Experiences With People Outside the Hobby?

I'm bringing up this topic due to an experience I had at a recent convention I attended as a Vendor/Dealer. Basically, this discussions is to both bring up experiences we've had with those outside the hobby, and generally discuss opinions regarding these experiences. I'll start with a couple of experiences to help "get the ball rolling" in a sense...

 

I am a dollie dealer, I sell the resin dolls and accessories/clothes/wigs/etc. for them, but of course there is a great deal of overlap with the things I sell and things that can be used for DDs, MDDs, DDSs and DDdys. For this reason, it's not uncommon for local owners of DDs to bring them by my booth for possible new clothes, shoes, etc.

 

However, it's also interesting to see those outside of the hobby, but looking to get into it.

 

One of these individuals was a young man ( I'd guess he was around 16-24) who came up to my booth, examining the dolls. He asked about customs, and styling dolls to resemble anime characters and whatnot, which it certainly possible. I've seen lots of DDs and resin dolls alike customized to resemble anime characters by their owners. He said it was because he planned to cosplay Archer from the Fate/Stay series, and thought he may get a doll that looked like Rin so people would "get" his cosplay. He specifically mentioned it because he saw a local DD collector I know carrying around a Sakura DD. I explained that the DD characters are limiteds, so he'd probably have to find a Rin secondhand or on ebay. He then said "Oh yeah, probably. She's limited, she'll probably cost me around $100" then left.

 

I really do love to try to give support to people who want to get into the hobby, but honestly I don't think he realized that he'd be lucky to find her for $1000.....

 

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Here's another fun little experience. I was out and about with some friends after one of our doll meet-ups with Ichiko in tow. We went to a mall because there's a gift shop there that sells iwako erasers as well as carries some rement sets once in awhile. While in the store, a little girl and her mother came in. The little girl waved to Ichiko with a little shy smile, so I set Ichiko into a "waving" position. Once I turned around, I heard the mother say "I can't believe they let people like that in toy stores."

 

I wasn't bothered, people are free to their opinions after all. However, I noticed the mother pulled her daughter out of the store when she saw the cashier requesting to take a picture with her cellphone of Ichiko with the eraser food.

 

XDDDDD

 

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So please! Share some experience or just discuss ones already stated! I know some users around here go out with their girls, so I'm curious to hear what sorts of stories are around!

I have had not experience like what Lordnoir has had as I have only been in this hobby for nearly 6 months and now have 3 girls and a half pint 50cm obitsu.

 

What I can say is that when I was in Tokyo in sept/oct this year I was preparing Sae & Aoi for a mini photo shoot, and a gentleman with a state of the art DCSLR started to take photos.

Seeing what he was doing I back away, and apologised as they were not set up as I wanted them, but he was more than happy with what he saw and said thank you which please me.

I took some photos, picked the girls up moved further into the Imperial Gardens for another set of pics that I was also happy with. Here people just left me alone.

Then this is the capital of Dollfie Dreams ...... Japan.

 

My next encounter of such was on my return home from Tokyo when I stopped over for a few hrs at Moscow's main INternational Airport before flying back into London.

Here I took a few pictures of the girls by a metal pillar doing the "V" sign standing back to back.

Again a few people looked at me but didn't interfere or ask questions.

 

Here in the UK, the girl's haven't made any open air appearances as I am limited to where I can go (due to health issues, ie not allowed to drive). And being in the countryside and knowing that there is nobody else in the area and nobody will have ever heard of a doll meet, there will be little chance of the girls appearing else where on public display other than when I go on my Holiday.

 

The UK can be cruel to some people.

So far, I have had positive experiences with people coming up to me in public.

 

Most people say they look so real or that they look like they would be soft to the touch. People tend to like what is similar to them. A pair of Chinese women loved the little Chinese shoes one girl was wearing. A girl with long dark hair liked Haruka's (DD Morikawa Yuki) long dark hair. Some people want to take photos. Most people already have the impression they are expensive. There guesses are pretty accurate for normal non-secondary market prices ($500 to $700). No one would think a Sasara would be in the $3000 to $7000 range (although no one is buying the ones up for auction at the higher prices haha).

