The embarrassment of playing with a handheld console in public
- Thread starter ChoosableOne
- Start date
- Drama Cringe
ChoosableOne
ChoosableAll
Is it even possible? Wtf!
The pains of the past are still fresh. We haven't achieved a complete victory yet.
You're right, but I can't help it in certain situations.You are almost in your forties. My dude, you shouldn't be caring about what anyone thinks.
rodrigolfp
Haptic Gamepads 4 Life
Yes and the only thing I can think that would made me care.
DeltaPolarBear
Member
By the bye, do you feel you can't eat alone in a restaurant or go watch a film by yourself? I was told I was breaking some invisible rule by doing that. Apparently films and restaurants are just excuses to socialize and you are not suppose to eat or watch movies for their own sake. What a strange way to live.
ValiantInstance
Member
Problem is with gaming is that its such an intense activity that you become completely oblivious to the outside world.
At most I would play an old Pokemon game emulated on my phone. Otherwise reading a book or something is much less taxing.
At most I would play an old Pokemon game emulated on my phone. Otherwise reading a book or something is much less taxing.
nowhat
Member
So, your problem is just the lack of drugs. That can be helped, either by doctors/pharmacies, or street vendors. Again, I recommend benzos.
You can put it down to flight anxiety and any doctor will write you a prescription.
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ClosBSAS
Member
Damn son. Thats is rough. Amazing. But damn. I like you
hinch7
Member
Eh you're a grown ass adult who gives a shit. Its not like you're doing anything that's bothering anyone.
You could be playing My little Pony and no one would bat an eye-lid.
I just wouldn't play anything that's hyper-sexualised or has random nudity in it, but that goes without saying.
You could be playing My little Pony and no one would bat an eye-lid.
I just wouldn't play anything that's hyper-sexualised or has random nudity in it, but that goes without saying.
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ssringo
Member
Mid 40s here. I don't give a fuck. Give it a few more years and the amount of shit you give about other people and their opinions will start dropping.
Pasta la Vista
Member
Oh man, that is the worst, had to kick a guy out of a bar I worked at because he was watching porn on his phone. Fucking creep.
nowhat
Member
Right, but surely you wouldn't have done the same/noticed even barely if he had been playing a Switch?
hinch7
Member
Yeah some people have no self control, even in public spaces.
Definitely needs help if he's watching porn in a bar, even if intoxicated.
Playing games on a handheld though lol, nothing to be ashamed of. No matter the age.
Pagusas
Elden Member
Was flying with our C level earlier in the year to NYC for a legal conference, and 3 of them pulled out game systems (one Steam deck, the two had Switches). Made me realize how "accepted" gaming has become in the general world. I was playing Civ on my laptop the whole flight.
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ClanOfNone
Member
I've seen a few older folks playing consoles occasionally up at work, I always look to see what they are playing.
There was one young'un with a steam deck and he was actually playing og System Shock 2. I geeked out with that kid for like ten minutes, it was great.
There was one young'un with a steam deck and he was actually playing og System Shock 2. I geeked out with that kid for like ten minutes, it was great.
IlGialloMondadori
Member
I don't give a fuck what people think.
I had an international flight for 9 hours, and I played a bunch of persona 5 on the deck. The only person who gave a shit was the guy beside me, who told me after the fight I have good taste in games. No one else cared.
I had an international flight for 9 hours, and I played a bunch of persona 5 on the deck. The only person who gave a shit was the guy beside me, who told me after the fight I have good taste in games. No one else cared.
Northeastmonk
Gold Member
What happens when you don't play in public?
"Look mom, that man is acting like a man". Do you somehow feel better about yourself?
Life is too short to give a flying f*ck about public opinion.
"Look mom, that man is acting like a man". Do you somehow feel better about yourself?
Life is too short to give a flying f*ck about public opinion.
Sinozen
Member
This is just silly. At 40 you should know well enough that nobody gives a damn about you. They're too concerned with themselves. But even if they did pay attention most people play video games. It's not an abnormal thing to see someone whip out a Switch and play it in public. I play my Deck at the airport every time I fly and have no qualms. It's badass as hell to have a handheld PC and if someone else doesn't agree well they're just objectively wrong. They can go scroll on tiktok and get brain rot for all I care.
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Pasta la Vista
Member
As long as the person is spending money and not causing a problem, I dont give a shit.
MiguelItUp
Member
I don't get embarassed at all. Honestly I've never cared what other people think, lol. Majority of the time I'll do it on a flight or something similar, so it's by no means a distraction to anyone else or anything either. I've felt that way since I was 14/15, hell, I actually feel it even more so at 41. I'm doing my thing and I'm not offending or disturbing anyone, so nothing to be worried about IMO.
Grildon Tundy
Member
Nah, though I've only played in airports/on planes in public. Honestly, I'd bet people who notice you playing wish they had something so fun to occupy their time in mandatorily boring situations like those.
Bonfires Down
Member
As long as you wear a hip outfit, you'll blend right in.
Unknown Soldier
Member
Imagine caring this much about what complete strangers you will never talk to or see again in your life might think about you
lughnasadh123
Member
I consider it a good night if no one is trying to shoot or stab me. Play on whatever you want with no shame.
Azelover
Titanic was called the Ship of Dreams, and it was. It really was.
Now that everybody has a smartphone it's not so bad. I used to see a lot of kids playing with their Gameboys outside. That was a little more common.
