Okay I admit it, I read comic books. I love series like Sandman, Y:The Last Man, and Fables. Because I like these books, I sometimes end up in the comic book store. There is only ONE shop in Halifax where I don’t feel like some kind of bug on display when I walk in. In the other places, conversation stops and the assorted geeks standing around begin to stare at me, often grinning or giggling like idiots to each other. The people behind the counter are rude and talk to me like I’m three years old. The condescension and snickering make me want to scream. Just give me my Scott Pilgrim comic and let me get the hell out of there!! Why does it have to be that way? If I was treated with a teensy bit of respect and not ogled like a piece of meat maybe you’d learn that I know a lot about comics and yes I can even play your stupid Magic the gathering game! —Lisa
This article appears in Nov 18-24, 2010.
Order online? I find it’s usually cheaper. Especially for graphic novels.
is this the place with the dog? i like it there
You must be going to the wrong comic shops because I’ve never had any bad experiences at any of the shops I go to.
get over it….. you are in the domain of geeks and nerds, whose idea of a hot date is to use 4 or 5 hand warmers before settling down to an evening of internet porn.
The nice thing is, you know they arnt going to do anything more than just stare at you, and possibly glue a picture of your face on top of their life size princess lea “action doll”
Be happy that you made someones day, buy your comics, and give them a smile and wiggle yer butt on the way out the door.
life’s too short to sweat the small stuff
*sigh* Here we go again with the “hurr durr nerds never get laid” stereotype…
My nerd bf gets laid. he he he. Though, you must admit, orgasm-dude, lots don’t. I’m sure lots of athletes don’t either – their chances are better due to stereotypical bar stars who’ll put out for those kinds of guys.
You could say that about any social caste or whatever, though. Fact of the matter is, some people have an easy time getting laid and some people don’t, regardless of whether they’re a nerd or a jock or whatever. /rant
I agree. I guess I’m just talking in a circle because I’m bored. Meh. Sorry.
It’s ok. I just get really annoyed by stereotypes and this one struck particularly close to home.
I’ve been collecting comics since my first issue of Spiderman in ’62 and find on-line is the only way to go. Fantagraphics books is one of my fav sites, they have interesting selections. Also try Amazon or e-Bay. Soooo much cheaper. I got a recent collection of the ‘Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers’ half the price the local comic dealer was charging.
As others said, if it bothers you so much, shop online. But I’ve seen many a hot girl pass through the comic shops around here and while she might get some looks (which she would anywhere else, as well), conversation doesn’t stop and no one treats her like she’s an idiot. So either you act like an idiot, and they treat you in kind, or you’ve got a bit of an ego and think people are paying more attention than they are, because I have a hard time believing that the nerd world stops for you and only you.
OP you sound like a self-absorbed, stuck up nasty bitch. Why do you make it out like you’re so much better than the other people at the comic book store?
PF I think I have to agree a little with ya here. I can understand the other bitch this week about people going into a store on SGR and being treated poorly….but this chick thinks she’s too hot for comics. That’s why they’re looking at you…not because you’re hot…because your self-absorbed OP.
i don’t understand all these bad-service bitches. i am always treated warmly, wherever i shop. love the freak ttfn, it’s part of my dowry to the boy *cackle* i♥nerds, as long as they smell good—>like every other bag of skin
I’m also in agreeance with PF. OP seems ashamed of their comic book habit because they think it takes them down a notch in the imaginary societal hierarchy that exists in their mind.
Exactly… it’s really juvenile actually.
Yeah it kind of is. On another note, how are you today, PF? 🙂
Realchick & Purple Fire-
The OP isn’t “self absorbed”.
Have you ever been in a comic store? It is a cliche, but it is pretty much the way the OP described. Not just here, but in other cities, too. It’s a fact, the amount of women who read comics are greatly outnumbered by the men and you don’t see a whole lot of women in the stores. So, they get a little more extra attention when they walk in. I used to get the same reaction years ago when I went into video arcades. At the time, they were the domain of males, so any females going in would get double the checkout.
The exception to this would be the comic store downtown that I can’t name but is very “strange” That place is very welcoming. No extra attention, at all.
Orgasmatron- Agree with you on the stereotypes for this. So cliche. All nerds live in their parent’s basement, never get laid and have no social skills. Yeah, right.
