Why do some collectors choose to not go to meetups?

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
No, not really. I feel that I'm at a pretty average age at the moment, actually.

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
It has crossed my mind but I don't think I'd really care. xD
I'd mostly go to see other dolls and maybe talk a little bit. I don't think I'm overly unlikeable and my dolls aren't too offensive so I don't know, lol

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
I don't sew or anything like that, and my dolls' outfits are fairly plain and common looking for the most part, so no.

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
Nah, not really.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
Damage, yes. Theft, not so much. I'm usually really wary of the locations of my dolls.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
I've read plenty of horror stories but nothing personal, no.

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?I have dolls. :p

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
I know it's a distinct possibility but it doesn't make me nervous at all.

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
Haha, I'd be a little put off but I'd probably laugh. How silly. xD

So overall, I'm mostly worried about damage and being bored, to be honest. I'm not exactly a social butterfly so I prefer a community like DoA where I can disengage whenever I want without being perceived as rude or something.

 

Honestly my first reason is that I'm a guy and it's hard for me to admit to the world that I have a doll...or 2 (3 soon). My family is still not aware and if I started taking big bags out randomly they'd want to know what I was up to. Another reason is that it seems to me that there's more older people in this hobby. Sure the cost has something to do with it. But there doesn't seem to be many people in my demographic. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
Neither. Age doesn't matter in a hobby. (:

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
As long as I'm having fun, and no one says it outloud, it wouldn't matter to me. XD

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
If I'm satisfied with my dolly's outfit, there would be no need to care about showing off. ^^

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
Just like the previous answer, I'm not really the type to show off, and I don't care what other people think of me.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
Depends. I love taking them out in outings; but I am paranoid, so I keep an eye out for any suspcious people.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
Well, I've never been to a meet, so I can't say.

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
Even if I didn't have a doll, I wouldn't feel silly because I would still be able to admire other people's dolls.

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
Ohohohoh...yes.

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
o_o


With all those questions answered, I would love to go to a doll meet.

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
Not at all. Theres no age restrictions on having a passion or a hobby.
Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
the first meet I went to i was terrified of this actually. My boy had JUST arrived not a month prior and didnt have any clothes that fit him.. so he was wearing SD clothing and hes like.. a souldoll vito x'D so slightly bigger than MSD but NOT SD. most of the group welcomed him greatly and a few were really interested in him since a vito is a really attractive sculpt. I wish i had clothes that fit him better though because well.. he just looked so goofy and awkward next to all these very well dressed dolls.
Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
as stated above for my first meet I was rather ashamed of his outfit.. but now i have all my dolls (minus my bobobie elfkin LOL) fully dressed to impress in outfits that reflect who they are as characters.. I look back and laugh at why I was ashamed at what Remmy was wearing.. its like.. who cares? it takes a while to find that perfect outfit for your doll so its not like others havent gone through the same thing! (well maybe not with the size issue i had with my vito... but def trying to find that PERFECT outfit)
Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
aha oh god no. I bring Sebastian with me to school even and he just chills on the table with me. i always keep an eye on my dolls at meets.. its not that i dont trust the people.. its the SUN. I am lucky enough to not have had to deal with doll theft or damage from a meet.. just my parents ; A;

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
Nope! havent really heard (besides on here) any personal stories of it either.
Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
>.< Ive never been to a meet without a doll >.< but if i were to go without one, I dont think i would feel that way. its not about having a doll its about sharing a passion for the dolls with others. IMO.
Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
YES. but then again there are like 20+ dolls i really want to buy so anyway...
Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked? (Heh.)
Ive actually had this happen and im not a very angry person but man was i furious. If people ask me to see my doll im like sure.. and if they ask to see his sculpt im totally fine with it. its like SURE!!! take a look!!! not every day you get to observe someone else's doll in your own hands ya know? but they just took him and ripped his pants down pointed at his sclupted manhood.. and laughed passing him around with eachother. i was so angry i ran over grabbed him grabbed my things and left. this wasnt with my new BJD group here in colorado but rather a group at school.. but still.. it was like.. respect others things? and privacy?

 

I'm still really new to the hobby. To be honest, I was actually kind of embarrassed when I first took a liking to them- I'm 26 years old. I know there's no age restriction, but it took a little while for me to get comfortable with the idea of a grown woman playing with dolls again.
Most of my close friends have actually really supported the idea- Even getting into dolls with me! A few, I found out, were already collecting monster high dolls, haha.

