Has collecting ever come with some embarrasment?

[Mr Self Destruct]

Do you ever find yourself embarrassed by the hobby of collecting action figures?

I don't think I ever have but I try and keep my level of geekdom to a low roar.

[tatoman2525]

No. It's not like we collect dildos (well, some of you might:p)

[Tablehead]

Nope-

down deep everyone loves toys :D
& (I believe) my buzz is infectious~

[shawnspookcity]

The people I know that I thought would be the most judgmental definitely are usually the ones that get all geeked up when they see my collection.

[tatoman2525]

The people I know that I thought would be the most judgmental definitely are usually the ones that get all geeked up when they see my collection.

This is true:D

[RipkenFan8]

I try and keep my level of geekdom to a low roar.

Same with me :)

[Tablehead]

I don't know.......................

I keep my Geek Flag right up there with my Freak Flag~ :p

[Knockworstface]

No. It's not like we collect dildos (well, some of you might:p)

ha ha funny stuff!:D

[rxsheepxr]

Not even remotely.

[CDogg79]

nope

[moviemaniac4]

No.....why ?

Some kids around want me to adopt them......even grown ups.....

[Wrestling Fan]

When I was buying wrestling figures it was a litle embarassing, but that was as a 15-17 year old, worried my "cool high school friends" would see me lol :o

[Holeman]

Not for me.

[Peter Hoffman]

I don't advertise it, but that's mainly because I don't want to be bothered with explaining it.

[SixInchBabes]

Nope. When my 10 year old son friends come over they feel they are in a toy museum. When the parents see it, they can always find something they can relate too. And at some point in the conversation with the parents, they fess up which toys they wish they still would have.

[impalerprince]

No. It's not like we collect dildos (well, some of you might:p)

What do you think will endear you to the average woman more, a shelf full of R2-D2, Spawn and Batman toys or a shelf full of dildos?;)

[frymasterak]

Ive gotten friends of mine into figures. They see how bad ass they look on display and soon buy some themselves.

[pinoytragedy]

Well, I do sometimes get embarresed cause my girlfriend sometimes makes fun of me haha.

[B-O-R-I-N-G-R-Y-U]

I keep most of the toys in my room and I keep the more expensive looking collectibles in the basement in Detolfs. Those ones people think look pretty cool.

[D2eux]

no, not personally, but it bugs the crap out of me when people snicker and think its for children. and I used to hate it when my friends called them dolls.

EDIT: And what even bothers me more is whenever family comes over to visit they always expect Im going to be selling all of them and make some huge profit. its like they assume figures are only meant as an investment and theyve never heard of a hobby before.

[Legoguy76]

I used to. I was in the military and try having a room full of figs and legos when they come in to do and inspection. :eek:

Now, I am a civvie and have two kids. My oldest(3yrs old) thinks I am pretty much the coolest thing since he discovered ice cream, because of all of "daddy's toys". And even a few of my pals ask where this fig is or that vehicle is if I dont have it out on display(I rotate..limited space). My old man on the other hand...thinks it's weird but who cares. He's 51 and thinks mp3 players are something out of star trek.

-John the Legoguy

[brightside]

What do you think will endear you to the average woman more, a shelf full of R2-D2, Spawn and Batman toys or a shelf full of dildos?;)


I believe a woman would be impressed with the orange dildo walmart exclusive. lol


but seriously I've never really been embarrased about it.

[D2eux]

I used to. I was in the military and try having a room full of figs and legos when they come in to do and inspection. :eek:
.

-John the Legoguy

how did that work out? did they burn em all? :eek:

[CustomCreator]

I used to get embarassed digging through the pegs at the toy store when a mom or something is trying to get her kid out of the aisle.

Collectibles are everywhere now, so it's not so bad.

When I was collecting, I always LOVED this time of year because nobody knows you are shopping for yourself.

I am proud of the artwork I do in customizing, but I don't announce it to everyone.

[mikedanger]

only when my father in law comes over. he's the type of guy that can build a house from start to finish using only what's in his toolbelt, and i know he's sick to his stomach that his daughter married and was impregnated by(twice!) a guy that collects toys and couldn't fix a running toilet.

