Doll Owner Stereotypes?

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it.

Well, yes, by ourselves and by others. There's the crafty types (the ones who do all their dollie stuff themselves), the "asia" crew (OMFG JAPAN!!!! folks) and the pure fantasy lovers (ya know, the type who has dragon figures in their house) and of course, the HOT TOPIC SUPARSTARS!(you know without explanation). As a collective by the non-dollie folk, we're seen as childish adults, who have no real lives or friends, and who live in a fantasy world, and I think there's some truth to that (in what the non-dollie folk actually see and *notice* about our collective).There's, of course, different levels of this in nearly everyone I've met in the hobby. Whether they are to the point of it being a negative (like I present at opening there), or into what they're into, and still pretty awesome people who respect your choice to not like it, but also theirs to be elbows deep into it, to not fitting any of these stereotypes at all.

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

Um, yes. XD I fit into the asia thing, as well as the Hot Topic SUPARSTAR thing. When I got into dolls, I was *big* into anime, manga, and asian fashion. Despite not being so much into that anymore, and still being into dollies. And despite being 24, and probably needing to throw in the towel on this,I am still a hot topic superstar, girl mohawk and all. And that's what people at meets see of me. Beyond dollies, and these few things, most of the time I have a hard time connecting with meet people on a more personal level.

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

Because there's stereotypes in everything. There always is. Whether it's serious people looking at the "pastime" participants and forming ideas (positive or negative), or converse. As well as just judging (even if not on purpose) people who are into different aspect of the BJD experience.

 

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it. -

I do, not that its a bad thing to like anime or anything Japanese, but ive met over anime nerds. Im not say we werent all like that at some point. i was up until 3 years ago, but i just got out of the anime scene. Normally people look at BJD owners as Wiiabo(sp?) anime nerds.

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

In all honesty, i was in the stereotype. I was heavily wiiabou and an anime freak. But i just slowly got off the anime scene, dont get me wrong i still love anime, but not like i did 3 years ago. I only really watch the animes i love now, im more of a gamer. Now im just a normal Gamer/Bookworm/Cosmotalegist in training.

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

Well some that ive seen are Vampire, gay, japanese named dolls. It not a bad thing, it just something you always see. After seeing something 100 times over, you get alittle dsappointed. I have nothing against how you make your dolls that up to you. It all just seem unoriginal now......

I didnt mean to offend anyone if i did.

My replies are probably common answers....

 

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it.

I think generally BJD owners are stereotyped with anime nerds and cosplayers and similar things in that genre. I also think that this is probably because it's true! Of course there's nothing wrong with that but generally I do beleive most BJD owners are intereted in anime, manga, videogames and/or JPop.

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

I fit in a little. I have a few animes I love such as Durarara, Death Note and Pokemon, but anime is not something I love as a whole but rather I have a few specifics I enjoy. For music I don't listen to JPop and I've never cosplayed but I am very interested in cosplay! I also love, LOVE videogames as well as art ( though I am definitely not a manga artist). I consider myself part of the stereotype in the sense that I love artsy, nerdy things even if they're not directly related to Japan!

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

Once again I think the stereotype is derived from a large percentage of BJD collectors truthfully and genuinely being fans of anime and manga. The stereotype does have some truth to it but I definitely do not think it is a bad thing nor do I think that every BJD owner has these similar interests. I'm sure BJD owners are probably very diverse!

 

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it.

I was seriously not expecting to be accused of wanting a sex doll! I wasn't even aware that it might be a BJD owner stereotype until I did more research on the dolls when I was just getting the urge to get a BJD.I've known people who were rabid doll collectors with whole rooms full of fashion dolls and porcelain dolls who were only thought to be spending money wrong by family. Why are BJD's linked with 'perversion'? And then I found out there were actually sites specifically for doll porn and gave up somewhat on being shocked as hell.

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

That particular stereotype, NO. Yes I'm a manga/anime fan, yes I'm studying Japanese for business and pleasure, yes, I like sushi, what ever. I do dress my dolls up with excessive amounts of care and detail at times. And frankly, the dolls take my side in domestic arguments, which usually defuses the situation because of absurdity, , but that doesn't make me nuts. It makes me a normal average BJD owner. It's the people with the dogs in baby clothes and carriages I find confusing. or maybe I'm just uncomfortable with how cute I reluctantly thought that little dog looked.

