What do you think about the term "Gamer"?

All my life I've adored videogames, I'm a gamer and I'm proud of it.

Recently, discussing with my other gaming friend, Some people overheard us and started joining in our conversation and I've quickly noticed how that fact we were "Gamers" made them laugh at us.

So, what? We have a hobby, its not that big of a deal, right?

Why? Why are we laughed and pointed at? Is it because of the minority of basement-dwelling hobgoblins stereotype? Can't we simply be recognized has our own community with our own sub-medias?

Here's what i think: Its a title to be feared. Has soon has I reveal that part of me in a social relation I am bound to be despised, no matter how I look, its like those 5 letters would be an arcane incatation to scare everyone away. So I try to live up to its name, show society what a real gamer is made of, but after I've beaten some sence into one person, there's nearly 3 billions left, so what the **** am I even trying?