The Only Girl. Types of people who still come to Internet cafes
Table of Contents
The reason why so few girls come to play in cafes is not at all clear and obvious, but I think it's mainly about hygiene and – I'm careful here to avoid stereotypes – the way women play.
Hygiene. Everything here – mice, keyboards, chairs, headsets, desks – are used by dozens of people. Sometimes, maybe even too many. Would I wear these headphones, used by dozens, if not hundreds of people? Not in this life. We've already established that half of the customers don't wash hands. And this god-forsaken toilet, which after the morning visits of clients could just as well implode and disappear from the face of the Earth – it would be better for all of us.
Sorry, ladies, if you feel generalized, but I think women prefer to play (also just stay) in places where they have relative comfort and some privacy. Some of them also like pleasant environment. It's not feminine, it's human. I myself do not hide that my favorite way to play is at home, in pajamas or wrapped in a blanket like a burrito; when I choose the game myself, I can swear all I want, and I know that the only other noise I will hear are only the neighbors on the other side of the wall. I can sit as I like, my room is quite pleasant, and I don't have to pay extra for junk food. As a bonus, my cat obscures the monitor or helps me shoot who needs to be shot by tapping his paw on the mouse.
The cafe just doesn't have that. It's dark and masculine, and the choice of games is limited. Privacy is virtual, the gaming chair makes it very difficult to take innovative positions.
Still, there's That One Girl who does come. And not with a boyfriend (those girls don't fall into this category). Alone. Sometimes with a girlfriend. Plays for an hour to three, only League of Legends. And – I'll tell you – I love her. She's a combination of eternal anger with independence and nonconformism. She just doesn't care. Cramped, masculine, dark, dirty – so what? When I first saw her, there were only two free computers around the room, including one, perhaps the worst – crammed all the way into a corner. You can't even really slide the chair away from the desk. I offered her the two choices, suggesting that spot wasn't the customers' favorite. She asked:
Why not, someone shat on it or what?
It was love at first sight.
Yes, I know, this was supposed to be about groups. But man, she's a one-person army. I can tell you. She's an odd duck, or maybe geese (a weaponized duck).
Of course, I'm sure there's more girls out there like her. I just haven't met them yet. And then I'm also sure there's many guys out there who prefer the comfortable, private playing style. Maybe even with a cat. The gaming room is often a sanctuary. A shelter. And that's awesome.
Makes things more interesting.