Social Status

Yeah, there's always something kind of special or star-quality about fullsets. Even though the ones I have never stay as they came, I do at least put them all together once and take some pics. They are a demonstration of somebody's creativity - usually the efforts of a bunch of talented somebodies! It's neat to see their vision even if you intend to mess with it after.

And while I'm not in a place where meet-ups are possible, when I have been to events and seen various rare sculpts, it really is kind of a celebrity sighting *L*. "Hey, I saw you on the Internet!"

It's just neat to see what other people have and are proud of, regardless of who did the creating. If they want to show off their hard-to-get fullset, I'm quite happy to be shown off to.

 

Several doll owners could say that about me, actually. Girlytattoos has a Sweet Dreams Nana...while I don't want such a big girl to own myself, Girly does usually have to pry her out of my arms every time she brings her around me because I love to hold her. Same with Phantasmagoria's Bobobie Erin, Alice...she and RamuneGirl's Pipos Rooney, Oscar, tend to get held in my cleavage (yeah, I'll admit it, there are tons of photos of this too) at meetups and not given back til the end, haha. They're "my" dolls that aren't. Talk about social status, though...Alice is probably the most famous Bobobie in the state, lol.

 

I have to agree that I find it wonderful to be able to see limited, hard-to-get dolls in person. You get to love it a little bit in person, even if you don't get to take it home afterwards.

I always noticed this trend on DOA ever since I've joined, where (edit: forget to add SOME) people seem to assume Volks (yes, specifically Volks) owners are snobby and elitist. Yet I only ever seen examples of that when a Volks owner felt others were "attacking" them. I just always thought it was kinda funny. I mean, yes, Volks is on the higher end of the market, but I never personally seen such assuming about people who owned Bermanns. Or any other limited, expensive doll. It seems to be a Volks-only thing. I wonder where all these Volks elitists seem to be hiding out? There's always the argument of the highly visible, vocal minority, but I just so very rarely actually see Volks elitism. Huh.

 

Ah, the elusive Volks elitist! Perhaps they are all hiding out together in a super secret meet up spot (to which the masses are NOT invited) and that is why we never see them.

 

I can say that I've never experienced elitism at meetups, or on the forum. There are a LOT of people I've seen saying "Oh, people don't like my doll because it's cheaper, they're elitists!" and complaining about how amounts of gallery hits, when I can take one look at the blurry photos and messy set up and tell why they don't get the attention they want. It's called conformational bias when someone looks for a reason that something is happening, and thus sees it-and that is what I believe 99.9999% of this alleged elitism is. It's like when someone says (for instance) "Asians are bad drivers!" and points out every Asian that they see who is driving poorly. They don't notice those who are driving just fine, or the other races who are driving badly, and thus to them it seems like their theory has been proven.

Honestly? This thread and threads like it make me hesitate pretty majorly before taking my Volks girl to meets, or my School A hybrid-even though I bought a body on super sale for him, so he wasn't much more than a regular SD. I really don't want someone to assume that because I'm both kinda shy at first and because I was lucky enough to be able to get these dolls that I look down on them. I remember being SO nervous my first meet, because I had a vinyl/resin hybrid and everyone else had resin dolls. But you know what? Everyone was great and gave my doll as much attention as any other there.

You know what else? Yes, I have a FCS doll. But my very, very favorite doll is my Bambicrony Charity, who is now basic I believe. Heck, I think my Ringdoll is just about the coolest thing ever. And you know what? I've had him gushed over more than my other dolls, even by other people who own super limited, gold-foiled, unicorn-horn-carved dolls. For all the people who are nervous about meets or other owners: Don't be. We're all doll lovers, no matter what.

 

I think it'd be cool to have someone happen to have a limited that they treat like all their other dolls. Like, they don't keep them in boxes 24/7, or turn them into "vampire resinites" (keep them out of the sun all the time).

That they got that doll - and will admit - by chance, and that they only wanted because they happened to fit the form of a character; they didn't get the limited to get the limited, so to speak? They let others handle the doll, too...

To me, this kind of scenario would be cool.

I don't want limiteds, and though there are a lot that are really nice, overall, I still think they're a tad overrated. Do I look down on others because they do like limiteds? No; what you do is your business. I just don't see the sport in it. Like some people aren't chocolate addicts (guilty, again), but we're not going to say your liking chocolate is inferior. Actually, sometimes I wonder if people would see *me* as strange since liking limiteds (and chocolate) seem so common.

