Nothing less sexy...

[Coronaaapetite]

AIBU in thinking there is nothing less appealing than a fully grown man playing computer/console games?

There are so many threads on Mumsnet moaning about these manchildren and I just can't get the image of a slightly tubby, sweaty, hairy man sitting in the dark, surrounded by crisp packets, hunched over a screen swearing at whoever is on the other end....yuck, right?

I can’t be the only one cringing at posters’ virtue signalling about their husband’s activities.

My super healthy, super mature, super super husband hikes don’t you know?

🤣🤣🤣

I can’t be the only one cringing at posters’ virtue signalling about their husband’s activities.

Well yes, fair enough andguilty as charged. I wouldn't normally, but it's only in irritation at the assumption he must be a lazy manchild because he plays on a console!

OhCaptain
some of us have standards

My OH is a very attractive gamer thank you

Like many things, it depends on the consequences of the behaviour. If someone is unfit, unhealthy, unmotivated and spending hours a day playing computer games, there are obviously better things they could be doing with their time. Especially if they are slacking on household responsibilities.

My husband is very fit, motivated and successful in a corporate job. (And handsome lol) He also LOVES to play computer games on the PlayStation or PC - personally I am glad he has a hobby he enjoys, I appreciate having time to read/have a bath/watch my shows. It has no impact whatsoever on his contribution to the home or his own personal development/fitness/health. He also doesn't mind when I suggest he stops playing the game to watch something together/help me with something.

So it depends on the context.

I'm sure a woman sitting in her pyjamas all day reading Mumsnet isn't that "attractive" if it's all you do!

some of us have standards

What does this even mean?

Standards? About what? Dh’s hobbies? Is that something to feel proud of like it’s some sort of accomplishment? That genuinely baffles me!

An adult having a particular hobby is just that - it’s not a reflection of you, or your achievements. You have “done better” in the husband stakes because yours fucks off on a bike (for example) instead of sitting on the sofa for the same amount of time.

I’m genuinely mortified for the people bragging about their husband’s activities! It’s akin to parents posting the high praise their children receive at parent teacher meetings! 😂😂😂

OhCaptain
interesting that you consider "bragging" people who prefer an active partner.

interesting that you consider "bragging" people who prefer an active partner

Do you think it has to be either/or? That’s not particular insightful thinking...

Do you think it has to be either/or?

with a full time job, house chores, kids and a social life? Yes, a little bit!

OhCaptain
interesting that you consider "bragging"
people who prefer an active partner.

Where did I say that? Bragging about your partner being oh so active instead of gaming is weird. And cringey. Which is what I actually said...

with a full time job, house chores, kids and a social life? Yes, a little bit!

Gosh I’d find it so unattractive having a partner who couldn’t manage his time better.

But then I have standards 😉

with a full time job, house chores, kids and a social life? Yes, a little bit!

Ah so with those things going on you have no time for entertainment like reading, TV, posting on MN...
Oh no, you DO have time to post on MN, so why is that more important (to you) than gaming is (to him)?

There is nothing wrong with celebrating a partner's activities... however...

is it really something to proactively celebrate, in the sense of announcing it like it's some achievement?

and to mention it in the context of gaming is really trying to virtue signal how 'my man's activity is sooo much better, sexier, healthier'.

Nobody's saying 'well my man likes to play guitar, or likes to paint' - the examples being offered are direct contrasts to the assumption that gaming is for lazy wasters as opposed to wonderfully active heroes.

All just a bit stereotypical and cringeworthy

with a full time job, house chores, kids and a social life? Yes, a little bit!

You can combine a social life with gaming. A lot of our friends are distributed around the country so we often play games whilst on a big group chat. It's no different from other forms of socialising other than that we're not physically in the same place.

The other night a load of us were playing Jackbox games using Zoom.

Also fitting it into life really isn't any different from any other hobbies. You just fit it into the free time you have available.

Ah so with those things going on you have no time for entertainment like reading, TV, posting on MN...

Do you suggest I go for a run and leave my kids alone to do their school work?

I wouldn't call being on MN "entertainment" or a hobby, but each to their own

MarieQueenofScots
yeah right

I didn't realise that adult men played computer games either. I thought it was a children/teenager only thing.

and to mention it in the context of gaming is really trying to virtue signal how 'my man's activity is sooo much better, sexier, healthier'.

And nonsensical, as it's perfectly possible to have healthy, outdoor activities and play games too. Although I don't have as impressive a list of activities as dh , I do manage to go hiking and MN and watch things on Netflix. Incredible!

I agree with you OP!

I wouldn't call being on MN "entertainment" or a hobby, but each to their own

So what would you call it, if not something to entertain your mind? Genuine question, I know I read & post on here as a form of entertainment rather than an essential part of my life. Unless you have problems you're asking for help with, but this isn't one of those threads is it.

I'm not a gamer but my sexy, fit partner is. He has a good job and is a great dad. I thought video games were a bit silly and for 'man children' until I started watching dp play. The graphics and story lines are brilliant, much better than watching tv soaps!

user1497787065 Plenty of adult women do too!

Allergictoironing
I call it a way to kill time when I can't do anything better.

Current circumstances excepted, I pop on MN when I work in the office, never when I work from home. I could hardly pick up a book or start exercising in the office

My dh's preferred activities include things like gardening/hiking/sailing - good outdoor healthy pursuits!

Unless he is growing crops then gardening is just as much of a waste of time as gaming is, and unless he is retired or lucky enough to be so rich he doesn't need to work in the weekdays, then the only time he could realistically be hiking/sailing is the weekend. Our society is built in such a way where most people only have a couple of hours in the evening to do leisure activities, and because it is dark most of those activities will be indoors. It's not realistic to expect to be able to fill them with endless outdoor pursuits. Hence why most people develop hobbies like watching TV, reading or (the horror) video games. All of those things are every bit as acceptable as endlessly preening and redecorating your house, which is basically the only thing not deemed too "childish" for adults to do when they are not able to be outside exercising.

Basically, those who think it's unattractive to be a lazy, slobbish, selfish gamer manchild - YANBU at all.

Those who have a sneering, superior attitude to console games and think that playing them at all makes an adult automatically unsexy - YABVU. And I strongly suspect there are plenty of men in the world who play console games but who you would find sexy. In a top 100 list of sexiest men, you can bet some of them are gamers.