In the as I like to call it “オタク　の　じだい” (Otaku no Jidai/Era of the Otaku) more and more people are starting to identify with that term. With the help anime, manga, video games becoming more mainstream, it opens a new door that could very well change the basic stereotypes of a geeks everywhere. I’d like to use myself and a few of my friends as an example to show you the changes that are taking place. In my group of friends we are all anime watching, video game playing, computer tech geeks, but and a BIG but we still find people that are surprised when they find out our interest while talking over cup of coffee or a margarita. I will lay out a few points that I think are some of the biggest stereotypical hurdles that social you will have to deal with or change in people’s minds.

Can’t dance:

Anyone who has been in a dance circle at a convention dance knows many very amazing dancers.

Lives’ in mom’s basement:

Almost everyone I know moved out in their early 20′s. That one is shot lol. Also on a serious note if you can be living on your own you should. It teaches great life lessons and, also if you don’t have the ability to take care of yourself what makes you think someone may want to be taken care of by you?

No future financial goals:

Now this one is a double edge sword. Most people equate being a geek with being both lazy and in the future having a great job. I’m not sure how that plays out in the minds of people, but thats what I have run into on my research. I would put it more like this. Some do some don’t. If you do, learn how to actuarially describe your goals in conversation. If not get one! Everyone needs a goal to keep them on track. People wanna know if your sound minded and being able to explain your future goals is a good way to do just that.

Doesn’t go out:

Now I know this one to not be true in my own personal life. Most of my friends after some crazy rounds of Super Street Fighter 4 on a weekend find something interesting to do in the world of night life. It doesn’t even have to be a club. I’m personally not a big fan of most clubs, but if you know of a good CLEAN local one with a nice atmosphere, by all means go out. If clubs aren’t your thing try a Dave & Buster’s or something of the like. Maybe even a more social setting like Barns & Nobles, or a coffee shop. I don’t care what just GO OUT!! You can’t fish if you never go to the fishing hole.

Lack social skills:

Now the issue of social prowess is the biggest hurdle for any geek to work through. I myself used to be a very introverted observational person in high school. I sometime in school wanted to become known but as I started speaking out I learned that I never really had experience speaking to people. So I had to learn. I like to read some time so I found myself reading books on social, and leader ship skills. As I searched I learned that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was. The two biggest things I could remember in my studies were, to be a good listener, and speak with confidence. Sometimes it’s not what you say but how you say it.

Now like anything else there are always exceptions to the rules. The point of all of this is so that you can also be one of those exceptions. Being able to have an interest and also show that said interest doesn’t control every part of your life could very well open up someone to being interested in you. You want seem like a jack of all trades.

I hope that the points I covered today comes in handy.

Remember オタク　の　じだい！！