And there is also the totally stupid one's like "Toons". Another place to maybe start is walking in a local hobbyist store, they will be more than willing to help and help with any other local gamers you could meet, and if you are into the models on a board type game-play there are usually people playing there or the staff MORE than happy to have a game of something and show you the ropes.
In our local hobbyist (or geek) store at the weekends you often have to punt small children out the way so you can get to what you want or too the counter to pay for something.