How do you deal with haters of this hobby?

[King Darkness]

I have found there are more haters inside the hobby than outside.

Hating stems from jealousy and spite. People outside the hobby have nothing invested, emotionally or financially, so they don't give two shats

 

[Jameson Rook]

I'm going to break this down...



Why are your cousins coming to visit you occasionally? From the little you've said, it doesn't sound like you guys are all that close so I am wondering why they come visit. I have tons of cousins but none of them have ever been to my home, even the one I'm closest to.

Oh sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm the breadwinner in the family and live with my mom and brother. My cousins would visit during weekends because they're just tagging along with their parents.

I agreed with what most people have said, it shouldn't really matter to you what they think. If it does, then sell all your stuff because you're no longer enjoying collecting as much as you used to.

Nah, it doesn't bother me. Though I'd figured people would have funny responses if I started this topic.

I think the reason why your cousins and some of your old acquaintances have this notion that you collect "toys" is because of the diverse range of what you are collecting. You've got 1/6, mcfarlanes, neca, transformers, etc. It's all over the place. I love collecting as much as the next person but I personally don't find the appeal in some of the other stuff people collect. You're on the right path with having everything displayed neatly and that tells me you're proud of your collection because you've put in the time to showcase each piece. Maybe now is the time to start curating your collection so you zone in on a specific theme or line or type of collectible. When you've got PFs sitting beside your 1/6, your Marvel next to your transformers and comic superheroes inter-mingled with movie collectibles, it just becomes too much (IMO) and it's hard to focus.

I don't have my camera at hand, so here's a sample of a section of my office. Wished I had better pics of the entire room though.

There's no need to feel sad for people that are insensitive; they don't feel sad for others. However, I probably wouldn't have reminded/bragged to my friend that I make however much more money then him and his wife. Friends don't care about that and to me, that just sounds just as insensitive as those people that laugh at your hobby.

Although it was long ago and we're both cool, even I admit it was a low blow, despite me being a generally a nice guy. I guessed I must have snapped at the time. Y'know what, I'll treat him to dinner this weekend!

 

[SixMillionDollarMan Guy]

What do you expect? Your neighbors are usually out catching snapping turtles and gators.

....

Anyway, I don't let haters in my house.

*knocks on Cent's door*

 

[The Ween]

I had this annoying incident where my cousins (in their late teens or early 20's I think) came to visit and months later I heard that they were gossiping on what an immature person I am because I collect "toys." They occasionally come visit now and then but they now avoid my room/office like the plague.

These kids represents exactly why I'm quite picky to allow people in my room/office, sometimes they have a negative opinion of their own, and can't seem to say it to your face.

Another annoyance is on rare occasions I'd reconnect with old acquaintances, invite them over and you can see the disgusted look they make when they enter the room.

Mind you, I'd like to say I own a VERY small collection, a handful of 1/6 figures, some Mcfarlanes & Neca, Transformers, Marvel/DC stuff etc (I'm not a fan of anime, so no Japanese figures) and they are all very neatly displayed because I'm a neat freak, and my house is extremely clean. If I showed some of the collections of the members here, I'm sure these haters will get a heart attack for sure.

I'm not angry or venting here, rather, I do feel sad for people who are totally insensitive by dismissing other people's hobby entirely. I never get angry at these people, in fact, my friend told me to quit this hobby and "grow up" but I casually reminded him that I earn 3 times what he & his wife makes in a month and that seemed to shut him up.

So do you guys have similar experience? How do you guys deal with it? Do share!

And what is their hobby? Laying on their Mama's couch all day? Don't worry about what others think.

 

[crows]

I had the same problem, my aunt came to my place for the first time and she couldn't believe I had so many toys. It was like she was embarrassed for me, she looked at all of them and asked how much I spend.
the next weekend when she came back she came with my cousins and another aunt. and the whole time they were here she was showing them my stuff without asking my permission touching everything like if it was some kind of Sick freak weirdo Museum exhibition. I wasn't even mad that everyone was looking at things but what made me mad was how she was touching everything and making this big deal...
Safe to say no family is allowed at my place anymore lol.