LOL I’m fine thanks, how are you?
you don’t fit the mold/one size fits all. revel in it tdf..i do^^greetings pf and nerd man
I’m pretty good. KillBrindi’s comment kind of struck a nerve and brought some things to mind that I’d rather not talk about, but I’m ok now. I got your reply, btw, and sent a response back.
Hi Paingirl 🙂
Meh, don’t worry about people who want to put everyone in a stereotypic category Brendon. Also, there is nothing wrong with a bit of internet porn.
lol I know that, PF. Hey PG. 🙂
when kba posted that, i got all riled up but knew you would come through it unscathed
Thanks for the vote of confidence, PG. 🙂
On a sidenote, I’m craving sushi sooo much right now… why oh why isn’t it payday??!!
I can’t say I’ve been to too many comic book shops. But I do think I have an idea of what you’re talking about now. People act like they’re high and mighty when their in their element…I understand….. everyone acts different in their comfort zone and when a person who would normally treat said person in a possible rude manor in one place…is now needing help from said person they treated crappy at one point…..giving that person the upper hand.
BUT HERE’S THE TRUTH: Be nice to everyone!! We are all stereotypical sometimes, we group people all in the same category and it’s bullshit. I’m tall blond, once was tanned and was thin until this week….I’ve had people say to me all the time, I didn’t expect you to have this personality after they have gotten to know me…..I have people who I thought were ‘geeky” that turned out to be self absorbed assholes and hot guys who turned out to be the nicest geeky type guy I’ve ever met. If everyone could just be themselves without judging and stereotypes and by giving a damn about others feelings then this world would be a lot nicer place.
But then all of us bitches would have nothing to do with our time without all these asshole comments…..so I retract this comment.
mmm wasabi and i love horseradish…sinus clearing condiments rawk. 195- my treehouse will be open all day^^
Bahaha I’d be willing to buy you some sushi, PF. 😉
OP: I think most of it is all in your head. I think you’re a little embarassed of the fact that you like comic books, so you think everyone’s staring at you; judging you.
I feel the same way when I go to an “adult” store. But really, no one gives a fuck.
Perhaps I’m wrong though. In that case, you said that there’s one store where you’re not made to feel “like a bug on display”. Here’s a thought: Go There.
And where I would I find this magical treehouse of yours, PG?
it’s t’home which is where i am…a no fly zone. the boyos are still at the shop…tootsie pops are the only treats available today^^
The comic shop I deal with seems to have as many geeky girl staff as geeky boy staff and it seems like theres as many boy customers as girl customers. Its also the Best Comic Shop in Halifax, so thats probably why.
They are rather excellent, Cranky. Though the one up in the north end is pretty good as well.
warmer brendon^^^
I wasn’t aware I was playing a guessing game, PG. 🙂
Maybe I’m just too thick to notice, but I’ve shopped in comic book stores around the world and have never felt like an outsider walking into any of them (and as a woman have never been made to feel uncomfortable or like a piece of meat). In fact some of the best nerd-conversations I’ve had have been with perfect strangers in comic book stores, either other readers or the staff. Same with (indie but also mainstream) video game stores. Sad to hear that this is the case for some 🙁
Brendon I would love to take you up on that offer, but I’m watching my friends daughter for a few hours tonight. Also, I would have to pay for myself 🙂
sorry 195-i cannot cross too many lines. i might have my sheriff badge taken away^^^
Btw Brendon, I just responded 🙂
I don’t think OP is embarrassed about liking comic books at all, quite the contrary. OP is more likely proud of being a female who likes comic books, and it’s going to her head. This is partly where the delusions of everyone in the comic book store ogling her because she’s so hot comes from. “Oh yeah, I bet these dorks don’t see a girl like me in here very often!” The other part comes from stereotyping nerds. This bitch is just her inflating her own ego by pretending that it bothers her. Whether people are actually checking her out or not is irrelevant.
On a side note, I’m also a girl who likes dorky stuff like comic books and video games, and I hate talking to dorkish snobs. At first you think, “Hey another person who likes the same stuff I do, cool.” Then after ten minutes you realize that this person is not at all interested in having a nice conversation with you about the real life merits of psychohistory, gaps in Warcraft lore, or how bad “The Last Airbender” was in comparison to the cartoon, but much more interested in proving that they are a bigger dork than you. And it doesn’t just go for dorkery. Music, movies, books… snobs are everywhere.