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

Any hobby has stereotypes. Guys who fish, play poker, work on cars, do wood work, and golf are all "getting away from their wives". Artists are starving, collectors of anything will die buried in their own stuff and not realize how rich they could have been if they had lived to sell it all, etc. I think the stereo type of BJDs being for porn started when someone decided they could do it. Gotta love the internet. And people like to 'organize' things into sections that are psychologically acceptable to their own thinking.

Personally, the first time someone at work joked with me about "so you're getting one of those asian sex dolls?", I had to look them in the face and ask them why exactly on Earth they would say such a thing? All the other stereotypes might be common to any hobby, but that one is just annoying as hell.

 

It might sound rude and offensive to anyone who reads it, but I'm just stating how I see it.

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it.

Yes. I'm not going to lie, but attending few local meets around my area-- a lot of owners dispatch amongst themselves and create groups. Some of these groups include the extreme Japanophile and weeboos who either comes in some sort of cosplay or anime-merchandise on them, some are the gothic lolita group, some who aren't at all sociable and awkward, and those who only stick with certain doll company groups.

But mainly I think the BJD owners are usually stereotyped as being over-weight yaoi fans by a lot of non-doll owners.

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

No, not at all. Mainly because I got into this doll hobby because of the idea of creating your own dolls, whether it is inspired by anime, history or novel-- it was something I can do on my own. Besides I started out with Pullips, and didn't realize they were were Korean company until Taeyang came out when I was like, "oh hey! that means sun in Korean!"

I'm not going to lie, I actually do enjoy anime and manga-- but not to the extreme where I would actually wear t-shirts or messenger bags. I'm the type of girl who spends lots of money on my personal needs, like designer or non-designers bags, cosmetics, clothes or heels. I've been told that I'm very fashion forward by a lot of people who meets me in real life (I've gotten some of my pictures snapped for street fashion magazines). I'm also a social butterfly, I love meeting new people and talking to them-- a trait I picked while working because you have to be clear on what you say-- I usually talk to customers as a greeter and recommend flavors.

I also do not enjoy yaoi. It's just not one of my perks, I don't find it amazing or exotic. I find stories about social or ethnic differences amongst group of people to be more interesting. I don't find boy A meets boy B and they did it for the first time to be a amazing story because to me that's just dumb-- it has no story, character development whatsoever.

I love Japanese culture and history, mainly the Heian and Edo period. And I've always loved the costume designs of their culture to be very exquisite and different. When I think about Japan, I mostly think about the landscapes, history, shrines and traditional sports. It gives me a nostalgic feeling-- and I am a huge believer in Buddhism and reincarnation. I also come from a Korean heritage background but I always loved Japanese traditional culture because my aunt told me about it when I was very young. (Some of my relatives are Japanese)

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

A lot of extreme Japan-fans sort of ruined the image for the doll owners, because I know for a fact that most of these owners do have dolls that are no where near Asian culture-- it's just those certain dolls with Japanese names who are a 5000 year old magical being with some magical pink hair, and they're gay too.

 

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it.

I believe the hobby is still too new in Western culture to have a single stereotype associated with it. As far as Asian culture is concerned, the most prominent stereotype for BJD owners is probably portrayed by the character of Young-ha in The Doll Master--reclusive, socially awkward, carrying her doll (Damian) everywhere and treating him like her child...

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

...aaaand at least some of that description of Young-ha does apply to me. I take Chae-ri to work with me, and I do sort of treat her like my child, although not in public of course. I'm not really reclusive, but people do tend to see me as a bit odd.

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

Stereotypes are inevitable. It's part of the social conditioning. I just hope that the primary stereotype in Western culture settles more into the "social misfit/objectification" category and not the "miniature sex doll" category. Of course, if people start bugging you about the latter, you can always point out with some glee (and total accuracy) that the original Barbie was based on a German miniature sex doll. TRUFAX!

@slash_spread: Hey!! Don't be hatin' on the pink hair!!!

 

1) Do you think BJD owners are put into a stereotype? If so, describe it.

The 'likes anime and manga, enjoys cosplay' one is the first stereoptype I think of with BJDs. And then of course there's the 'you collect toys so you probably don't have a life', or the 'you play with dolls so you must be pretty childish' stereotype connected with any doll/toy related hobby, whether it's porcelain dolls or toy trains...

