Friends and family, how they reacted?

If they think I'm weird or something, let them think that. I could care less what others think of me anymore. I do what I want to and have fun doing it. Life is a lot easier that way, at least to me it is.

 

 

Billy

 

HERE HERE!!

I think it's funny how these threads- no matter what forum they are on- go from being 'how friends and family reacted' to 'how do you deal with negative reactions of family and friends?'

 

It's all valuable discussion, I'm not saying anything to the contrary- I'm just surprised with all other harmful things out in the world you could be into that people would choose to be negative about dolls. If my kid was into dolls and saving and (not spending college fund or life savings, etc) on dolls then I would have no problem with it. Go for it- enjoy it as much as humanly possible!!!

 

To be fair, I'm out of my 20's (older) and like other people on here have dealt with people being dumb about my hobbies for years. Eventually you get to a place where just don't care anymore because it's not worth the stupid drama. Then again, I have my own house/space and some people don't have that luxury and have to deal with people who don't approve/like/mind their own business. The worst thing that can happen is that you let someone spoil your love for something that interests you. It's really easy to sit from my vantage point now and say "you shouldn't care" but it's much more difficult when you're living with people who don't think you're making smart money decisions and judging you.

 

It's really tough to be judged by people you care about.

 

To be fair I totally thought dolls were creepy when I first saw them. I knew about the Super Dollfies first and I stalked the forums because I thought people were nuts! It was such a fascinating niche hobby and I loved the creativity that was involved in it. People have such courage when they use dolls to express themselves and I really loved watching what people could come up with when you combine the anonymity of forums and personal avatars.

 

When I decided to buy dolls I wanted to make all the money for my first purchase from selling other items from collections I had that I wouldn't miss any longer. ^^ I sold a bunch of Sailor Moon stuff, included a crystal wand for USD $500.00, an old 2004 Macbook Pro 400.00, a couple other Sailor Moon wands and goods for around another $100.00. I didn't do this for other people, really, but I did do it for myself. By trading up stuff I had sitting around the house in boxes for something I would really enjoy in the future. The process of acquiring the DDs became just as important as the dolls themselves because I felt really good about it!

 

At the end of the day it wasn't so much what other people thought of me but how I felt about the hobby myself that dictated the reactions of people around me. If I'm really happy/proud/confident and am making money towards something I love then no judgement about 'who I am' or 'what my hobbies are' can hurt me. DDs are always impressive in person- just turn that awe into what you will with your confidence & joy- undoubtedly something good will come of it. ^^

I still haven't DD in home, I have 2 glass cabinets for figures.

My mom can't understand how can I spend so much money on figures, even if she likes them, and my dad critics it, but not too much (he loves Harley Davidson motorbikes and Ferraris, he has one of both and he spends a lot in accessories etc. So I say to him "shut up, old man" lol).

Mi bro is too little to understand my hobby.

My grandma is happy for me.

The others aren't interested on what I do.

I'm alone with my hobby

I'm alone with my hobby

 

This is when you seek out local meetups!!

I'm alone with my hobby

 

This is when you seek out local meetups!!

 

and you always have us. ^____^

Well, for me I'm in the older crowd too, so I've been living on my own for some years now, and my living room walls are COMPLETELY covered with display cabinets

 

But since I was young, like many here, I've had many hobbies with scale models(anything from cars, battle ships to Gundams and GKs).. and I pretty much grew up with animation and manga, so my parents were used to their exsistance... they don't like it because I'm spending money on it, but they really don't have anything against it for what they are. But it would be interesting to see the look on their face if they do visit my place now but I know I'm to going to get this instead: "HOW THE XX OLD ARE YOU NOW!?!? YOUR PLACE LOOKS LIKE A GXD DXMN TOY SHOP, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO GET MARRIED!?!?!?"

Otakusan, what would your parents say if you got married to someone who had a huge collection too? You would have satisfied their request that you get married, but there would be even more things on display.

So far only my father and closest friends know (mother died several years ago). Most of my extended family don't know about it, and probably wouldn't get it.

 

The friends that know have been pretty cool about it. They've asked some questions and listen to me talk about it sometimes, but that's about it. Most of them are/were anime fans so they kinda understand it. I got one long-distance friend into it. She bought a BJD last year. However, she got married recently and lives in a very different timezone, so we don't get to talk much these days.

 

My father is not too surprised by it as a hobby, he's fairly open-minded. However, the cost always makes him sigh and question my sanity. Especially, now that I have 3 on order right now. However, he does like to tease me about it. He'll joke, for example, when I talk about buying dresses or he'll say things like she's my girlfriend. >.> I guess it can be a strange thing for a 30+ yo male to talk about buying dresses and wigs to his father.

 

But that's why I love having communities like DoA, Figure.fm and now this one!

Otakusan, what would your parents say if you got married to someone who had a huge collection too? You would have satisfied their request that you get married, but there would be even more things on display.

 

hmm.. that would involved spending money on things other then the girls... so... no.. getting married is out of the question

 

 

But that's why I love having communities like DoA, Figure.fm and now this one!

 

Living in a town with nothing but oil-field industrial areas, it's very difficult to find friends that would understand my hobbies, so yes, like you said I'm so happy to have places like this

Otakusan, what would your parents say if you got married to someone who had a huge collection too? You would have satisfied their request that you get married, but there would be even more things on display.

 

hmm.. that would involved spending money on things other then the girls... so... no.. getting married is out of the question

 

 

But that's why I love having communities like DoA, Figure.fm and now this one!