 

I noticed that members of the military were most curious about my DDs. They come right up to ask questions about them. I wonder if it is that many have traveled a lot and are very open minded about other cultures. When I took Haruka along the River Walk in San Antonio, I met four different people in the military who were delighted to come up and see her more closely.

 

Currently, my boss is not allowed to touch any DDs becuase he always shakes them despite previous reprimandations he clearly forgot. I don't know why he does it. Maybe he thinks shaking them will give him idea of how they are put together. He is the only person I know who is aggressive about touching them. Well..him and another boss who goes for checking under the skirt right away. Most people are very considerate when touching them.

@ LordNoir: The experiance with that mum sounds like a part of a film XDDDDDDD ... "go away from that crappy persons XD they will kill you *muhahahahah*"

 

 

 

hmmmm experiance in germany... fuuuu.... dont know a lot exeriance.

The only experiance i made on conventions is that some people (not a lot) knowing DDs and shout "woaaa want such a girl toooo" ...

 

Ahhh and a horrible experiance was on a Dollmeet (most of them was BJDs, only three DD owner)

one girl with ... (i dont know i think she had no doll with her? ...but i am not sure...) grab on all dolls >_> ...we wanted to do a big Doll-photo... And it was a little difficult to pose all dolls (and after some years with dolls i have my own style to pose my girls...i am a little hardheaded in this xD) But this girl wanted to grab and to pose most of the Dolls... >___< ...Never fell this befor, but i hated it ^///////^ ... dont know if this depent on her nature but i didnt liked her much XD ... She was to fidgety in my opinion xD

At my house we've yet to take Rin outside. Well, when we moved to Hawaii we took her on the plane with us, but she was in her violin-like case and wasn't taken out, so anyone who saw it probably thought it was, well, a violin.

 

I've thought about taking her to an anime convention or something, but most of the anime conventions we go to are off island, and would require taking her as luggage on the plane. So far we haven't bothered.

I've taken my girls all over the place and so far, most experiences were great.

 

I took 5 of them to a local park once and it was just me and them, I had noone there to help with posing and such. I had a huge carrier with me for the girls and some camera equipment. Most people just watched me for a few minutes and kept moving. One woman asked if they were having a tea party. And a little girl came up to me and said "Your Barbies are pretty!" and then ran off to her parents giggling.

 

And whenever I'm in a group with other doll owners, no one ever seems to be bothered at all that I'm the only guy there. I'm sure some passersby think I'm silly or whatever but no one has said anything to me derogatory. But I think that's because of how I look. Being 5 foot 11 and around 240 pounds with a shaved head and ghotee lets me do A LOT and not be bothered.

 

 

Billy

I heard the mother say "I can't believe they let people like that in toy stores."

 

I wasn't bothered, people are free to their opinions after all. However, I noticed the mother pulled her daughter out of the store when she saw the cashier requesting to take a picture with her cellphone of Ichiko with the eraser food.

 

What kind of outfit was Ichiko wearing? Anything that could make an overzealous mother automatically think you were a pervert or something? Your reaction was definitely better than mine would have been. I would have simply turned around and said something along the lines of "I can't believe they let closed-minded people who have the audacity to judge someone based upon what kinds of toys they like into a toy store. What are you...a 6 year old?" ...some people just need to stop taking themselves so seriously!

 

Maybe she was just having a bad day or something like that...but to be so judgmental that she'd pull her daughter out of the store because the staff thought your rare, unique, expensive doll was cool...geez.

 

I noticed that members of the military were most curious about my DDs. They come right up to ask questions about them. I wonder if it is that many have traveled a lot and are very open minded about other cultures. When I took Haruka along the River Walk in San Antonio, I met four different people in the military who were delighted to come up and see her more closely.

 

Oddly enough I think there is something about being in a serious environment for a majority of your time that makes you take things in your outside life a lot less seriously. I think the people who legitimately take issue with our girls are people who just can't understand that not everything in life is something to get angry at or make judgements on.