[Marauderspawn]

I know my mom hates the fact that I keep on collecting figures. So yeah it makes me feel sort of embarrassed.

[Mr. Wiggity Man]

I don't advertise it, but that's mainly because I don't want to be bothered with explaining it.

That's pretty much me too. I'm not embarassed about my hobby and love to talk about it when I'm asked, but when I meet new people I don't immediately blurt out that I collect action figures. People that eventually turn out to be cool are still kinda weirded out by that, which is stupid but like I said, they turn out cool in the end. I guess it's just a first impression thing.

only when my father in law comes over. he's the type of guy that can build a house from start to finish using only what's in his toolbelt, and i know he's sick to his stomach that his daughter married and was impregnated by(twice!) a guy that collects toys and couldn't fix a running toilet.

Oh man, I bet that's what's gonna end up happening with me in the future:o

[frinspar]

What do you think will endear you to the average woman more, a shelf full of R2-D2, Spawn and Batman toys or a shelf full of dildos?;)
It better be the toys. If it's the other, she has absolutely no use for you. :D

[The Wasp]

No. It's not like we collect dildos (well, some of you might:p)


...uh oh.

[SoulRedeemer]

No embarrassment; simply annoyance from people's ignorance.

[impalerprince]

It better be the toys. If it's the other, she has absolutely no use for
you. :D


Well, when she finds you're hung like R2-D2 you're gonna need all the help you can get. :D

[Hanky Panky]

Well, when she finds you're hung like R2-D2 you're gonna need all the help you can get. :D

Hahahaha...

[MikeK]

Yes.

[Bulldozer36]

only when my father in law comes over. he's the type of guy that can build a house from start to finish using only what's in his toolbelt, and i know he's sick to his stomach that his daughter married and was impregnated by(twice!) a guy that collects toys and couldn't fix a running toilet.

Haha, my in-laws are extremely rich stuck-up snobs from Europe and when they come over for the first time after I started collecting, I really thought they were gonna get mad at me. Instead, they think it's the coolest thing I've done. They asked me what I really want and when I said there's some Halo statues coming out next year (the line from Weta) but that I couldn't afford them, they said they'd cover the costs when I showed them what the looked like. That totally blew my mind.

[Mr. Wiggity Man]

Haha, my in-laws are extremely rich stuck-up snobs from Europe and when they come over for the first time after I started collecting, I really thought they were gonna get mad at me. Instead, they think it's the coolest thing I've done. They asked me what I really want and when I said there's some Halo statues coming out next year (the line from Weta) but that I couldn't afford them, they said they'd cover the costs when I showed them what the looked like. That totally blew my mind.

Ha, lucky bastard.

[tatoman2525]

What do you think will endear you to the average woman more, a shelf full of R2-D2, Spawn and Batman toys or a shelf full of dildos?;)

Definately a shelf of action figures. I don't think I can compete with a double sided dildo:p:D

[Spawnomite]

Nope

[j97e]

Weird. This thread wasn't started by Marauderspawn.... :D

[randysgut]

only embarrased about the amount of money spent on few figures * hot toys *

[Metroid9989]

I brag about the cool **** I own all the time. If someone frowns upon it then fudge em I don't need em.

[SeattleMariners51445]

Accidentally talking about collecting to a friend who doesn't give a crap is where the embarassment starts.

[Uwe]

I have never ever been embarrassed about any aspect of my collection. This includes my Ty phase, Beanie Babies and all.

Christ, I'm hungry.

[SeattleMariners51445]

I have never ever been embarrassed about any aspect of my collection. This includes my Ty phase, Beanie Babies and all.

Christ, I'm hungry.
I'm got a whole storage bin full of Beanie Babies, you want them?:D:eek:

[Mandarin_Spawn]

only when my father in law comes over. he's the type of guy that can build a house from start to finish using only what's in his toolbelt, and i know he's sick to his stomach that his daughter married and was impregnated by(twice!) a guy that collects toys and couldn't fix a running toilet. :p

[Mandarin_Spawn]

I know my mom hates the fact that I keep on collecting figures. So yeah it makes me feel sort of embarrassed. Straight from the horse's mouth...!

[Sugartank]

Straight from the horse's mouth...!

