Don't be embarrassed!

I don't think you should worry about telling people about your dolls. If they don't want to be friends with you *just* because you collect dolls, then they aren't worth having as a friend anyway. There are so many worse things you could be doing with your time and money like buying drugs or beating up grannies. On saying that I don't run about carrying a giant banner that says "I own BJD's", but if anyone asks me about it then I'm proud to tell them, regardless of their reaction or if they think I'm a crazy nut or not! ^_^

 

I came over here to Brisbane for university and brought my boys with me.. My housemates, whom i'd never met before, were all really cool about it!! =) Don't worry about it~ It's what you like to do!! It's a perfectly healthy hobby~

 

If you show people you are worry what they think about your hobby - they've got you. Be yourself and don't let anyone mess about it.

 

Well, firstly speaking as one who lives in Scotland, it's actually not that bad carrying a doll around. I mean, you're bound to get weird looks no matter where you are if you're carrying a doll around in your arms, but I've yet to experience any nasty comments or hurtful remarks from people who have seen me with my doll.

There's also quite a number of Scottish bjd owners as well. Unfortunately because I work most days of the week and on weekends, I've not been able to go to any meet ups so far, but I do know meet ups take place every so often (I think it's once a month between the usual group).

Secondly, addressing your question about coming out and having to explain your dolls to others? I was worried about this myself as I've only recently gotten into the hobby. Before I got my doll, I had no idea that there were as many Scottish bjd owners as I thought there were, so I was concerned with coming out about my hobby too. But I decided to tell my friends and family - who knew nothing about bjds - and they were very accepting of them.

If you ask me, I think it's all hit and miss really though. Some people might be cool with bjds, others might be terrified if they happen to be scared of dolls.

 

I think if you're actually outside, and doing normal things other than carrying a doll around, they likely won't think you're an otaku. It's when you get into wearing all the anime/game merchandise and acting like a total obsessive dork that doesn't know anything else that they might start thinking that.

Then again, what does it matter if they DO think you're an otaku? If you know enough japanese (or if they know enough english) you can simply state 'it's my hobby' to anyone who inquires.

I'd say take the boy, and just don't take him into the streets until you've sized them up, and figure out how comfortable you'd be carrying him around there!

 

I don't think I'll really be telling anybody. I'm not going to hide her, mind you. But I'm not going to advertise her either. It's mostly because I don't want to hear comments from the peanut gallery. I get enough of those already.

I most certainly will not take her out in public. I live out in the middle of BFE nowhere. A person (of any sex) walking around with a doll will get the same looks of disbelief as a person walking around with 2 heads.

And if anybody asks, I got her for $50 off the internets.

 

I actually brought my boy out for breakfast with my family the other day ^_____^
I was proud of my doll and wouldnt cover him for the world, just from the sun~
I put him on the chair, and people keep staring at Jun,
but no comments was made as the people in my country doesnt actually speak thier thought outloud, &when we when to the malls,
i put Jun on the trolley #__#, kids stare&point at him, seems like they were very interested in him n______n, and lol, my dad told me when I wanna bring Jun out with him&family again, remind him to bring a plastic bag to cover his head, @____@" he's just joking with me though ~
&yeah, I wouldnt be embarassed of Jun,cause he's my babys

 

I am 21 and proud to say I have a lot (and possible obsession) with dolls. I flat out told how much I payed for my first doll, which was a pullip to my family and they were kinda surprised so I don't think I'll be so open about the cost with my bjd's but I don't care if anyone says anythings, my babies are comming to school with me. People already think I'm weird and give me odd looks so let 'em stare at my dollies!

 

I can see the point that was made here originally, but I can also see a reality that conflicts with it. Sure, you should never feel ashamed of what you do, especially with something as trivial as what your hobby is. But I can understand, time and time again, when you walk into the mall with your doll and people stare at you as you walk by. Or when people start to congregate at a public park while you are doing a photo shoot. (Mainly because Arizona is so dry that the park is the only place which has this stuff I'm told is called "grass.") It is a bit edgy. Granted, it isn't embarrassing, it is a tad bit annoying. I can understand how someone could say that it is though. People can be so nosey and rude about what other people are doing when it is in their line of vision. ><; Doesn’t matter what it is.

 

Also, how you react will influence other people's reactions to you. If you look like you think you're doing something weird or bad, that'll show, but if you treat having a doll in a very matter of fact way, you'll get fewer weird reactions from people.

If someone is curious about my dolls or thinks it's odd, I just tell them why I have them (in my case artistic outlet) and that makes it easier for them to understand and it seems less strange.

 

When I get a doll I'm going to love taking it places. But I don't think I would ever take him to school...people in high school are kind of mean so. I think that would be the only place I would ever be embarrassed bringing a doll. Other then that I wouldn't mind.

 

I took one of my boys to school to show a friend and got some looks. Of course, he's a faceless, blind and bald floating head, so I don't blame them...

 

All of my friends don't get the doll thing so...yeah. But they know that I like them, so I don't have any reason to hide them or anything. But having said that, I don't think I will tote them around places. Not because I'm embarrassed of them but because they are so expensive I don't want to risk having anything happen to them =/ But that's just me.

 

I agree with what most people have said it's how you act that influences how other people will treat you.

Like there actually are other people at my school who get grief for the exact same things I do (not dolls, mostly video games & anime etc.), because they're really quiet and attempt to hide it, like sitting in a corner of their room with their manga under a table, all hunched up. Of course someone is going to notice.

I've always been a very loud person about my weird hobbies, so the fact I have a 60cm doll isn't going to shock anyone I know really xD
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sometimes when i talk about Jamie, people ask me who he is. I dnt hesitate to say he' a doll, and neither do my friends XD their quite used to my obsession. They used to complain about how much money i spent on him, but nowadays they ask me how he is!! =D =D which is totally awesome ^^~

My parents tend to leave us alone when were at home, but when their away, i take jamie dwnstairs to eat dinner& watch tv =]

i am yet to take him outside, coz i dnt have a carrier for him yet ^^"""" - i'll get around to it =P

 

Honestly I do get bashful from time to time, but that's because I'm 5'2" and it amuses people to see me with a 60cm doll taking up all my lap More people comment with things like "She's as big as you are!" (Though he's a boy ^_^" than I expected. Ah well, better than hateful looks and remarks anyday.

 

I think as long as you don't feel wrong yourself, other people's thinking will not affect you so much. (Maybe, just in My contury, people won't say their bad comments out, and I really do not mind they stare at me or my boy/girl). And well, some people will listen to what I say and try to understand why I love them, for those person who wont' listen, I think the best way is just to ignore them.

 

I don't feel embarrassed, but I feel so self conscious! I tend to put myself in other peoples' shoes alot and was brought up to be always mindful of how others view me(I don't how to articulate this properly). So i keep wondering how it looks like to the outside world(never mind my family) to see a thirty year old woman with two kids and SHE's the one with the doll!
But at meet ups though it is different...I'm happy and excited.

 

im embarrassed to be around people who think bjds and blythe collecting is stupid......i feel so sorry for how stupid THEY are!!!!

 

Those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.


But I still wouldn't take my dolls out in public because I am amazingly clumsy. Not having my hands free to break my fall is like a death wish.