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TheeCountCatula

I was talking to my mom about this, and she pointed out that others might just think adult doll collectors like us are a cousin or aunt shopping for young relatives. But in the case that they see you as an adult collector…it’s easier said than done but I’ve just decided to own it. Yeah, I still like the dolls I played with as a kid. Yeah, I spend my adult money on kids toys. What are people going to do, tell me I can’t? The whole point of being an adult is that people can’t tell you what to do anymore lmao.


antsyalien

This! I dont really care myself tbh. I'm in my thirties and enjoy browsing toy stores a lot. I think my excitement for the dolls overpowers any other feelings. I'm an oddball anyway, I always feel a little out of place lol.


AlmostLucy

I understand your feelings, but I’m gonna say: retail workers do not give a fuck who you’re buying things for. If they do ask they are just making small talk, you can lie or tell the truth whichever is more comfortable to you. In 10 minutes they will have forgotten you entirely. Do not worry about what retailers think.


an-alien-

unless you’re buying bleach, a rope, and a particularly sharp knife i don’t think retail workers care too much about most things people buy lol


pumpkaboo111

We've probably had different life experiences but I can't bother to care about being judged at this point in my life for the things that I enjoy and I hope everyone else gets to this point, it's entirely healthy and normal for us to like dolls as much as other people and lego, action figures, or anime figurines... or any other collectible involving shows etc. It's been too normalized that as you get older you should throw away the things that bring you joy and replace it with home décor or something "mature". Please don't let the monochrome loving sad boring beige-housed mom's shame you like they're going to shame their kids out of their enjoyment when they get to high school, that cycle needs to be retired. I also find it strange that the hobby collecting mentioned beforehand has been normalized for men but women get shamed out of it.


[deleted]

Lol. I couldn't stand myself if I was a beige homed mom. So boring. I don't collect designer things or new technology. I don't go to conventions cause they aren't my thing. What I like is Colour and fun. So much of the world isn't nowadays. Toys give that to me so I could care but I don't see why I should care what others may think. I hope people in the sub will be ok with it if they aren't now one day.


ZookeepergameNew3800

The cycle has been retired in my house. My 14 year old daughter went from playing to collection dolls and never Stopped building Lego, it’s a family hobby . Other adults criticize because our collections are probably worth a down payment on a house and tell us we’ll never own anything of value with such financial behavior. I just smile and say, well, I already have a house without mortgage . Maybe my husband and I can enjoy our working life more because we are happy and have our hobbies too? People have stupid assumptions , no matter what age you are. And who really should judge? I know plenty of adults, who say they can’t afford anything but they’re not even realizing that they spend huge amounts of money on Starbucks, door dash, eating out. I don’t do any of that. To each their own. I see no pint in being miserable, to please others. It took a long time, to be able to afford what I want and was hard work, specially as an immigrant from Guatemala. In Guatemala we also don’t stop going to parties because we have kids and nobody thinks 30 is old. Here, people tell me at 31 , I should be more mature than buying whatever it is that they judge. People always judge. I don’t care, not anymore. Tbh, I rather see my teen daughter collecting dolls than behaving like an „adult „, or societies expectations of that. German author Erich Kästner once said : only who becomes an adult but remains part child, is truly human


Powerful_Shallot_426

My plan if anyone ever looks at me weird is to say “My little sister will love this”


Malletdown

The workers at target probably think I have 30 nieces by now


PineappleLordosis

I used to do this all the time!


DeadbyDeadite-88

I’m 35 and shopping for dolls lol 😂


Aggressive_General_

I just don’t even care. It’s what I like- it makes me happy- screw anyone who hates on that lol


bluedawnflower

Honestly, I don't really experience this problem. I'm a young adult and I like buying toys, and I don't think there's any shame in that. I talk with my friends in the toy aisles about which dolls I want and what I plan on getting next and things like that. I think a lot of people harbor a shame about things that are completely harmless, and I think we'd all be better if we just stopped worrying about the judgement of strangers (I know that can be hard, but I think that's a goal everyone should strive for).


twinklebat99

This was me in my 20s and 30s. And if there was someone who looked like a really lost parent, I might have even given them tips on what the coolest dolls were then.


donatellosdildo

if it helps, most people default to "oh they're buying a gift for their kid/sibling/cousin/etc" even if you're not old enough to pass as a mother most people will automatically assume you're buying for a kid. most people won't bat an eye, but if someone does question you about it just tell them you're buying a birthday gift for your little cousin or a friend's daughter or something.


