Do you hide your hobby from certain people?

I personally believe that all people should accept people for any 'weird' quirk they have, be it dolls or whatever.
I am not ashamed to tell people about my doll collecting even if they think it is weird and I respect their opinion to think so.

I hope you haven't taken your friend's comments too hard and will continue to enjoy the hobby!
Welcome to the forums.

 

Pretty much everyone knows about my hobby, even my work colleagues who think i'm crazy. But you need to be strong and proud there is nothing wrong with this hobby, just narrow minded people.

 

I don't really hide my hobby from anyone as no one really cares all that much. If your friend feels the need to be rude, then she isn't a very nice friend.

 

I told my boyfriend about the dolls I wanted on our first date. He thought it was a little strange but he liked that since he's strange too.
I was hesitant to tell my co workers about them at first. I've just mentioned that I collect dolls, nothing real specific though like price or pictures. They didn't judge me or anything. All my family so far has been supportive especially since its an easy way for me to have an expressive outlet for all my hobbies in one. Before I got into the doll hobby I went to cosmetology school and I worked in a salon doing makeup and weaves/ extensions. I also styled hair and wigs. Then I got into sewing. When I told my mom what all I could do with the dolls she recognized right away what made me so interested in them.

 

A lot of my friends and family think I'm crazy for spending so much on dolls. I just know that I'm enjoying myself. I know that some people don't like dolls or are terrified of them. I'll tend to only talk about dolls to people that I know pretty well. You just have to do what you love and not take negative comments too seriously.

 

Everyone in my life is super supportive even if they "don't get it", mostly because of how happy it makes me. My friends are awesome about it though because even if it "creeps them out" they're still willing to see my doll and let me get excited about doll things.

My friends are great like that, we all have different passions for kind of weird stuff so we support each others love for our hobbies. It's all about who you surround yourself with!

 

Well for the most part I've hid it from most people. My family knows and only really good friends know. I've been in the hobby since 2005 and in all that time there are still people who judge you for it. Especially, if you are older.

 

Nope, everyone who knows me knows I'm 'special'. Those who don't know me pffft...
I have my reasons for the dolls and I don't have to justify or explain anything - also I'm too old to pick on, 'respect your elders' (yah right), even if they are weird...

 

I don't hide it from anyone but I try not to talk about it around friends who find dolls creepy/don't like them.

 

I've only told a couple people, and my boyfriend thinks it's an old hobby, not my current one ^^; I'll get him straight eventually but I only tell people I know won't judge my hobby in a bad way. I'm not a fan of bad moods and rudeness

 

My boyfriend knows (we live together.) I haven't told anyone else. It's my hobby and frankly none of their business anyway!

 

At first I was really excited and told different people. I got mixed reactions. No one really liked them enough to spark their own interest, but some were supportive. Others just thought it was creepy/crazy. My boyfriend is having a very hard time accepting my new hobby, so whenever he's around I try to keep my internet browsing to other things. He's claims he's very creeped out by the dolls when they have no hair, and especially when they have no hair, make-up or eyes. Kind of understandable, except that for this past Christmas I bought him a headcrab zombie statue. Not sure how these dolls are creepy but that isn't.

I've told him he'll just have to live with it! You've gotta stand up for the things you enjoy in life. If he was gonna leave me over dolls then I'd say we have bigger problems.

For now I just mostly keep it to myself with new people, since they aren't even here yet, and I'll see how things go once they're around to show off.

 

I have no reason to hide it, but on certain occassion I think it's not appropriate or very "smart" to tell about my hobby to a person who just doesn't care about it. I don't need that persons opinions... And I don't want to ruin my day because of that. I'm a very sensitive person. I think I have been lucky, because I have got more compliments of my dolls than dirty looks.

 

Most of my friends know about my hobby. Only person I tried to avoid talking about it around, was this newbie on a forum I run, I was showing one of my Co-mods a picture of Avalon's new faceup and the kid kept making comments like: "Oh my gosh that is effing CREEPY it's too humanlike!" And wouldn't stop making comments like: "Gross" or "Disgusting" when I was trying to show OTHERS who actually support me what I wanted them to see. He even said Vala my little RS Bei was EVIL. How is THIS little thing EVIL?



