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Troublesome Tales of a Girl Game Store Clerk
Can't We All Just Get Along?
by Sarah
For over two years, I’ve been working for a major video game retailer. You’ve probably been to at least one of our stores; there seem to be several in every mall or shopping center. I moved through the ranks and went from part-time sales associate to assistant manager pretty quickly, and have had to deal with pretty much every kind of gamer out there. Yet, it still catches me off guard every time some sleazy dude strolls into the store, addresses me as "sweetheart", and ignores me while trying to converse with a male co-worker.
Now, why does this happen? Because I’m a chick.
Yes, I play games that aren’t called Barbie’s Magical Horse Dancing Mystery Party or something equally ludicrous. Yes, I own almost every major console that has been released in the last twenty years. In high school I devoted more time to Final Fantasy than I did schoolwork. And most nights, I’d rather be playing Halo with my friends than going out. Is that really that hard to believe?
It’s hard to talk about being a "girl gamer" without sounding pretentious. I’m not trying to make a statement; I really just like to play. I enjoy well-written stories, interesting and challenging gameplay, and just having fun. So why are people broken up into the categories of "girl gamers" and "guy gamers"? Why aren’t there just "gamers", period? I think it’s about time some of these ridiculous myths about girls who play video games were dispelled.
1. THERE ARE NO SUCH THINGS AS "GIRL GAMES"
Do not ask me to tell you where these games are when you come to my store. I’ll recommend anything from Zelda to Grand Theft Auto, but I’ll also be sure to let you know that anyone can play anything. It’s not about being a girl, it’s about personal taste.
2. GUESS WHAT? WE DO PLAY THINGS BESIDES HARVEST MOON AND NINTENDOGS
While there’s no need to name-drop any more than I already have, don’t assume I don’t play "real" games just because I’m not a dude. I may not be a professional gamer, but I can hold my own in just about any genre. And even though I may love role-playing games, that doesn’t mean I can’t handle first-person shooters or your basic action/adventure game.
3. JUST BECAUSE I'M WORKING WITH A GUY DOESN'T MEAN THAT HE KNOWS MORE THAN I DO ABOUT WHATEVER GAME YOU'RE LOOKING FOR
The number of examples I could give of this occurring are countless, and almost every time, my knowledge of the video game industry and its releases is superior to that of the guy I’m working with. They’ll admit it willingly. Don’t assume that because I have boobs, I am completely devoid of information.
4. Now this one's very important: IF YOU DO SEE A GIRL AT YOUR LOCAL VIDEO GAME STORE, SHE HAS A NAME
No, really, check her name tag, it’s true. And it’s not "sweetie", "honey", or "baby". You wouldn’t call a guy those things, would you? She’s not there to look cute and be patronized, guys. Not a day goes by that a complete stranger doesn’t call me some aggravating pet name. This isn’t acceptable. Do you really think I would have been hired, not to mention put into a position of management, if I didn’t know anything about the product I was selling?
Don’t get me wrong here, it’s not like every single guy I come across at
work is this ignorant. A lot of them are pretty cool, and don’t give the fact that I’m a girl a second thought when they ask me about the hottest new release or what console they should buy. Unfortunately, I’m afraid there’s always going to be that minority that assumes I’m either brain-dead or too busy playing Hannah Montana to help them. Maybe someday, girl gamers won’t be such a minority. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m done charging up my pink DS, and I’ve got some gaming to do.
Comments
Very cool article, but I disagree with point 1. There are girl games! Magical Horse Dancing Mystery Party is geared towards girls and things like Halo are not. Does that mean they cannot be enjoyed equally by a girl? Not at all. But just as some movies, novels, and television shows aim towards one market so do games.
good read, but i've ran across a manager at a local ebgames that didn't know what i was talking about when i was trying to explain hellgate londons preorder.
There is a stereotype for a gamer and it's supported by both guys and girls.
Over the last year I've done three parties out of about a hundred for girls. They were all great fun and the players had a good time.
For the other 97 parties, sometime there is a sister or girlfriend included. They are bigger into the stereotype than most guys are. They sit and pout. They complain about how games are stupid. Eventually they get bored and give it a try. Most times I can catch them actually having fun.
Guys are just as bad. My daughter works most of the parties with me and will play if there is an extra seat. She signs in as Gamerbus and everyone assumes it's me. She is very good at Halo. I've never seen her lose, even in a bus load of 16/17 year old die hards. It is funny to hear the bus go quiet when all the guys crank their necks around because they can't believe it's a girl that just beat them.
Anyway, it goes both ways. Lots of guys and girls believe a girl can't play or care about video games.
My local game store is run entirely by girls. I'm guessing that they must have to put up with the same crap everyday also. Kinda like a guy nurse.
@Coop: explain to me why games like Halo are not girl games? Women fight and die in war, women watch violent movies, women play games that are war-based. The only thing that makes them "guy" games is our pre-conceptions which are only as deep as our intellects...
Gender roles are ridiculously (and by that I mean the root definition; that is: something to be held up to ridicule) antiquated. The playing field is level.
rock on sarah! it's nice to know that there are stores i can go into and be helped by a smart, cool gamer girl instead of a condescending, obnoxious gamer guy who assumes i'm buying something for my brother/boyfriend/other random male.
Halo is not marketed towards women or developed with women in mind. The average gamer is male, age 25-40. Developers look at that when making their games. Again, it doesn't mean that girls can not or do not have as much fun playing it, but it wasn't developed with girls in mind. There are certain game aspects that a majority of men like and certain aspects a majority of women like. Don't try and paint that statement as sexist - which it looks like you already tried to do.
The playing field is level and gender roles are shallow and unimportant in reality, but that doesn't mean game developers know or abide by those standards.
I am not saying that games made for girls should be played only by girls, just that they are made which was my original point. I highly doubt the makers of the Bratz or Strawberry Shortcake games are made to be bought by young men just like the television shows are. Hannah Montana is a show that targets young women and the games are made for that audience. "Girl Games" exist in that aspect.
Believe me, the last thing I think is that girls can't game. I have a little sister and girlfriend who game as much if not more then me and can rip me apart in games as much as I can them.