What's the worst that's been said about you and your dolls?

Don't late people get you down. You well find people in this world that are ok with the hobby and others that don't understand the hobby. I have people that have done both. I stay away from the people that like to case drama about it and think of all the good things that a person can do with it.

 

I brought my doll to dinner to show my mom what I'd bought with the Christmas money she gave me - she laughed and poked at it and called it "Annabelle" all night. At least she stopped touching it after I told her how much it cost!

 

Well, there are the usual smirks from the ones who cannot use their heads.
Someone told me that 'I could always sell them' on the assumption that I would get more money that way than if they were new . The same person seems to think they are just more expensive Barbies . You know, the type every one buys and then throw away? I certainly won't throw any of my dolls away or give them away!

 

Mostly I just get people hassling me about the expense, saying they're creepy, or telling me I should sell them to get the money for them. It's like...no, I had the money to begin with, that's why I bought them lol

 

People who insult things other people enjoy (that don't cause anyone any harm) are just jerks.

I don't think it even has anything to do with dolls, some people just aren't nice.

 

I hate this idiotic joke: "Don't you think it's time for you to have a real child, hihihi?". 1. I have no idea what makes people compare adult doll with the real kid. I really pity their kids, because in the depths of mind such parents look at child as on toy instead little human being and rising person.

 

Eh it's because of the nurturing aspect, not because they think their kids are toys. That's why there are baby dolls in preschools. Kids learn nurturing skills by playing pretend at taking care of dolls and stuffed animals. With the level of care and devotion many doll owners display towards their dolls, it's not that far a jump for most to see it as doll owners "practicing nurturing," whether that's actually true or not.

The worst I've ever had is that they're creepy but it's never been anything said in such a way that I was actually hurt over. I just acknowledge their opinion and ask why they thought that. Maybe it's the teacher in me, but staying calm and curious about such a reaction has ended in mutual benefit every time. A lot of people are scared of dolls and don't want to admit to being scared. Fashion dolls are becoming increasingly more articulated, so a lot of the jointing in bjds that sets off the "omg creepy" response in people may eventually become less of an issue. I remember that's what set off the creepy factor for one radio jock that saw one of my dolls.

 

I've been called childish over so many things that I just don't give a flying F what people think anymore. It's not just the dolls. People in my life seem to think they can make comments about anything and everything. I've been accused of being juvenile when it comes to not having a "real" religion, just because I'm just not inclined towards blind belief in anything and half the people in my family are serious church going people. I've been told I dress too young for my age, that I need to cut my hair because I'm older now, that waist length hair is for young children.

Yes, I've been told that collecting dolls is also for children and that I really need to grow up and stop spending my money on useless things. Which always makes me laugh as usually the person who says that is usually standing there with a Starbucks cup in their hand and has spent 5X what I did on dolls that year already on motorcycle parts or train sets or whatever it is they collect. Or on fancy clothes, or trips to wherever.

Fact, my dolls they are actually a kind of therapy for me. I was abused as a kid and bullied. I have dolls because I have anger management issues and yet I still have to deal with idiotic people all the time. People who presume to judge me and who stress me out nearly all the time. Better the dolls than I end up flipping out and killing them all. Dolls are a lot cheaper than years of psychotherapy you know? (Though for the record I have been there and done that too.) Dolls and my pets they keep me in a steady state of mind, and probably from doing serious violence. It's a good thing I am able to channel that into something productive or I would not be a very nice person... :P

 

I had a friend (not anymore on unrelated issues) who went around telling our friends exactly how much money my girl cost, and making them sound creepy. I found out because I showed another friend and she said "Oh, that's not crazy, that's just art." I thought that was hurtful because A) it's nobody's business but mine how much I spend and B) Really?! Because Doll collecting is an unreasonable hobby to have? My best argument to people is that a guy that collects guns (and customizes/personalizes them) spends easily as much money in buying the gun and all the supplies, they buy and sell the same way, they may fire them every once and while but mostly they are collector pieces that make them happy. And nobody gives them half as much crap as people give us about our hobby! Sorry rant over, but seriously though I shouldn't have to justify how I spend my money or what makes me happy.

 

The worst I've had is my judgmental grandma remarking 'you shouldn't be wasting your money on dolls at your age'.

A lot of people get a lot worse, and my mother is very supportive, so I consider myself lucky that's the only hassle I've got about the hobby.

