They are just dolls, where do you draw the line?

for me there is always that reality that it is "just a doll". of course i give them personalities and enjoy their company. I like to shop for them and having them sitting on my computer desk with my while i do things. However it's never like i pretend they're real people. I have a hard time explaining this to anyone. When you tell someone you give your doll a personality they instantly think you're a nut job pretending your doll is a real person. I guess it's just being attached to and inanimate object. As long as you know it's not a real person then anything you do with your doll is just playing with a doll even though other people may see it as weird. All the human like qualities you can give to your doll is part of the fun.

 

Eh, I get enough reminders at home that they're "just dolls," so when I have a chance to be blissfully ignorant and enjoy having my characters in a tangible form(which is really quite more comforting than I had ever expected!), I milk every last second

(Of course, don't take me for the crazy kind, I'm just sentimental like that )

 

^This for me, too.

I only have a female, immature MSD, so I'm only rhetorically speaking: If my doll had a penis, he has a penis. And I would rather cover it up than leave it out there to have people get rather uncomfortable, and make *annoying* jokes about "the doll with the..." (well, you know what). It is funny the first one or two times, but c'mon - seriously? Everytime (general)you see my doll you have to make some strange joke about it? I love my doll for stuff other than his little plastic peen. I bought the doll because I liked the doll.

And I also wouldn't want to leave them naked, or just not suitably clothed. Shirtless, ok for a male. But even though my doll is not a human, she's in human form, and having her underwear on show under her dress 24/7, to me, is not ok. This is why I really want pants for my doll because I don't want to see panty shots in EVERY photo.
(Why didn't I put all this in the post I made before?)

But I still like fussing over my doll. Like others have mentioned, I don't believe she has a soul, or any spiritual stuff going on. I don't believe that she needs this or that. I fuss over her because they're so cool, and I want to.

My doll is my first major purchase, and I don't regret it. But Emma doesn't demand my attention 24/7 like my cats would. That's the thing about BJDs, they're always cool if you can't hang out right now.

Plus, I don't think dolls have emotions. Perhaps it's because Emma has no character, but I just can't grasp that concept. I believe the expressions on the doll are neutral enough to resemble anything to the owner. So, if someone's doll has a character, the owner can interpret that neutrality into whatever they think. Emma has always seemed to have the same look.

 

I always remember that my dolls are just dolls, so for example, at the end of the day if I'm tired and grouchy, they get shoved off the bed and on to the floor and that's where they stay. That said, my dolls and characters are one in the same. Without the doll, I'd feel as though I'd lost a big part of the character. It wouldn't necessarily be irreplaceable, but it would be difficult to have that character around again, so I am quite sentimentally attached to my hunks of resin.

When it comes to nudity though, so long as no one's going to be in my room to see them, they can hang out nekkid for all the world if I haven't had time to dress them. I live at home with my parents when not at Uni, so I get a lot of privacy, but on a personal level, I do feel a little bit bad when I leave them nude- I know they're just dolls, but I always feel that they'd be a bit cold XD

As for drawing the line, I draw the line at assuming that I HAVE to do things for them. I don't have to "take care" of the doll- I just paint it, dress it and enjoy it. It's property to me, so it doesn't need attention or anything. If I leave them in the closet for two weeks while I do more important things, it's not going to hurt them. And they don't need to be "happy" etc. I like to imagine that they like getting attention, but I know that when real life shows up they aren't going to actually require any sacrifices on my part.

 

What is your general feeling of having your doll nude, does it highly offend you or do you feel it's just a doll it is not a big deal,

I agree with bagofspiders (best user name ever) re: the completeness of a dressed doll. To leave Marnie lying around nude would just feel slovenly to me (like, say, leaving a pile of laundry in the middle of the floor, or not washing the dishes).

I have to admit, the nudity warnings on the board have got me scratching my head. When you walk into an art museum, you don't see WARNING: NUDITY AHEAD! signs on the front doors. I understand some photos might be considered NSFW, but really ... offended? By nude dolls?

 

That's really beautiful! I like the idea that lucky spirits might appreciate the time, effort and creativity we put into our dolls.

 

What a lovely way to view it!!!

 

There is a thread about this issue somewhere, and it seems like the general consensus of why people like the "warning: nudity" is that people tend to look at DoA at school, or places where looking at nudity would be frowned upon.

People have mentioned that there are some really good pics that might cover up joints creatively, and might make any passers-by think they were looking at a naked human.

A lot have also mentioned that non-doll people aren't going to take the time to stop and analyze the photo, and just make a snap judgment that it's a human.

When you go into a museum, sure, there's the excuse that it's art, but it is expected as well. Some people don't like nude photography, so the heads up is good for them.