 

I have yet to go on an outing with my girls outside of a meetup at a convention where they stayed in their bag to avoid being damaged until the actual meetup started. The general reaction I've received from people online has been positive and inquisitive. I've never been called weird for having dolls but I have had quite a few people say that they think they are creepy due to the "eternal stare" factor. I couldn't sleep with my dolls looking towards my bed for a while...I don't know why...but now I'm used to them and I don't find them the slightest bit creepy.

I think the people who legitimately take issue with our girls are people who just can't understand that not everything in life is something to get angry at or make judgements on.

 

Amen!

Can't believe they let what sort of people inside a toy store, exactly? People who are interested in toys? Oh, the horror! I probably would have given her a talking to, but you handled the situation with grace.

To be honest, I'm terrified to take my girls out in public. I'm hoping to get over that this year...

 

Being that I've spent so much money I'm afraid of one of them getting hurt or someone not understanding...

 

I guess I need to get more thick-skinned.

To be honest, I'm terrified to take my girls out in public. I'm hoping to get over that this year...

 

Being that I've spent so much money I'm afraid of one of them getting hurt or someone not understanding...

 

I guess I need to get more thick-skinned.

 

This is also part of my problem with my girls.

 

Living in the countryside and a medium comunity people know me, it's surprising how gosip travels.

 

This is again the reason why there are not many photos of my girls and what ones I have taken need to be improved upon in doors.

To be honest, I'm terrified to take my girls out in public. I'm hoping to get over that this year...

 

Being that I've spent so much money I'm afraid of one of them getting hurt or someone not understanding...

 

I guess I need to get more thick-skinned.

 

This is also part of my problem with my girls.

 

Living in the countryside and a medium comunity people know me, it's surprising how gosip travels.

 

This is again the reason why there are not many photos of my girls and what ones I have taken need to be improved upon in doors.

 

Gossip travels pretty fast here too. We both should probably stop worrying about what other people think, as long as we enjoy our hobby then whats it to other people?

 

I'm probably being too judgmental of myself. Either way, I'm planning on going out more this year.

 

You can never really get over something unless you try.

We both should probably stop worrying about what other people think, as long as we enjoy our hobby then whats it to other people?

 

 

THIS.

 

 

I totally agree with this and it's how I approach my girls and outdoor photoshoots. When they go out somewhere with me for pics, I focus on them and that's it. If I focused on others and their opinions of me, I'd never get anything done and I'd also not get as good a picture because I'd be too worried about what I look like with them.

 

Most often, I'll never see these people again and if I do, so what? If they are so narrowminded as to think I'm a freak or creep because I like taking pictures of my dolls, then THEY have bigger issues than I do. I gave up caring about what others think years ago. I'm not in a popularity contest. If you want to judge me, get to know me first. THEN you can judge me. Otherwise, shut up.

 

 

Billy

I haven't had too many experiences with other people on my DD, but I did have a small meeting with another bjd owner at a cafe and one of the waitresses told us that our dolls were so pretty. She also told us that she liked to collect Barbie dolls. The main person who expresses her opinions about my dolls is my mom, she thinks they are scary and that all doll collectors are obsessed. I try to tell her that's not always true but she won't listen.

I haven't had too many experiences with other people on my DD, but I did have a small meeting with another bjd owner at a cafe and one of the waitresses told us that our dolls were so pretty. She also told us that she liked to collect Barbie dolls. The main person who expresses her opinions about my dolls is my mom, she thinks they are scary and that all doll collectors are obsessed. I try to tell her that's not always true but she won't listen.

 

 

my mum love DDs ^^ ... she´s happy to see new ones when we visit...

Hmm...I really only take them out at the doll meets. Most people there are other BJD collectors though (not most, ALL, there are 0 DD collectors at our meets). A few think they're kinda cute, but they don't like the staring mainly, nor anime-based things. But that's OK, as I'm probably just the opposite, I don't find theirs to look any more real, but in addition lacking cuteness :S

 

Also, an IRC channel I frequent, everyone there hates them, despite them being avid figure collectors themselves..."rolls eyes". They hate the staryness too, but aren't figures even MORE prone to that given most of the decent looking ones can't even pose? Just my two cents.

 

My parents quit caring really what I collect, since I make my own money now and they're liberal enough to let me do as I please. Of the few friends I have...none of them really mind cause they know they have their own quirks too. One of my other friends was really jealous because she couldn't afford one, but that's cause she is one of those people who doesn't save money well. (I'm on the other end, I save over-zealously).

