What to expect from your first meet up?

ummmm...it's a sensitive question...i apologize first (-.-)

i wonder if anyone has experience this...like someone says about particular doll too straight in such a way of saying so it may disomfort others like "i don't like that doll." or when you mention your doll 'brand' perhaps, not so expensive one or famous one, some people seems 'ooh' and then got no interest...

what should we do when it happens? (TxT)...

sometimes, i feel that meet up can be fun but how if that happens...(>.<)''''...

oh i wish it never happens, though...i think, whatever brand it is, they are sweetheart to the owner and we don't want to 'hurt' the owner's feeling, do we?

I just read in another thread about meet up and saw the pics...oh, so fun...and all dolls gathered cutely...

 

@April ...thank's for sharing a lot of tips....I always want to know about what to do in meet up ...(^.^)...

 

Ah, what a useful thread! I will be attending my first meet up next weekend and was just wondering what exactly people do at them.

Nichan, I have not experienced anything like that at a doll meetup, obviously XD However, whenever being with people for any reason it is possible that someone will be unpleasant. Not long ago a man I didn't know felt it was necessary to ask my age and then tell me I looked significantly older that I was. I have also had people insult my choice of dress. I imagine if someone tells me they don't like my dolls I will let it roll off the way I do other things. Some people are very honest and don't mean to be harsh even if it comes across that way and those who are trying to be hurtful don't deserve to have their oppinions valued.

 

I recently moved away from London, and what I miss most about the city is actually the doll-meets and all the lovely people I met there! Our meets were always fairly informal with groups of people forming to chat about dolly-stuff and admire one another's dolls, then gradually splitting up and reforming into different groups as everyone wandered round to check out all of the dolls people had brought along -- London meets are so large that everyone sitting together in one huge group never really happened, and a series of small bunches of people helps you talk to loads more people personally, so that's great. Generally we'd spend the afternoon at a park or in a public space where there was room for us all to spread out, then in the early evening we'd head through the city to go to a chinese restaurant... which seemed to be quite used to the crazy doll-people turning up and taking over one of their floors (still, I suppose we provided quite a bit of business for them on a regular basis! ^___^)

What to expect: lots of friendly people, most of whom will be quite curious about your doll and will want to take pictures of him/her (and will be quite happy for you to be curious about theirs and take photos in return), some pretty funny boggling looks from normal members of the public - and maybe a few brave souls coming over to ask a few questions if they're genuinely interested - and sometimes dolly workshops where a few kind owners will lend their restringing/hot glue services for other people, and there's usually some sort of informal selling of eyes/wigs/clothes etc too: you can pick up some really good deals at meetups if you notice someone with a bag of stuff they're looking to sell

Hmm, unfortunately I've had that experience at a meetup before when someone kept following me around the meet and mentioning loudly how they didn't like my Volks Yo-SDs -- it's annoying to say the least, but there are rude and clueless people in every walk of life and the best thing to do is to ignore them wherever possible: most of the people at every meet I've ever been to have been really really lovely, and at subsequent meets since then I've been able to spend time with the friends I've made there and ignore the rude girl... Remember, even if the occasional person can't be an adult about expressing their own opinions about other people's dolls, you can always be the bigger person and make a point of enjoying the meet, the other doll-owners and their lovely dolls no matter what someone else might think! Having a good time at meets is what they're all about, and you shouldn't let other people (or worries about what other people might do or say) spoil them for you It really is a very rare thing, and easily handled in the event that it does occur!

 

I have only attended a couple of mini meets and they were wonderful experiences. You'll see for my comments that my self-confidence needs a bit of a work out

I was very worried about people not liking my dolls or being told off for not handling the dolls well or whatever, only to find out that people thought my dolls were loved and well taken care of just like theirs. For past experience with collectors in other fields, I was really scared of people thinking less of me for having cheap dolls instead of the very expensive ones I can't afford. But everyone was really understanding and nice, I felt really welcome and I wish I could attend one of the big London meet ups soon.