I haven't attended any meet ups yet, mostly because none have happened nearby recently. But I'll be honest- I would feel a little intimidated showing up with out a doll, or one that was "cheap". I wouldn't be ashamed of her, of course, but I've heard some pretty mean stories. It probably doesn't help that I'm really awkward around new people! Lol

 

Well, besides mini-meets, and that one time that I took Hawa, my DoC Twingkey to the Connichi (anime con in Germany), I am quite meet-up-shy. There are several reasons.

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
- No... It is not that easy for most people to guess how young or how old I am, so I don't worry about that.

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
- I don't expect people to like me... and I know my dolls would be liked. They are online, why wouldn't they be liked in RL?

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
- This IS a problem. I am making most of my doll outfits myself, because it is fun, but I am not that good at sewing, and it would be visible more in RL than on photos. I am quite insecure about my dolls' outifts, to be honest. So it is one of the reasons for me.

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
- LOL no! I LOVE myself, with all my non-worthiness, so it is their problem if others don't like me

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
- To some degree, yes. I am not worried about the doll people at the meet-up - rather about the people I meet on the way there, strangers basically that could just run me over not caring that I carry a doll worth a thousand of dollars in my arms, or who might just steal it because they figure an art doll might be expensive to sell on ebay... That is why I would have second thoughts about bringing one of my limiteds along - they would be hard to rebuy if they were gone or broken. But I could just take a non-limited with me.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
- No, not someone I know in RL.

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
- I've got dolls, so no.

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
- Probably it would do so... But looking at gallery pics does too, so it is not a real problem.

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked? (Heh.)
- No, I don't think this happens that often.

Well... My main reason why I don't go to meet-ups is simply that I live too far-away from other doll-fans, or that I am just not at the right time at the right place (f.e., I missed the actual BJD meet-up at the Connichi because it was on Sunday, and I was there on Saturday only >.>)...

 

Well I don't know how other people feel but I'm only 13 and can't drive myself to meetups. I would love to attend one but I have no one that has time to drive me to one. Im also kind of scared of what people will think of a 13 year old boy walking down the street with a doll in hand going to a meet up. I don't know what other collectors will think about me because I'm so young and maybe they think that I shouldn't have a bjd or be in the hobby. That's most of the reasons why I don't go to one.

 

The only thing I'm worried about is not knowing anyone and that it might be awkward. I like to avoid awkwardness XD I also don't really know what I would be doing there, as I don't need to show off my dolls to someone, and I don't really need any information that I can't find online. The only benefit I can see for myself would to handle different dolls from different companies, but that wouldn't change my mind about dolls I want to own in the future since the face is what does it for me :3 If I became friends with someone online who lives in my area, I would totally do a get-together somewhere with them or go to a meetup if they were going.

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
LOL Not at all
Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
Who cares!
Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
Quite the opposite.
Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
I have this really healthy ego - I'm an Aries AND a Dragon
Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
Precautions have to be made anytime my dolls or other expensive things are taken outside. I have dolls I will NEVER NEVER take to DragonCon no matter how much I'd love to, for instance
Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
I've seen major cattyness - woe to the idiot who does that to me or some poor little thing in my hearing. Cause I am such a MAJOR $itch.
Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll? Oh, I've plenty of dolls.
Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
LOL One major reason to go to meetups is seeing what's for sale
Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
DARE them to try it on!
I love going to meetups, conventions, etc - whether BJDs, Cosplay, anime, SF, you name it. LOVE it! I'd go to a miniature train one if there were one about just to see! I love checking out other people's creative work - so seeing other dolls & being able to talk to others face to face about dollie things totally outweighs any minor problems (as in, the occasional snob that I can gleefully crush, the pain it is to get my dolls together & out the door, etc etc)
Am SO looking forward to the BJD convention next year!

 

I've only been to one meet, in Cardiff, and that was before I had a doll. I hadn't really learnt to control my shyness at all back then and was very nervous, but though I didn't know anybody they were all nice and welcoming.

My main reason for not attending any others - aside from being manic busy most of the time! - are falling back in and out of love with the hobby. I'd like to go to more at some point, and hopefully make some friends who are in the hobby. I've been trying to chill out more and take things a bit easier, so it would be nice to be able to chat about dolls. All my irl friends and I end up talking about is work!

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
No, not really. I'm kinda average age, if I think about Finnish doll collectors.


Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
Actually, yes. They aren't that much like other people's dolls, so it must be hard for others to say something about them. Or something like that.

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
I'm not that talented, so yes. I'd hope someone would say "oh, that's a really nice shirt!"

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
I have a very low self-esteem. And somehow people tend to avoid me 8( I like people and want to make friends. But it's quite hard. I also don't like my looks.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
No, I trust myself holding my dolls. And I've never heard about theft here.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
I haven't have a change to go to meetup yet, so no. And I don't really personally know anyone with dolls...

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
I might see some new lovely dolls...

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
A bit, but I trust people :,D

 

When I first purchased a doll, I didn't go to any of the Seattle meetups because I worked on the weekends and couldn't make them. Now, it's more because my social anxiety is acting up. Need to wrangle that it in some.

As for the questions:

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
Nope. It's becoming more and more acceptable to remain a forever kid in Neverland.

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
I have anxiety about not being liked as well as being liked. :/ Not too worried about the like or dislike for the doll though. haha.

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
At first, sure, because my fashion sense sucks, but I'm caring less and less.

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
I don't like showing off and I don't want to be a wallflower. Finding a spot in between is not easy for me to gauge easily because I can't read social cues as well as I should.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
Nah. I'm amazingly naive and gullible. I trust everyone with physical possessions too much.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
I don't have any real-life dollie friends, so can't say that I have!

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
Yes. That was concern the past few months when I was without a doll.

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
Nah. I'm pretty good about not needing to own something really nice. I absolutely love looking, observing, learning, but ultimately know strongly what I need and don't need.

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
Not because they'll grab my doll and strip her. More that I wouldn't be able to relate to them or feel at all comfortable around them. There's nothing wrong with being an immature, loud, sex-crazed teen or adult. It's fun! It's just hard for me to keep a conversation going with someone like that as I look before I leap, don't speak unless I have something significant to say, and am possibly asexual.

 

Finaly I have been to meet up but I was affraid of before,

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
A bit older than the average (42 years) feel that it is not a Hobby for people of my age and I know that it is stupid.

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
At the beggining I was thinking they were horrible compare to the other's marvel, now I can be proud of my work.

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
I always want to show what I've done and see the other works for real.

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
I can be affected by nasty remarks as I am not sure of my work, I see plenty of default in my dolls.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
No, I like to bring them and even if there are paint scratch it's part of life.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
I have not heard but we keep two open eyes on our dolls.

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
I can't immagine going to without a doll.

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
I discover that dolls are like drug, there are always a custom you want to make, a wig you nedd.......

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
Well, if they strip one of my doll I won't complain, doll are made to be dressed and undressed.

I guess that all doll meetup are unique sharing moments.

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
Not at all. I think Im in the avarage age, at least it seems so here in Sweden that most people are around my age.

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
Yeah maybe. My two tinies are, if I may say so, adorable so the only time I was at a meeting Pocca wasnt really with me much, she was being poked all around the group I think n_n' so Im not worried about them if I go to another meeting. The one I worry about is my Mikhaila becouse there was such bad comments about her when she first came. However, it wouldnt keep me from not showing her.

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
Well, I dont think theyre not worth showing. I like them and from what Ive heard other like them too so Im not that worried :3

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
Not really, Im pretty social and open-minded. It's very rare that I dont go along with someone and becouse of that I think Im approchable enough that people wont dislike me, so I dont worry about it at all.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
Yes, very much, mostly for theft of my first doll that has a lot of sentimental value to me, she wouldnt really be replace-able.
Im kinda...how should I say this...MY stuff is MINE -cough- and Ive always been like that. Even though I might seem cool with you handling my doll Im watching you like a hawk. I dont mean to be rude or anything, I like showing people my dolls and dont mind them handling them but Im just very afraid that someone will like them too much and just "happen" to snatch them >__>

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
No, nothing bad so far.

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
I have dolls, I dont think I would have attended a meeting before getting a doll.

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
No, Im happy with the dolls I have, I know what type of dolls I like and I know that any doll that gets my interest I will most likely just loose interest for in a month or two

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
JUST DO IT! Mahahah! They have nothing to hide! xD -laughs-

 

I don't go to meetups because I don't drive and I live in the middle of nowhere. I do have 1 doll friend and have had more in the past, but over time we just fell apart. I may look into getting more involved though once I've moved to a new area.