 

So that said, I haven't really had any good experiences with people outside the hobby. But I could care less in the end, at least I have fun with mine instead of just staring at them, and I can pick up a new skill or two.

My next encounter of such was on my return home from Tokyo when I stopped over for a few hrs at Moscow's main INternational Airport before flying back into London.

Here I took a few pictures of the girls by a metal pillar doing the "V" sign standing back to back.

Again a few people looked at me but didn't interfere or ask questions.

To be honest, I'm terrified to take my girls out in public. I'm hoping to get over that this year...

 

Being that I've spent so much money I'm afraid of one of them getting hurt or someone not understanding...

 

I guess I need to get more thick-skinned.

 

Dont been yourself up about it and certainly only do it if you really want to.

 

I totally understand, I've never taken my girls outside, i have been to a Blythe meet before but thats it. Last year I was mugged near my house, with another doll in her box under my arm! they pinned me down and wanted my phone, im sure one of them tugged at the box a little but they got the phone and ran off. So from that point it has deturred me from taking my dolls out.

I have lived in other places where I took them out in the garden for photos, but now i tend to shoot in a light box and have plain backgrounds, i like that 'studio photoshoot' feel

 

I would love to go on a meet though, I would love to see other dolls and some limited ones!

it takes the 'collecting dolls' thing to a new level and a more sociable one, getting to meet other collectors really does reinforce the community, i think its really nice.

I did have a small meeting with another bjd owner at a cafe and one of the waitresses told us that our dolls were so pretty. She also told us that she liked to collect Barbie dolls.

 

See, I LOVE when people do this... I know a lot of BJD collectors who are totally appalled when someone comments positively on their dolls and then talks about how much they love Barbie, or even calls the BJD collector's doll a Barbie... and I just don't get that.

 

I have a feeling for a lot of people outside of the hobby, calling a doll a Barbie is like calling a copying machine a Xerox machine... or calling a resin BJD a Dollfie... it's just their way of describing "doll", not some horrible insult to your collection.

 

(I'm not saying this is your take on it, Talolili... lol, your comment about her commenting on Barbies just made me think about it)

 

Here are some experiences I've had with people outside the hobby:

 

1. I was at an anime con a few years ago and there was a group sitting around with their dolls, and a random person walked up and said, "Oh, your Barbies are so beautiful!", and one of the girls there just RIPPED into this poor girl about how they weren't Barbies, they were so much better, and Barbies were cheap pieces of you-know-what compared to these dolls... and the poor girl who made the comment looked mortified and sort of wandered away in a daze... and my friends and I were mortified.

 

First off, yeah, Barbies generally cost less... but then, serious Barbie collectors have hundreds and hundreds of dolls in their collections, so to imply that their hobby is "cheaper" is just insane, and frankly, insulting to them.

Second, I think we often spend time worrying about "How will they treat us" and not thinking about "How do we treat them?" Not everyone knows what a BJD or DD is... and not everyone has an easy time accepting things they don't normally see.

 

I've had many a conversation with people who start out the talk with, "Whoa, what's that freaky doll?!"

 

For them, it's a casual, off-hand comment of "Whoa, don't see someone carrying around a 2ft doll everyday!"... but I think we're often over-sensitive and immediately see it as them saying "You're a freak"... I've found though, just talking to these people... they make the comment because they're interested, not only in the doll itself, but in why I would even bother to have one... and I have no problem talking to them about it... and by the end, people are usually saying things like, "That's so cool" or, "What a neat thing, I love it!"

 

Yeah, that's not always the case (see my next experience, lol) but I think we cut off a lot of people with our own assumptions... and let's be honest... it IS weird to see an adult carrying around a two ft tall doll (who may or may not have a rack the size of Texas and be dressed like a harlot... ahem-hem-hem, ALNA!)... at least in America... and it's not just BJDs, people would think it totally weird for an adult to be carrying around an American Girl doll, or any large doll. Do we have to defend our hobby? Yes. Should that keep us from enjoying it? No!

