DON'T Call Them "Toys."

I think when people call them "Big Barbies" is when it hurts the most.... Does it look like a "Barbie" to you?????

But, hey, I am pretty good at not letting what others think bother me.....

The people I like to talk to the most are the the people who are curious and full of respect and wonder....

 

It doesn't bother me at all. Maybe it would if I let them sit on a shelf and never touched them, but since I "play" with my dolls, I consider them toys too. Maybe the difference is just the tone. I've also not had many people get all up in my face and be rude about it. The two people that have been rude to my face were both doll people believe it or not...so they don't count.

It bothers me a hell of a lot more when people call my action figures "dolls." I mean come on, they don't look anything like dolls dammit!!!!

 

Really? What's the difference?

I collect action figures and I totally consider them to be dolls as much as a BJD or a barbie is! I'm pretty sure that the only reason they're not presented as such is because back when they were first introduced some marketing types decided that "dolls for boys" needed a different name in order to sell.

 

it'd make me sad too.
i hate to admit it but i'm very fragile and even when i know i shouldn't i take things very personally.

Luckily i've never had this happen to me though.
The only people who have ever seen or knows about my dolls are those close to me.
The closest i've gotten to a comment like this is how my boyfriend occasionally says things that i take offense to.
I know he doesn't mean it but i always end up crying about it. he's said things like "it's a grossly expensive hobby" and said it with a tone like it's not worth it and i should better spend my money. He's also said things about dolls i was looking at online that i wanted. Recently i've been looking at Anthro BJD and he says "it takes your doll hobby to an all new weird." and he doesn't like how they're on humanoid bodies and wearing clothes.

I guess my point is the best thing you can do is try not to take it personally the way i do. xD
People just don't understand how hurtful saying things like this is.
without a knowledge of the hobby and the dolls themselves most people just wouldn't be able to grasp the idea why they're so important.

i think what's even more hurtful is when people understand how important these dolls yet they still act like it's a waste or a child's toy. Unfortunately most people can't comprehend others liking things that are different from what they like.

 

I have Transformers and anime figurines on my desk at work. This is the point where I don't a flying damn if people know I am a man-child who still enjoy such things. And my co-workers would come over, tease me on my affections for children's toys, play with them, and helpfully tell me they just saw a Transformers discount sale at Walmart. There is no offense to be taken at any of that.

I can totally understand when other people call a bjd how they see it, an expensive doll and toy. People outside of collectors' circles cannot force their views on collectors, and similarly, collectors cannot and should not force their views on those who don't share their hobbies. As long as one keeps in mind that grown men who agressively and offensively attack other people because of their hobbies are not grown at all, and that budgeting is important, one should be fine.

And yes, bjd, my biggest money wasting toy ever ever. Something I've been eyeing since highschool but couldn't afford. But oh so amusing while I have a steady income.

 

I call my crew "toys" all the time... Why would it bother me if someone else does the same? Toys are exactly what they are.

 

...My dolls are toys. o.o;;

Big expensive toys. And they're not my only toys either. (Not even my only expensive toys...I'm an electronics junkie.) It doesn't bother me in the least if they're referred to as such, because that's what they are to me. I'm a grown woman and I love my toys, so who cares? ^_^;

 

It annoys me, and people act as if I'm really childish and it is SO IRRITATING. Because I'm a teenager and therefore not an adult, people assume that I'm not old enough to appreciate the art of collecting, so they automatically think that my doll is like a Barbie and that I have a mental age of about 7. Sometimes it just pisses me off so much.

 

Remember that this hobby is about your personal imagination and enjoyment! Whether they are dolls, toys, or bjds to you, you cannot make another person feel that way about them. It's ok. Just understand that you are free to view your bjds as anything you like, and others have this same freedom. Don't get upset, just enjoy your dolls.

 

I simply respond with that they're not children's toys and explain why.
I usually call them toys myself. For a different age group than the average Barbie, but still toys.
Luckily, either people are understanding, or have their own 'weird' hobbies. ;3
And those who don't, well, I don't bring up the subject. ;3

 

I think there is no problem with calling them toys. They are toys. People treat 'toys' the way we treat our dolls all the time! Look at the people who have special displays made for their toy cars and the price and care that are given to antique tin toys or rocking horses or action figures or vintage Barbies. People do not even play with those but they are and always will be toys, no matter how they are used. Video games are toys too! Adults are not ashamed of having toys and should not be!

