Don't be embarrassed!

Well, if there's one thing I learned from being a Trekkie (used to be much more so than I'm now), then it's this: As long as you're having fun and aren't hurting anybody, why should you care what others think about you? Is it their life or is it yours? Right.

As for BJDs - well, I haven't taken Luken out in public, yet, but, hey, so far, the only clothes he's got are boxer shorts and a pair of knit socks. And you just don't take Mr. Super Rock Star out in public without proper clothes on, no, sir!

 

I gave up on being embarrassed by my dolls long ago, when my horde was mostly vintage and 1/6th scale. Being openly dorky is a good defense against speaking with idiots. I've already got plans to take my doll around town and introduce her to my human friends and coworkers- they're sick of listening to me trying to be patient.

 

When I first got into BJDs I was extreamly shy about it, as if someone was going to think I was crazy. But now I've gotten far more confindant about it, because it has become such a huge facination in my life. I should be able to enjoy something I like without feeling the pressure of being social unancceptable.
So when I get my baby there wont be much stopping me from parading him or her around.... so in other words...

"I love dolls, and if you think its stupid or creepy...then you can suck it."

 

I have yet to get my dolls to take them out into public, but I have told my friends about them and they find them cute and/or indifferent but none of them go 'ugh...FREAK!' so I'm fine with that. Being in a girls school now for 5 years I'm surrounded by stupid, girly, desperate, horrible girls in general, but I just stay well clear.... All they care about is money really >.> (so narrow minded...) So when I take mine into school, I'll just fend them off with by telling them how much it costs. Sad really. Very sad. But thats what you get for going to an All girls private school -_-;
I am self concious, but if ( I hope!) I meet up with some people on this forum and walk out and about with them I will gain more confidence and feel much better about it! ^^

People who back away saying that its childish and creepy can go doing something which I won't say on these forums

 

I can't wait to take my boy out with me! He's going to work with me too. (I work in an office and he can sit at my desk with me *glee*) My fiance even wants to get one but...he doesn't know if he wants a boy or girl doll. Also he's way to into his Star Wars kick right now..he spends tons of money on that stuff..Anyway, yes! My boy will be going every where with me!

 

If I wasn't so sensitive to how people have negatively reacted to my dolls I would take them everywhere with me. Even my closest friend has joked around with destroying my dolls, but secretly I am upset. However most people who see them are delighted and amused so I may bring them with me more in the future ^_^

 

I know the people at my job are going to laugh at me but I don't care. Also my mom rolled her eyes at me when I told her how much I am paying for him. But she'll change her mind when she sees him. Heh.

 

Eh... I look at least 16 (i'm 20!). I'm an extremely shy person so my girl stays at home. I do care what people think, I've always had. I even do my spraying in the back yard because in the front yard people are outside. I have a social phobia and my throat closes up when I go out in public merely because I am too nervous about people. D: I am very happy with my hobby just staying in my home and on the internet. My parents don't understand at all and are not very accepting of my hobby and I'm ashamed of that but they never been accepting so that doesn't help me in taking my girl in public. I did take her to my aunts house tho. ^^;

 

Embarressed... maybe not but scared or insecure? Yes, definitely! If I were a cute girl or a fancy lady I would feel more comfortable with my doll hobby but as it is I am a grown man.
Your average otaku here. -_-
The kind of geek you think only excists on the screen, well that's me! Anime, manga, plushies, rpg, action figures and bjds. Add also that I am gay so most of my stuff is yaoi or shounen ai, ha ha! XP

I am a proud geek though, I am not ashamed of myself or anything. But... I do feel nervous to show people my bjds or take them out in public because I have gotten so many mixed reactions from my family and close friends that I fear for what I could get from strangers.
Even people on DoA have said they find it somewhat creepy for a guy to be in the hobby! O_O Even though most of the dollmakers out there are guys. Sorry, that is a whole other discussion. ^^'
Maybe if I changed my style I could get away with it easier.

 

I thought that I wouldn't be embarrassed about my Gwenllian, but at first I couldn't let anyone see her (except my brother who collects Warhammer so huzzah for 'uncool' hobbies ), mainly because I didn't want my parents asking how much I paid for her and also because when my boyfriend first saw pictures of her box opening, he called her 'Lord Voldemort.'

Yesterday when my boyfriend was introduced properly, my heart was in my mouth as he tilted her this way and that, kept touching her face and then to crown it all, when he tilted her backwards her wig slipped and her headcap came off!

So I suppose it's not so much of embarrassment as it is fear that someone will do just what he did and handle her badly (whether he meant to or not.) I think I'm super-precious about Gwenllian because she's my first doll but when Lleucu arrives, I might be more inclined to take her out and about, she's a tiny so it won't be so in-yer-face if I carry her around with me. I'm going to Hungary this summer with my dSLR and I'm definitely going to take Gwenllian or Lleucu with me and get some travel pictures! Maybe I won't feel so weird if I'm somewhere where the people don't know me?

