Doin' It Springer-Style
One of the people I can respectfully call GM recently mentioned rather off-handedly that on Saturdays he ran his "other group."
There are a lot of relationships in gaming, but I never quite realized how much the romantic-style applied to the dynamic. I think in part I felt like the GM was "two-timing" us. Where did I get the idea that there was an implied exclusivity commitment in GMing? Is it a faux pas to talk about your last gaming group like there is making comparisons to your old boyfriends?
I have noted in the past that it is not uncommon for me to develop silly crush-level feelings for the people in my gaming groups. With the Minions it made sense as it was a fairly incestuous group of friends, family, and dating partners anyway, but it sounds like it could get awkward at conventions.
Roleplaying is intimate.
There's no question in my mind why "roleplaying" has a devoted terminology in the sexual arena. Anyone who has ever flirted in-character may have similarly flirted with the intensity of the possibilities.
The nuts and bolts of gaming, as it were, probably don't require any emotional investment... although the cries of agony as a critical failure reveal themselves may provide ammunition for debate.
...but for as much as there may be an illicit thrill in "living through" of others' experiences, the interaction of gaming itself is, to me, often an extension of trust. I mean, sure, I can roll dice with anyone. Can I put on my "Jelica suit" in front of a bunch of strangers?