Is chess embarrassing?

A few years back, me and a friend were asked to play a club match in a local pub. Anyway when we turned up, we had to go upstairs into a seperate room that was clearly signed 'chess club upstairs'. But to enter, we had to pass a table where three foxy looking ladies were sat. But me and my friend were quite unsure about entering the chess club, incase we were looked at by these women as a pair of nerds. Is there anybody else who share these insecurities?

No. I'm a lady and i love chess, in fact i would actually find someone able to play it well, a turn on

When I was in high school, I tried to keep the fact that I played competitive chess away from everyone. I wasn't really a popular guy, but wasn't considered one of the "nerds" either. Eventually the word got out and I thought my reputation would be ruined, but to my surprise everyone seemed to think it was cool. Suddenly I had something else to talk about and became slightly more popular. Maybe my HS was weird, but since then I've never been embarrassed about playing chess.

 Wah hey!! Maybe I could show you my pawn collection ;)

not a chance.  if they mentally berate me for liking chess, then it's them with the problem, not i.  it's all part of natural selection; if those broads want to hook up with trailer trash because he has tattoos and can guzzle a 40 oz. beer in three seconds, then have at it.  i'll be sacrificing rooks and having a grand ole time.

Hahaha. :D

I think it is okay in high school if that's not all you do 

Play a few sports and chess then you can easily avoid the "nerd" title

But some "real nerds" ruined chess, some people think their performance in some school subject due to the effort they put in was purely based on their intelligence,so they deduct they must be good at chess, but instead find out they have no real talent for it.

I would know because the scenario described is pretty much myself. Even though I do play few sports for my HS and never got the "nerd title". Never able to play chess too well but I still love it. 

 Well, I always hide the fact I play chess "more than a game", but I wouldn't care if people knew also.

If you are worried about what people think, turn your attention to something else, preferably the Bongcloud Attack Opening

I use to hang out at this coffee house called Rock-N-Java years ago. There were all sorts of card games being played as well as backgammon. Outdoors ping-pong was contested at two tables. After a couple of months I decided to bring my chess set and board and a copy of My System so that I would have something to do while drinking my cup of Sumatra.

 Several people there, both male and female snickered at me from across the room. It didn't embarrass me because my security isn't based on other peoples perception of me. This went on for about a week when finally this really cute girl came up to my table and asked me if I would be willing to teach her how to play, of course I said yes. We would meet there almost every day after I got off of work and play for a couple of hours. 

Suddenly chess games were springing up all over the place. Within several months there were at least 3-4 games going on every night. The point I'm trying to make is this: don't worry about what others think of you. Had I been embarrassed about what others thought of me playing chess I never would have met Jennifer and gotten so many others to enjoy the game at Rock-N-Java.

Those who snicker at chessplayers probably cannot spell "M & M." Just blow those dullards off. Congrats on hooking up with Jennifer.

Smart girls like smart boys. Most people think chess players are smart. So a smart girl would like a chess player. And you dont really wanna hang out with stupid girls anyway (maybe for one night). Even stupid girls can get really impressed when you say you are a chess player. 

Conclusion: Chess is actualy a good way to get chicks IF YOU ONLY MENTION THAT YOU PLAY CHESS. DONT TALK 100% CHESS TO SOMEONE WHO HAVE NO CLUE. That will scare away any girl (or boy) for sure. So just mention ok? Dont talk about it even if she seems curious (often they are just being polite by asking, they dont want a 30 min lecture in sicilian defense). I made this mistake a number of times... Keep your answears short and ask what she does on her spare time to distract her away from the subject. 

First off, I don't think the stereotype that people hate chess players is especially credible; after all, playing chess isn't really a definition of who you are, if part of it. Second, anything you care to do, as long as it is not particularly harmful to anyone, should not be looked down upon because with this prerequisite everyone has a right to enjoy what they want to -- why shouldn't they? To many, chess is a complete waste of time; to others, it is the biggest rewarder of sound thinking and ideas.

But what everyone should understand, is that people have their particular hobbies or lifestyles for a reason: they like it. So if you see someone with tri-colored hair standing a foot tall, understand that as weird as it may seem, it pleases the person who got it done, for whatever reason.

So the only thing to ask yourself is if chess is worth it for you. If it takes too much time away from other things or something, then you can choose to limit it; but it's all up to you.

If a girl is superficial enough to ignorantly look down on chess, you don't need her, period.

I have it on good authority from an NFL player that many of the team liked to play chess on the plane to pass the time between cities and that they also did so in college. Now, I'm not the smartest guy in the world but I'm not dumb enough to tell a six foot plus pile of solid muscle with attitude that he's a nerd.

lol :D

no im just scared of looking dumb when losing or making mistakes.

I think Skwerly wrote a wonderfully honest and open-minded post, even if it was somewhat derogatory to the fine sport of binge-drinking

Chess isn't nerdy until you talk about it.

It's a little awkward in highschool when the announcements come on calling for "all chess club members please report to the front for year book pictures" and all the hot girls are snickering when me and my buddy get up to leave... But really it was funny and I didn't really care.

LOL!