I worried (for two seconds) that people would think me not the best hobbyist because I've said a lot of times that I didn't have a lot of faith that I could save up for a $700 doll, and was ok looking at less expensive options. Like, I hear a lot of people say that if you love a doll, save for it. I knew I couldn't do that, so I did what I could. I had worried that people would start saying "If you can't save up for a $700 you want, you shouldn't be in the hobby..."

Don't get me started on how many times people have been told they *shouldn't* be in the hobby if they can't do X, Y, or Z, like everyone else. Sure, a sock dress, to me, is unsightly; but when it comes right down to it, is someone going to go to your house and take your doll away (like some kind of dolly-protection agency)?

As time went on, I realized no one cared about my reasons for going for a less expensive doll.

I don't understand the Volks elitist stuff. They're super pricey, even though they do have nice stuff. Being on DoA showed me a lot of other really nice companies who are reputable (and dolls that don't cost a ton ).

I think people who say that people are abusing them just want someone to say that they're right. "Oh woe is me! My doll is only $250, and everyone is saying it's crap! They're all elitist!!" I think they feel ashamed, secretly, and are just trying to read between the lines to get proof that their delusions are true. Goes the same for those with very expensive dolls. It's insecurity; they say that their doll is the best out there, and they need constant attention and praise to say their doll is great. All we can say to these kinds of people is that we're not going to play that game anymore.

Just.Love.The.Doll

 

I actually treat my Bambicrony the most carefully out of all my dolls. Otherwise, all of my dolls are treated the same-same shelves, same method of carrying them around, roughly the same photo time. I bought them because I liked them, no matter how expensive or how 'common.'

 

My limiteds are treated exactly like my standards, to the point I have to think about which ones were LE and which weren't.

 

Ummm, most of my dolls are limiteds and I bought them because I like the dolls and the sculpts work for their characters. I also happen to enjoy hunting down the perfect doll for my character and if the doll is an LE to get it, so be it. I am a collector at heart so I enjoy it when the chase requires some work from me. I don't buy dolls simply because they're some LE flavour of the month. Does anyone do that for real? I let my friends handle my dolls, be they LE or standards. I will admit I am often loathe to let people I do not know handle my dolls because I am very fussy about them. ALL of them, including my not very popular standard 5 year old Bluefairy boy who is my most spoiled doll. I do keep them all in their boxes because I don't like yellowing, not just my limited dolls.

I treat them all exactly the same - except for the two faves who get treated better than the others, one of which is the aforementioned 5 year old Bluefairy standard - because my LE's are no better than my standards. Of course, I think they are all the most amazing dolls on the planet, but my opinion about them is biased.

 

I don't know if anyone actually does that, to be honest. I hope not, because then there'd be an issue. Think of all the cool, non-LE dolls they'd miss out on!

 

Add me to the pile of "treats all her resin the same". My LEs and non-LEs all get stuck on the same shelf, get exposed to the same amount of sunlight, get carted equally to meets, etc. I may have moments where I want to play with one doll more than the others. But it isn't because it's an LE (or not), or that I love the doll more than the rest.

To those of you with Volks dolls: I don't think I've ever seen one in person. I'd be happy if somebody brought Volks resin to our doll meets, just so I can see why you love Volks so much.

 

I have to admit, I see more of the "reverse elitism" nowadays than some of the elitism I've heard of before. It can be like people expect others to look down on them simply because they've paid less and it seems to be insecurity on both sides. There are probably elitists out there somewhere but I have yet to meet one personally, so I do wonder how the occasional stereotype people use of all Volks owners being elitist gets perpetuated.

I've seen quite a few Resinsoul dolls in person and whilst I don't own one myself, I do like a couple of sculpts and will probably eventually get around to buying my favourite. I won't look down on a person because they have what are 'cheaper' dolls (I only say cheaper because they cost less) but in the same way, I won't look up to someone who has something super limited just because they own that limited.

I don't quite get why people mind others saying they don't like another company's sculpts based on personal preference because I've yet to meet people who like all sculpts from all manufacturers. That said, mentally I'm thinking they're basically saying 'these sculpts just aren't to my taste' in a polite way rather than being rude about it.