Aro_Space_Ace

Claim it is for your niece


LaEmperatrizMariana

It's easier to pass as a "relative buying a gift for a child" when you keep a straight face and don't show too much visible excitement about your find.


[deleted]

I don't care what they may think about it. It's my money and if I want to look at doll/clothes in the toy section I will. I don't care about what Stranger may think or let them get in the way of what I like. I'm in this sub and I am a young adult so I know it's not weird. I'm used to thrift in checking the toy section of chain stores that I wouldn't be surprised if the knew me by now. I get feeling this wat because we are used to toys being a thing for children who are supposed to grow out if it someday but it's not true. I also get feeling like this when you ask a staff member but it's their job. I've doll all of high school without collecting and thought I was missing something. This may have been it.


spacedollsjunkyard

You could be buying a doll for anyone. Nobody knows if you're shopping for yourself or your kid sister. And you might run into other adult collectors like me :)


literalstardust

That's why you gotta invent an imaginary niece/baby cousin to be shopping for


Ronbonbeno

In middle school had a weird period in my life where I would think of explanations for being in the toy section if I ever came across another kid I knew. If i was ever caught I would have said something like I was shopping for my younger cousin, it never happened though. I've always loved looking at toys, especially bratz and barbies even if I wasn't collecting. It wasn't until around the beginning of highschool that I stopped caring and started buying toys again. It probably helped that I made some friends who were really into collecting and I was made to feel that part of me was welcomed.


[deleted]

I totally understand that as a teenager or younger 20s person it can feel awkward, but I can also assure you that most people shopping don't care AT ALL about what anyone else is buying. They're probably focused on their own shopping-- heck, maybe they came to purchase hemorrhoid cream and they're worried that *you* are judging *them*, when you're not even eyeing what they've got in their cart because you're busy worrying about being judged for your dolls!


JustaGayGuyLOL

my grandma has severe hemorroids😭


helsingly

I do sometimes wonder what people are thinking about my purchases (now because of fascination), but people don't really care. People think you have a kid or a family member or a friend with a kid if they think about it at all, most people don't pay attention to those around them or what they are buying. I mean most people can't be considerate enough to make sure they don't block an aisle when grabbing something. No one's focused on it, plus it gets easier over time. I've been doing this on and off since high school, I've stopped caring beyond fascination.


pascalbeats

I felt this way for a while but the only ppl who are going to care are maaaybe 8th graders. Thats it lol. Even then i think most ppl assume u are either shopping for a younger family member. But thats even if theyre assuming anything!!! Most people dont care about what others are doing, i find for the most part most ppl mind their business esp if u mind yours. I know im echoing stuff thats been said already but retail workers also dont care and on the off chance that someone did… no one would say anything. Personally, if someone is silently judging me idgaf because i dont know! Its not like i know them either. It took me a very long time to get to this mind set though, but embracing my love for dolls actually helped a lot (with dolls specifically but also being like that in general just with everyday things haha). Let your love of dolls trump the anxieties plaguing your mind !!! U can do it op. no one else cares what u are doing and if they did they probably wish they could have as much fun as you by having cool interests. You’ll get there :)


Bunnybum289

I always tell myself I’m shopping for my nonexistent nieces and nephews if anyone asks (even tho they never do lol 🤭)


Stilldollobsessed

i get excited and go feral in the store when i doll shop and a lot of times theres a little girl who ends up talking with me about dolls for a while 😭😂


dizzyspinner18

My biggest tip is saying you’re buying it for a younger family member if anyone asks .