2) Be honest - do you think you fit the stereotype at all? Not at all? Why?

* No. I've seen some anime, and even liked some of it, but there are many animated movies that I like. Probably the anime I saw is the kind that would not be considered 'true' anime by the real fans. I've never been to an anime con.

* I have a family, kids, pets and a social life, so I don't need my dolls to 'substitute' for any lack.

3) How do you think there came to be stereotypes in the BJD hobby?

I guess it all depends on the group where a hobby gets started - in this case, the hobby started in the same circles where anime, manga, etc. are popular, so the association seems logical. Especially since the hobby more or less originated in Japan.

 

Reading this thread has made it blatantly obvious there is a new stereotype afoot. The "I-don't-have-gay-dollies-or-watch-anime-and-I-am-very-social-so-I-am-so-much-cooler-than-other-people-who-do-have-some-stereotypical-traits." It's rather annoying. Even I have found myself falling into the trap of feeling as though I have to "prove" I'm "different" by stating that even though I used to attend anime conventions it was moreso for the social aspect of meeting up with friends and not because I watch anime anymore. Honestly, who CARES? I really don't care what your dolls' sexuality is, having a straight or gay character does not make you any more or less mature than me, nor does having/not having an interest in Japan or cosplay or anything else.

 

I do find it pretty hilarious that a hobby that has so many threads devoted to the pain of being misunderstood or looked down by others because of their hobby and endless amounts of butthurt on the subject, simply LOVES to take potshots at otaku, cosplayers, and yaoi fangirls whenever it gets a chance. Because you know, only playing with dolls is worthy of empathy and the benefit of the doubt and the only valid hobby that exists in this world, and doll owners are never obnoxious or take anything too seriously or ever obsess about something too much. Never.

 

So much this ^^^^

I lol'd~

 

lol @ Kim

I think everyone has more or less covered what I was going to say. But to conclude, I will say

A stereotype is a stereotype. I don't like stereotypes, and I certainly don't [or rather, I try my hardest not to. I shouldn't say I don't, that'd be a lie.] put people into them. If you collect dolls, cool. If not, who cares. If you have a gay doll, awesome. If you don't, that's cool.

But really, what is this thread about? Is it about finding something all of us have in common from an outsider perspective? Because they can be hypocrites. For me? I think it all goes back to the whole "what's normal?" sort of thing.

Stereotype or no stereotype. We all love our dolls. I think, to me, that's what matters.

 

I kinda agree with prettymuch all of AnchixDPx's points. I agree with them as well- the purpose of this thread seem vague to me. I don't know if it's a bad topic or not- it's more I don't see the purpose in comparing yourself and others to existing stereotypes and therefore, perhaps, perpetuating them, unintentionally or not.

Personally, I don't like stereotypes, and I see no reason that I should try to fit myself into the stark idea of being some sort of doll-owner stereotype or not. I'd say I do most things very different than other owners, but some things I do the same- and I don't really care about that. I'm interested in the hobby itself as an interesting, aesthetic thing, and I don't mind if other people feel the same as me or differently. Each to his or her own. I'm a very live and let live person, and I LIKE seeing diversity and personal expression of all types in the hobby. It keeps it interesting.

 

Ahhh I feel like stereotyping or labeling might be a bit degrading, as long as someone shares an interest in BJD I don't find any reason to ridicule them just because they don't necessarily know much of the Asian culture. I do like anime and because of anime conventions I know about these dolls, but they kind of sit aside in their own category, like they don't belong with the anime, but sometimes they can represent anime. I'm also into fantasy worlds and fairy creatures, this is more where i feel comfortable with my doll. I respect everyone's ideas to go along a 'theme' for their dolls, i find it interesting to see all the different types of dolls, gives the BJD world variety...I hope I've answered to this in the right way..or at least this is how I interpreted it.

 

I think the stereotype bits have mostly already been covered here. I'd agree that the stereotype does seem to be associated fairly strongly with anime and Japanese culture, which I guess makes sense, since the dolls are originally from that area. That is probably how the stereotype came to be, and why the stereotypes continue. I think there's also the stereotype that doll owners are so heavily invested in their dolls as portrayals of their own inner lives that they aren't particularly sociable, which I don't think is necessarily true. Why would there be doll meets if doll owners aren't social?