I have two Volks dolls that I really like and would be happy to take one to a meet when I finally get around to getting to a meet, simply because I've had quite a few people say they'd like to see what a Volks doll looks like in person. XD I don't mind showing my dolls to people and letting them handle them to see if they like the doll. I would expect them to handle all of them carefully, as we all know we should do in this hobby, but I would trust people to be sensible with both my limiteds and standards.

I'm also in the group of 'treating resin all the same' - I like having both on display.

 

It comes off as a preemptive strike -- they think people will look down on them, so they fire off first. Unfortunately, most of the time, there is no real evidence that people are behaving in an elitist fashion. Or, some people are trying to find a way to justify their own choices by putting down others as being elitist, spending to much on overpriced dolls, etc. I agree that a lot of it probably does come down to insecurity. I can understand being less confident as a newcomer, especially since the community has gotten so big. But I don't understand going out of the way to look for trouble, or holding onto some of these ideas way past the time the truth of the situation should have become obvious.

I also treat all my dolls the same too, since they're all (or almost all) resin and therefore have the same care requirements. I like to be hands on with my dolls, and as long as I use common sense and treat them with care, they'll all be ok.

 

Totally agree! In fact, it's almost their DUTY to bring unusual dolls to meetups so we can ooh and ahh over them!

 

*raises hand* I almost accidentally let this happen to me recently. Which, in my opinion, would've just soured this whole hobby for me. To assume everyone with a more expensive doll is going to hate me and my less expensive doll is like expecting everyone with a hand to smack me in the face. But, it's human nature to become hyper defensive about something we love. But, at some point, the truth of the matter is, not everyone in the world is going to like everything we have and it's pretty unfair to assume that they should and it's even more insulting to assume that they won't in the first place. People should be happy with their own things and enjoy them and show them off and treat them how they want. It shouldn't matter what anyone else thinks.

I hope that made sense. :-D

 

Truth here is folks, even if there ARE elitist why should we care? Yes I too have heard a person make a remark that I thought sounded sort of snotty but honestly *shrug* why should I care? I don't need to hang around her/him do I?

There can't really be a social status unless everyone buys into the idea that some people are better than others. If we don't act like that is the norm it will never BE the norm.

The original post is just another example of calling attention to something trivial and turning it into a conversation around status? If no one is fretting about status than we can avoid creating a status system.

 

-snort- If you could see the way I manhandle my woosoos. My woo's are my favorite dolls- they are my favorite sculpt hands down. And they were one of the reasons I really got into the hobby like I did. I saw a picture of a woosoo, and fell head over heels in love with them. In fact, I got Siah's head originally with the intention of modding him into a chiwoosoo, since at the time I could not afford a woosoo, and they were super hard to find. Over the years I've managed to track down and purchase a few woosoos, and I have to say, they are my most played with dolls. Sure, Siah bears the scars and bruises of the firsts in my doll hobby experience, but my woos get the most face time. In fact the doll I'm most protective of is my basic type one el. I DO freak on people if they touch his face. I have no idea who did it, and I'm paranoid about it being damaged.

But when I am going to a meet where I'll only have room for one doll (-cough BecauseKimFillsTheSpaceWithAwesomeSauceDollsOfALargerVariety cough-) I grab a woosoo, haul him into the car, buckle him in the front seat and take off down the highway. Sun shinning, no pillows or other protection, me reaching over to steady him when I turn too fast or stop too quickly. So yea, my limiteds don't get any special treatment here.

And my dolls aren't kept in boxes- but they do live in a cabinet/Ikea Bookcase with a black curtain hanging in front. But they used to sit on my computer tower, until I got too many dolls to fit, and had no shelf space. Plus with 4 cats and a puppy, and me not home too often, I needed someplace not easily accessible to small critters for the dolls to live (..although..I was finding my one cat trying to crawl in and sleep on the dolls, so we see how well THAT works).

I'll be honest though, the slight fear of reverse elitism is one of the reasons I don't post pictures too often, especially not of my woosoos. I'm afraid someone will cop a 'tude with/about me for owning 3 of them. -shrugs- I'm not rich or well off by any means. But with careful budgeting, very kind sellers who allowed layaway, and some luck, I was able to bring them home. To me they're just like any other doll- and I can point to many people who own more than one of the same sculpt. I'm just afraid of the reaction of having 3 of the same limited sculpt.