 

I've been to several meet-ups over the years, and I've never had a bad one :3 I'd say the MN group is somewhat close-knit, but always accepting of newbies We've had plenty of people without dolls come to meet-ups (and a handful of introverted people as well). Most of the time the meets are held at a local library (in one of their meeting/conference rooms), though sometimes people organize smaller ones either in their homes or at a nearby coffee shop or something. Last May, there was a great big potluck-styled picnic at the zoo, which was awesome (I got some great photos of my dolls ^_^)

I've yet to run into anyone ever being rude about me/my dolls. Maybe it's a "Minnesota nice" thing >_> But, I don't think fear of mean people should keep anyone from going to a meet-up who wants to go. I believe that more often than not, the nice people outweigh the mean people, and you shouldn't let anyone ruin your time :3

Also, it can be daunting when you encounter a close-knit group (or where it seems like everyone already knows everyone else and you feel like an outsider). I felt that way at first (and still do sometimes :,3). But with me being a fairly social person, it wasn't long before I was talking to other people about their/my dolls ^^ Though if you're not sociable, you don't have to force yourself to be. Usually someone will come along at some point to photograph/ask you about your dolls :3 But again, if they get snarky, don't let it ruin your good time.

So, yeah, all in all, it's a really fun experience, especially when you don't have any local friends that own dolls ^_^

 

Hehe.. the first meeting I went to was, when i wasn't really into dolls yet, and it was organized at a zoo, because people thought it would be nice to do something with eachother.
So walked around a little and got much attention from the other visitors and lots of people to talk to about the dolls.
and we went to find a place to have a picknick, everyond brought some food which we ate together and after we went to find some good spots to take photographs.

 

I like meets at anime cons. You set up your doll(s), talk to others, take a few pictures and then go on your merry way. Never been to a meet up outside of a con, but I hope to go to one later this month.

 

There has already been some great advice- I have attended meets and held them.

My first meet was scary, everyone was friendly but I was afraid to even gtake pictures of the dolls let alone touch them!

The best thing is to ask questions about they dolls and praise certain things- face up/ costume/ type of doll... If you are interested in the dolls and their owners, they will be interested in you

Never pick up a doll without permission- if you go regualarly you will make friends and know who is comforatble with you handling their dolls- for instance I now have some great dolly friends and I would pick their dolls up for photos, but I still ask if it is okay- but I would never pick up a bew persons doll without asking.

I would also ask if it is okay to take photos of their dolls, most doll owners will be very flattered by this

I have never heard anyone at a meet say they didn't like someone elses doll, if it happen, ignore it and mix with other people.

The only bad thing about doll meets is........the need to buy another doll!

 

oops double post- sorry

 

I can't wait to attend my first meet.
Its nice to hear what to expect although I guess it depends on how you come across to other people.
I was concerned about going alone, but now I feel more confident.
I think that was just because I have never met anyone who actually knows anything about BJDs let alone has one in the flesh.

 

I very much want to go to my first meeting. I'm hoping it'll either be this month or next month. I'm nervous, but I'm also very excited!

 

Thanks everyone for this info! I'm planning on going to my first one with my first doll in march, and didn't really know what to expect. Now I'm even more excited! And I will definitely bring a notepad because I know I will see some doll & need to get one for myself!

 

this thread is awesome, isn't it...i was about to make a 'similar' thread if i couldn't find anything like this...some people in my place talking about meet up...i'm not sure myself about it...moreover...i don't have the doll bag...i won't carry my doll without it as the box is too big, too...haha...the thing that made me worried more was that what i asked above.

In DoA world, everything is very discipline and strict...we don't rude to other members...but i don't know in real world...

i accidentally visit gaia forum online (link was from here)...wah! how rude the member when saying about a brand...i mean...oh, boooy...i mean, one can say it in a formal 'tone' and choose appropriate words instead of saying it 'sucks'...we can be honest about something but we can control ourselves and choose appropriate statement when saying things to others...but again...yeah...

yes, i guess,unpleasant things happens in other case other than doll as well...so, it's the same in doll world...you guys are right...

i can't imagine how you take the 'rude' attitude, Xi-Feng . Wah, you are so patient.. b(^.^)d...

make sure first-meet-up-timer subscribe this (^.^)d

 

I will be going to my first meet at the end of the month, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I was quite nervous when I was planning on going, it took me quite a while to post in the thread and say I'd be there, but once I did my nerves cleared up pretty quickly, and everyone posting in the thread was really nice.
I still feel it might be a little odd when I go, as I've only been collecting dolls for a short while, and voting in the poll on doll owner gender today, realised that the majority of people there will be female, though I was probably expecting that anyway.

I get the feeling so long as I'm positive it will be fine.

