Does anyone hide their love for TMNT?

[aliena]

I was just reading some other fans on another site who were all stating that they hide their fandom from their friends and family members. I get a feeling that many of the fans were in their teens and definitely did not want any of their fellow schoolmates finding out.

One person said he had been hiding his obsession for 8 years! He was only found out when his brother snooped and found his stash of artwork.

I don't get why TMNT out of all things gets the most ridicule. I had to hide my love for the Turtles when I was a kid and it took a long time before I told my husband I was obsessed with them. He accepted my love for them, but still thinks it's weird of me.

Now I just don't care. I let people tease and make fun of me for watching a "kids show". Those who are not fans just don't get it. It's hard to explain it to them. My mother, who looks for specific turtle items for me, asked me one day why I liked them so much. She just didn't understand.

I'm just curious as to how many people on here hide it from friends and family members, or did hide it and now no longer do.

[Shark_Blade]

Nope but I don't like scream it at the top of the world.

My friends can hear my tphone ringtone. My iPad lock screen and background are Mikey and Leo from Out of the Shadows.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I used to, for the most part, mostly because by the time I became a fan, I was considered "too old" for them. In high school, no one knew I would come home ant watch it after school as eagerly as any little kid, and my dad used to tease me horribly about them, to the point that I felt like he thought I was immature or dumb for liking them. Then I drifted out of it for several years, until I discovered a love of comics, and later my love for the TMNT through that. Now I don't really care who knows, and when I go to the store, if I buy something turtle-related, I don't even mind if someone sees it. I just smile and tell them I'm a fan.

[Wolfie65]

I feel sorry for those people who consider themselves (or others) 'too old' for what they see as 'kid's stuff'. I have lots of Turtle shirts - and a couple of hats - and wear them with pleasure. I even have a Spongebob shirt, it's VERY bright yellow. They work great on weeding out the un-fun types.

[Autbot_Benz]

I don't I always post pics of new figures and stuff related to my fandoms on facebook. My parents are cool with it so its good.

[IndigoErth]

Well, I've laid out my own story previously in an old thread or two, but to make it short I was a huge fan until about mid teens. At that point I was pretty much forced (and unfortunately shamed) into giving them up beyond my own choice. Different times I suppose...first generation fan problems, no older fans or internet to vouch for the Turtles not being "just a kids thing."

Which I'm sure is exactly why it's hidden and ridiculed because there is still that lingering unfair stigma on them. Not as bad as it once was, but clearly still there. If the new movies do ANY good for the Turtles at all, I hope they at least help ease that.

Fast forward to 2013 I came across the Nick show and decided to give it a chance. It hooked me. :D But I did keep it to myself up until last summer.

I don't really talk about it much offline and I tend to avoid saying much, mostly because I feel a bit awkward about it, primarily because my mother had spent the rest of my years now and then teasing me about the fact that I had been into it. (Seriously, if you're purposely teasing someone about something that was more than half a lifetime ago, that is just really ignorant.) I have thrown that old embarrassment away (I'm sorry, Turtles, for ever even feeling that way. :(), but hard not to remain cautious thanks to those years.

That aside, I just don't really have any family or IRL friends that share the interest, but my immediate family knows and are cool with it. (Including my mother, which surprises me. Having her finally stfu over the teasing has been quite nice.) I haven't said anything to friends about it, though my FB avatar and cover photo are Leo related, but no one has asked or said anything and that's fine with me. I don't really care if people know, I just don't want any judgement.

If anyone ever does try to say anything negative, I think I'm at least much more prepared at this age now to defend the Turtles as for how awesome they are and worthy of being a fan of. Everyone has their stuff they're into - unless someone is so boring that they have nothing - so they dare not judge. The day I'm forced to give them up again (never), is the day they have to give up the stuff they're into as well.

[TigerClaw]

Its probably due to being older, I'm sure there are fans who are hiding it, and they are in there 40s.