Eventually I just stopped posting links about dolls in general to the chat thread instead of the shout box...He still found 'em and felt the need to make his comments, I finally asked him to stop because he was disrespecting me. (One of the other co-mods tried to say: "Not everyone's gonna like dolls" which I got, but he didn't need to be nasty about it and continuously making rude comments.)

 

yes I do and I know why: many people are very intolerant. For example my mother in law. She does not understand a woman drives motorcycle instead of having children. Wearing make up and high heels: and if she knew I had dolls she will scream about me how stupid it is. And childish. This is what many people told me when I told them about my hobby. So I hide it of intolerant people like her. Everybody should be allowed to do what makes him happy- without an acpeptance!

 

I don't mind being considered odd, I have been for most of my life (seems to come with the autism thing ). I guess you could say I'm used to it, so I don't really care about people thinking I'm weird. I'd rather they choose to either accept me or reject me for who I am, than me having to hide aspects of my life in order to fit in. That would just feel dishonest to me. So no, personally I don't hide my hobby from anyone.

 

Can't say I've ever hidden my hobby one bit. I've been pretty lucky that even the people I know who don't like dolls A) have manners and B) seem to understand why I like them instead of just deciding I'm creepy/crazy. I have one cousin who was kind of judgemental about them based on the cost, but he was also really judgemental years ago when as a young teenager I read and collected a lot of manga, so I take it with a grain of salt really.

 

You go! A lot of people would just put up with the abuse. It's good that you have other friends that can encourage and support you.

 

My friends now of my dolls, some have seen them. My ex was very interested in making dolls with me which is a shame that we're not together anymore. But most think it another quirk of me.

 

How brave!!
I think you will be happier if you have friends who accept you for who you are and what you like even if they don't personally like them.

Who knows...in the future, you might be their enabler.

 

Nope. I'm secure in not giving a rat's bum about what other people think of my hobbies.

That said, I've always been pretty low-key about it. I don't hide what I like or what I do by any means, but at the same time I don't proclaim it from the rooftops, either. Everyone who knows me at all well knows I collect these dolls, but I don't tend to go on endlessly about them. That can get annoying no matter what kind of hobby you're dealing with.

 

I don't hide from people, I just don't feel the need to talk about it to everyone. My family knows I have one and I'm making Monster high repaints, they like what I do so that's enough for me. My boyfriend also give me advices or his opinion on the dolls I like. I had a friend who was on bjds too but she doesn't talk to me anymore (I don't know why but since I decided to make my own dolls she's been really rude with me.)
I don't want to be judged so I don't really talk about it.

 

I don't think I hide my hobby from anyone I know. There are people in my life that I know not to have long discussion about this hobby but I don't hide my collection.

 

I don't hide my hobby,but i don't tell about it for no reason

 

Unfortunately my job is dependant on perception and coming across as "strong & sensible". Letting on that I have a doll hobby would cost me so much career ground. I'd be right back to struggling against the image of "that little girl who's like an intern or secretary or something". Uhh, no, I like running my own team, thanks. Luckily discussing personal life isn't really popular at work. Having a plant on your desk is considered weird, mostly because working offsite and from home is encouraged.

 

yes i do hide it from most people, because whilst i believe that everyone is allowed to like what they like without being judged for it...a lot of other people are not open minded about things that they do not understand. Even some of my own family members who are generally extremely supportive (not that they were ever rude but i can tell they don't really get it)

Some people like fancy cars. I like dolls. But i don't feel like anyone needs to know unless i trust them enough not to be hurtful

 

my friends know, and my direct family knows. but I dont really tell people unless I really have to XD
I know that it is weird that Im ashamed for a hobby I am so passionate about.

