Online chess is fun, but what about face-to-face chess?

It depends on the face. 

I started a thread in the "Off Topic" section about "atmospheric grooves" (AGs) that I had intended to steer into the topic of how to set up a very successful chess club by creating a certain AG at the club, but as with most serious topics in that forum, people weren't sufficiently interested, and/or they didn't see where the topic was headed, and so it got buried among "first to reach 100" type threads. It is what it is.

Offhand, I would say that there exist only a few likely reasons I would go to a chess club in person (which in fact I do, when I have time), not in any order:

(1) to get away from playing computers for a while

(2) social interaction

(3) atmospheric groove

(4) valuable contacts, especially for finding a good job

(5) a chance to win tournament money

(6) required in order to contribute to my USCF rating

Do both!  Play both online chess and OTB chess!  It's not an Either-Or proposition.  In person chess  kibitzing and joking is so much fun!  

In my area there are 2-3 clubs:

(1) One free one in a low-class area (downtown), frequented by lots of street people who smell of marijuana, and one bozo literally tripped over my laptop computer I had sitting under the table when some security guard wanted to throw him out. The average level of play is weak but there are many attendees, and tournaments where you can win money with no outlay.

(2) One in a nice setting (a building in a nice park) but it requires money to play at all, there are few attendees, and there is a USCF-rated tournament going on every meeting so there is little casual play, ever. The average rating is reasonably high.

(3) One meetup group that meets in a classy restaurant in a nice area, but it costs $20/year, and it's a bit far to travel. I've never attended, but the organizer works at the restaurant, so I think his goal is more to bring in extra income to the restaurant rather than play serious chess. After all, a restaurant is not a very good place to play serious chess.

Those are the only choices of which I'm familiar in the area where I live. I rarely have time for any of them, and I am also so low on money that money becomes a limitation, too.

How is chess played over the internet not "real chess"? The rules are the same. (Yep the people are real too. Modern technology simply offers added benefit of nonhuman opponents that a physical chess set does not.)

I have played face-to-face chess plenty of times, against several of whom share this dislike of web chess. One guy even calls it 'fake chess'.  Whatever.

The in-person social interaction can be nice, don't get me wrong, but that doesn't make the game.

"I dont think anyone said it wasnt real. "

OP implied that in "out of your house and into the real world to play some real chess with some real people".

As far as stupidity--- If you are referring to juvenile comments, just ignore distasteful ones. Disconnects or otherwise unsportsman behavior? choose not to replay those people. Plenty of friendly chess players on here and elsewhere online, including 'mature' ones if that be whom you're in-to.

Btw, this topic would have been probably better suited on the 'General Discussion' forum. Just saying. (unless none of your in_person rounds last past the opening?...  @¿@)

In online chess you can't punch someone in the face. Whether this is good or not is up to you.

OTB, for sure.

Parks or meet-ups at a pub, bar, restaurant.

I get out and play chess face-to-face every week almost, sometimes twice a week. That doesn't include tournaments I go to and ones I run. I also assist running a 1st Monday club at the local library (mainly kids right now).

There are some online clubs that play classical time controls.

Sometimes I'll find a stranger to play against on my tablet whilst riding on public bus.

Not block, just take preference in others' stock.

Absolutely, that is the way chess is supposed to be played and be always my favorite. Especially moving the figures, nothing quite like it. 

No problem whatsoever.

Any time - any day, money game only.

it depends on whose face i am looking at

If you are buying the beer, i will play wherever you want!