you dont like it, dont look at it"

deliever either with cold blank staring face

 

[pacman71]

The other 2% can lick my balls [/QUOTE]


Damn it Cartman. Its never going to happen.

 

[jawhn]

... I think the hobby prevents alcoholism. ...

Wait, wat?

 

[bungy]

Wait, wat?

It's true! When I know I'm going to be firing up the soldering iron later, I purposely hold off on cracking open the beers.

 

[Zinfer]

Never ran into that. Most people that actually drop in, come for the games. Strangers like meter readers or pizza guy or basically someone you don't know, are like - OMG! Awesome! This is so cool! Blank stares only come from GenX who haven't a clue anyways and give that stare to everyone and anything in general.
Actually the biggest reaction I get are from those that ask me if I sell them. To that I say, after all the blood, sweat and tears of restoring a classic, I'd never get out of it what I put into it.
Everytime I've sold a game, I regret it later.