 

For me, "drawing the line" is an interesting thing...

I have no problem personifying objects, and I never have. Therefore, I fuss over Milo like it's nobody's business. I worry that he'll be uncomfortable if I lay him in a certain way... I don't like keeping him naked, because I think he'll be cold during the winter... I don't want to give him a depressing back story because I don't want him to be upset... Things like that. I'm completely aware that he couldn't care less about any of those things, or, rather, can't care about anything at all... but it's something I've always done. When I was a kid, I would say goodnight to every stuff animal I had, because I didn't want any of them to feel less loved.

I do have a line, though. I knew a girl once that took her dolls much too seriously... to the point where it affected people around her. She was worried that her doll wasn't popular enough, and fretted about how no one liked him and how he was sad and lonely. (This wasn't part of her doll character... This was during out-of-character conversations.) Everyone I knew got frustrated with how obnoxious she got about it, and more than one person said, "she does realize these are just dolls, right...?"

 

Right. I absolutely understand about the NSFW/NSFS element. What I was specifically responding to was the OP's phrase "does it highly offend you" vis a vis doll nudity. I don't understand why a doll owner would be offended, highly or otherwise, by the vague representation of human genitalia present on dolls. We're not talking Tom of Finland here.

 

While I am aware they are "just dolls" I enjoy their company in the sense that one enjoys a diary or a secret box of treasures. To me there are parts of the characters I have created that are only in my head and unspoken. When I was younger I would sometimes have secrets with my stuffed toys. It is like that with my dolls now. They "know" things that I know, and I feel like I have somehow confided in them. When life is particularly tough and what not I know that the beautiful resin sculpture is there to play with and feel better. I can make them clothes, dress them up and calm down when I am stressed. I don't know if that sounded weird or whatever...

Nudity to me is simply sometimes unavoidable. I have no small children in my home and therefore if sometimes while I am in the process of making them clothes they happen to be nude so be it. I do try to make them underpants or cover they small parts right away though because I don't want my room mates to feel I am disrespecting them by making them stare at little doll members all day.

 

I don't think you sound weird! This is how I treat my resin too. Yes, they're dolls. Just like your favorite teddy bear you've had for 20 years is still a teddy bear, and that picture your 5-year-old niece made you is just a bunch of random lines on paper. Does that mean they can't have sentimental value?

Nudity depends on the situation. Personally I don't mind if they sit around naked for months. However, if I have friends/family coming over I try to find something for them to wear (or cover up the shelf with a blanket). I don't want to spend the entire evening dodging "why does your doll have a penis" questions.

 

Thanks Ostrich that was exactly how I feel

I certainly take pains to cover their nudity when I have guests over too. I had a moment with my RS An who was fully dressed in a tunic but no underpants and out in public where the entire room got an eyeful.

 

i've never really had a problem with this, they have always just been dolls for me and although i cherish them as prized possessions i don't really give them any other significance other than that but that's not to say that i wouldn't be sad if i had to get rid of them!

 

I work for a doll company, and when I see my peers leaving protos around naked, or with their legs spread wide or generally dumped around funny I always feel sad. I'm the weirdo that will go around picking them up and setting them up nicely. After they are back in place I usually straighten their hair and give them a gentle pat. There is something good about acting out a kindness and a respect in an inanimate object. It's sort of like helping out another person when no one else is watching.. it just gives you a good feeling.

I know the dolls aren't real and don't have feelings, but the more positive energy and practices I can apply in life, the more happy I feel. That seems to be what dolls are all about, nurturing, and making you feel happy.

I do have to say that after working there for two years I am pretty numb to seeing naked and dismembered dolls everywhere, but I still like to treat them nice whenever I can. That's my philosophical stand on the idea

 

Hey, I'm a weirdo about dolls and I admit it. I don't believe they are alive or conscious in any meaningful sense. The only character and personality these hunks of high-priced plastic have are those bestowed upon them by their owners. That having been said, I do talk to Chae-ri, sometimes just to tell her how pretty she is. People talk to their pets, plants, cars, computers, and such, so what's so weird about talking to your favorite doll?

I don't like to leave Ri-ri just sitting around nude, and I tend to dress her appropriately for the season. She doesn't get hot or cold, of course, but if she's wearing short sleeves and it's below freezing outside it makes me feel cold just to look at her until I put a sweater or jacket on her. I'm just impressionable that way, I guess.

