It’s not just one situation. I’m asking in generally too
I barely talk to my classmates I usually just keep to my self. But yesterday, I was talking with them in the class GC. We were just chatting about different stuff, and someone mentioned that they really likes dolls. I got excited because I do too and asked if they wanted to see my dolls because I’m obsessed with them I sent two pictures of my realistic baby dolls, and they went silent for a few minutes. Then someone said it was very creepy. I said not at all, because the two dolls are so cute and just like real babies. They said it’s not the dolls that are weird it’s me. I told them, ‘Well, no, I’m not. It’s just a hobby.’ They replied, saying it’s only creepy because it’s coming from me especially, mentioning the fact that I watch cartoons. (one of my friends told them about that) and when it all adds up, it’s making me very weird and "borderline a weirdo" implying that I’m a yk what because the dolls are very very realistic and they have genitals (which alot of them has)
And then they had to tell our teachers about that today, and my professor said, ‘You??’ as if I had committed a crime or something.
And this isn’t really my first time being called weird for having dolls and watching cartoons. My parents also find it really weird and say it just doesn’t add up with my personality, but aside from the occasional annoying comments, they are very okay with it and even buy me more. My friends, on the other hand, just make fun of it and think it’s weird.
I genuinely don’t understand why it makes me look weird. A lot of people have my exact interests, especially my classmates they have the same interests, but somehow I’m considered weird and they aren’t. Sorry if my English isn’t very understanding. 👍
NTA for your hobbies. I do think you will be better off finding people whom you determine to be open-minded before sharing them, unless it really doesn’t bother you that people find you strange. I have a friend who loves those dolls, and I find them creepy, but she has adopted several children, and seems to really enjoy some aspects of nurturing, so it’s obviously not a problem as far as I’m concerned.
When most people talk about dolls, they mean some that are actually doll-like. Realistic baby dolls with accurate genitals are, indeed, a little weird. But this isn’t Am I The Weirdo; NTA.
Do you pay your bills and otherwise handle your adult responsibilities?
Then it’s not their business, unless you are harming someone from it
NTA
You are NTA, but you are, in fact, weird and creepy.
NTA but dolls are not like real babies at all
NTA but maybe you should’ve eased into the conversation instead of immediately sending pictures. I’ve also had problems with people when it comes to my own ‘creepy’ interests but with a few people I acted casual and eased them into my interests they were more accepting. They were still weirded out but also indulged me with conversation.
Ugh this makes me sad for you. I feel like you’re NTA, or this is a NAH situation. Please hear me out for this.
It sounds like you like the re-born dolls, I get that they’re super cute baby dolls, and they’re realistic as hell, they’re kind of scary in that regard! In that same note, with how real they look, they could definitely be seen as weird. they’re not your typical dolls at all and they’re unsettling to look at if you don’t know what they are.
My fiance is nearly 30 now and he has a doll collection, but they’re not baby dolls. His mom will occasionally make jokes about his doll collection and will ask me if I’m okay with it (I am, his “dolls” are really replicas from his favorite movies, they’re a bit unsettling if I’m watching the movie and they’re all looking at me, but he keeps them in our spare bedroom) he has a few friends and has even made friends within that community, and I love that he has because he’s a bit socially awkward. I would never shame him or try and make him feel bad or ashamed over his doll collection.
OP it sounds like you have some kind of crappy friends if they’re making fun of you over your interests. I hope you can find a better, more accepting crowd. I will say, if these are reborn dolls like I’m thinking, I think those are best to keep to yourself as rude as it sounds to say. Those dolls are a bit wild looking at if you just don’t know.
Ooof I just looked those dolls up and they are definitely creepy to someone outside the hobby. They don’t look like cute cuddly babies, they look like tragically lifeless infants.
OP, you aren’t the AH for liking them. But you need to recognize that having a large collection of lifeless looking infants falls relatively far outside of social norms. I’d urge you not to let it become too much of your personality and to be careful about sharing your collection with people you don’t know well.
This exactly is why I wanted to mention what kinds of dolls at least I had in mind reading this. Like the Baby Alive dolls are one thing, and would be even more on OP’s side as far as why would someone think they’re weird? But if they’re those ReBorn dolls, they’re kind of scary. Like I’ve seen where people use those dolls to help.. fill a void when they’re without their child, because of how real looking they are, but even that regard… scares me. And I’m all into weird stuff, all about the strange and unusual. If someone IRL came to me and said they like the reborn dolls I would really struggle having a “nice/kind” response and not sound weirded out.
Info: how did they know the dolls have genitals? Did you send naked pictures of the dolls, or were they clothed?
NTA . You don’t have childish interests, you have a very niche interest, children’s dolls and what you have are different. But that doesn’t make you an asshole just a bit of a wierdo and thats ok.
NAH, mostly
There’s nothing inherently wrong with liking hyper realistic dolls. But you also need to understand that many people find them disturbing to look at. I recommend you learn more about the uncanny valley ([wiki definition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncanny_valley)), because lifelike dolls often cause an instinctive “ick” reaction in people.
There’s also the fact that adults who get hyper realistic dolls often do so because they want to pretend that they’re real. And for most people the only time they hear about this is sex dolls. Which is why a lot of people make that connection.
And real dolls are often connected to serious issues, because a major market for them is people who have lost children, or can‘t have children.
What this means is that, while you didn’t do anything wrong, you should be a little more cautious when showing pictures.
So you shouldn’t have gone from 0 to 100 in your excitement to share, because people are going to find them disturbing. But also your friends shouldn’t have been so quick to judge you based in their initial reactions.
You are over sharing. If you have an unconventional hobby, it is sometimes best not to disclose. I suppose you could tell them they were collectibles, but that may not suffice.
Were they Reborn dolls? If so, YTA. You don’t spring those ghastly little pieces of misery onto unsuspecting people. I’m into true crime, but I don’t go around slapping down crime scene photos on the lunch table.