Stereotypes in Chess - how can we stop them?

If you mention the word "chess" to someone who's never actually played chess, they'll associate it with "geeks" and "nerds", but personally, I don't consider myself to be either of those things, and I'm sure many others would agree, so how can we stop those stereotypes being used?

As a nerd, i have always held my nerdiness with pride!

nerd means u learn a lot and the others call me a nerd but i dont care cause its a good word

I'm not saying being nerdy is a bad thing (I'm best friends with a nerd, so...), but in movies where people play chess, they're usually depicted with glasses, a shirt and tie, and braces, which is what I'm hoping to stop, because it's offensive, and it puts many people off playing chess.

You cannot fight a stereotype. A world champion with a body of an athlete would have achieved that, but only for a while and to some extent only.

Say whatever you will, stereotypes are hard to change - and virtually impossible as an individual. Why they are so hard to change is a philosophy in itself: maybe human beings are ultimately stubborn natured, maybe because stereotypes tend to be somewhat true often times, perhaps people just like to hop on the bandwagon (regardless of how hurtful it may be to others); it may be none of these, or all of these.

BUT HERE COMES THE IMPORTANT PART  ... 

I think it has less to do with the exact stereotype, and more to do with who you choose as friends. Ideally, a true friend will accept and embrace you for who you are. 

Stereotypes (like many other things) are greatly cultural. What some cultures pick on, others ironically embrace. 

Typically people from the United States of America tend to shove aside feelings like crying (in men primary); some falsely stereotype emotion for weakness like the Ancient Greeks did. However, middle-eastern cultures believe the opposite; men crying is "manly" in that they are compassionate. If a man crys there, other men gather around and console them. 

This is merely one example though; some cultures view the color pink as feminine while blue is masculine. Other cultures see pink as a variant of red/blood (manly) and blue as associated with the Virgin Mary of Catholicism (feminine).

Chess is often stereotyped with "nerdiness" but in other cultures (Hispanic comes to mind) chess is seen as for "smart people". However, this "smart" is in the sense of successful and prestige - far from nerd stereotypes.

There is little you can do about some stereotype, but you can choose to be in environments where they use stereotypes or not.

when people call you a nerd it is out of jealousy they are afraid of people who know more and understand more than them.

Why, that is a WONDERFUL question! For far too long many have been victimized by this stereotype, and as members of chess.com we need to acknowledge that this very site has played a role in its perpetuation. Well, that ends now. Please take a moment to check out my campaign for chess.com staff, and specifically point #1 in my platform, in which I address how we can stop perpetuating the stereotype of chess players being nerds:

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/off-topic/support-my-campaign-for-chess-com-staff-member

If you also agree that such victimization needs to end, please lend me your support! Together, we will make sure that chess players receive the respect that they deserve, and #MaceChesscomGreatAgain!

Ghost of bobby fischer:

there isint enuff light

be sides,you paid to watch

play at home where it,s FREE!

the vast majority of serial killers are also "introverted, antisocial, and not particularly athletic" but you don't hear anyone calling them nerds! chess players just get a bad reputation for no reason. we should all fight against this injustice.

AcEr?

cheating needs to be dealt with,

mono or sterio

thank you Chess.Calm.

watch it wood-push er

oops! watch

for fallen rock

Stereotypes:

All blonde girls have shaved p*ss**s and do pron...

All Football players are egocentric, cocky, beerdrinking harbourworkers wishing to be the next 'Ronaldo'...

All young gymnastics are Chinese, exercising 18 hours a day...

All Germans are still Nazi...

All cyclists participating in a tour are using doping...

All Canadians like to compose (terrible) limericks...

Do you agree with any of one of them? No...? Then why bother the 'nerdiness' of chess

I take geek as a compliment

No way! Next you're going to tell me that the sky is blue!