but when I do tell people I get into the defence mode because everybody gets a shok when I tell them how expensive they are.
I say; "some spend it on cars, clothes, or going to a bar. I dont do that stuff, I buy dolls". and I tell them; "When Im done with a doll I dont lose all my money, if I buy a doll of 500 dollars I can probably sell it for 400-450 so I dont really lose much money. and I think that is worth it."
people seem to understand the hobby more if I tell them that. we life in a economy world so that is how I handle it.

and off course I tell them; "its the sport of making something of a doll (I paint them, tries to make a wig, I tried to make eyes and I make clothes and pictures)", that also makes it understandable, they all think that I buy a doll and put it on display and thats it. but then they hear all the work they understand that it really is a hobby and not just something I like to buy.

but I really avoid showing pictures XD everyone thinks they are creepy,even if I show them my cute dolls.

but my boyfriend told me many times; "dont defent yourself so fast after telling someone, its a fun and cute hobby and you should be proud."
I still got things to learn
(sorry for the long reply and bad english)

 

I don't hide my hobby from anyone. If someone asks me what I do..I tell them right away. I've learned to be very upfront and honest about things and if others don't like it, too bad. I'm not trying to please them or make them happy. My happiness comes first. >.> Everyone at work knows, as well as a lot of the customers I'm close too. Hell, even my regional manger knows. He asked me what I do outside of work and I told him. When he looked at me confused. I took out my phone and shared pictures. He thought it was pretty cool and commended me on being passionate about something.

My boyfriend is a huge supporter of my hobby. He likes to look over my shoulder when I'm browsing the mp or doll sites. He tells me which ones he likes. He's been to a few meetups with me and has selected a few dolls that he would like to own. I know my sister thinks it's creepy but she also said it's the perfect hobby for me. My dad was really impressed with my minifee. It probably helps that my dad is a totally cool guy who is into anime and manga. What surprised me the most was my boyfriend's mom. She loves my dolls and always comments on how beautiful they are. I didn't expect that at all.

 

I don't go out of my way to tell people about it, and it rarely comes up in conversation XD But if they ask, I have no issues talking about my BJD whatsoever. I don't know if it's the way I talk about them, or that I'm just generally accepted as very 'artsy,' but nobody has ever given me any grief about them.

My family and friends all know about them and everyone is supportive

 

I only hide my new found hobby from my mum and dad. (though I've stopped speaking to them now :<) Only because they'd think I was wasting money and I hate when people try and stop me from doing something I love or have fallen in love with.
In all honesty, you should be free to express yourself about your hobbies and such. If they are rude then they're not really someone who has the same wavelength as you and shouldn't really be someone to keep in touch with in future... unless they are good people in other ways. :P Alas, there is always one person who has a highly strong opinion about anything. Even dolls

 

I don't hide my hobby per say, but I do downplay the price to my parents because they would just give me a speech on how they disapprove with how I'm spending my money even though I'm on my own. As for the dolls and hobby itself, no, I do not hide it from anyone. I love my dolls, but I only bring them up if someone asks about them or asks what my hobbies/interests are.

 

I do not hide any of my hobbies, but I do try to maintain a certain... dignity.

With certain people I might not bring up my love of freshly strung doll bodies or the smell of resin with startling exuberance, but I wouldn't withhold that BJDs are an important part of my life if the issue came up. Every few months, when I come up with a doll picture or a progress report I'm especially proud of, it goes on my Facebook for friends and family to see and either gain some insight into my life or hit the 'hide all posts from this lunatic' button and quickly scroll on. I make sure not spam them crazily with doll stuff, though, so as not to squash any and all hope that my grandmothers may one day see my flesh-and-blood children. Squealing uncontrollably is what DoA, Flickr, my private blog and all the FB doll groups are for.

 

This is actually a very good question for me!

As much as my closest environment accepts my passion, there are situations/places where I don't show off myself with this particular hobby (as it is not my only one). This, for instance is ,my work office. I don't feel ashemd or embarrades but there are people who wouldn't really feel it as something fun to do, wouldn't bother to understand it is possible for someone to find passion in dolls (as they are usually assiated with either children or creepy horror movies at most). Also, I'm not fond of ill curiosity people tend to present when they hear someone does somenthing unusual (for them).

