There is a general opinion about nerds that we are socially inept, isolated weirdos – and if you are seen a certain way, people will often treat you accordingly, thus perpetuating the social stigma. LARPing is perceived as one of the nerdiest pastimes of all, and thus LARPers are seen as some of the worst offenders when it comes to the nerd stereotype. The irony is, LARP is a way for players to gain the very social skills that they are, by virtue of being LARPers, derided for not possessing. There are many highly social, functional, popular nerds, and a lot of them became that way in part through LARP.
Read the full post at LARPing.org