[ToTheNines]

All of my family and friends know the extent of my mania lol.

[ImmaAxolotl]

I used to hide it, but I've become more open with it. I'm proud to be TMNT fan! :tsmile:

[CyberCubed]

Considering TMNT is now retro enough to be cool, why would anyone think otherwise? In case you people haven't noticed, "geek culture" is in. The popularity of the Marvel movies and Batman in particular makes it popular in the mainstream.

This isn't like the 80's or 90's where you would be called a nerd or dweeb for like superheroes/comics as an adult.

[Toitlefan]

I hide it to an extent. Not because I am ashamed but more because I know very few people who have the same persistent interest. I've converted a couple people (like my girlfriend) but they are only casual fans.

I think I've only met one other person who is into it as much as I am and it was through this forum. One of the reasons I joined is so I can geek out about turtles and not get a wtf? look. I rarely bring the subject up and when someone else does I don't even say much because I know the conversation will go nowhere. I guess that makes me a TMNT snob. I know I'm not the only one, and certainly not the worst offender :tlol:

[Cipher]

I'll tell anyone to check out the Mirage comics if conversation goes in that direction. The hardcovers are sitting right on my bookshelf, right in guests' line of sight when they walk in (that bit's not intentional; it's just where the bookshelf fit).

So, no, I don't hide it. But I also don't stand by parts of the franchise I find embarrassing, ya know?

That's how I am with most of my "fandoms." If I really like something, I can probably justify it in a way that anyone could respect.

[Powder]

If I really like something, I can probably justify it in a way that anyone could respect.

Perfectly worded. Same for me.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

I was a huge fan until about mid teens. At that point I was pretty much forced (and unfortunately shamed) into giving them up beyond my own choice. Different times I suppose...first generation fan problems, no older fans or internet to vouch for the Turtles not being "just a kids thing."

Which I'm sure is exactly why it's hidden and ridiculed because there is still that lingering unfair stigma on them. Not as bad as it once was, but clearly still there. If the new movies do ANY good for the Turtles at all, I hope they at least help ease that.

I don't really talk about it much offline and I tend to avoid saying much, mostly because I feel a bit awkward about it, primarily because my mother had spent the rest of my years now and then teasing me about the fact that I had been into it. (Seriously, if you're purposely teasing someone about something that was more than half a lifetime ago, that is just really ignorant.) I have thrown that old embarrassment away (I'm sorry, Turtles, for ever even feeling that way. :(), but hard not to remain cautious thanks to those years.

That aside, I just don't really have any family or IRL friends that share the interest, but my immediate family knows and are cool with it. (Including my mother, which surprises me. Having her finally stfu over the teasing has been quite nice.) I haven't said anything to friends about it, though my FB avatar and cover photo are Leo related, but no one has asked or said anything and that's fine with me. I don't really care if people know, I just don't want any judgement.

If anyone ever does try to say anything negative, I think I'm at least much more prepared at this age now to defend the Turtles as for how awesome they are and worthy of being a fan of. Everyone has their stuff they're into - unless someone is so boring that they have nothing - so they dare not judge. The day I'm forced to give them up again (never), is the day they have to give up the stuff they're into as well.


Yup, it was pretty much the same for me, though I was a bit older. I didn't even start getting into it until my early teens, so once high school started, I pretty much HAD to keep it quiet. One or two people read my first fic (the one that eventually evolved into Love Is Shell) and thought it was cool, but other than that, I didn't even want anyone to know I was a fan, much less that I had written a story about them.

But now, I really don't care who knows, because I'm old enough and secure enough in my own identity to own it. I had a cashier at Wal-Mart smile while she was ringing up the three TMNT figures I got for myself with some birthday-money last year, and she said "I guess someone is going to be really happy." I said, "yeah- me!" And explained they were for my collection because I was a fan. And it felt good to have her chuckle over that and add that she grew up watching the cartoons too.

[Leo656]

We do this one a lot, don't we? :lol: S'all good.