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
No. I'm probably average-aged for bjds.

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
Most likely I think I wouldn't be liked. xD; I'm not really one to talk all that much and I'm not really big on engaging talk with others.

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
Shea has a Dollhearts outfit... I'd definitely want to show it off. It's just adorable!

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
I think if everyone is there sharing a common bond there wouldn't be a lot of room to 'show off'. That is to say, everyone is there to display their dolls.

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
Damage more than theft.. but I'd be kind of weary of leaving him anywhere out of my sight for even a second.

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
No. I haven't really read about meets at all since I'm very new to the hobby.

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
I have one. So.. no. xD

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
It doesn't make me nervous but I know I'd want to.

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked?
....That'd take someone a while. Took half an hour to get him into his outfit!! But yeah.. I'm hoping people would treat my doll(s) as they would treat their own.

 

I've definitely worried about a couple of things on the list, but my mom always taught me that the dread of something is usually worse than actually doing it. With that in mind I ventured out and went to my first doll meet, and since have found a group of friends that I really enjoy spending time with.

I will admit that I was VERY nervous about hosting my first meet because I was afraid of what would happen if someone I knew saw me and knew I collected dolls, but it turned out just fine. I think another major reason some people don't go to meets is distances- I've seen a lot of people here that would love to go to meets but can't because they're too far away.

 

I went to my first meet up recently. I was nervous about going, but not because I am shy or antisocial. I didn't know what to expect and quite frankly, I didn't know if I wanted to meet anyone else in the hobby or just enjoy my dolls the way I want to enjoy them. I did not take them with me, one has a chipped face up and the other was taken apart. Everyone was great, it was a small group so I was able to chat a little with everyone. I did meet someone that lives really close to me that I really got along with, that also does face ups and who will be fixing my girl. I still have not decided if it's something I will do again, but not because of the people, it's just a decision I will make when the time comes.

 

Do you feel you're too old or too young?
no not all i think age is just a number and means nothing! your as young or old as you feel

Do you think you or your doll won't be liked?
that doesnt concern me as its my taste so i dont care what others think just so long as i like my own doll

Do you think your outfits aren't worthy of showing off?
again that doesnt worry me at all as they are all to my taste

Do you think you're not worthy of showing off, or afraid of what others will think of you personally?
everyone is individual and you can only be yourself so again thats not a reason for me

Are you afraid to bring your doll out, for fear of damage or theft?
damage concerns me alot thats very true! im very careful with my dolls and i dislike them being cramped into carriers for long times.
theft well i suppose that could happen but ive never actually given that any thought as everyone in this hobby that ive been lucky to meet on the laptop has been lovely and honest i really wouldnt ever think of that happening

Did you or someone else have a bad experience?
no ive only heard good things

Are you afraid it will be silly because you have no doll?
no as i have many dolls

Are you nervous it would make you want to purchase new dolls?
lol that may happen but sitting on the laptop makes that happen easy enough!

Are you expecting, with all the youth on DoA, a group of immature, loud, sex-crazed teenagers who'll grab your doll without asking and strip it naked? (Heh.)
lol what a thought! lol no that is not a reason but i would expect there to be fun going on not just sitting around a table doing nothing much! that would concern me more plus not having much in common and long silences! even though its all about dolls there is only so much you can talk about

my main reason for not going is lack of time - life is busy! location as most meetings are too far away and i cant travel there easy and most of all i already know others in the hobby so i just dont feel the need.

 

When I first got into the hobby, I didn't even know meetups existed. o.O I know some people who are really desperate for friends and always have to share their hobby with someone, but I'm the opposite. I prefer to do things by myself... as I buy my own dolls and I buy my own things for them and style them how I like, it's really no one's business... so I didn't see a need to go to meetups because I wasn't really interested in anyone else's dolls. Also, I didn't know any other bjd owners at the time so I thought it'd be awkward to try and barge in on the meetup, as I know some like to be in exclusive groups. But after some time, I started going to meetups because they were held by friends... so it was more like hanging out with friends to me, only we brought our dolls along. And they introduced me to their friends, and it was nice to meet new people that way.

I know someone who doesn't attend meetups because of work, school and transportation issues. I don't think meetups are about "showing off", because I never thought of it like that. To me a doll is an owner's work of art, and every one is bound to be different, in fact I'd be alarmed if they weren't different. I don't think age matters, either.