 

They are always dolls and only dolls. Yes I have personalities made up for them, but really most of them barely have a history. Its mostly just because it helps me define each doll for myself as I am rather focused on clothes and characters' wardrobes. As in, this one is a sweet girl who likes pink and unicorns and this one is a zombie bashing Lolita with a bad temper, so when I shop for clothes for them I only buy things that character would wear. Partly it helps me limit what I buy so I don't buy too much, and partly it keeps all my dolls different since I want variety and not just an army of Lolitas. But they are always dolls.

When I'm working on them or sewing clothes they will sit naked for a few days sometimes. I usually put a blanket over them when I'm not working just because people come in randomly and I get tired of the OMG SHE'S NEKKID! conversation. I do talk to them, but I talk to everything. Its usually telling them to sit still or stand when I'm posing them and I don't expect my doll to answer me anymore than I expect my tea mug to answer me when I ask allowed where it is and demand it come back(I set it down and forget where a lot). I talk to my cat too and have conversations with her and the dog as if we understand each other, even though I know we don't. I have been known to pose them doing things for no real reason, but its something I've been doing all my life with my toys. I don't feel like the toy cares if its tossed on the shelf, but I think it looks better when its actually posed and I get bored seeing the same pose for too long. But I am never deluded into thinking my doll is now or ever will be real(and possibly get vengeance for sticking him in a dress).

As for the line? I have to say I draw the line at introducing dolls to people as your kids and push it around in a stroller and expect other people to treat it like a living person. I mean all of that together, not that you can't put a doll in a stroller and push it around. I may give you a funny look, but if that's how you wanna roll, you go right ahead. Just keep in mind that it is a doll and you are pretty much a grown up(obviously if your a little kid, this part is not for you) and people are probably going to think you are weird. Even little kids usually know a baby doll is not a real baby. They play and pretend it is real, but at the end of the day it can be left on the floor or put in a toy box.

 

This. This right here is exactly how I feel. Besides the act of giving a depressing backstory. I gave Lachrimae a very depressing backstory because I just thought it would fit the outcome of his present character. I hated the fact that Lachi beat his clothes home and had to sit around in a large amount of black fabric that I had converted into a robe. I just don't like seeing my doll naked, even though it would be completely in character for him to lounge around butt naked around the house...I just don't like him to do so. For nude photos? He's getting stripped ;D But other than for photography purposes, he's always in something. I make sure he's sitting in a position that doesn't look uncomfortable, he's always clean because I don't like dirty kids and I don't want him to feel dirty, and things of that sort. I don't think I am so connected to the doll itself but more of the character.

And as for drawing that line? Hah! I once knew a girl who did the same exact thing. She went as far as to try and pester me to let my doll flirt with hers. Mind you, she knows that my boy has a boyfriend. It's kind of become a guilt trip/ egotisical doll fest when you talk to her. I just wish her the best of luck to calm down just a smidge. She seems like she could be really nice, but she takes the dolls way too seriously.
(I think we may infact be talking about the same person....)

 

If you were a normal person, and some of the conversations I've had with friends about Shannon, and the personality I'm projecting onto two dolls on my "next to buy" list, you'd probably think I'm crazy. I saw a little outfit on Denver Doll, showed it to a friend, and said "Tizzy wants this." While browsing for outfits for the Rong I'm saving up for, I said "Fuyumi's being fussy." And for Shannon, I say that he's a spoiled little brat and a bully.

I know these are all projections of emotions I give to them. I've created a little bit of character for the doll I have and for the two I want. But, as Amber-cakes said, that's part of the fun. No harm in doing any of these things so long as you have the ability at regular intervals to stop and say "This is an inanimate piece of plastic."

Unless your spiritual beliefs teach that something can inhabit it (and remember: inhabiting your doll is not the same as something being one and the same with your doll!), forgetting that they are just pieces of plastic is getting dangerously close to losing track of the line between fantasy and reality. When that happens, there are signs of something much more serious going on.

 

Well I think sometimes when some one says "My doll demanded I buy him ____" or "she refuses to wear that" they are more just joking around. I say things like that but it is more my relating to the particular character and having fun with my dolly friends. I have friends and a husband and two children who are all involved in the hobby. It is part of what makes the hobby fun. So I might say "NiNi is my bratty boy." and that is partially because his mold makes him look bratty and partially because his character is a bit of a brat. Or I might joke with my friend that "NiNi is worried about his little brother" because her MSD looks so similar. We are both well aware that they are just dolls, we just like to tease each other. I joke about my one tiny hating people because he is not the best poser and could probably use hot glue sueding. He tends to kick and fall over a good bit.

For me, when I personify my dolls it is simply for fun. It is not because I do not understand that they are not real. It is simply joking around with friends or family, or interacting more with the character of the doll. I think in many cases that is probably what you are seeing around the board.