I never went through a phase where the stuff I liked was "uncool". Most of my friends did but I always thought it was pretty pathetic. I knew for a fact they were lying about how suddenly, the stuff they liked last summer was totally "lame" and "for kids", they just wanted to look "cool" to the same kids they never got along with to begin with. Putting on an act for people just to get them to like you is retarded, even if it's family and not friends. You should never put on airs; it's vulgar.

If you have to be a different person to get people to give you the time of day, they're not your friends and nothing they say should mean anything to you. End of story.

[pennydreadful]

Nah, I don't hide it. There are so many things about me that people could hang sh*t on me for, being a TMNT geek is the least of my worries. :tlol:

[IndigoErth]

But now, I really don't care who knows, because I'm old enough and secure enough in my own identity to own it. I had a cashier at Wal-Mart smile while she was ringing up the three TMNT figures I got for myself with some birthday-money last year, and she said "I guess someone is going to be really happy." I said, "yeah- me!" And explained they were for my collection because I was a fan. And it felt good to have her chuckle over that and add that she grew up watching the cartoons too.
I'd have just been like "Yup, very." Heh. :tlol:

Can't say I've had any comment as of yet. Only slightly awkward one was Build-A-Bear because they inevitably ask who it's for when they write the name on the tag.

But the woman in there told me they'd already had a couple guys in their 20s getting theirs an hour before when the place opened (first day they were selling the TMNT plushies). I think they knew they were probably going to get plenty of adult fans, not just the kids. :tsmile: Esp that first day.

[CyberCubed]

To an extent. I'm a tower worker so it's kind of a macho, toughguy environment.

You actually climb stuff like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A_h2AjJaMw

Looks dangerous as hell.

[Mellie]

From my family, nope. They all love TMNT.

I don't usually show my Turtle love in public. I'm pretty introverted, so I try my best to go unnoticed. Ninja mode is always on. :shifty:

[DarkFell]

From my family, nope. They all love TMNT.

I don't usually show my Turtle love in public. I'm pretty introverted, so I try my best to go unnoticed. Ninja mode is always on. :shifty:

And I'm the exact opposite. I don't really talk to my family about anything TMNT, but do I care if I wear a TMNT themed shirt in public?
http://media.giphy.com/media/HZkdvSifeS2xG/giphy.gif
I'm quite comfortable in my nerd ways. :P

[DevilSpooky]

Not at all, my home is filled with toys and posters on every division so when friends and family stop by there's no hiding it from them, not only that but I have no problem being what I am, my nickname at work is "geek" and I'm proud of it, my 31st birthday cake was Raphael and my Xmas presents from my girlfriend for the past 2 years has been Turtle related, and I opend them up in front of my inlaws like a 5 year old, my nephew loves to bring his friend to my home to show up his "cool uncle" and that brings a tear to my eyes so that's enough for me, I don't care what people think of me, that's enough to make me happy.

[ProactiveMan]

I don't hide it. I post Turtles drawings on BookFace sometimes, and I talk about them at work n' stuff. I probably wouldn't casually mention it to a VP at head office or anything, but if they asked I wouldn't deny my love.

I wear a TMNT t-shirt when I'm shopping sometimes, and nobody points an laughs or anything, but I am 6'4" with a bad case of resting bitch face, so people don't give me too much grief in general.

[ShelleyQuick]

NOPE I HIDE NOTHING!. I shout it from the roof tops. My house is a turtle fortress, my desk at work is a tmnt shrine and car looks like a 10 year old drives it. I love TMNT I want every one to know.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

I don't hide it. I post Turtles drawings on BookFace sometimes, and I talk about them at work n' stuff. I probably wouldn't casually mention it to a VP at head office or anything, but if they asked I wouldn't deny my love.

I wear a TMNT t-shirt when I'm shopping sometimes, and nobody points an laughs or anything, but I am 6'4" with a bad case of resting bitch face, so people don't give me too much grief in general.

