A Guy with dolls?!!

Aw, this is really sad that you feel you can't go to meets! People shouldn't be so judgmental.

 

My partner has 3 BJDs of his own within a year of being in the hobby xD I bought him his first doll but he did express interest in them before that. Now he's probably just as enthralled with them as I am. I've noticed that other people in the hobby react very positively towards his involvement (especially at meets!), but I don't think anyone outside our family knows about it. Our non-doll friends think I'm a little weird for collecting them so goodness knows what they'd think about his dolls.

 

I really should just open up and ask if anyone would be uncomfortable with an older guy attending next time there's a meet-up in my area. It's not really fair for me to assume that I wouldn't be welcome and I know I need to just take a deep breath and go for it. Since that post of mine that you quoted I got brave one day and posted a picture of myself (in a post yourself with your doll thread) with my Feeple60 Celine on the BJD addicts Facebook page and didn't get any negativity at all. I think the problem is more with my own anxiety than people's actual opinions. So I'm working on that.

 

I am a guy in my early-to-mid-twenties and my first doll was a male doll for this reason. I wasn't happy with it (and so I ended up selling him), mainly because I was sort of "forced" into getting a male when I wanted a female (due to the more variety in clothes and such), but now I got two pretty lil ladies and are waiting for three others to arrive. None of my friends have judged me for my hobby thus far, they do widen their eyes when I tell them the price but they don't seem to mind it as whole and also find them kind of awesome in a way? I mean, how many dolls can move, stand, pose etc?

Sure my oldman joke about it, but he pretty much leave me be. I've been the 'artistic kid' so he see it as a creative outlet for me, which is also what I see it as. If they were plain ol' porcelain dolls I would never have bought them, but due to the HUGE design process, the fact that you can mod, sew and create so many things for them just get the creative juices flowing so to speak.

So yeah, in the end: No one I know have been an arsehat about it, then again I'm pretty damn sure of myself so if someone have a problem I simply ignore it. If someone have an issue they can jam it up where the sun don't shine in my opinion. No one should be judged for enjoying something as harmless as the BJD hobby. However, I can't really stand those in this hobby that act all "holier-than-thou" but I haven't met any personally yet and I hope I never will.

To any guy who like BJDs (or any typical 'feminine' hobby) you should just continue and do what you wanna do. As long as ye ain't hurting nobody or yourself, what's the harm?

 

Perfectly fine. Most of my friends are guys (I'm a girl) and I would looovee to have a guy friend that's into dolls Heck I don't even have a girl friend that's into dolls haha

 

Exactly! I was so happy to see this thread and literally read every single entry, because it contains really precious social information. And your post kind of wrapped it all up for me. I'm female, in my early thirties and always was a doll addict ever since I can remember. But no matter how hard I thought about it, I could never find a good explanation to convince myself why society tends to see this as a 'typical feminine hobby', like you said.

Various artistic processes are included in this, such as sculpting, painting, sewing and character design. For people who like their dolls to have 'real lives', it also includes writing. I'm not even mentioning photography. So why is this considered a feminine hobby, rather than a part of arts, I wonder? Are guys excluded from aesthetic creative processes like this? They're certainly not, as far as other fields or art are concerned?

 

I believe people still view dolls as a typical feminine thing due to the backstory, I also believe most see the doll as whole, not something you can do things with. I mean, there's nothing wrong with just keeping them around like regular dolls but as I said before- I'd never buy a barbie or a monster high doll for just doll purpose (I'm not into that) but if that's your thing go for it.
I just love the art in the BJD's, thus why I invested in the hobby. Unlike some, many would never guess I collected or were interested in this. I'm very 'stereotypical' in a guy sense so my place is mainly taken up my computers or my games and consoles, though I do not hide the hobby, nor do I tell anyone unless they ask or spot something doll related in my home. (Which is sort of hard as I keep them in a customized apartment-closet).

Sorry for ranting here, I just think it's nice to know that there's other guys out there in different ages that share this hobby and it's also nice to see that girls/women don't seem to mind so much. I mean, I'd never go to a meet myself since I'm a shy cookie, but I don't think it should make others hesitate from joining.
Like in that previous reply- If you happen to be a bit older and a man, simply ask if it's okay to go. No harm in asking, I bet most would be thrilled!

 

Honestly, I truly believe that people should be able to love/do whatever makes them happy. If your just into collecting BJDs or even playing with them and your a male, thats ok! as long as your happy doing so!

 

I'm just find this thread ..
and i must tell u guys that i'm a guy who join in this hobby for a years ..
I have own my first doll last month ago
honestly , i'm afraid to tell someone that i'm in love in this hobby
just because about the cost , and "guy play with doll just , nah" on my country

 

I'm a 31 yo guy living in Oklahoma. Family doesn't care. Friends don't care. Husband approves/supports. Some of his friends think it's weird.

I haven't been to a meet, but that's bc weekends are my time with the husband. We work during the week and normally can't do a lot of stuff, so we do everything on the weekend.

I may be going to a meet in a couple of weeks. No one in my local area seems to have a problem with me online or has vocalized discomfort.

 

Mother is somewhat supportive because, well I've expanded myself through all kinds of art. From general sketching to welding sculptures. Knitting, wire, music, what have you. At first she gave me weird looks and just covered her mouth and smirked when seeing Nate. Obviously weirded out. But later one started buying me like. baby doll wig hair and glasses too big for his face. She even found a tiny violin. Which was nice because I used to play violin for years.