 

I fortunately haven't run into much trouble, but my six-year-old brother is delightfully blunt at times lmao "Those dolls are ugly, you should buy Star Wars things instead."

 

You know, I've heard something similar to that. I wasn't around of course, but my fiance was on a job site talking to one of his coworkers/friends about my hobby. How they got started on the topic I have no idea, but one of the guys they were working with apparently overheard the conversation and his immediate response was to say "you need to put a baby in that." I think it's a little disgusting to imply pregnancy/children are a cure for something that's not even a problem in the first place, but that's sort of the mentality around here. Can't say I was too surprised.

Anyways, most of what I hear on a weekly basis is the quintessential 'creepy' comment, and then there is of course the cliche Chucky doll reference. I guess I've been lucky enough to not have people step way out of bounds (at least while I'm around).

 

I've been called some pretty unkind things, and have had my dolls insulted a few times... but it's always come from other collectors rather than "civilians". The non-doll people who know I have these guys have always been more curious than hostile.

In either case, I don't take my dolls or myself seriously enough to get offended. If someone wants to believe that I'm a terrible show-off for having a particular signature image, a "cyber bully" for simply disagreeing with them, or that my dolls are "boring weeaboo brats who all look alike" they're as welcomed to have their opinion as I am to laugh and disagree.

The thing is, neither you nor your dolls are defined by other people's opinions. You aren't required to give a rat's bum what they think... So, don't. They can either get a clue or get stuffed.

 

I've had family members ridicule about how childish I am and some of them complain about wasting money. I pay my bills and buy everything I need before I use the money on hobbies but they still say that I shouldn't be buying toys. I think that if I enjoy them, I should get them. I still haven't mentioned it to them but they spend just as much money on other things than I do with dolls. My sister buys almost every new DVD that came out and my mom likes to eat out every other day. For me, I like to save up for dolls and figurines. Even if I was in another hobby, they would ridicule that and I think that no one should be made fun or or talked bad about just because they like something that's out of the ordinary.

 

I haven't brought my doll into public aside from taking her to class to show my jewelry-making professor. I don't even know how many of my classmates saw it, but none of them commented.

Just yesterday my dad saw my doll for the first time. He thought it was pretty interesting and understood how I would enjoy doing the arts and crafts aspect of the hobby. And then he asked how much it cost. So I told him. After double taking, he asked if I was "f'd" up in the head and then went on a rant about how I was stupid and whoever sold that to me really took me for a ride.

He backed down a bit afterward after I calmly explained why it was so expensive, and that it was NOT a toy, but he kept giving me a bit of that "you're-an-idiot" look until he left. He's like that with a lot of things, but he's been getting better as he gets older. It was pretty bad when I was younger, and much more volatile when he thought something was "idiotic". But I suppose that was also somewhat of a good thing, because now I know how to handle people when they get that way.

Thankfully, none of my family gave me the "children" bit when I showed them. x_o That would seriously bug me. Half of them already patronize me when I tell them I'm not interested in having them. Using my doll as a catalyst for more pestering would be awful.

 

Just shock at the price although I didn't tell my boyfriend the exact price (missed off the face-up and outfit cost.) At the moment my money so it's not his business but when we are living together and have joint bills, savings etc that'll be different. He's ok with me having bjd's though so there will never be a problem once we're living together. He collects things like warhammer, collectors editions of films/games and figurines so my hobby isn't regarded as weird to him and there's family who collect china dolls, bears, teasets etc. It's literally just the price which has had negative feedback although thankfully I don't like the horror style of bjds. They would terrify him.

 

hmm..went hiking with a friend and brought along Edenn (Souldoll Zenith bjd) and some ladies stopped to look and asked my friend what was wrong with me, is she weird/crazy? She then proceeded to say I'm not normal...hahah which I didn't mind or care for. Judgmental people like that are not worth hearing...

 

[MENTION=69021]JZsketch[/MENTION] - I am so sorry someone was rude to you. It sounds like they missed a golden opportunity to learn about something new. Some people aren't very nice and have bad manners. This should say much more about them then you. I am glad your dolls help you feel better. Sometimes people are rude, but don't let that inhibit the fun you have! We're always here and I hope you can find some friends in your area and enjoy meets and things like that. Hang in there! You are never alone, even though it feels that way sometimes.

Sometimes it's best to say 'That is a mean thing to say, please leave me alone.' I think some people don't realize what they sound like because they have no brain/mouth filter.