For me, being a “dork” isn’t about memorizing every episode of Star Trek so you can recite it later to prove yourself. It’s about being a visually oriented person who cares about great stories and the characters in them. But hey, if the reason you remember everything in Star Trek is because you just love it then that’s great. I’ll never understand why, because I don’t like Star Trek but I won’t hold that against you.
To be clear I wasn’t inferring that the OP or the people who work in comic book shops are dorkish snobs I was just ranting in general.
I hear ya brendon…
blood started to boil a little as I was reading through this crap.
Personally, I don’t notice anyone when going into the store…
because I’m looking at the shelves for the shit I want to check out.
Now the fact that i have to look at every shelf for every item in the store before I make my informed decision is a little creepy on my part, but not anywhere’s near as bad as the ‘type’ OP depicts.
(it used to be bad as a kid because I could never decide what to rent for movies unless I looked at every movie in the store before deciding… I also didn’t know there was an adult’s section so those were excluded. used to take hours to pick a movie to watch)
If you’re looking to be the center of attention OP…. not surprisingly, you’ll find it.
Mmm…. sushi. PG, there’s a treehouse in my hood which is lit up like the christmas decorating elf was on some crazy crack, it just vomited lights all over it! Is your treehouse decorated for Christmas yet?
Treehouse? You on vacay too, Painey – or feeling a touch under the weather? Roooooooo >: (
one of the best comics ever put out was one called”komandi”. it was based after the last great nuclear war, and the guy komandi, named for where he was born and raised, command d bunker. fought mutated critters and humans alike, in their quest for a better life. if was a cool series, but did not last long. i would love to be able to find all copies intact somewhere, but alas, i fear that is not so. as to book shops in general, or commander ive in particular, you might just have had a bad experience in the one/s you went to.
You really don’t like the shift key do you … Haha Too much work, it’ll delay your schedule right? Big pimpin’ LS
http://www.rotaryresurrection.com/klintern…
donk baby, the only thing i like shifting is my ass, from one cheek to the other. and schedule is always open. and maybe you meant the enter key to start another paragraph.
like this, right?
First thing to do tonight is to give TTFN a qualified apology for how, I said what I did.
The way I raged on you was un-called for, hurtful, and definately over the top, for that I’m sorry & I apologize.
I’ll also promise to try and kep my retoric at a civilized level. Except when dealing with Annie.
wow an apology and a scushie face too…nice
Hugo…I hope TTFN read that…that was very big of you. I’m a little chocked up…friggen hormones!
Me too. You may rattle antlers from time to time, but you are both funny as hell and both on the side of the good guys. I’m proud to call you both bitch buds. >: )Rawk!
TTFN…the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers…. I havent seen one of those in years !
How’s Freddy ?
Free Wheelin Franklyn , & Phineas?
And let us not forget Fat Freddies Cat !??
THey went by the wayside after schooling was done & kids entered the picture.
My roomies after uni christened me “Notorious Norbert the Narc.” And the line “I sure ‘dig’ those big-titted hippie chicks” got much usage.
Hey, no sweat, Hugo – my apologies for occasionally being a (fill in reproductive part) – now, BIGGGG HUUUUUGGGGG (and a collective awwwwwwww from our fellow bitchers). All is forgiven. Besides, I quite enjoy your posts.
And there was much rejoicing. Yay.
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Now “Fight the Real Enemy” says shaven headed Ivan as he tears up a pornographic caricature of Montrealman and launches into an a capella version of a Marley tune – probably Buffalo Soldier – my fave.
Fat Freddie’s skat was always my fav – I love his meeting with the Great WaWa – a great dane crossed with a Chihuahua – so you’ve got this tiny-bodied dog with a huge head – o.k. haha – not too funny – but then the dog says, wait till you see my brother – the sight of this massive-bodied dog with a pinhead is fucking priceless.
…and the cockroach armies. Corporal Cockroach: ‘Sir, we’ve lost two million soliders’ – General Cockroach: ‘There’s millions more from where they came from.’
L O L….I forgot about the army of cockroaches in the kitchen !
Good times…I think we some of my friends in high school) got our first idea for baking “brownies” from a freak brothers comic ~;)
Special brownies…..mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…great for movies.
Yeah , they were pretty great…I remember getting lost in the parking lot of Scotia Square with my friends when we were headed to the theatre there way back…. We wanted to go to the early show, tried to cut through the parkade from up by the garage that used to be there & we ended up lost for almost 2 hours … good thing we weren’t driving ~;)
http://www.infinitecat.com/cat-comics/comi…