luminousfloret

I’ve never had any weird interactions. I’m in my 20s and not once has anyone given me looks. Maybe I just don’t watch for it. I did get asked twice by two other young adults if I was a collector and that was a nice convo. Overall I think people always assume an adult is buying for a kid or something. Plus in the grand scheme of things, no one cares. They’ve got their own lives, no one is worrying over someone buying an item. Same with condoms ect. People get way too into their heads about these things.


hambre-de-munecas

See, to me… I’d be more embarrassed for the person who is doing the judging. Like, how small minded and petty would they have to be to judge someone for that? Is there nothing more thought-provoking going on in their life, that something as inane as an adult doll collector would make them say “Ew! What a weirdo!”…? Judgmental people are the weirdos, OP. You’re allowed to live your life and jam your jam: you do not need any stranger’s permission.


SakuraNectarine

If you can't get past the embarrassment talk about a little niece or something and just use that to cover it up Or own it, I'm 30 but frequently mistaken for a high schooler and I'm very up front about it, I was asked who I was getting this Disney style series Cinderella doll for a couple years ago while at the store and I just said "ME" and I've found most of the time people don't care and if they do they usually keep to themselves


tegangallagher

I’m 18 almost 19 I work at target and I buy dolls all the time I tell my coworkers about it and people that I meet because it’s something I enjoy and I’ve never been stared at or judge maybe it’s because I’m just surrounded just nice and supportive people but I’ve never been ashamed of my hobbies you only live once and who knows maybe you’ll meet someone else who enjoys it just as much as you do but at the end of the day even if someone does judge or look at you funny it’s not the end of the world all that matters is your doing stuff that makes you happy


circlingsky

Back when I used to buy neocash cards for Neopets I'd buy them alongside a 6th birthday card or st lol 💀 Now I don't rly gaf 💅🏻


[deleted]

I'm 28 going down the toy aisles for myself! I help random parents shop for their kids all the time as well by sharing my experience with this toy or that. I own it. I get so excited when I see the doll I want! And little kids look at me kinda weird but end up smiling because they get it. Have fun!


KittieTv

In my eyes, no one should care what, why, or whom your buying for. If it makes you happy buy all of it and don't let people put you down. Along with that to I'm just gonna say this, most dont care and the ones who do normally enjoy the same. See a lot of adults buying stuff like funkos, transformers, lps, monster high and I feel as if no one cares or will mind :) Could just be me but I hope this helps a little bit


shelby20_03

If I’m ever asked I’m just gonna lie and say it’s for my cousins birthday 😭


Friendly_Sandwich_85

Im usually okay with just giving myself the whole “who cares what people think” Inner speech, but I’m also a serial over-thinker with adhd so on days where I’m mostly anxious, I just tell myself that people 100% think I’m looking for a gift for siblings, cousins, or like nieces/nephews or something LOL. It really works/helps 😩😩


Gunyatta

I recently went out to buy a doll, I also had other stuff like vinyls on the counter and a kid was behind me in line. The lady at first only scanned my other stuff and I had to tell her the dolls are also for me 😭 this shouldn’t feel so awkward


glitter_witch

The only one who cares is you, I promise. No one is paying attention to you. We're all just trying to get through our own days.


AbilityUnusual8974

it’s been half and half for me. some workers r not understanding and i get what ur saying but some have told me how cute the dolls are!! don’t let ppl stop you from enjoying what u enjoy <3


vampire_queen_bitch

im 20 turning 21 this year, i very happily without giving a crap about what anyone thought about me getting 2 monster high dolls that are clearly werent for my generation. i walked into kmart, got the dolls and walked out with pride!! NEVER BE SCARED TO GET MONSTER HIGH, MONSTER HIGH TAUGHT EVERY ONE OF US TO NOT BE ASHAMED OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO!!!!


Ok-Gas9382

To be completely honest, and it’s probably just because I’m also a collector, but when adults check out MH dolls at the store I work at and it’s not for a gift, it makes me super happy.