If someone asked me personally I would problaly say freely "I collect dolls", but I always see difference when being among people where I can say it myself without being asked and people, who don't really bother to understand others, where I would have to answer a personal question like this.

 

I don't hide it from anybody. It is on my blog, my family and friends know. Some are creeped out by them, and I just hardly bring them up, when we are talking. Some are genuinly interested and I have to watch myself, because I tend to ramble on and on about dolls. :p

 

No...if someone doesn't like my doll hobby then they don't have to look.

Would be silly to hide them anyway....they have been in a television show, so millions have seen them!

 

A lot of my friends and family know about my hobbies so I don't hide it from them, no matter how creeped out they get (which hasn't really happened) or anything like that. The only one person I keep it from is my Great-Aunt. She would flip if she actually found out how much I spend on them. Other than that, I'm pretty open and supported.

 

I haven't hidden my "Doll Hobby" at all XD. I enjoy to post my dolls photos on my social networks and all my friends, family, relatives, professors, etc... know about it. Since I don't care what they think about me because this is who I really am and I won't change too. If someone come out with an idea that I'm weird or say bad to my hobby, then...that is their things. People can be friend, can be close, all are up to how to accept each other. I believe that everyone has their own interest or preference like fan of football teams, movies, photograph etc, so to laugh or abuse other's hobby means that this person has nothing to interest and sometime just envies others who have hobby and own interest.

 

Hi, I also recently starting collecting the pukipukis and realpukis and there are certain people who think I'm out of my mind paying so much money for a little doll....but I'm having so much fun with this new hobby I don't care ;-} I've joined groups on FB of others who share this same joy!

 

I don't hide my BJD hobby. Usually I kind of 'warn' people first then introduce. There are people scared of realistic eyes.

 

Honestly, I hide my hobby from just about everyone.. I would like to be brave like some of you, but I simply can't find the courage to be open about it! My close family and boyfriend all love the hobby and are very supportive about it, but I don't care to share it with anyone else besides them! ^^" I love this hobby and everyone in it, but I'm simply too timid!

 

It is hard for me to hide anything. My wife doesn't like dolls, so i don't really share them with her. My dad makes belittling comments to me about how ridiculous it looks for a guy like me to be "messin' around with dolls". My girls love me for it though, that's what counts. I need more friends in the hobby.

 

yes i think i pretty much hide it from everyone i know in real life.. except a doll friend i met online... work people just gave me some looks and ugh nobody understands *cries* lol

 

Except from close family, I hide this hobby from everyone. I don't really mind people thinking I'm strange (they already think that), it's just I would probably be inviting a whole lot of lectures my way concerning how to spend my money if I were to be more sharing of it.

 

This. I don't care what other people think about my dolls, and I certainly don't need validation for owning them. I also think it's just as rude and annoying on my part to blather on about them to people who don't care about them or don't like them as someone telling me my dolls are dumb.

Your friends don't have to like or be interested in every single thing you do, so long as they aren't jerks to you about the things they don't like. There are plenty of things my friends enjoy that I think are stupid. I just don't participate.

 

Only my mom right now, but that's because I know exactly how she'll react. She'll more than likely try to give me a talk on spending money and such and I just don't feel like having that conversation with her just yet. So until then, she doesn't need to know~ It's not like I live with her anyway.

 

I don't really tell anyone other than other people who are in the cosplay hobby. Weirdly, it's easier for me to say, I dress up in elaborate costumes that I make myself than it is to say that I collect dolls. I think it's easier for people to understand that. My coworkers know I cosplay but I don't think any of them know about my dolls. I don't really talk about it because of the money factor. We all have stuff we spend mad money on, but few people really get the appeal. I probably won't even mention the cosplay hobby when I get a teaching job though, I need to project a put-together and confident image so I don't know how that would go over. I think with time I'll be more confident and care less what other people think, but right now I need to project the image of the kind of person that you would hire.