I'm sure his imaginary girlfriend's don't mind his collection when they enter his "5 Pump Palace of Looooooooove" LMAO

[Bryan316]

No embarrassment; simply annoyance from people's ignorance.I think that's where a lot of my "embarrassment" comes from. I mean, it's a hobby, the same as model kits or painting or needlepoint. I think my close friends accept it, but coworkers and those on the outskirts of my friend circle think it's "sad" or something.

[herzograven]

Do you ever find yourself embarrassed by the hobby of collecting action figures?

I don't think I ever have but I try and keep my level of geekdom to a low roar.

i'm never embarrassed, all my friends collect something and most of them love the figures i have, they see them, they want them and i end up helping them find some of the stuff that's hard to get

as for geekdom .... i'm pretty loud about it, so are all my friends, and we really don't hang around/with mundane people cause they're condescending towards us anyway

[Uwe]

I'm got a whole storage bin full of Beanie Babies, you want them?:D:eek:
Whatcha got?

[Stygian]

It's rare when I find really good questions on this MB (or maybe I just don't look deep enough), but this is one of them. Have I ever experienced embarrassment collecting action figures? I'd say early in the game, definitely. In fact, I remember once many years ago when I was patrolling the figure aisles and found just the toy I'd been hoping for, I rant into a female cashier whom I knew and had been attracted to. Honestly, I hesitated majorly about asking her out while holding a Star Trek Original Series boxed set under my arm, but I figured (heh, pardon the pun) why the hell not. I did feel that slight tinge of embarrassment though as I considered what she might think of a grown man collecting toys, and how that might effect her decision to go out with me, but many people see the toys and immediately assume it's a gift for a kid anyway. Oh, and in case you're wondering, she did go out with me, but that's a different discussion entirely. :)

In recent years I have felt zero embarrassment both patrolling toy aisles and purchasing toys at check out. Just like comics being more widely accepted now that comic book character based movies are enjoying such popularity, it is becoming more widely accepted for 30 something men and their significant others to collect toys. Heck, the figure market is almost entirely supported by adult collectors anymore, so why wouldn't they embrace us? Soccer Mom's may look at us askance as they herd their little one's down the toy aisle- sneering as we paw through the latest Transformer and GI Joe figures- but who gives a crap, right? One parent or perhaps two not understanding the action figure collecting mania is like me trying to understand why grown men get so excited about Football or just about any other sport. Oh well, to each his/her own.

[Shapey]

It's rare when I find really good questions on this MB (or maybe I just don't look deep enough), but this is one of them. Have I ever experienced embarrassment collecting action figures? I'd say early in the game, definitely. In fact, I remember once many years ago when I was patrolling the figure aisles and found just the toy I'd been hoping for, I rant into a female cashier whom I knew and had been attracted to. Honestly, I hesitated majorly about asking her out while holding a Star Trek Original Series boxed set under my arm, but I figured (heh, pardon the pun) why the hell not. I did feel that slight tinge of embarrassment though as I considered what she might think of a grown man collecting toys, and how that might effect her decision to go out with me, but many people see the toys and immediately assume it's a gift for a kid anyway. Oh, and in case you're wondering, she did go out with me, but that's a different discussion entirely. :)


I don't tell girls that I go out with, that I collect action figures until they get to know me. My friends on the other hand have no shame and blurt it out like it is everybody's business. I especially hate it when they call them "DOLLS", that annoys the :eek: out of me. They are CB's big time but what comes around goes around and I get them back lol :D

Another thing I hate is when a cashier rings up your figure and just throws it in the bag. I guess this really only applies to a MOMC collector but it pisses me off. When I ask to bag the figure they give me this weird look. So that is why I try to use the self checkout as much as possible.

[Hateohiostate]

:p
I want to collect avatars, and I will start with yours :eek: Do you know them, or did you pull them from cyber space?

[sprig0701]

Why, do ya pick up new figs in the buff or something?

[Uwe]

Why, do ya pick up new figs in the buff or something?
No, but he does pick them up while in the buff.

[CGSPAWN]

This is nuts. I was actually going to post the same topic today. Weird.

Yes, I am embarassed to by my figures from Wal-Mart and Target. I am 23, but I have been like this for 10 years or so. I always ask for a gift receipt when I purchase my toys.