 

...depends whether the people in your area are actually interested in seeing one another, or just the other people's dolls.

Guess which kind of people we have around here!

 

i learned alot reading this now i know what to expect i guess when there is a meetup in my area i know that ill need to bring out the talker in me that likes to greet or meet new people.

still seems like fun thing to do i would love to learn more about bjd's and see one in the real world because i know that any photo just does not quite as good as it is in real life. since a photo you only see in 2d in real life you can see dimensions more and its in 3d.

 

I used to have meet up with my doll friend once a month when I live in Taipei
but since I move to Japan I don't know anyone close to me play with BJD so it had no chance for meet up.
I really miss those days chatting with dolly friends

 

I have been to several (Although few during these years, I do not remember how many already) and usually it has consisted in taking photos, talking over and over, walking sometimes, even having lunch together,... always having fun, but for me the best of it all is the friends I got that way and wish to meet many more. About a first meet up, I agree it always depends on the case, but I also think the right choice is introducing yourself to the rest. That is what I do too. It would be a pity going to it and lose the moment because you did not give the step.

 

I've been to a couple, and I definitely recommend finding a nearby meet if you can, even for the very shy. I have sometimes-crippling social anxiety, which has always made meeting new people very difficult for me, and the one thing that helps me overcome that is when I'm meeting people based on a shared interest.

I was still very shy, but luckily I wasn't going to my first meet alone-- I was the as-yet-doll-less tag-along with my sister and her doll, so if I wasn't comfortable approaching someone or starting a conversation, I could just find her, and ease my way into the conversation-group she was in. I guess I also recommend having a sociable and outgoing friend or relative you can take with you, that way you won't feel alone. I'm pretty lucky in that respect, she's great at getting a conversation flowing with strangers, and after a little while talking dolls, those people won't seem so strange (at least, they won't seem like strangers-- I can't promise they won't be weird *grin*, but would I have it any other way?).

Like people have said, my first doll meet had dolls set up at tables, and people walked around the room to get pictures, to pose dolls together, to get a look at sculpts they hadn't seen in person before... And we sort of potluck-ed the snacks (we had a space with a sink nearby, so if there was anything potentially messy, someone could wash their hands right after eating, before handling the dolls). Conversation was largely doll-related, but not always.

The second meet I went to was focused less on bringing actual dolls and more on con-planning, though there were quite a few dolls tagging along as well. It was at a restaurant, we observed normal restaurant etiquette, and a couple of members of the waitstaff thought the dolls were interesting/cute/weird in a cool way more than a creepy way. Not every restaurant meet experience is going to be that good, but the one we were at made us feel very welcome. (But I had a kind of greasy sandwich and was so afraid to touch anything! Again, thank goodness for hand-washing...)

And then, on the subject of cons; I have been to a mini-meet up that took place during an anime convention, though because of a panel I was attending, I was late and missed most of the action. Still, I got to see some dolls, and it was easier to talk to people there than I usually find talking to people, because I already knew what to talk about (Dolls! And anime/cosplay with some people as well). Again, dolls posed on tables, people taking photographs. That's a big common thread between most meets.

I also attended a BJD con, where a lot of time was filled with people just meeting up, talking, setting up dolls, taking pictures... I was more at ease than in any of my previous experiences-- in part because I had had some practice, probably-- and I was able to have some real conversations with people. A couple very nice people had me hold their dolls so I could get a better look/feel, so I got to hold my first tiny (adorable!), and an MSD boy (he had a very nice weight to him, comfortable to hold, and by this point I wasn't as afraid of handling other people's dolls, since I am very careful. I was a little worried when it came time to get him to stand again, though...)

Anyway, every experience I've had so far has been a good one, and they've really helped me to come out of my shell. I've always found socializing difficult, sometimes painful, and had had some hard times not too long before that first meet-up, and it was really great to find other people I could talk to/learn from about the hobby, and to be able to get out there with other human beings. I hear that sometimes there are people who are rude/annoying, but I have met some really wonderful people. I say, find a group, don't be too afraid, and if there is someone negative, just try and avoid them, because there are definitely going to be more good people than bad in this hobby.

(and if anyone reading this thread is one of the people I've met, then thanks, because honestly, even if I only talked to you for a minute, it meant more to me than I could say to be able to have that much of a social interaction)

=^__^=
Anneko