All that being said, I don't fit the majority of stereotypes. I really dislike anime, and Jpop, and am interested in a vague, academic sort of way about Japanese culture. I go to conventions on super rare occasions, but mostly I go because there are steampunk sorts of events there, and I'm far more interested in that than anything else. Don't really go to doll meets, but I would if if my social calendar wasn't so full.

I don't know many doll owners, besides the original friend who keyed me into the hobby, but neither of us fit the stereotype. And honestly, it isn't so surprising that people who like Japanese culture find dolls interesting. It's a fairly obvious link, you know?

 

I laughed out loud.

I think the stereotypical BJD owner is seen from the outside as a chubby, reclusive otaku who likes yaoi and roleplaying who names their doll either Sakura or Lucifer. To be honest, that's what I saw when I first got into it.
Why is it a stereotype? Because a lot of those aspects are found in BJD collectors.
Is it bad? Only if you think being chubby and liking yaoi is bad. Which I don't, so if anyone gets offended by this, it means they think it carries a negative connotation, not me.
Every group is going to have its stereotypes. You can embrace it or defy it, but try not to be offended by stereotypes if they don't fit your ideal image, because it's human nature to over-simplify things, no matter how inaccurate it turns out to be.
Now that I've been able to experience what it's like to be a part of this hobby, I see a different(less surface-level) stereotype that reaches more people...We like to be happy. We do what makes us happy, and respect other people who aren't afraid to show who they are.

At first(a tad OT), I thought anyone who brought their doll to a grocery store was bonkers. But they aren't harming anyone, they're surrounding themselves with things that make them happy. It's not weird (granted, it's not widespread, but it's not weird.) What's weird is not accepting other people's RIGHT TO BE HAPPY, which is a thing I think I've learned from being here, so, thanks, peeps!

 

Will somebody please euthanize "butthurt"? Oh, the irony of of this knackered cliche's presence in a thread about stereotypes...

 

^^^ pretty much this whole post

While I'm aware of the stereotype existing outside of the doll community, I find it very disheartening to see it within the community as well. There are plenty (possibly even a big majority) of anime and yaoi fans out there that don't go to fetishistic extremes like the stereotypes; just like there are plenty of doll owners who don't take their hobby to unhealthy extremes (as in ignoring bills in favor of ordering a new doll).

Are there people who take their hobbies too far? Yes, but they are almost aways a minority, though many people who stereotype (evenn unintentionally) forget that.

 

And what the heck is up with that whole sex doll thing?
I have no idea why people assoicate bjd's with that. I've gotten that a few times myself. You can take suggestive pictures of them, but that doesn't make them a sex doll.. I mean, these guys don't vibrate, and they have no suggestive holes.... lawl. When I hear sex doll, I think inflateable, or lifesized... which these dolls are not. If you google "sex doll" bjd's aren't the first thing to pop up... in fact, I didn't see one bjd pic among the ocean of disturbing images.

The whole concept of abjds being sex toys gives me mental images that just make me lol.

 

After posting my comment/rant about it up there, I ran into the very personification of the sex doll creep in another community. (Shudders) Some stereotypes are true for one good reason, FBI profiling. I don't think I'll ever look at an EID girl doll the same way again. I feel so sorry for the doll. Sad but 'funny sad' in an eeeuuugh! way. Fortunately, I think real stereotypes are too much of a cartoonish parody to be pinned on the majority of BJD owners. I just hope he doesn't show up on DoA somehow.

 

AND people keep forgetting that without the otakus there wouldn't be BJD scenes in this part of the world. Otaku brought dollies back from Japan in 2001, therefore we have dollies now. Some folks just don't respect the roots. It's like when an old-guard bra-burner has to listen to some little millennial bimbo saying "Eww, I'd never call myself a feminist! But I do like being able to vote, and I like that my boyfriend can't hit me, and I like being able to get a job, and I like being able to own property and keep my own earnings, and...."

And it's inevitable! Novelty/ backlash/ counterbacklash: You can WATCH these patterns form; like clockwork. This is the backlash phase. It's chic right now. It's also totally hilarious that they think they're a "minority" or "different" for it.... It's like saying "I'm one of the few people who shops at Wal-Mart instead of Hot Topic".