Just because you have toys does not mean you are a child or childlike, and I think some people are very against being seen as a child. I remember I used to get very angry when anyone would call me cute, as the word seemed childlike/condescending to me. I think you mostly get over it with age - this speaking from the oh so lofty age of 23, lol. Do not assume that people are looking down on you, you do not know what they are thinking! And if they think you are childish, and you care what they think, talk to them like a mature person about it and prove you are mature! Plus, some people WILL always have more life experience and knowledge than you. Respect them for it and show that you have some things you know better about too.

Of course, anything said in a mean or condescending tone is offensive of course, even as 'wow, she is really...cool.' Since we are not in the other person's head, we can never be sure that they looking down on you, so if they are normally friendly nice people, think twice about what YOU think they mean. Jumping to conclusions is dangerous.

 

My dolls are toys by definition and practice. I guess tone can affect the connotation of the word, but for the most part if someone isn't being condescending and demeaning, it's a bit odd to have something called what it is and then get upset about it.

 

.____.
I'm not trying to be mean, but I think a few people here need to put on their big girl panties and learn to deal. People are going to have different opinions about the dolls; it's shown by this thread, even, where some of the collectors state that the dolls are toys and some insist that they are not. If you can't get the doll community to agree, you're never going to convince someone who's not in the doll community.

And some people are just mean about it. Obviously, if you take your doll to school and flounce it around, people are going to notice and you will get unwanted attention. High school is just like that. So, big girl panties. Put them on.

Oh. And you can't get angry over some else's ignorance. You cannot expect people to inherently know the value of your doll. : | That is expecting entirely too much out of humanity, and is quite selfish of you, especially when the person was merely ignorant and meant no ill-harm.

Oh, you mean like bikes, video game consuls, play houses, and the like?

 

Er... I know of plenty, actually, more expensive than the average doll. Plenty also involve a great deal of innovation and craftmanship and skill to produce. Quality and price don't make a toy something other than a toy, they just make it an expensive toy with remarkable craftsmanship.

I wouldn't be offended if someone called my dolls toys, mostly because I do so myself. I think of them as toys -- they are. They're creative toys, brain toys, muse candy -- whatever name I give them, they're still toys to me, and the word does not have any sort of negative connotation.

 

I agree. I don't understand why the word "toy" is insulting enough to merit a public tantrum.

 

I'm sorry your feeling were hurt.....I think it was their tone more than anything. I get annoyed when people speak of anything I like, love or own as if it's worthless.

I have to be honest and say my dolls ARE toys to me.....in the sense that I play with them, am creative with them and they bring me joy like toys always did as a child. So if someone called them toys to my face and didn't use a snide voice, I wouldn't be offended because I see their point. But they are also ART to me. If someone has a $1000 crystal vase, some people consider them sophisticated.....I kinda see a lump of glass (Sorry for those that collect crystal) It does't mean I consider the person foolish for owning it, I just don't "get" it on a personal level. I don't assume every person I meet will get my "Doll thing" and as long as they are respectful, the word toy wouldn't get my panties in a bunch.

 

If the person is all snooty about it, then I would have to firmly correct them. But I wouldn't let it bother me too much, I would just laugh at their ignorance and move along. Obviously something as beautiful as a BJD could not be a simple child's toy.

However, If someone says "What beautifull toys!" or "Can I look at those toys?" I suppose I would not correct them. They are bieng genuinely curious, and if they inquire more, I would be happy to inform them of the fact that the dolls aren't exactly "toys" Though, essentially, that is what they are. Just in a more sophisticated sense.

 

Many people see dolls as toys. As much as it bothers me, if I spent my time correcting and lecturing each person who has ever called my boy a toy or something of equal value to a Barbie; I wouldn't have any time left in my life. It's just something you have to grit your teeth at, I do suppose.

 

I think it's a very individual question. For me, I've found as an adult, most people have at least one fairly expensive and well-respected "toy". Most of my expensive interactive things fall into either the "decoration","tool" or the "toy" category depending on their use. My dolls bring me amusement by interacting with them. They aren't a part of my vital equipment that helps me with my living, or purely decoration, so they really fall under "toys" in the end.

 

It wouldn't bother me at all - hell in my opinion they're 'big kid's' toys anyhow, the same as those big highly detailed model cars If someone insinuated that they were for children, I wouldn't be offended either - if they are people worth explaining to I'd explain that BJDs definitely made for those more mature, but if they weren't I think I'd just shrug and smile. No skin off my nose