Told my sister about it. She collected toys for a while. the kind you display and don't do much with. Usually the same shape just drawn on by different artists and collectables kinda stuff. She just said "cool" and moved on doesn't really stick around the conversation much. Some of my friends are the same. Just a few words then change the topic quickly. One of my friends actually got into it with me. At first he was creeped out, partially my fault i showed him a monster doll. But then I showed him cute girls and boys and he got into it. He hasn't bought himself anything yet though. Lot of window shopping for him. i've shown some older women around town some images occasionally. They mostly reply "THAT'S A DOLL???? i thought that was a friend of yours" which is funny. Even had that response with my blank face doll. "who's that" "it's a doll" "OH I THOUGHT IT WAS A PERSON" "he has no eyebrows.... or skin tone. how..?"
I don't go to doll meets yet and just. Don't really go outside so not much issue there.

 

I'm a straight guy who is married (31 years now) and involved in what are usually regarded as masculine interests (see my profile). How to begin this? ...nope, that story is too long. Briefly then; In 2012 I saw a BJD that riveted my attention. Didn't know much of anything about BJDs, but I had to have that doll - Volks SD16 Ami Ayase. My wife thought I was a bit crocked, especially when I mentioned the likely price required to pay for one. Hunted & finally got the Doll, then dove into this hobby. Analyzing why doesn't reveal anything that alarms me; I like beautiful well made things, I like women, I like these dolls that I've chosen. So far only two male dolls, but I hope to correct that this year.

Family at my age has no influence on my participation. I got some very mild comments from a seldom seen brother-in-law this Thanksgiving, but nothing with animosity attached. He teased a bit about them as "action figures" (which is true in a way). Close friends know of the dolls as we entertain at home. You can't get by the entry way case which displays several of them exclusively!

My wife is coming around to enjoying them more. She does beading, quilting, and is a much better photographer than I am. She does admit that I do have the better fashion sense. Interested friends who comment favorably on a certain outfit are surprised to learn I put it together. My inspiration comes from admiring beautiful women all my life; and what is more masculine than that?

My wife took over the only YoSd (Anne) we have almost as soon as she saw it, so I'm sharing this hobby a bit more now. We've attended one small local meet which opened my eyes to how many varieties & types of BJDs are being produced & enjoyed. This hobby is fun & I'm enjoying myself. I hope a few more guys discover it.

 

There was a time when I thought my fiancé would like to get his own BJD as he really likes taking photographs, and he likes when I bring dolls when we go on outdoor adventures, and he likes to suggest poses. In the end, though, I think he is fine with simply being hobby-adjacent.

 

I'm pretty much thrilled whenever I meet someone that shares any of my hobbies, I don't care if they're male or female. It shouldn't matter.

 

It makes me so happy to hear we have so many dudes in the hobby! I just recently met a guy on instagram who is saving to buy his first doll I really like to see diversity in the hobby. And it might sound weird, but a lot of the time being at an event that is *all* women makes me really uncomfortable and scared. Idk man. But it's different in the hobby because all the women I've met have been awesome xD so I don't mind being around a lot of them. But I have a lot of male friends and I like to have different genders hanging around.
My boyfriend is super supportive of the hobby and he will give me face-up critiques and stuff, but I don't know if he would ever get into it, because he has another thing to spend his money on (digital spaceships on Star Citizen, hehe). I'm still holding onto hope that someday I can drag him in here, lol. He wants to go to a meet with me sometime, but hasn't been able to yet because of school :<
Of my other dude friends a lot of them are into Gundam models and figure collecting, so they appreciate the hobby for what it is, but again, I think they would be daunted by the pricetags (and would rather spend it on their hobbies, which is cool).

 

I'm a guy, and actually am having a hard time convincing my wife to get a doll! Ha. (She really detests human dolls for a reason I have no yet figured out- found her the Dogman figure by Aimerai and she's pretty in love with it. Just gotta get the other 3 in the series, now! But now she can come to meets and not the the one person out.)
My community has a huge amount of diversity, gender wise! I'm really glad- I'd feel so awkward otherwise.
I've been pretty enamored by dolls since I was 16 (so- 2006, roughly), and the thing to finally prompt me to get one was having someone move in with the wife and I that has an entire shelf full of SDs.

 

I'm a girl, and although my husband isn't really into dolls per say, he's really interested in the customization process and how I do it. He understands that BJDs are much more art object than toy, and as such he thinks it's a pretty cool hobby. I don't think he's about to buy himself one, but then again I also don't think he's upset at seeing half-finished dolls all over the house.

 

I would like to meet some guys in the hobby. It just means there is more in common to talk about and I like being able to share it with everyone.

 

I am a guy and, overall, I've been pretty lucky. My boyfriend lets me rant about my dolls and offers to help with them and look for tiny doll things. One of my room mates is weirded out but she's scared any dolls will be possessed.

My parents...well my dad doesn't know but my mom thinks it's funny and she likes to see them. I've only been to two meets but everyone was super nice. I had one odd encounter but I think it's more because my landlady had never seen dolls like that, more so than being a guy.

 

I think some people look at you funny for having dolls as a guy. A few of my friends know I have dolls and they are mildly curious as to what they are but I think they understand the collecting side of it since they are pieces of art as well and are more of an investment than a department store doll. I don't post anything on my main facebook though cuz I just don't want to have to explain it to anyone that really won't understand.