I've gotten more people to start collecting dolls by simply explaining to them what I was doing!!

It may seem like they're being rude... but often times, it's just that they don't understand, and they want you to help them understand!

 

2. A friend of mine decided that for one of our outings, she would carry her BJD boy around on a trip we took to a very active college town. Of course we got tons of stares, which I didn't care much about... but finally, a group of college boys came up to us, smirking and coc-ky, and asked her, "Why are you carrying that doll around?" I turned to them, without even thinking (dangerous -_-) and said, "It's where she keeps the ashes of her dead boyfriend". They looked at us, then the doll, then at us... and just kind of wandered away, speechless. It was an instance where the people asking about the doll were doing it to be rude, not inquisitive... and I was glad my comment left them speechless, because I have no idea what I would have followed it up with!!

 

3. A friend and I were out at a local park photographing our dolls in a "nature" setting when this little old couple (70s at least) came walking by. As they got closer to us, they got really quiet, and kept staring, so I waved and said "Hi" and they came over... and that was when the LITTLE OLD MAN started asking all these questions about the dolls and asking to hold them and wondering about their clothes and their posing and what they were made of!!! His wife just stood back a little ways, shook her head, rolled her eyes and said, "Ah, my husband... he collects dolls". I thought it was awesome XD

 

4. Post Office Experiences: I've had tons of these, from PO workers who collect dolls to customers who see me open a doll and want to know more (I almost always open dolls at the PO, they've got a lovely huge counter, and huge trash bins for me to get rid of unwanted packing material). They are always inquisitive and polite, even when they think it's weird... and I love the random conversations I've had with people that I would have never had if it hadn't been for the dolls. The conversations have ranged from ones with people who collect dolls themselves to conversations with the children of collectors to conversations with people who love world travel... it's pretty awesome.

Hmm...

 

Well, I have a few friends who are phobic of dolls, which has been an issue. And most people feel a head without eyes is creepy.

 

But, my parents and mother-in-law love them. Although my father and father-in-law worries because they cost so much. My husband also worries about the cost, but he warms up to them once they're dressed and no longer look "like cancer patients".

 

My father also believes the house I live in is cursed to make the woman living there collect dolls. This is because my grandmother collected dolls and when she died we had to deal with probably over 300 dolls that were stored around the house.

My father also believes the house I live in is cursed to make the woman living there collect dolls. This is because my grandmother collected dolls and when she died we had to deal with probably over 300 dolls that were stored around the house.

 

Hehehe, so the house collects dolls... you just happen to live there. I love it XD

 

I have a feeling for a lot of people outside of the hobby, calling a doll a Barbie is like calling a copying machine a Xerox machine... or calling a resin BJD a Dollfie... it's just their way of describing "doll", not some horrible insult to your collection.

 

You have a good point there. I'm going to remember this the next time someone says something like this.

 

When I was at Anime North in May, hubby really wanted to carry Hinata around all weekend (he even kept her up on a shelf when he was helping out at my friend's dealer's booth). When I met up with him after we were wandering around the con with her and more than a couple of times we got remarks likes "Your dolls are #$*@# creepy!!"

 

I just thought to myself - um... you're the scantily clad otaku with neko-ears, a furry tail and a leash around your neck so that your friend can lead you around, and I'm the one that's creepy?

 

Not to hate on the neko-girls or anything- but at an anime convention where practically everyone is in a cosplay, or furry suit, practicing their Klingon laced with Japanese, wearing lolita fashion, engaging in Yaoi-paddling.... WHATEVER! I just found especially rude and ignorant.

 

Did a few ignorant fools deter us from bringing Hinata around the rest of the weekend - not at all!

When I took Feena with me to Hong Kong and Japan, the only two times people actually talked to me (outside of the Danny Choo event I was at, which doesn't count as there were LOTS of DDs there ), was once in Hong Kong, in Kowloon Park, a little girl with her parents wanted a photo with Feena, which I was happy to let her do. The other time was in the Kyoto Imperial Palace, where the staff thought I was taking photos for commercial purposes. They left me alone once they realized I wasn't really Japanese (somehow I actually get mistaken for being Japanese, but NEVER Chinese in Hong Kong/China), and they understood I was just doing it as a hobby.