I have seen quite a few Switches in the wild..people like to whip that out. In my experience it's considered a cool product..
I have seen quite a few Switches in the wild..people like to whip that out. In my experience it's considered a cool product..
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kpopSuperstar
Member
Don't do it, the people in this thread that are telling you it's ok are nerds and wrong, it looks silly and should be avoided.
TheAmazingSpiderMan
Member
If anyone says anything, give them a shoryukennn. Also, make sure you actually say it when you unleash the uppercut 
Tiago Rodrigues
Member
I'm 36...i'm never embarrassed for minding my own business.
RuneFactoryFanboy
Member
I completely understand where you're coming from, it's normal to feel that way if you have any kind of social awareness.
How you carry yourself in public has consequences. Now, you may not care about those consequences, but your actions and appearance will affect how people perceive you and possibly treat you. The way you dress, your hygiene, the way you talk, and yes going to town on a huge gaming handheld. I'm willing to bet those saying they don't care what strangers think actually do, it's just they don't personally view playing handhelds as a goofy/juvenile. If you asked the same people to do something in public they thought was super embarrassing, suddenly they'd care a whole lot about those "strangers they'd never see again".
In real life I hide my power level at all times. I only let my hair down when among friends or when on message boards like this.
GermanZepp
Member
Yes you should be ashamed but only if you play Nintendo or mobile games in public.
DeltaPolarBear
Member
I would like to see what kind of benefit you are expecting to earn by trying to impress strangers. Adults don't have the time or energy to waste on pleasing people who don't care about them. Only children worry about trying to look adult.
Adults are adults. You want me to pretend I am ten years older than I actually am? Maybe dye my hair grey, add fake wrinkles, carry a cane? Would that make you proud of me?
I make my own way in the world, and I don't need your approval. As i said, if you want to control my actions, then PAY me. Otherwise you have no power over me.
Rhazer Fusion
Member
It doesn't matter if you are nearing your 80's. If you want to play a portable console in your free time or whatnot, that's your business and who cares what other people think. Those same people are probably on social media or looking up gossip/news on their devices anyway which is probably much more detrimental than playing a video game console.
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StreetsofBeige
Member
There was a time youd see kids playing with DS all the time. And when tablets became big 10 years ago, some kids would be dabbling on a tablet with mom and dad.
Now, all I see people doing (kids or adults) is using their cell phone. Who knows what they are doing on it.... net, gaming, texting.... but I never see anyone playing on dedicated handheld or tablets anymore. Or anyone playing Switch on the go.
Perhaps kids do it at school, but remember all those Switch promos before launch? Every group of students, college kids and 30-somethings would crowd around a table and play 4 person Switch on a small screen with joycons? I have never seen that ever in public no matter how old the group is.
Now, all I see people doing (kids or adults) is using their cell phone. Who knows what they are doing on it.... net, gaming, texting.... but I never see anyone playing on dedicated handheld or tablets anymore. Or anyone playing Switch on the go.
Perhaps kids do it at school, but remember all those Switch promos before launch? Every group of students, college kids and 30-somethings would crowd around a table and play 4 person Switch on a small screen with joycons? I have never seen that ever in public no matter how old the group is.
StreetsofBeige
Member
When I see fam, friends and work, I'll be neat and tidy.
But when it comes to strangers or me walking around town or doing errands etc... I dont give a shit. I wont go so far as wear dirty sweatpants and stained wifebeater shirts, but I just throw on jeans and a tshirt. I dont even bother combing my hair most of the time trying to look slick.
I've even ran into people I know at grocery stores and Costco wearing my trusty $10 Walmart George tshirt. I just did that a couple months ago bumping into an old coworker and his GF at Costco check out. Much different look than when we worked together. We are surprised seeing each other and laugh, do some chit chat and go our way shopping. Didnt give a shit it looked like I just got out of bed. So I definitely wouldnt care what strangers think.
Unless there's a good reason to be prim and proper, just be yourself and who gives a shit.
Guess what? For all you people who use wireless ear buds, I still use corded. The wired buds that came with my company iphone from ages ago. So I'm fumbling around with a cord sticking out of my pocket. Dont give a shit. I also got an MP3 player too. My earbuds are a cheap corded pair. I think it cost me $10 or $15 tops. Works for me. Dont give a shit about wireless or if people stare.
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rm082e
Member
When my Daughter first started working she was 14 (two years ago - I'm 45 now). The place she worked was about 20 minutes from our house and she worked 3 hour shifts. That was just far enough that it was annoying to drive home and find something to do for a little bit, just to turn around and drive back up there.
So sometimes I would drop her off and go to a deli in the same shopping center to hang out during her shift. If I had work tasks that I could do, I would take my laptop and headphones. If I didn't, I would take my Steam Deck and play a game. I got some looks from kids who were interested in what I had, but nobody else cared. No hot young girls laughed at the Dad playing games. No one cared.
I do remember one time going to a McDonalds to eat and I didn't have my Steam Deck, but there was a teenage guy in there who had earbuds on a Switch and he was playing Fornite with voice chat. That was annoying because he was talking loudly to his teammates like "YOU FLANK THEM TO THE RIGHT AND I'LL BUILD OVER HERE." He wasn't eating. He just sat there playing and talking loud for the half hour I was there. Maybe don't be that guy?