[Dreamcatcher]

When I was a teenager yeah, because of the money, right now I don't care, I even give action figures as presents like music figures or dragons, people really like them.

[sulargea the destroyer]

i honestly try to stay away from in-store purchases because im not really into telling people that i like collecting toys and the last time i bought one the whole time i was looking my brother was shouting HEY JAMES WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TOYS WE WILL BE OVER HERE, and HEY YOU ARE STILL IN THE TOY ISLE?

so that was another reason for me to stick to online shopping:(

[CGSPAWN]

i honestly try to stay away from in-store purchases because im not really into telling people that i like collecting toys and the last time i bought one the whole time i was looking my brother was shouting HEY JAMES WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TOYS WE WILL BE OVER HERE, and HEY YOU ARE STILL IN THE TOY ISLE?

so that was another reason for me to stick to online shopping:(

My friends pull that **** with me also. Pisses me off.

[Elijah17]

Yeah, I've always been embarrassed about it.

But I think that has more to do with the kind of person I am than the specific fact that I collect figures.

[sulargea the destroyer]

My friends pull that **** with me also. Pisses me off.

glad to see im not alone:):(

[Skullshine]

I don't advertise it, but that's mainly because I don't want to be bothered with explaining it.




Same here. :D

[Skullshine]

i honestly try to stay away from in-store purchases because im not really into telling people that i like collecting toys and the last time i bought one the whole time i was looking my brother was shouting HEY JAMES WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING FOR TOYS WE WILL BE OVER HERE, and HEY YOU ARE STILL IN THE TOY ISLE?

so that was another reason for me to stick to online shopping:(





Then you need to shout back, "hey, don't forget sis asked you to pick up some tampons while you were here, and don't forget your anti-hemorrhoidal ointment!"

[psychodad]

im never embarassed by it. i never try to hide that i collect figures. i admit to people im a dork lol

[sir_bobos]

My friends pull that **** with me also. Pisses me off.

My friends do that to. Or if we get separated they automatically assume I'm in the toys and proceed to check for me there.

I'm not really embarrassed, it's more of a inside joke among us now. They also don't think much of me collecting.

[sulargea the destroyer]

Then you need to shout back, "hey, don't forget sis asked you to pick up some tampons while you were here, and don't forget your anti-hemorrhoidal ointment!"

or just yell back to bad these are for you because i got kicked out of walmart for saying *******

[Spliff]

used to be embarassed, but then i stabbed that one kid in the neck who thought he was being funny and ever since then people seem to encourage it a lot more.

[Love_The_Spawn]

It never embarassed me. But now this new girl I'm dating doesn't seem to like the habit.

So in short, I'm gonna be buying my last two figures soon.

[jt4470]

Pretty much all the time.
I'm really the only one who appreciates this hobby in the household.
BTW, for those of you who are moving to college, would you take your toys with you to your dorm?

[Spliff]

It never embarassed me. But now this new girl I'm dating doesn't seem to like the habit.

So in short, I'm gonna be buying my last two figures soon.

you do realize that goes against the very principles against a relationship, yes?

[Avatar_of_Chaos]

Pretty much all the time.
I'm really the only one who appreciates this hobby in the household.
BTW, for those of you who are moving to college, would you take your toys with you to your dorm?

I did when I was in college

[Love_The_Spawn]

you do realize that goes against the very principles against a relationship, yes?

Yup....well to be honest.

She doesn't openly hate it. She hasn't said anything yet, nor doesn't seem like she will. So I guess I misinformed you all. I'm considering giving it up cause I don't want it to cause problems.

[Spliff]

the point stands, regardless.

going into a relationship changing an aspect of yourself to conform to another person's ideals of what you should be completely ruins the point of entering a relationship with someone.

[Love_The_Spawn]

the point stands, regardless.

going into a relationship changing an aspect of yourself to conform to another person's ideals of what you should be completely ruins the point of entering a relationship with someone.

Guess you can sam I'm a bit paranoid about it :o. In all honesty I can't see myself WILLINGLY giving up the trend. But, we'll see.

[Spliff]

LtS I love you and that's why I say bold things to you, this a path you do no want to go down. listen to your bud, Spliff.

