If there’s one thing geeks enjoy, it’s sharing their fandoms with other geeks. Some like to fangirl/boy over the latest developments, talk theories or storylines, come up with the perfect cast for movie versions of their favorite games or books. Others like to teach, imparting some facts they’ve discovered about a property, some behind the scenes details or “straight from the horse’s mouth” stories. Now that can be cool when you’re looking for more information, want to get deeper into a fandom and when your fellow geek is sharing out of the goodness of their heart. But if you have been involved in a fandom for any length of time, you have experienced the other type of geek, the know it all or, as I prefer to call it, the douche geek.

Now the douche geek is all about one-upping other geeks. Sometimes they may even have the same knowledge, but the douche geek will let you know that they found out first. They will try to convince you they are more of a fan than you, a better fan than you because they have seen the movie 20 times to your 10, they own all the comics, they have conquered the game multiple times, they have read not only all the books but also the supplements, they write fan fiction of the way things should be in the fandom. Yes, douche geeks are the be all and end all… to themselves at least.

Now, every geek has been caught in a conversation with a douche geek at some point. Someone new to a fandom might not even realize that’s who they’re talking to because they’re happy to gain knowledge. But you will come away from that conversation feeling just a little bit dirty and not knowing why. More seasoned geeks can spot a douche geek from 50 paces and will avoid that annoyance at all costs. If it takes the fun out of your fandom, why bother with it?!

The douche geek is the sports ego of fandom. He will never be convinced he is not the best, he will tell as many geeks as will listen that he is better than all of them and if he hears any insults he will put it down to jealousy. So keep an eye (and ear) out for these potential ruiners of your fandom joy. Go out and deepen your fandom on your own terms and surround yourself with geeks who make your fandom even more fun for you.