 

Bah! I love to hear about guys in the hobby!

...and okay, maybe I'm really into various psychologies, sociologies, and all sorts of people-dynamics, but it's still awesome. 9.9 I understand your sentiments regarding strangers and their disinclination to think "Hm, will I make an ass out of myself if I say this?" before they start shooting their mouths off. I swear, sometimes I think the entire USA should sit down and re-watch Bambi. "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything t'all." I wish you didn't have to worry about having to 'get away with it'- and frankly, anyone on DoA actually having said something like that just pisses me off.

I know personally that it's hard to disregard what others think, no matter how you rationalize it- I try every day, and it's still really, really hard, but I think I'm doing better. And even then, one has to balance it; one can't just go willy-nilly around society without any consequences, but some of the restrictions society puts on people are just plain stupid, not to mention totally irrational and sometimes damaging to a person's character. So I hope one day you find your balance, that line you can toe comfortably and happily. The best of luck to the both of us!

 

I used to consider myself painfully shy, but as I've gotten older I've come to realize I'm just introverted. I don't like people knowing anything about my personal life except that which I chose to share, even if its perfectly innocent information.

A good example: my laptop has recently been malfunctioning, and my father wanted to take it to a friend of his to try to fix. I couldn't put my finger on why, but it made me uncomfortable. There's nothing bad on my laptop, but I simply didn't like the idea that he would have access to something that is mine and my internet usage. My mom of course thought I was crazy, as she's one of the most open people I've ever met.

It'll be the same way with me and dolls, I think. I will be cautious to reveal the information that I have one, but not at all embarrassed. I'm just a private person and share information on a need to know basis.

Now with close friends, that's a different story. My friends think BJDs are weird and my one friend flat-out refused to go to a panel on them at an anime con we attended because they were "too creepy." As much as their judgment hurts my feelings, I don't think I get embarrassed. I just am less likely to talk about them in their presence.

 

I've only taken out one of my dolls a few times, and that was when I was with my family. I don't think I'd feel comfortable walking down the street on my own with a doll simply because I'd be scared of getting mugged or something. Plus I'm extremely shy and I doubt I could stand being asked questions about it if I were on my own! I even felt uncomfortable when a random person commented on my new coat (it's very gothic and has miniture handcuffs on the front hehe).

 

This happens to me a lot. I've been in the same situation actually. I hate anyone going near my computer - I don't do anything terrible on it, but I put so much of myself into it, you know? I'm much more myself on the computer because frankly, I don't care what people over the internet think. I don't have to see them face to face, so I don't adjust anything about myself so they won't think I'm weird or whatever. The idea of someone I know in real life reading my stories or E-mails isn't a pleasent one, mainly because they probably wouldn't even realize I was the one that wrote it.

Anyway, more on topic - I have no problems with talking about my doll to people. In fact, I admit I may talk a little too much about them. However, I wouldn't dare bring him out with me... mainly because of the area I live in.

 

Thank you very much! *^_^*
It warms my heart when I see comments like yours!
I guess I am not as afraid of getting mean comments from strangers as I am being actually attacked physically. @_@'
I do believe though that everything that happens to me I attract through thought and feelings. Day by day I get more confident about who I am and about my interests so it gets better.
I also think living in a small town, as I do, sort of makes it even harder to be open about yourself. I feel a bit envious when I see pictures from doll meets and hear about people hanging out with other bjd owners.
But I am very grateful and proud to be a part of the community here! It is a great opportunity to get a chance of meeting more dollie lovers irl! ^^
Love to all of you!

 

I’m not embarrassed at all. If people ask about my boys I tell them what they are, for the most part the people I meet love them. Especially the nurses up at the hospital, they love to ask about my boys and wonder where I get them.

 

Me and my friend have always liked the dolls. She didn't want to save and I did. So I have... ever since I ordered my doll she's been so nasty about it. And made me feel bad about it.

I have now cut her off for other reasons. I nearly snapped at her today though. She had ago at me for spending so much money on a doll and she was fine with her other friend spending £599 on one pair of shoes. Which is more then my doll was o.o

I don't care... I love my doll... Ben will love my doll and my other friends. Thats all that matters.

 

It's good to know I'm not the only one who feels this way. I thought by my mom's response that I was a freak.

In addition, I don't think there's anything wrong with being a more private person. Some people like to advertise their BJDs and others prefer to enjoy their dolls in private. Everyone should just do whatever they're comfortable with.

 

I just shy from my dad that's all other know I have a dolls~

 

The funny part is, I'm more shy about letting non-nuclear members of my family (aunts and uncles and such) know about my dolls than I am about letting perfect strangers handle them. Maybe because I know that family is far more likely to talk smack about me behind my back than some random stranger who saw me for less than five minutes. In that way, I think it's easier to take my dolls out in public.