Hopefully this question doesn't sound stupid.

I am trying to understand what people are referring to when the word Bear Market is used.

Is it implying that there will be a low number of high odds plays for both long and short biased traders? As in nothing really breaks out / down, just lots of sideways "non-plays"? Obviously the short side will have the upper hand , but I guess I am asking if Bear means less volatility? 

Or are opportunities frequent (volatility still present) like in a bull market but favoring the short biased traders?

Do low float, low priced listed / OTC stocks "feel" the effects of the overall market, or do they behave differently ? 

I don't buy into the doomsday predictions of when / if a bear market will happen in the near future. Although I assume it will at some point, just not sure when. It is interesting to discuss though. I keep imagining such market conditions to be like a barren dessert with no plays lol hopefully my thinking is not entirely correct.