What Makes a Good BJD Meet?

As a brand newbie, I'm excited to go to a meet someday but a lot of my fears have been covered regarding awkwardness. Also, since I'm such an extreme newb, I have essentially no doll knowledge and am afraid of coming across as "stupid" about the hobby. I love the idea of a small activity, particularly something I could do to keep my hands busy, so I could listen and absorb without feeling like I was standing there with my thumb up my.. well, you know.

I think it would be great if the organizer would wear an "Ask me!" sticker or something so that I would know who to direct my questions to. It's weird to walk into a group, especially an established group, and not know who might be able to tell me where to put my snacks or other various questions.

It would also be great if the organizer, or someone (maybe multiple people at a large meet) might be in charge of scouting for new arrivals or people who look a little lost or awkward. The "greeter" could maybe introduce the new person around or help orient them to the meet.

 

To me, the ideal meetup has a flat secure place to put the dolls, decent lighting, a door that prevents entry of wandering riffraff, and a liquor license. But, since it's surprisingly hard to get all 4 of those features in one place, the minimums: (A) a manageably small group, meeting (B) in a place where you know you won't be hassled for gathering or photographing, with (C) nearby restrooms. Optionally but optimally, (D) with a nearby place to retire for food & libations after everyone's tired of photos or the weather.

 

I've never been to a resin doll meetup but I have been to Dollfie Dream meetups and had a lovely experience. Mainly because it was organized really well and everyone was super friendly and not awkward. I think for any meetup, where it's open to people that you may or may not know, it's necessary for everyone to introduce themselves so that those who are new won't feel left out. It's not fun going to a meetup where everyone already knows each other and are already huddled together into groups. I am kind of shy, so I find it difficult to break into that kind of scenario, especially if you want to make conversation and actually feel like you're part of the group.
The location is important. Ideally I think meetups should take place indoors, unless the outside scenery is part of the event (ie. sakura viewing) A private booth or a cozy place in a corner would be nice as to not disturb any of the non-doll customers. Natural light would be great, and of course the atmosphere of the place is very important too. I picture teahouses or small cafes to be a nice place for a meetup ^^..Eating a meal first, and then clearing the table to play/chat about dolls while having light snacks/dessert and then possibly relocating elsewhere for more photos would be my ideal image of a meetup.

 

For people to show up.

Roommate and I hosted meet. Was rather sad. It's not as exciting when all the dolls already live together.

 

I've been to about 7-ish convention meets and one hosted on the campus of the University I attend and I must say I absolutely loved the one on campus.

We were set in a room, doors closed, tables, plenty of chairs. Everyone was so active and ready to talk (I barely knew anyone there, but easily talked to everyone and made a lot of new friends).

Stuff that makes a meet really great:
-Space. Tables and chairs, the tables were set up in a |_| shape, so everyone could maneuver and really feel involved. I've been to meets where the tables become islands...and then it becomes awkward.

-Possibly introductions or name tags? I've never experienced this, but as I mentioned before, I barely know anyone when I go to meets. I'd like to be able to go around the room at a meet and hear names, dolls, doll wishlist, ect to get to know everyone better.

-Those who are willing to share. I'm pretty scarce in the doll clothing/wig department, and a fellow owner lent me some stuff for the duration of the meet I think being able to be open with everyone and trusting is important for a successful meet.

-Things that don't make for a successful meet: when tables become islands, unorganized space, not feeling involved, when the group forms a circle (that was very unwelcoming...I left after feeling and being literally "closed out").

Almost forgot to add, put yourself out there I'm a very shy person, but I really opened up at this past meet up I attended and found I had a lot in common with some of the collectors there.

 

Yup, several people did. The only person who came was a complete stranger and it was terribly awkward. We've just had to accepted that no one wants to come to our end of the city, alas.

 

People who are not already part of cliques and virtually snub newbies and other people who don't attend often.
This is only one reason why I stopped going to meets.

 

I was just wondering how many of you have friends gave you weird looks when you tell them that you are heading for a doll meet.
What do you tell them and what do you actually do during meets?

My blog post here

 

I try to avoid using the words "doll meets," mostly because I have an aversion to the word doll. I just say I have a hobby meet. When they ask why hobby, I say customizable figures. If they want to know more, I say I meet up with a bunch of crafty people and we take pictures of our projects. But that's what I do, since I'm not 100% open about this hobby.

I have told some of my about my attending actual doll meets and they're cool with it. If they weren't okay about it - if they gave me a hard time about it - then I would question if they're really a friend or not.

