Do you hide your hobby from certain people?

I try not to tell anyone (only my family knows, I haven't told any friends, though it's hard not to posts pictures sometimes)... I'm too scared they'll ask how much a doll costs.

 

I'm old enough now not to care what anyone thinks of my hobbies....happy to be the strange doll lady up the street these days LOL I'm happy to tell anyone about my hobby but I do keep the prices to myself unless it's another dolly friend. Most people don't understand the value of resin dolls!

 

I already told my family that I start this hobby. But....need to hide the cost.
I'm planing to tell them later after earning some money from selling doll cloth. Hope my first doll will arrive soon. So I can Measuring her body.

 

I really don't understand why people would feel the need to hide their hobbies. I don't hide mine. I don't see the point. I mean, I'm not declaring it from the housetops to every single person I meet, but most people in my life know about it and I don't purposefully and actively try to keep it a secret from anyone. It's a legitimate pastime and if people don't like it, that's not my problem.

My view is that, as doll collectors and enthusiasts, we're not doing anything wrong. Collecting dolls is no reason to be ashamed or embarrassed, and if a person does feel guilty, ashamed or embarrassed of a harmless hobby, then maybe it's time to evaluate why they're feeling that way and address the source of the problem. The reality of life is that not everyone is going to like or accept all that we do, and some people aren't even going to tolerate it and may be rude or unkind. My feeling on that is "so what?" There are a lot of things other people are doing that I don't like or approve of, but I don't expect them to stop doing it or to feel guilty or ashamed of it just because I don't like it. (Of course, I'm also not aggressive or vocal to them about my dislike, either, but I think that's just part of common courtesy and respect). Likewise, I expect people who don't approve of my hobbies or don't understand them to realize that their disapproval is irrelevant. I can't change their opinions of me and they can't change what I choose to do with my money and time.

 

I don't necessarily hide my hobby, but I do try and.. distract people from the cost. It's embarrassing for me right now because since I'm a student and unemployed, people are extra harsh and judgmental because they assume I just took money from someone for it instead of earning it all myself like I did. I understand why some people hide it completely, but I do hope that some day they'll be surrounded by more accepting people that will make them feel comfortable and open.

 

I feel like I might hide it for a while from someone until I knew they'd be okay with it. A lot of people jump to conclusions about stuff like collecting BJDs. A lot of people could see it as people "playing with dolls" or whatever when it's not. I guess it just depends on how openminded they are and how much you trust them.

 

As an 42 year old male, I feel I'm kind of strange and weird having this hobby. I can't help it, I just love the art and beauty of dolls - because for me they are fine art, wich I enjoy to watch, like other people enjoy to watch paintings and statues and so on.. My male friends kind of smile to me when I show them my collection, and it's kind of sad that they can't see the beauty in these dolls. Ladies visiting do like the dolls though I don't dare to tell people what they cost, because I think they believe that it isn't so expencive, and that's ok by me.

 

Well I am pretty new to this hobby... But I think it is just like a normal Hobby .... Well of course there will be people out there telling you that this is crazy, as a hobby. But I just wouldn't care about them .... And as People above already said .... I would never, ever tell anyone what they cost!

 

I would be choosy about telling my work colleagues, but then I tell them very little about my life anyway. However, all my friends and family know what I do, and either tolerate it, laugh about it or are genuinely interested. None ever say anything derogatory to me about it, even if they don't understand it

 

Basically everyone in my high school and my cousins of my age and and... Well, it would probably be easier if I just pointed out the few people who actually know. I've pretty much witnessed that being a teenager and "playing with dolls" is the worst possible image one can give to their classmates. Not that I was shamed of it but I actually was more open of my dolls during elementary school, wrote a blog about them and got cyber bullied by some girls who still go to the same high school with me. I know they are bad at school, total idiots with nothing I value, mean persons and in every way people whom I should just ignore and keep doing what I love, but you know the thing with these people - they never know when to stop and when they start, they immediately gain a bunch of brainless supporters who just want to hang out with the "tough girls". So I've just decided to ease my life a little and stay quiet about all my doll daydreams. It's not worth giving up your dream for the sake of someone who mocks it because they lack their own.

 

I personally do not reveal my hobby until I get close or know a person well enough.

 

I don't mind to tell about this hobby to other people. Although most people I've met including my friends said that this doll hobby is weird. Luckily some of my friends slowly can accept this hobby and start to adore the dolls.

 

i try to hide two things from people who don't already know about bjds:
1. how much they cost
2. the articulated genitals

 

Nope. If someone's got a problem with MY hobby, then it's THEIR problem, not mine.

 

i dont hide my hobby... i bring dolls to work every single day

 

My significant other and some friends in the workplace know about my aspiring hobby, but my parents don't. I guess they would find it weird, not because of the cost (as long as I buy the items with my own money), but because I was afraid of dolls as a kid. I mean those type of dolls that close their eyes when you lay them down. Not exactly sure if the resurgence of interest for dolls is a kind of catching up on those childhood phobias.

 

My family and close friends know about my hobby, but that's about it. I'd rather avoid the drama of being teased or judged by people for my hobbies, so I tend to only tell people who I know will be accepting.

 

I don't hide it but I don't volunteer the information unless someone asks specifically. I think this was my defense mechanism when I collected dolls throughout high school and college where most people would have thought I was nuts. When people come to my house, they ask questions and get more interested. If I am out in public with a doll group and someone I know from a different social group runs into me, I'd talk about it, introduce them to some of my doll friends if they were interested. I have always had support from family and most of my close friends.

 

I don't hide it or care what people think. If someone asks I tell them about it depending on their level of interest. I have lots of hobbies and am generally know as a crafter and seamstress. I volunteer at the local theater and high school and when I do textile shows I bring dolls. They are great models for the gowns and costumes I make, and it's easier to bring a small scale gown and pattern work to the educational displays I bring than actual gowns. I have one or two full size gowns I bring for effect but the rest are on dolls. When people see the dolls there are lots of questions as most people in my circles have never seen them before. I enjoy doing education on sewing, pattern making, and design and lots of young people are interested although they want to be famous fashion designers over night and when I tell them I've been in the industry for 35 plus years but do not have fame or recognition they seem to think it's because I do not self promote on social media, ha,ha. Word of mouth works for me with more work than I can reasonably handle.

 

I think the only people I'd hide it from would be my friends. I wouldn't care if my immediate family knew or my boyfriend.