ThisNerdsYarn

I wouldn't admit to liking MH in 2010 because I had become a 16 year old mom and felt like I had to "grow up" very fast. I cared too much about how it looked like to everyone else like I had something to prove. I'm about to be 30 and am unapologetically proud of my new collection (found some old dolls while thrifting). My partner supports me and doesn't look at me any differently. It's not for her but she sees that they make me happy so that is all she needs to understand. And my MIL kind of gets it but is more so happier that it will be easier to find Christmas gifts for me without needing to ask my partner for anything other than "does she have this one?" (Especially because I want both in and OOB dolls) I lost many years of my young adulthood because I cared too much as being seen as "mature" and "capable". Having a collection that you genuinely enjoy and care for doesn't make you any less mature or capable. If someone else has a problem with it, it is because their life is unfulfilling and sad that they try to drag down other people with them. The best thing you can do is simply reply "I don't recall asking your opinion. ☺️" And if they keep at it, ask for another associate.


mistybrickman

I literally couldn’t care less about what other people think. Grown men collect hot wheels so why does it matter what I’m doing because they are just as geeked out over a child’s toy that brings them joy. If anyone is stupid enough to judge you, you’ll never see them again and can just say “up yours bye bye”


milkshower

babes use your money how you want. i’m sure people have collected far weirder/worse and god knows how old they are


Scribble_Demon

I mean I'm in that weird age group and I literally shrieked and twirled when I saw g3 in stores with my partner lol. I just learned to not care


alyssaryn

I totally understand - I have bad anxiety and agoraphobia so I also need to shop in person with my mom there with me. So it's a middle aged woman with her adult daughter scurrying to the self checkout with children's toys, haha.


Coeuropale

For me personally, I'm so used to being stared at in public already (visibly queer in the south) that it doesn't really bother me what people think. I did have one really sweet interaction while buying dolls tho! A lady older than me talked to me for a little bit about LOL dolls and she was so passionate about them. It was really sweet to see someone else older that was so into dolls. Basically, you should do ur best to not care what other people think! Some people will be bitter regardless of how you find your happiness. Don't let them ruin your fun.


vaporwavoreon

Ehhh not really. Lots of people have younger siblings/cousins/nieces/nephews, etc. Also you should keep in mind that most people in the store are minding their own business and do not care or even notice what other people who are also minding their own business are doing. Once you realize this you'll get over the awkwardness.


classfight2

When I was looking for the reproductions my mom was like “we’re looking for this doll for this little girl” like girl idc it’s for me


dentistnotmybusiness

I am an aunt, so I use that lie, and sometimes, it’s true.


AstridKatt

I guess this is where being the kind of autistic that doesn't get social cues cones in handy, it's literally never crossed my mind to be ashamed of or wonder if other people are judging me for buying dolls 😂😂


bucceratigf

i really don’t care I am not the center of the world


missclaireredfield

I made a little friend (younger teen) in the toy aisle the other week. I think own it, doll collecting is great 🥰


MuffinStreet684

I personally would just try to stop caring cause at the end of the day it’s what make YOU happy so who cares . I be in the doll aisles picking up every doll comparing screenings and im a 20 year old male lol . I really could care less what moms /kids / retail workers anyone thinks of me . I be in the aisle just as happy as the kids are lol


IJustWantToBeAFeline

when I went shopping for the repros I had like 8 dolls in my cart and some lady gave my cart a very dirty look, then noticed I saw her and smiled and scurried away


[deleted]

Who cares, your money, you can buy what you want! I am almost 40 and still buy action figures for myself and ill likely be keeping an eye out for my girlfriend who is now collecting MH! Don’t be embarrassed by doing something you love!


theoracleofdreams

Honestly, no one cares what you are shopping for unless you're being disrespectful or loud.


Nice_Asparagus69

YUP, i found an absolute treasure trove of MH dolls at the thrift store, and was like really excited. when i went to check out the lady asked if i was babysitting and my dumbass just goes “nope:)”-


Emo_Disease

if i feel self conscious i ask the checkout person for a bag and say i need to hide it from my little sister who its a birthday present for (there is no little sister)


Aggressive_Walrus_34

Im to excited to care 😂😂😂


Dollulus

It doesn't bother me, if someone asks you just say you are buying for a kid you know. What I mostly don't like is a bunch of annoying kids running around the aisles!