 

I don't hide my hobby, though I usually test the waters before I tell people how many I have. I take my dolls with me just about everywhere, from shopping to work. My coworkers are so used to them at this point they think I'm sick when I don't bring one to work with me. It comforts me to have one sitting at my desk next to me as I take phone calls, reminding me why I work a sucky job is to afford to live and have some pretty things.

Though I do keep in mind people that don't like dolls, like a few friends of mine are disturbed by them, so I simply keep the bedroom door closed or don't take them over to them. Simple as that. Respect goes both ways. Though I did almost murder someone at work because they threw a ball and it hit my doll in the face. It was my most expensive doll too (Soom FC Chrom at $700+) so I let him have it until I backed him into a corner. From then on they stopped throwing the balls near me.

 

I wouldn't say I hide it, I haven't gone posting my doll on FB or anything. But I do talk about BJDs occasionally with friends or co workers. I actually became better friends with a coworker when we found out we had a lot of the same interests including BJDs. I've had some negative responses as well, like people saying they're creepy, or gross, or "not worth it" I did get kind of lucky that once I bought my doll, the S/O got his doll, then my mother bought 5 OT dolls and bought mine and my S/O daughter an OT doll. So it became a fun family thing. Honestly once I get my doll all straightened up I'll probably become more open about her, and hopefully expand from there.

 

I don't feel the need to hide it entirely... I do, however, hide some of the crazier aspects from certain people. I know there's people would think I was super weird for having a doll based on my own characters (because apparently that's dumb - well how do you think books are written, sweetheart) and getting so involved in her, and I know for certain there's a LOT of people would think I was insane for spending so much on them.

Having seen the prices of 1/12th doll house stuff I no longer feel bad about that!

I do have a couple of relatives who find dolls creepy, and I don't hide it from them but I do keep it away from them since I know it creeps them out. More comfortable for them, not offence caused to me. There's only so many 'thats creepy' comments and horrified looks I can take!

 

I enjoy them all proudly. I feel that when I stand up for my tastes, people respect them more.

 

If somebody asked me about my hobbies I would probably tell them. I have many hobbies so I don't think it's sounds so 'weird' if you have other hobbies, particularly if they are of an artistic nature. I mostly have dolls to customise and photograph. However, I don't just bring it up randomly, because people would probably think I was crazy. I think people think they're toy and that you play with them as if they were a barbie or something.....THAT is what annoys me the most

 

I don't feel that I hide my dolls from folks I just don't go around talking about them unless asked. Usually because they just don't come up in conversation. Nearly everyone who knows me on a personal level does know I collect BJDs though. What they think about my hobby is not my problem. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions just as I am entitled to spend my hard earned money on what interests me. I also do not take any snide remarks from anyone personally. If they feel the need to mock me for something that obviously brings me joy then that is their problem to deal with not mine.

 

I got into these dolls because my daughter purchased a doll from Japan that was a 60cm tall Dollfie ; I had only sewn for Barbies and the Ashton drake 16cm dolls Gene dolls. when I saw my daughter's doll I was at first sight wanting one of those dolls which led me to artists dolls and the rest is history. I have had to place them on lay-a-way and whatnot to get them and my older sister thinks I crazy. My daughter only has the one doll but fully supports me.

 

Hey all

I just wanted to ask others in the hobby, do you hide your hobby from friends and family?

Do you quick put them away, out of view if certain people come to visit you?

Or do you proudly display them

 

I have to admit that my dolly hobby is completely hidden. No one knows about them and thats just fine. I have been really burned by judgemental people in the past and dont feel like I want to invite that onto myself. I dont know why people judge, no one is getting hurt by it. It allows an outlet for me to express my creativity through sewing, or knitting or making accessories or hair cutting, or whatever. I have dolls and accessories all put away in my craft room, but they are not for anyone else but me to enjoy. I love them and feel I would have probably gone crazy without them at certain points. This is the first time I have admitted to anyone (you guys) that this is the way my hobby is for me. I suck, such a chicken.

 

I don't really hide my hobby from the people I know, but at the same time I don't put out the fact that I'm in the hobby out in the open. If a friend or family member asks about the hobby i'll talk about it but for the most part I keep my dolls to my self.