Do you mean facebook?:lol:

[Shark_Blade]

Hiding your love is like holding your fart. It pains you to keep it inside, you should let it loose and be wild.

[Danetello]

I was at the doctor yesterday and was wearing one of my many TMNT t-shirts. The nurse came in and was like, "My [grown up] son still loves TMNT too!" and we proceeded to have a conversation about the TMNT while she got me set up for the doctor. So no, I don't hide it and with reactions like that, why would I?!

[IndigoErth]

I do look forward to society hopefully continuing to grow in it's acceptance of the Turtles being a grown up thing, too. Props to those who are loud and proud about it as you are undoubtedly part of the front line in that push.

Not that I'm not proud... just not a 'loud' one in much of anything, TMNT or otherwise.

[aliena]

I made this very cool turtle outfit for halloween to wear to a trunk or treat. It had a shell and everything. I even made special shoes with the turtles on them and my friends talked me out of wearing it.

They said I really looked ridiculous and so I chickened out and I wore it to hand out candy at home instead. I had a lot of people recognize that I was Raphael due to the red mask.

Anyway, then I see that Rihanna and her friends went as the turtles, she was Raph too. Although, her costume was way cooler than I had, and she had green skin. Money and all behind it. I wish I had seen her first, because it would have restored my geekdom to wear it.

As for being embarrassed myself, my car is named Metalhead since it reminds me of him. And I have a full set of TMNT minimates on my desk at work.

[slashpieturtlemix]

I know I loved tmnt as a kid. It is actually what got me into drawing and that got me into art. My father won't admit it but he liked tmnt as much as me. He would pick up a toy for me when he left the country on leaved (military). Now I rediscovered my love for them when I started an online store and someone sold me a bunch. It dropped off my radar and its love is back in full swing. Normally when someone makes fun of me for my love, I point out that your average man loves a sport where men wear tight tight pants and hug each other to the ground for amusement. Pretty sure mine is less... hilarious lol

Also I don't hide it. My buddies think its awesome that I got a little retro museum in my apartment lol

[ToTheNines]

You actually climb stuff like this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A_h2AjJaMw

Looks dangerous as hell.

That one's especially tall, but yes, stuff like that.

[TheSkeletonMan939]

I don't think I've ever bothered to tell anyone that I'm a turtles fan.

Hiding your love is like holding your fart. It pains you to keep it inside, you should let it loose and be wild.

That's it? You just fart as loud as you can even if there are other people in the room?

[Shark_Blade]

If you're shameless, why not? :P

[TheSkeletonMan939]

If you're shameless, why not? :P

Now I know why you defend the 2014 film so vigorously. :P

[IndigoErth]

That's it? You just fart as loud as you can even if there are other people in the room?
:tlol::lol:

I suppose in a way it works...trying to discuss any type of fandom stuff with non-fans might be like trying to discuss your farts with people who have no interest in hearing about them. :lol: They just don't understand why your farts are great.

That one's especially tall, but yes, stuff like that.
:teek: Well that surely takes some serious Turtle Power. I think my knees would freeze at about, uh, ten feet up, or less. lol

[Jester]

That'd be like me taking off my wedding ring....

[Shark_Blade]

Now I know why you defend the 2014 film so vigorously. :P

That doesn't even make sense.. it applies to just about anything, everything.

Just love what you love man. Ride on. :tcool:

*drove off on a superbike into the sunset*

[Warhorse]

Nope. I don't hide anything I love/like, be it the Turtles, Avengers or Transformers, to Madonna, CCR or the Beatles. Heck, I've seen people give me weird looks when I tell them that I'm a fan of Megan Fox, Emma Watson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Zac Efron and Logan Lerman. But, I don't care, I just like them and think they do a good enough job in their roles.

