How you respond with public opinion about your dolls?

[MelodyT]

This has been an interesting thread to read!

My best friend collects BJD's and she doesn't care what people think! She takes her dolls to work so that she can sew or knit when they not busy and she takes them on holiday. She is always making clothes for them . I have never seen anyone react negatively. People are generally curious and fascinated; especially with the detail on the dolls.

I on the other hand collect Barbies (I also have Moxie Teenz and one H4H girl). There seems to be a completely different response to these! Usually it's met with 'you're an adult, why you still playing with dolls?' People aren't curious, they are freaked out by my hobby. So I feel very uncomfortable taking them out, even though I want to. Besides, if I take a doll with me anywhere it freaks my husband out. It's bad enough I play with dolls at home! (In his opinion)

I wish I could just ignore what other people think and say, but I don't know how to do that.

[Trethowan]

I don't bring my dolls anywhere in public, with the exception of a Con or two. Even at the Con I was so anxious the whole time that something might happen to them. I could just envision some ill-trained offspring making grubby grabby hands and breaking Micah's fingers or snatching off Ivan's wig. He'd bitch for days about that. Who wants to deal with THAT? haha...

[twinage]

We have the same thinking, Trethowan
But seeing some people casually bring their doll to con, I thought that "they can bring their doll freely, so why I can't too?" and so it give me courage. And I think like some of convention people already know how doll worth (especially dollfie dreams that popular in anime genre) so maybe they won't treat doll like some cheap things.


MelodyT, glad that you found this thread is great as I feel the same too. Other member who have lots of experience is giving many tips to beginner like me
I envy with your best friend, I don't think I have the courage to bring my doll to work-related stuff, unless someone requested to. But then, if I have a Yo-SD, maybe I'll reconsider again.

But isn't Barbie is popular enough and until now there still lot of adult Barbie collector? Some Barbie line isn't cheap either like the COACH brand for Barbie which I heard is so expensive and limited.
I also wish to ignore some people, but it is really hard especially if that particular person is always near us (family, co-workers,etc). I know that maybe they will not be supportive with my hobby but I really appreciate if some people can leave us alone than saying nasty things.

[MelodyT]

I don't bring my dolls anywhere in public, with the exception of a Con or two. Even at the Con I was so anxious the whole time that something might happen to them. I could just envision some ill-trained offspring making grubby grabby hands and breaking Micah's fingers or snatching off Ivan's wig. He'd bitch for days about that. Who wants to deal with THAT? haha...

I had a good laugh about Ivan's wig being ripped off and how he'd react. We have a tendency to speak about our dolls like they are human Others don't always understand, but it is true. They do have their own personalities

[MelodyT]

MelodyT, glad that you found this thread is great as I feel the same too. Other member who have lots of experience is giving many tips to beginner like me
I envy with your best friend, I don't think I have the courage to bring my doll to work-related stuff, unless someone requested to. But then, if I have a Yo-SD, maybe I'll reconsider again.

But isn't Barbie is popular enough and until now there still lot of adult Barbie collector? Some Barbie line isn't cheap either like the COACH brand for Barbie which I heard is so expensive and limited.
I also wish to ignore some people, but it is really hard especially if that particular person is always near us (family, co-workers,etc). I know that maybe they will not be supportive with my hobby but I really appreciate if some people can leave us alone than saying nasty things.

Yes, I'd like to be more like my friend as well Barbie is well known but adult doll collecting is not a widespread hobby where I live. Especially not if you 'play' with your dolls. . BJD's are new to people here so they are fascinated by them. Barbie's, not so much. She is still seen only as a child's toy.

[Mirrin]

Now, I don't drag my dolls out in public very often, but I am always pretty open about it with people I work with and undergraduate student. I post pictures of them on my facebook and all that. People have always been really positive about it, knowing me. I am a costume technician and designer so they just see it as a way to do things I am really good at, fine art and making clothing, with dolls. I mentioned to someone that someone within the doll community had said something kind of terrible about my doll and I was kind of bummed about it. They were like, "What, where? I need to have a chat with them." It was funny and I had to explain it was just an online thing and not even that big of deal.

The only really negative things I ever got was going to a meet up where someone thought my dolls weren't good enough because they weren't Volks and picked up one of my dolls by grabbing it's face. Another person at the same meet up brought their kids that were grabby handsing the dolls the whole time. That was truly awful and traumatizing, but outside of the doll community, I've had no bad experiences.

[MelodyT]

Now, I don't drag my dolls out in public very often, but I am always pretty open about it with people I work with and undergraduate student. I post pictures of them on my facebook and all that. People have always been really positive about it, knowing me. I am a costume technician and designer so they just see it as a way to do things I am really good at, fine art and making clothing, with dolls. I mentioned to someone that someone within the doll community had said something kind of terrible about my doll and I was kind of bummed about it. They were like, "What, where? I need to have a chat with them." It was funny and I had to explain it was just an online thing and not even that big of deal.

The only really negative things I ever got was going to a meet up where someone thought my dolls weren't good enough because they weren't Volks and picked up one of my dolls by grabbing it's face. Another person at the same meet up brought their kids that were grabby handsing the dolls the whole time. That was truly awful and traumatizing, but outside of the doll community, I've had no bad experiences.

How horrible! I would be upset if someone grabbed my doll by the face! I have Barbie's, MT and H4H and I am not crazy about children touching them and playing with them cos they inclined to be rough and my dolls are not as delicate as BJD's, so I can understand how upset you must have been. I often find people don't think my dolls are 'good enough' because they are not BJD"s and it's not a nice feeling. But, when all is said and done, as long as you like them and they make you happy... the snobs of the world can go jump in the lake!

[twinage]

The only really negative things I ever got was going to a meet up where someone thought my dolls weren't good enough because they weren't Volks.

Wow, that must be some elitist to talk to your face. I know that Volks is great and such, but we might instead love a least expensive doll and that doesn't mean we can't buy Volks if we want to.
And I found some least expensive doll that is more gorgeous than limited one, so no matter what kind of company, as long as the doll is taken care greatly, it will be very much better. Oh, how I would like to talk like that to some elitist who disrespect other people BJD.
Hope you can handle that particular someone when you two meet again, but hopefully not...

Yes, I'd like to be more like my friend as well Barbie is well known but adult doll collecting is not a widespread hobby where I live. Especially not if you 'play' with your dolls. . BJD's are new to people here so they are fascinated by them. Barbie's, not so much. She is still seen only as a child's toy.

Nah, barbie is still better than me carrying my Teddy bear everywhere. You can put the small barbie in handbag nicely but I have to hold my Teddy even it's not too heavy. I do get some looks but how can I resist to not bring my Teddy when it is fluffy and perfect for holiday companion
And I feel there is not much people like me (can't be called little girl anymore) who bring Teddy outside for vacation. But just as you say, as long as we happy, then it is okay

[MelodyT]

Yes. And it does make us happy If I'm feeling stressed and agitated, I can go into a toy store and look at dolls and when I come out (it may be a while later ) I feel much better. At home I just go and play with them . Granted, there are times when the only thing that is going to help is for me to spend time with Father God.

My dolls give me a lot of pleasure. Others may look at us askew and not understand. Well, I don't understand why it has to be such an issue for people. There are far more serious issues in this life than concerning yourself with an adult that plays with dolls. Perhaps next time we should say that to them.

[MelodyT]

I've just noticed the saying under my Avatar: My dollieh is a goooooooood dollieh! You bet they are