This stems from a discussion I was having with some friends about women/girls in WoW and other MMOs. I came to the conclusion that there are several types, and while not every woman playing an online game falls into one of these categories, some do, and I feel it's my duty to make the public aware of this.
The Stereotypes/Archetypes of Woman in Gaming.
Name: The Girly Girl
Habitat: Trade or General Chat
Most Likely to Say: "I just need 2000 more gold for my epic flying mount but I can't farm it myself :( :( ;_;"
Traits: The Girly Girl is the one that spends a lot of time talking on general or trade chat wherever she is. She uses a lot of emoticons like :), :(, ;_; ^^ ^_^ and so on. She's the one that can always get groups because she's a girl, but may not be a very good player. She uses the fact that she's a girl to get all sorts of things, from money to items to a spot in a raid.
Risk Level: High. Stay away from this one.
How to Handle: Just don't pay her any attention. She'll get fed up, throw a drama fit, and leave.
Name: The Cyb0r Wh0re
Habitat: Goldshire (Or Horde equivelant)
Most Likely to Say: "Hi baby ^^ You want to RP with me somewhere private?"
Traits: Do I really have to go into this? She's the level 5 human standing in Northshire in just a tabard, sometimes with others and sometimes alone. She could be a good player, but who knows. She never actually plays the game.
Risk Level: High. High chance of being a guy.
How to Handle: /ignore. That's pretty much the only way. Either that or you could play along if you're into that kind of thing, but make sure you get a cleanse afterwards. Never know what you might catch.
Name: The Tough Chick
Habitat: Karazhan, SSC, TK, MtH, BT.
Most Likely to Say: "Okay, tank go in, healers spread out. Keep me topped off and don't screw up."
Traits: This is the girl that is probably an officer in a guild that's raiding. She knows her stuff, and she doesn't take any crap. Probably doesn't put up with any flirting. She could be another type of girl when not in raids but once it's time for business, she doesn't mess around. Slightly intimidating, but she's the one you want main tanking Kael'thas. Knows her class, knows the rest of them and still somehow finds time to do all of her RL chores as well.
Risk Level: Low. This is one of the ones you want to keep around
How to Handle: Don't treat her any differently than anyone else, because she'll probably just get annoyed and kick you out of the raid.
Name: The Mother
Habitat: Guildchat
Most Likely to Say: "Don't worry hon, I'll help you."
Traits: She's always the first one to welcome new guildmembers, or to respond when somebody asks for help. She has a fair knowledge of the game and probably plays a healing class (priest, paladin or druid. Possibly shaman but not as likely). She'll do anything to help people out, and she's probably one of the ones that keeps the group together. Likely not interested much in PVP or raiding, but if she does come she'll spend most of the time talking to people in whispers if they're upset about something and trying to make them feel better.
Risk Level: Low. A nice person, if a little annoying at times.
How to Handle: Thank her a lot, just don't take her anywhere out of her depth.
Name: The Hidden Girl
Habitat: Anywhere
Most Likely to Say: "Hey bro."
Traits: This is the girl that stays below the radar. May or may not be playing a male character. Never talks on voice chat. Might use some smilies :) but not a lot. Everyone just assumes it's a guy, and she never corrects them. May be hidden because she's sick of the way girls can be reacted to, because she doesn't want to get hit on, or she just wants to see if she gets treated differently.
Risk Level: Very Low. You'll probably never find her.
How to Handle: You can't, because you won't know. If you find out she's a girl somehow, keep it to yourself.
Name: The Ambiguous Girl
Habitat: Any of the Above
Most Likely to Say: "Hi! :)"
Traits: This is the one nobody is sure about. May or may not be a girl. Plays a girl character, claims to be a girl, but some of the things "she" says are a little... odd. Never talks on voice chat, claims to have a broken microphone, or just can't get it working. Possibly claims to be a lesbian and hits on the other girls around.
Risk Level: Medium. Probably a guy.
How to Handle: If it matters to you, seek proof. If it doesn't, treat her like anyone else.
A lot of the girls you'll come across will be a mix of the above, or completely different. This is just a field guild to the most obvious ones.
Disclaimer: I don't take responsibility for the girls really being guys. Even I can't tell sometimes. If in doubt, just treat everyone the same.
great post! I think I fall into the Mum category, although I'm probably somewhere inbetween her and the tough chick, or I'd like to think so anyway. and I most definitely like my smilies ;)