[Shark_Blade]

Megan Fox, Emma Watson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Zac Efron and Logan LermanOMGOSH YES *high fives* :D

[Powder]

Now I know why you defend the 2014 film so vigorously. :P

http://i57.tinypic.com/20zsq2o.gif

[Shark_Blade]

http://i57.tinypic.com/20zsq2o.gifI don't get burn. I'm on fire.

http://i.imgur.com/iTzd1KC.jpg

2014 movie rules. :tcool: Ain't no hiding my love fo tmnt.

http://i.imgur.com/oaVommB.jpg

[IndigoErth]

I don't get burn. I'm on fire.

http://i.imgur.com/iTzd1KC.jpg
And probably rock that, erm, outfit, too. :P

[snake]

Nah. Honestly, I'll tell anyone about the IDW comics who asks and I'll add that 2/3 of the cartoons are great.

[Warhorse]

Nah. Honestly, I'll tell anyone about the IDW comics who asks and I'll add that 2/3 of the cartoons are great.

Heck, when people ask what my favorite comic book movie is of all time, I'll proudly say TMNT 1990. People are surprised at first, but most will be like "oh yeah, I remember them guys! I loved them back in the day!"

[Prowler]

This thread again?

And no, I don't hide it. I don't go around advertising it and I'm definitely not obnoxious when I talk about the Turtles, but I'm not ashamed of admitting to being a Turtles fan. Although the new movie certainly has tried to embarrass me as a Turtles fan.

[lindz247]

sorta a secret but if someone at lunch starts a conversation yea ill join in! :D
theres a lot more tmnt lovers than ya think!

[go_ninja84]

i dont, employees know me by my first name when i walk into my local TRU. in fact they usually inform me if they got some new stuff in as im walking through the door cause they know im heading to the TMNT aisle. sometimes i walk out with 4-5 figures no bag lol last Sunday i left Meijer with all 4 Fred Wolf inspired figures and Baxter. i dont care who sees what i have im a collector

[BubblyShell22]

Nope, I say it loud and say it proud if it ever comes up. My immediate family knows I love the Turtles and that I write fan fiction for them, too, and so does my BF. I have three TMNT shirts I wear and I don't care who sees them.

[Wesley]

I used to hide it in my teens, but I'm more open to talking about TMNT now. I think the 2003 cartoon is nearly as good as other TV shows like Lost and Angel (well, the first four seasons anyway).

[Shiro Kame]

I try to mostly hide it at school since it's a Christian one. I won't be bullied (the main reason that I attended it after 3 years of homeschooling after being taken out of public school due to being bullied frequently), but I don't want to hear any gossip about me being a "weirdo" or a "freak."

[ProactiveMan]

Do you mean facebook?:lol:

Absolutely not.

[Prowler]

I try to mostly hide it at school since it's a Christian one. I won't be bullied (the main reason that I attended it after 3 years of homeschooling after being taken out of public school due to being bullied frequently), but I don't want to hear any gossip about me being a "weirdo" or a "freak."
What do people at a Christian school have against a cartoon about mutant turtles? It goes against their creationist views or something?

[Ninturtle]

Nah. Honestly, I'll tell anyone about the IDW comics who asks and I'll add that 2/3 of the cartoons are great.

Im assuming the OT is the one show that isn't great..

[Gunpowder]

HA! Far from it. Anyone who knows me is well-aware of it; and nearly every single time I see any of my friends, in passing they'll say "We saw some TMNT so-and-so in Wal-Mart and thought of you." And whenever they're trying to get my attention or trying to get me to go somewhere, they'll use joke threats like "They'll cancel Ninja Turtles if you don't", or hold my merch hostage 'til I say yes. :tlol:

There are far more embarrassing things about me than my love for TMNT.

[slashpieturtlemix]

I try to mostly hide it at school since it's a Christian one. I won't be bullied (the main reason that I attended it after 3 years of homeschooling after being taken out of public school due to being bullied frequently), but I don't want to hear any gossip about me being a "weirdo" or a "freak."

Having that view in school will change over time. Every person was bullied for what-ever reason but that's what makes you into who you are. You should always embrace what makes you happy.