 

[Jameson Rook]

I had the same problem, my aunt came to my place for the first time and she couldn't believe I had so many toys. It was like she was embarrassed for me, she looked at all of them and asked how much I spend.
the next weekend when she came back she came with my cousins and another aunt. and the whole time they were here she was showing them my stuff without asking my permission touching everything like if it was some kind of Sick freak weirdo Museum exhibition. I wasn't even mad that everyone was looking at things but what made me mad was how she was touching everything and making this big deal...
Safe to say no family is allowed at my place anymore lol.

Sounds like a collector's nightmare! Well be glad that at least no one broke anything.

But still,

she was showing them my stuff without asking my permission touching everything like if it was some kind of Sick freak weirdo Museum exhibition.

 

[SixMillionDollarMan Guy]

Laying on their Mama's couch all day?

I like 'Hot Pockets' too.

 

[Centurion]

*knocks on Cent's door*

For the last time, I said... NO GIRLSCOUT COOKIES!!

 

[SixMillionDollarMan Guy]

For the last time, I said... NO GIRLSCOUT COOKIES!!

*adjusts panties....harumph!*

 

[Uncanny Web-Slinger]

I'd rather have expensive toys than expensive urine and diseased lungs

 

[Freak_Zombie]

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before in this forum but I've had a few friends/acquaintances judge my hobby. My collection consists of statues and hot toys. No "toys" (i.e. non-collectibles) so to speak. The thing that is extremely coincidental (or at least this is from what I've heard, it could be the rest that do come over judge too or ***** about my collection but I've yet to hear it (so far it doesn't seem the case) ) is that the people who've been talking smack about me and my collection are heavy smokers. Thing is I've never said anything to anyone who smokes. But I find it extremely hilarious that people who are paying tons of money (at the very least the price of one premium format a month) for cancer and other illnesses would judge me. So when I hear the stories about my "immaturity" from friends who heard about my collection from the smokers I just casually mention : " Gah, you're right, I'm totally immature, I should be paying hundreds of dollars on cancer sticks like XXXX does. What was I thinking? Buying collectibles from movies that I love, something I'm passionate about instead of cancer sticks? My bad, sometimes I don't think about how I should responsibly spend my money"

Lol, without fail, every time they see my point. I've had a number of girls judge me too. For those instances I'll be like, "I don't know, I mean I love movies and I love collecting stuff from the movies I love and they appreciate in value, but maybe I should spend even much more buying designer and branded bags, they appreciate in value too right?"

What I find most interesting so far is that the people who seem to judge the most are the ones who have tight finances due to their own vices.

But I feel blessed, a lot of people who've been to my place seem to appreciate my collection. And the most surprising thing so far is that I seem to be getting much more positive and interested responses from the females. (Too bad none of my female friends are my type. lol) Although I feel that maybe I'm being "judged" less for being a "geek" cause I do go out often, either for parties or meet-ups.

 

[UltraMarknus]

I've never had anyone insult my collection to my face. What they may say behind my back does not concern me because at least they have enough tact to not say it to my face. My collection is my selfish indulgence. It's for me only, but if anyone else would like to enjoy it then I am more than happy to talk about it with them and it actually makes me happy to be able to share it.

As well, I get a kick out of the fact that my 2 year old son is able to name super heros and villians from comics and movies based on different interpretations of the figures I own...instead of only knowing what is force fed toddlers.

 

[bigbrocha]

Hating stems from jealousy and spite. People outside the hobby have nothing invested, emotionally or financially, so they don't give two shats

People out side this hobby I could care less about their opinion because i'm sure i'd feel the same way about their scapbooking, stamp collecting, Magic/Pokemon cards, R/C Cars, Beenie Babies, Barbies or just straight hoarding. Most hobbies are expensive whether its fishing or fixing up old cars, if your serious into it. Other people may collect things that in your opinion may be childish or lame but who cares, the haters you should really watch out for are the ones interested in your hobby and in your own community, but even so you really shouldn't let anyone bother you, like Darkness said most of the hate stems from jealousy and spite and if other people are investing their time to hate, well thats their waste of time.

 

[604comics]

Oh sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm the breadwinner in the family and live with my mom and brother. My cousins would visit during weekends because they're just tagging along with their parents.

Ahh, now it's clear. Considering that they are being dragged along with their parents on a weekend to visit family, then I don't think their gossip is worth any consideration. It's clear they are still not in the adult stage of life yet so they still have that high-school mentality.

I don't have my camera at hand, so here's a sample of a section of my office. Wished I had better pics of the entire room though.

