My mom never really said much, though she once observed it’s that game where everybody kept asking whether it was their turn already. She also understands the approach I’m taking to trading/selling, but she doesn’t really care for it much, though I think she appreciates that I’m trying to make the hobby pay for itself.

As for others, I have no idea when our parents taught us to play cards, but we must’ve been quite young or I would’ve remembered. I’ve always been into playing games, so people are sort of used to me talking about them every now and then. In high school I spent many breaks playing Chinese Poker, whenever someone made a remark I pointed out there were about 5x as many girls playing in that group than guys, that usually shut them up. Colleagues are sometimes surprised I’m so into games, but, I work in IT, most have a bit of a nerd streak in them anyway so usually they understand. I even had a colleague dig up a Portal sampler for me that he once got at some event (he was a hardcore Bridge player himself).

Btw, I’m not sure what the card game my dad used to play in the club and that he taught us at a young age is called in English or I would have named it. In Dutch it’s called “Klaverjassen” and it’s comparable to Bridge in difficulty. When I started my studies at the university I amazed the seniors, I was the first freshman in years who both knew “Klaverjassen” and its even lesser known variant “Kraken”, in fact I knew all the games they commonly played there (it included Magic) so I fit right in.

So, on topic:
My parents always thought it was a huge waste of time. They were afraid I was going to let down my studies because of it (proved them wrong). They were afraid I was wasting too much money on it and didn’t like it when cards arrived when I traded.
Now they are like “Are you still playing that game?” But at least they realize that they can’t forbid me to play it.
Traveling as a judge to some GP’s gave me some credits (being allowed to travel and get compensation for your hobby gives you some respect).

People around me who are not into games, see this as a nerdy game. But as a judge, you can tell a different story about it.
I’m also a demonstrator for board games. judging and demonstrating are two ways to enjoy my hobby and get something in return. Many people have more respect if you earn money with your hobby compared to ‘wasting’ money for it.
If you think about it, that’s not right. 😉

Your guess is as good as mine. I\’ve been called a lot of things. Intolerant? That\’s new.

Huh?

seriously, tell me about it.