Got called out for gatekeeping at the Denver comic con

I was telling a kid at the con that he wasn't a real fan because he only knew the movies. A guy next to me, a dad maybe, just said 'Let people enjoy things.' It was simple but it hit me. I realized I was being a jerk and making the hobby worse. How do you guys make sure you're welcoming to new fans?

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3 Comments

hugom407mo ago

Honestly, it's just comics and movies... not a final exam. People get so worked up about who's a "real" fan. Like @riverg75's story, the kid was there to have fun, not get quizzed. That dad had it right with "let people enjoy things." We all started somewhere, and gatekeeping just makes the whole scene feel mean. If someone likes the thing, that's good enough for me.

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lopez.brooke6mo ago

You mentioned that "enthusiasm matters more than being right." How do we actually put that into practice when someone gets a basic fact wrong? I feel like correcting them can kill the vibe, but ignoring it feels weird too.

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riverg757mo ago

Saw something like that happen to a buddy at a game store. He was grilling a new player about card rulings. The kid just shut down, looked embarrassed. My friend noticed and totally changed his tone. Started asking what decks the kid liked instead. Said it was a way better conversation. Made him realize enthusiasm matters more than being right.

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