Hi Puc_7.
I know what you mean. As a male, I have some "friends" I wouldn't rush to tell I was a chess enthusiast. The same "friends" are likely to question my "maleness" if I was to tell them I enjoy reading books. I suppose it just emphasises the differences between true friends and mere aqcquaintances.
Not at all, Batgirl. It's a game for everyone. I was just suggesting that there are some males who would (wrongly) consider it an effeminate game. 
Well said Hugh.
It's the same way for me. Everyone knows I play chess, even the people I work with because I can be seen with a book of tactics puzzles on the train every morning! I would never be "friends" with some troglodyte who thought chess was unmanly.
Because everyone knows I play chess, it's actually changed some opinions of the game. On a few occasions, people have approached me to say "I can see how your being a chess player made you accomplish task x in that manner." Maybe it's because I live in the bay area, but here chess players are seen as systematic, detail oriented, and even creative!
Everyone who knows me knows i play chess. If they say anything derogatory about the game, then i just inform them about one simple and true fact. That chess is the second most popular sport in the world after normal football. Don't forget, sports like cricket or golf may seem very popular in some countries, but in other countries they're classed as minority sports. Chess like football can be played anywhere and everywhere. FIDE ( chess ) is second only to FIFA. The olympic commitee is the biggest, but thats a combination of different sports. If this fact doesn't shut them up, then just inform them that they're probably to thick to play the game anyway.
Most people I meet seem either a little envious or a little impressed by my chess. I don't brag or even really talk about it but I would never hide it. I'm only around 1800 uscf strength but to them I seem like a master. 
"i take my set and clock to parties and play people 1 min to 10"
who gets which?
Heh.
I remember stealing the mats & pieces from the chess club in college at lunch, and setting up 4 of them - me on one side, open seating on the other. Only game I lost to the lunch crowd was the second one I played with by back to the board. But the normal chess club members weren't around - they would have destroyed me...
Still it was fun!
I never play chess in the closet. Not enough room for a normal sized set. :p
--Fromper
I would like to know what the members of this website think of closet chess players. I personally will admit I am one. My friends wouldn't know i play chess or that I am on this site. I love chess but my social group dosen't. I see chess as a different outlet in my life. I'm not sure this might hurt my game but its the best way for me.
What does everyone think?