If that's the majority of the type of stuff you collect, then I can see why your cousins would think you collect toys and have not grown up. People that don't know anything about the hobby don't know the craft that goes into making these things. Because we know all the details about the pieces, we see them totally different. They probably think you just go to Wal-Mart or Target and buy those things from the toy aisle.

Although it was long ago and we're both cool, even I admit it was a low blow, despite me being a generally a nice guy. I guessed I must have snapped at the time. Y'know what, I'll treat him to dinner this weekend!

That's nice of you but also consider that your friend may think, "oh here's Mr. Bigshot treating me to dinner with all his fancy money." Good intentions are not always met with enthusiastic reception...

 

[604comics]

Lol, without fail, every time they see my point. I've had a number of girls judge me too. For those instances I'll be like, "I don't know, I mean I love movies and I love collecting stuff from the movies I love and they appreciate in value, but maybe I should spend even much more buying designer and branded bags, they appreciate in value too right?"

Actually, you'd be surprised at how much value is retained by high-quality designer handbags and purses and how they actually do appreciate in value. They are like cars, each year/season there is a new model and the old one is retired and you can't get it anymore first-hand. So it's just like our collectibles, chicks will be on the hunt for specific purses from a certain year/season. And I'm talking about the purses that are in the thousands of dollars that you get from high-end stores; those are the real deal and if you take care of them, they are real investments. You can thank one of my ex-girlfriends for that bit of knowledge I just bestowed on you guys.

 

[jstep13]

Here is my thought, and this isn't directed at anyone here in particular, it's actually directed to myself and how I cope with anyone judging me for my collection: I knew what I was getting into when I started collecting.

I'm fully aware there is a stigma attached to it. If I can't handle it, then it's time to get out. Simple as that. No one forced me to collect, I do it because I truly enjoy collecting. And when I lose that passion or I can't take the heat then it's time to move on. That's how I deal. Until then, **** 'em...

Good luck..it's not an easy hobby...

 

[KitFisto]

I don't deal with them because I don't give a squirt of piss what they think.

 

[Freak_Zombie]

Actually, you'd be surprised at how much value is retained by high-quality designer handbags and purses and how they actually do appreciate in value. They are like cars, each year/season there is a new model and the old one is retired and you can't get it anymore first-hand. So it's just like our collectibles, chicks will be on the hunt for specific purses from a certain year/season. And I'm talking about the purses that are in the thousands of dollars that you get from high-end stores; those are the real deal and if you take care of them, they are real investments. You can thank one of my ex-girlfriends for that bit of knowledge I just bestowed on you guys.

Oh I'm fully aware of that, but the chances of such items appreciate or even hold its value is much lower than the collectibles we have. Plus the majority of the girls that I know that do collect such stuff have no such knowledge of the aftermarket value of their stuff. Most are doing it because its a competition between friends or colleagues or even worse to just show off.

 

[Rotfish]

I fail to see how stuff like this can be called a "doll":

The fact they're referring to them that way should tell you something. The only reason people call them dolls is because that's the status quo. It's what most non-collectors have called action figures since the dawn of time, so your friends are doing the same thing because they'd rather go with the societal norm than to come to their own conclusions.
Quite frankly, I wouldn't consider anyone who can't think for themselves a friend. Not worth my time and it's not something that changes easily. It'll be a bigger pain in the ass keeping them around than accepting they can't be helped. Screw 'em, as everyone here has said.

 

[Freak_Zombie]

Oh sorry, I should have mentioned that I'm the breadwinner in the family and live with my mom and brother. My cousins would visit during weekends because they're just tagging along with their parents.



Nah, it doesn't bother me. Though I'd figured people would have funny responses if I started this topic.



I don't have my camera at hand, so here's a sample of a section of my office. Wished I had better pics of the entire room though.

Although it was long ago and we're both cool, even I admit it was a low blow, despite me being a generally a nice guy. I guessed I must have snapped at the time. Y'know what, I'll treat him to dinner this weekend!

Actually looking at that picture I can see why they judge. Personally I love it but unfortunately they don't look high end or detailed enough to elicit that sense of awe. For example, my friends were in complete awe of the jack sparrow hot toy, they were so amazed by the detail, that and probably the fact that I had it a behind a glass display in dim area where only the figure was illuminated by a single light probably helped.