I’ve written a lot about the “Geek Test.” I’ve even written about the time I failed it. But I don’t think I shared the time I actually passed.

It was at Otakon 2013. John and I were in the dealers’ room, buying Gunpla kits. Otakon always has the best selection of the year, and we end up buying lots.

“Look at that,” I said to John. “They have a whole wall of chibi Gunpla!”

Suddenly, the guy next to me pivots to face me. He’s not one of the people working at the booth, so I’m sort of confused at first.

“These are great for beginners,” he began. “They’re High Grade Gunpla, which is the easiest type of Gunpla to build.”

This would be a very helpful thing to say. Except that it’s wrong.

“Actually,” I replied, “These are SD kits, which stands for Super Deformed, and they’re in a class of their own. They’re even simpler to build than HD.”

I waited a beat. He took one of the chibi kits off the shelf and didn’t respond, which emboldened me to keep going.

“If you want to learn more about Gunpla, I’ve written a lot about it on my blog. Check it out sometime,” I said, giving him my card.

He was still looking at the SD Gunpla box, presumably to find the nonexistent spot where it was marked “HD” and prove himself right.

I passed the test with extra credit. But I didn’t feel any better.

Why haven’t I shared until now?

This happened in August. But it never felt right to gloat about it on my blog.

Sure I could pick on this guy for being wrong when he was so confident he was correct, but his heart was in the right place. He saw what he presumed was a beginner, and wanted to help her out. It was wrong that he thought I was a beginner because I’m a woman, but that isn’t just his fault. That’s the pervasive narrative in geek culture. People’s perceptions aren’t going to change overnight.

Earlier, when I failed the “Geek Test,” I felt angry. I felt like my testers didn’t think I was welcome in their fandom.

But when I passed, I didn’t feel any better. I responded just as accusingly as any “Geek Test” giver. I judged this stranger for what he didn’t know. Even worse, we’re both Gunpla fans and if I’d handled it better, that could’ve been the start of a friendship.

I went home with five new Gunpla kits and the sinking feeling that I’d become the kind of geek gatekeeper I’ve always despised.

As geek musicians the Doubleclicks say, “If someone has to pass a test to hang out with you, YOU’RE the problem.” Passing this test wasn’t an accomplishment.

And getting your Gunpla facts straight isn’t a prerequisite to being my friend.

(Photo by toon_ee on Flickr.)