[kobayashi93]

Sometimes...I hate buying toys at Wal Mart or Target. The little old ladies that work the registers bug me.

Pretty much all the time.
I'm really the only one who appreciates this hobby in the household.
BTW, for those of you who are moving to college, would you take your toys with you to your dorm?

I'm already in college. I've had a ton of toys in my dorm room. PA Final Fantasy, SS Star Wars, Mez's Hellboy 2, TMP Halo, Cowboys SPs... All the people I hung out with thought it was a cool way to decorate my room.

[Mr. Wiggity Man]

LtS I love you and that's why I say bold things to you, this a path you do no want to go down. listen to your bud, Spliff.

I agree. Don't do it LTS! If you have to give up something you like for someone right off the bat then that's no bueno.

[AsterisX18]

Nope. pips go Wow! when I show them my collection in the room

[Viking Spawn]

Honestly. No. I actually joke about it with the cashiers that ring them up. I'm a big nerd and not afraid to show it. :D;)

[jt4470]

Sometimes...I hate buying toys at Wal Mart or Target. The little old ladies that work the registers bug me.



I'm already in college. I've had a ton of toys in my dorm room. PA Final Fantasy, SS Star Wars, Mez's Hellboy 2, TMP Halo, Cowboys SPs... All the people I hung out with thought it was a cool way to decorate my room.

I told my roomies that I collect toys. Was that a mistake? :confused:

[FACEBOX]

Well, I mostly buy high end figures. Most of my friends would like to have them.
So.... nope. ;)

Those who I think would question my hobby totally geek-out when first seeing it. :)

And jt4470, I'm in college now too. Don't worry about it. :cool:
The only thing you might have to worry about is answering all sorts of questions before you get laid. LOL

[kobayashi93]

I wouldn't worry about it. Just keep to your space, and you shouldn't have any problems.

[Mr. Wiggity Man]

A few years ago I was just a little bit, mainly just with buying them at the store, but as time goes on the more of a "proud geek" I become and pretty much make fun of myself. Everybody gets a kick out of my attitude with it too so it's all good.

[inadvertent imitation]

It used to be an embarrassment, but if it still is, I don't notice it. I guess when you're mixing in a couple of figures with your grocery purchase, people don't think you're some dork who lives in his parent's basement. They see you as a slightly dorky responsible person who has a hobby.

These days, with GI Joe, TF, and Star Wars (the stuff I collect) looking like little pieces of art than toys, some cashiers will even take a minute to look at it themselves. I've had more than a few cashiers get jealous of my GI Joe purchases at Target before. Probably because I bought the last Zartan or something.

[TOOTH]

Probably the most embarrassing moment was when i was out with my buddy and I had just picked up the mattel Batman/ Nightwing two pack. As we were at a red light i decided to take a closer look at my find, only to find a hot chick in another car laughing at me!! Jesus!! Guys, I know you think you could handle it and not let it bother you, but it's embarrassing as hell.

[Chewlee]

Na not really, yeah im still young(ish) but i really dont care, that might change in later years though.
but as for my friends, i have a few friends that play football, and i took one to SDCC with me and he hated the idea at first but then fell in love with sports picks after the spawn booth :rolleyes:

[terp_fan99]

I used to get embarassed when I was a high schooler and my wall was covered in Star Wars figures. But now I could care less what people think.

My roommate always brings it up when girls are over because he's one of those people who tries to look good by putting other people down. It's funny because he has the biggest Pez collection ever! Plus, I just say so what, I like them and the girls usually don't care.

[Filthyrich]

I know i sound lame when my girlfriend tells people about my hobby but i really dont mind. Most of my guests really end up digging the collection when they see it.

[Legoguy76]

how did that work out? did they burn em all? :eek:

Nahhh, most just kind of shrugged their shoulders. Some of the younger officers would ask who they were or would recognize them. I had one young Lt. that was a star wars fan and he asked me if my at-at collection were originals or the re-issues. Kind of funny.

Although, I did get written up once when they did an unannounced inspection(shakedown) while I was at work. Got back to a letter explaining how I had an "excessive quantity of Lego toys" on my floor. Oh well, I guess there is a specification of exactly how many Legos you can have on the floor in the barracks.:rolleyes:

-John the Legoguy