Many of us who have been gaming for a while love to spread the joy of our hobby to others. We're not shy about inviting others to our game nights or trying to start up new groups in town. Many times, though, we're met with, "Nah, I'm not interested. I'd rather stay in and watch Netflix."

But then comes the day when someone says, "Yeah, I'd like that," and the person actually shows up at your gathering. You haven't dragged them to your gathering; they've come willingly. They've expressed interest! They are a Potential New Gamer (PNG). Your job now is to not scare them off by giving them a subpar experience. How do you boost the chances that they'll stick with the hobby and maybe become a permanent member of your group?

While everyone responds differently to social situations, there are some things about game gatherings that can be instant turn-offs for potential new gamers. Here are ten things that might frustrate and/or offend your fledgling gamers and tips on how to avoid them.

1. Sexist, racist, anti-LGBTQ, political, religious, or other alienating language or appearances. 

Gaming has come a long way since I started way back in the 1980's. Back then, a woman practically had to accept being offended…

The post 10 Turnoffs for Potential New Gamers (And How to Prevent Them) appeared first on Meeple Mountain.

One of the best discoveries I made last year in my town was a silent book club. It seems like an oxymoron, but for us introverts it's an easy, low stakes way to meet new people without being overwhelmed.

The premise is this: everyone brings a book to read to the event. (Unlike a regular book club, this is a book of your choosing. Not everyone is reading the same book.) Most events follow a similar structure: Thirty minutes of chit-chat at the beginning, an hour or so of silent reading, and then some more chit-chat at the end. The chit-chat can be structured so that each person talks a little about the book they've chosen, or it can just be a discussion of "whatever." Some people don't even stay for the after-chat, preferring to just read and go. Events are held at restaurants or bars. Others are held in libraries, bookstores, or private homes.

The biggest positive I hear over and over about the silent book club is that, in a busy world, the meetings provide a guaranteed chance to slow down and get some reading done. Meeting new people in a real-life, low-stress environment is a close second.

After loving my local silent book club, a light bulb went off in my head. Why wouldn't the same thing…

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