 

I tend to agree with everything that's been said - a host that's good at introducing people, nametags, activities, all that shebang
except I probably wouldn't want food there - I'd input a bring-your-own-food policy, mostly because I have loads of food intolerances (gluten, lactose, insoluble fiber, mono-sodium glutamate and the list goes on) I'd feel super awkward at an arranged meal or something where I'd have to sit and watch people eat food (not that I'm not used to it, but people think it's weird) so yeah, for personal reasons, for me the food thing is a no no

other than that I think a friendly atmosphere really makes a meet, no matter the setting, activity etc, just bring people together to have fun!^^

 

I haven't gone to one yet, but I'd love to.

myalice I read your blog btw. I think usually, when people give you that weird look when you mention a doll meet, it isn't because they think we'll do voodoo or witchcraft, but because they really have no idea what you'd do with a bunch of dolls and owners. Usually, those people have no "collecting" hobbies or their own or no hobby at all. So they have no life experience to help their bit of closed mindedness.


Anyway, I think what makes a good meet is a good group of open hearted people. I don't say minded, I say hearted. Open minded is a term that's been butchered into making people think it just means accepting everything. I think if you have doll people (not necessarily owners either) that are there to actually commune with other people and not stay in little cliques, the rest will come on its own. And opening to other people first is usually the best way. :] Even if you are the shy one.

 

I went to a good doll meet today. I suggested the location be a cafe at an art gallery - because the public are generally going to be more cultured and well mannered, and they were. Parents are also less likely to bring the kind of children that grab and break valuable things. There was no other real plan than location and start time.
Someone was a minor and brought their mother which I think is important for even mature-minded minors meeting people from online, even in a public place, older teenagers can get away with bringing other older teenagers. Another brought her husband - which if I had a husband I would do too. I would have brought a friend if I felt less confident meeting groups of strangers.
In a larger group if someone was being left out I might not notice, if they started cutting and styling a wig, knitting a tiny sweater or dremeling away at their dolls face etc. I would notice and go interact with them.
If you want to make true friendships that last forever try passing around some Pocky (or gluten-free vegan cupcakes), this might be an issue if your venue sells food.

 

I have only been to one meet. It was held at a pretty cozy Italian restaurant famous for its cakes. I think it was pretty good since even if I was only there to observe dolls and didn't have my own, the members were all so nice to me and tried to include me in their discussions... some even let me touch their own babies! I even ended up going to a coffee shop with another member after the meet itself was over so we could talk about BJDs some more.

I'm glad the doll community here in the Philippines is very accommodating when it comes to newbies who want to own dolls of their own. They're a big help and inspiration to me.

 

I was just thinking it would have been useful to have a tape measure.

 

I'd love to know about this more ^_^
seeing im new to this ~ and meet ups are something
i really want to do in the future ~

but i think with friendly people everything goes well ? :3
or am i just a noob in this ? i dunno you tell me >.<


please send me private messages talking about your meet ups T.T
good or bad (im more intrested in bad meet ups >.<)

i still dont see how there could be bad meet ups ~ </3​

 

Well, all these things I'm hearing about food is great! I think I will prefer public meets than private- Unless I know the person really well but give me some cake and I'm good to go.

 

Ive hosted, and helped plan all the MT meets so far, and it's been a blast. Most of them have been in public places such as coffe shops, or restaurants, but the most recent one was in someone's home. To me that meet was the most fun because we were able to loiter and chat about dolls freely without any worries, and the atmosphere was fun and casual.

I've attended meets in CO, and NM, and in most of my experiences meets in local places have been a blast, but meets at people's houses have just been more fun and relaxed. I actually dropped a really cool hat while walking around at one meet that was at a public place, and never found it, which was sad!

 

I actually host the meet up in my area. It was also my first meet up. There are one 3 of us though so I have never been to a big meet up. It's funny, half the time we talk about school, relationships, and life in general. Then we mention the dolls we want or some new interesting dolls. We meet at a coffee shop so there is always food and drinks available. This meet is more of a way to relax and let all the dolls out for fresh air. It's a really relaxing place and all the people who come through will either look in silence, comment how pretty our dolls are, or ignore us.
We also play Uno or Cards Against Humanity, which is always fun

 

I have been to 2 meets (same place/same loose group) and I found many people wanted you too admire their dolls, but did not seem to care about mine, so much. I found the group cliqueish. The same women sat together and gabbed, excluding others. You don't need a meet for that, just a lunch date. If you go to a meet, be open and curious, circulate. Perhaps a Speed-dating format might be fun. Pairs of people can sit at stations around the room. Every 3-4 minutes, on cue, one of the pair gets up and moves to the next station. The pairs ask quick questions to get acquainted. Take along your favorite doll.