 

Other than that, despite taking her out in quite visibly public places (including a temple or two), I didn't get much more than glances and stuff. Oh yea, the plane stewardess on the way back wondered what Feena was too.

I've had nothing but positive experiences (lucky!)

 

One time, took Mari to a RenFaire with me, and was posing her around with anything interesting. At one point spotted a super cool 'spirit' thing on the stairs behind the shop.. 'cept you aren't allowed to climb there. I asked the shop people if they'd mind just placing Mari up there for me to take photos and they were glad to help.

Then as the day wore on, was actually chased down by one of the entertainers! He heard about me and my lil "fairy friend" (by this point we acquired some small fairy wings for her) and wanted to take pictures with her!! Not only that, but he flagged down one of his friends, the flower seller, and positioned Mari in the flower basket for more cute photos (and gave me his card, so I'd email him the pics later)

 

Aside from that - only ever taken Mari to the park for photos. Most people will stare, but not really say anything. Small kids will inch closer for a better look, but are surprisingly very well behaved and don't try to touch. A few young women have come up to ask about her in general, as they were vaguely aware of "those big Asian dolls" and were curious to know more

 

Just couple weeks ago, had Saber with me at the rose garden and a little girl was all super excited about my "pretty princess"

 

_____-

Not to hate on the neko-girls or anything- but at an anime convention where practically everyone is in a cosplay, or furry suit, practicing their Klingon laced with Japanese, wearing lolita fashion, engaging in Yaoi-paddling.... WHATEVER! I just found especially rude and ignorant.

 

agggh.. those people... I got nothing against neko-girls either (*cough*wasonecomeswithbeingacosplayer*cough*), but some of the worst ones with lack of any social graces/manners will wear those badly-fitting corset, cat-ears & paws and collar with oversized bells OUTSIDE THE CON ...like a week after the con is over! And then you have the misfortune to run into them while waiting for a concert ... and they start doing things to your doll w/out even asking! (sorry.. bad experience few times while out with Azone Azunyan)

I generally only take mine to meets, so limited experience with people outside the hobby. Mostly had good experiences with people giving compliments and a few questions. Did have one negative experience which is unfortunately the more interesting one simply because it was so bizarre.

 

I've been to a meet we had at the local Japanese garden. The people there were great and had nothing but positive comments.

 

Poofiemus and I went to a local park for a shoot and were having a great time since there were lots of good props to take pictures with, went through the museum and wandered through the park. We were taking some pictures with them up in a tree when this lady comes up and asks us what we're doing.

Poofie responds something like "Taking pictures of our dolls because we're dorks."

She asks "do you really think that's appropriate around children?" and we're just stunned, looking at each other not known what to say. I think I said something like "well, children are known to play with dolls".

She says something like "I think you should go somewhere else." and then goes off.

We still look at each other, kinda shrug and move on since we were finished taking pictures there anyway.

So, we meander on, kinda in shock from that and end up at the very end of the park, found another nice tree to take pictures on...this was at the very edge of the park. No one around for probably 100 yards.

We're working on posing the two on the tree branch...it was on a slant, so a bit tough. The same lady comes up and tells us "You need to leave NOW!" then goes on a rant about how we shouldn't be taking lewd pictures around children and she's going to call her nephew who's a detective with the local police.

I say something like "we're doing nothing wrong and it's a public park." Then, she says again that we need to leave right now or she's calling the police, that she's taken pictures of us and what we're doing and is going to show them to the police when they show up. Again, stunned, we just say it's a public park. She stomps off. That put a bit of a dampener on the fun, but as I told Poofie:

"I kinda want to leave now as she's killed the mood, but I don't want to give her the satisfaction of leaving." So, we ended up staying another hour or so with no problems. No one else had a problem. in fact, got several compliments..even from the employees.

 

The other time, we went down to the Pima Air Museum in Tucson. Poofiemus, animagic4u, cryx and I drove down to meet up with battrastard and scripple. We were using the planes and stuff as great props and backgrounds. Had no problems with anyone else...few compliments and questions. I think the most negative thing the entire time was someone that basically said "I don't get it, but hey, whatever."