 

Living in a town with nothing but oil-field industrial areas, it's very difficult to find friends that would understand my hobbies, so yes, like you said I'm so happy to have places like this

 

Don't count out a figure collecting girlfriend/wife so fast! Alphakitty and I are both collectors that live together and all that that means is that we have more money to spend on our gals and collection =P There are lots of great gals out there that are into anime, dolls, video games, etc, and I have a feeling you'll find someone one day!

I've got one friend who wants to get a DD, but otherwise most of my friends and family don't really care... They don't really comment too much on my anime figures in general. My dad does like my LOTR and Star Wars figures, in fact he has a few of his own, and I think my mom wants to avoid getting roped into making outfits for my DDs.

 

I get a 'like; or two when I post pics of my girls on Facebook, but I made an FB account for Aoi that I'm trying to use for that now.

 

Don't count out a figure collecting girlfriend/wife so fast! Alphakitty and I are both collectors that live together and all that that means is that we have more money to spend on our gals and collection =P There are lots of great gals out there that are into anime, dolls, video games, etc, and I have a feeling you'll find someone one day!

 

That's the way to go, I think. I wonder if there's an otaku dating site out there? Between work (I'm a manager at a grocery store, not a great place to meet women) and my over-all shyness, I haven't been getting out and meeting people lately...

You may not even need an otaku girlfriend. Many girls love dolls even into their adulthood. Just be sure to introduce her to a modestly dressed MDD first instead of a DDdy!

 

As for how my family reacted when I showed an interest: No reaction. I never stopped getting barbies, I collect a lot of anime-related things... a DD is the natural combination!

You may not even need an otaku girlfriend. Many girls love dolls even into their adulthood. Just be sure to introduce her to a modestly dressed MDD first instead of a DDdy!

 

This is so true! My mom showed pictures of my girls off on Facebook (this is before she had her own) and all her female friends LOVED them. Like, to the extent that they want some of their own. I feel like as stereotypical as it is, girls just love dolls, and these ones are exceptionally beautiful.

I'm alone with my hobby

 

This is when you seek out local meetups!!

and you always have us. ^____^

Oh, I love you

Well, you can marry a Papermoon 1/1 scaled doll or a videogame character like somebody did some time ago (I think the name of the guy is Sal9000 and her wife is Nene from Love Plus)!

I'm alone with my hobby

 

This is when you seek out local meetups!! ;)

and you always have us. ^____^

Oh, I love you <3

Nobody is alone when the topic is FIGURES, GAMES, ANIME AND MANGA! XD

Otakusan, what would your parents say if you got married to someone who had a huge collection too? You would have satisfied their request that you get married, but there would be even more things on display.

 

hmm.. that would involved spending money on things other then the girls... so... no.. getting married is out of the question

 

 

 

Now now, the right girl would understand and want you spending money on the girls... the only thing that might be a problem is... she'd want girls of her own... and want to spend money on them... there may be girl fights over all the awesome clothing/wigs/eyes/accessories... then you and the wife would just have to stand back and hope no one gets stained (with blooooooood ).

Well, you can marry a Papermoon 1/1 scaled doll or a videogame character like somebody did some time ago (I think the name of the guy is Sal9000 and her wife is Nene from Love Plus)!

 

I would, but I'm saving myself for the day they make robot bodies, so I can put my brain in a robot body and be an Adrian Barbeaubot!

 

Not really though. And I'm not trying to bash the guy for marrying an anime character, he can do what he wants. He's certainly not hurting anyone.

Adrian Barbeaubot!

 

HA! But you'd only be 5 feet tall.

http://video.adultswim.com/sealab-2021/little-djangos-brain.html

Adrian Barbeaubot!

 

HA! But you'd only be 5 feet tall.

http://video.adultswim.com/sealab-2021/little-djangos-brain.html

 

That's as big as they come!

heh, I remember that episode... Miss that show, guess I could look up on Hulu for it.... Well I'm glade that so many people are willing to share. My grandma still has yet to meet my girls, but I have a feeling she's not gonna be to thrilled with Anesska...

My mom and sister know (I got my sister to get one herself). No one else knows about them in my family. I would probably be ostracized if they learn about my girls.

My family thought that my DD collection was too expensive and strange. My boyfriend says he thinks they're scary.

At least you have your sister to support you, Suigetsu.

 

That's too bad, Talolili. It would have been nice to get support from your family and boyfriend. It's surprising that he thinks they are scary! To me, they are so cute. I can't possibly see them as scary.

 

You guys can count on us for support!

My sisters think they are great (the youngest likes Pullips), my mum likes that I sew for them and as I've had a doll (anime/scifi merch related) obsession since my teens, its not considered so odd. My dad, on the other hand, thinks they are weird as anything, but is happier that I am making cosplays for the dolls and not my youngest sister and myself.

 

Husband thinks Meade is freaky because of her bust, but a ceasefire has been called: I confine my dolls to my study, and make sure they have their eyes in when he is about, and he doesn't over proselytise the virtues of VIM. Although he finds doll scale sewing really cool.

 

Thankfully most of my friends are either anime/sci fi fans or engaged in sort of fandom, and are fairly ambivalent towards my dolls. I do feel embarrassed about admitting how much they cost to non dollfie fans, and especially my family, like I shouldn't be spending so much, but on my own I can rationalise the cost fine.

My family thought that my DD collection was too expensive and strange. My boyfriend says he thinks they're scary.

 

I have to admit when I first found out I won the lottery to get Sakura, my first girl, I had this concern about myself. I loved how they looked but what if, at night, I worried about them looking at me. Or if I got up in the middle of the night and saw her.... hehe

 

Of course, as soon as I got her I couldn't help but hug her!!!! I can't see how you can be afraid of them but I'm not one to judge - I'm afraid of clowns and frogs. haha