But at meetups where I can bring as many dolls as I own, my woosoos get treated just like all my other dolls. Sat down and there for public consumption.

 

Something is expensive and limited to their owner doesn't mean they have the same value for other collector. I think if someone try to show their social status, it's just their illusion.

 

The problem with the bury-your-head-in-the-sand method is that when someone is then confronted with a true elitist, it's a ~shocking~ kind of thing. While I agree that making an issue of it does more harm than good, I think that opening the conversation about it can help much more. Case in point: the amount of people coming out saying they're afraid their cheaper dolls will be looked down on. Knowing this is not the case in the large majority of the hobby is definitely something that will help these types of people feel more at ease, and that leads to everyone enjoying the hobby a little more.

I have met one true elitist, off this forum, and it was a pretty terrible experience. It started pleasantly, with chat about doll care mostly, and it quickly devolved. First into how I could possibly consider doing a water shoot (it's really NOT that big of a deal if the after-care is done properly, but I digress), and then into how I need to get a Volks because seriously nothing compares (complete with the phrase "You will TOTALLY want to sell all of your dolls after you get your first Volks!"), and finally into a looking-down-her-nose "Well, I guess SOME people just prefer off-brands."

Not gonna lie, if I hadn't been prepared to know that this type of person does exist, however rare, I probably would have burst into tears. As it was, I could at least agree to disagree with her on the issue of dolls. We just never talk about them now. (Which is a shame, she has a Toppi that I really, really liked. ;w; )

Teal Deer Version: Ignoring that there are people who believe this is not going to magically make them not exist. It does happen. Getting dialogue about it going can prepare people, and make people realize these types of people are the exception, not the rule, which leads to less "reverse-elitism".

This is honestly one of the reasons I've been shy about posting pretty much any pictures, even though most of my dolls are "cheaper". The fact is, four of 'em are limited sculpts, and I don't really want to have to deal with the "Wow, must be nice..." comments.

 

You know, there wouldn't be social classes if people didn't buy into them!

I can move in all circles... I have talked with aristocrats and with people totally on social assistance in one-room apartments. Because--I believe in the whole American Dream thing--that you can be whatever you want. But I've come across people who keep labeling themselves as blue-collar or trailer-trash or working class--and viewing other people as different because they have different dolls... AND they feel they are being put down somehow. (I just keep telling myself that I have as much right to do things and to be places as anyone else... I will be very nervous and perhaps feel uncomfortable, but I refuse to be classified and to let such things make me feel inferior. After all, is someone with more money a better person than someone with less??? I don't believe it for a minute.)

Mostly--it's all in your mind. And if it isn't... then just ignore it, because it doesn't matter to you!

Who cares if someone has an expensive full-set??? You could have one too if you saved up all your money. And maybe that person has LESS money than you do--but just saved up longer!!??! How do you know? Why do you think they are trying to be superior? Maybe they just like full-sets because they can't sew or just like the outfit??? Why should you feel they are making a statement against the dolls you have?

Just ignore all that crap.

Yes, there are idiots in the world who are insecure in the other direction and only care about how much something costs and what brand it is. But are they people you want to impress? Are they even people you'd want to KNOW? Or hang about with??? I hope not! Don't let the idiots get to you. Please. It's not worth feeling bad about the few idiots out there. The world can be a tough place. I hate to think of these few people making such an impact on others. I want people to try hard to ignore them--although I know it's not easy (this all is stuff I need to keep telling myself, too!).

Feel secure in your own dolls and what you like to buy and how you like to dress them! Don't worry about what other people are trying to do--or what you THINK they are trying to do. What matters is what YOU think.

For the record: I have a LOT of expensive limiteds and some full-sets and many fancy outfits and I have absolutely nothing against any other doll or how people want to dress their dolls. I don't even THINK about what dolls are inexpensive and what dolls aren't. I actually admire people who make their own clothes and do their own faceups. I think the most important thing is that people enjoy their own dolls, no matter how they do that or what kind of dolls they are.

So if you are looking at me and thinking I'm trying to be elitist, it's all in your mind. And how sad is that????