[PangolinFeets]

I never used to, but I have a professional career now and I get worried that clients will google me and decide to drop my services if they see me in costumes at conventions or all my TMNT figures. So I try to distance nerd life from professionam life as much as possible.
I'd like to think it wouldn't, but it totally would.

[slashpieturtlemix]

I never used to, but I have a professional career now and I get worried that clients will google me and decide to drop my services if they see me in costumes at conventions or all my TMNT figures. So I try to distance nerd life from professionam life as much as possible.
I'd like to think it wouldn't, but it totally would.

Well there is a clear difference between business and nerd life in my books. I keep my nerd life to my friends / close associates. I don't start posting my name all over the interwebs with turtle shells on my back lol that hurts business just because people are judgemental. You could always make a fake facebook lol I know a few business owners that do that for nerdy reasons

[Eurydemus]

Nope! I never had to and never will. All of my devices have TMNT-themed wallpaper and/or lock screens and I use the T-Phone ringtone, so it's not hard to tell I love them even without stepping into my home.

To be fair, however, I haven't quite reached Super-Fan-levels, so there aren't many collectibles (yet) and I haven't worn a turtle costume or attended any conventions in character. The obsession may be muted on the surface, but it still runs deep (though mostly towards the comics and the TMNT 2K3/2012).

[senpai]

Nope. I think everybody knows I'm a TMNT fan. In the past, however, I used to hide anything that was remotely nerdy from everyone--friends, family, boyfriends, strangers. Mainly because growing up in the 90s, it was NOT COOL to be a nerd. Like, you got bullied, beat up, you didn't make a lot of friends, and I was a chicken. In middle school I drew a lot of anime/cartoons and people praised me but I didn't like to talk about it. Heh. I remember hiding all my comics and nerd movies whenever my first bf would come over. It's not a good way to be, obviously. Anyway, I'm an open book now. I don't openly brag that I like it but it's apparent when I come to work with a TMNT cup or wearing a Marvel shirt. It's a lot more liberating rather than closing yourself off and hiding. :) Plus, you attract the right people if they wanna be your friend or date you. It's important to not feel shame with the things you like. Unless you know...you like really weird porn.

[Powder]

Unless you know...you like really weird porn.

Have you ever even had your eyeball licked? Don't judge me.

:P

[IndigoErth]

Unless you know...you like really weird porn.
Have you ever even had your eyeball licked? Don't judge me.

:P
http://i.imgur.com/ERNz6Ar.gif

Ok, new rule: Into self-shipping with some Mikey (or Mondo) eyeball licking? Yeah, maybe consider hiding that. :tlol:

[senpai]

Have you ever even had your eyeball licked? Don't judge me.

:P

*shudders*

https://31.media.tumblr.com/341fa4e7c8c50ee883512b0d5186175a/tumblr_n0dn1okSww1r8f3h4o1_500.gif

[slashpieturtlemix]

For some reason I am not surprised by that lol sounds hilariously nasty though

[drag0nfeathers]

Well... It's official now... everyone in town knows about my obsession! My family already thinks I'm weird from gaming, anime, costuming... this is just another to add to the list so I don't really give a damn who knows! ^_^

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h196/drag0nfeathers/100_1272_zpsfoc8lnes.jpg

[slashpieturtlemix]

Well... It's official now... everyone in town knows about my obsession! My family already thinks I'm weird from gaming, anime, costuming... this is just another to add to the list so I don't really give a damn who knows! ^_^

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h196/drag0nfeathers/100_1272_zpsfoc8lnes.jpg

I have a Kia Soul too lmao but mine is white. Guess I need to make mine look like Casey or something now..

[drag0nfeathers]

I have a Kia Soul too lmao but mine is white. Guess I need to make mine look like Casey or something now..

Giant hockey mask or maybe just two hockey sticks across the hood! Hah!

[CylonsKlingonsDaleksOhMy]

When I moved out and became an independent adult, I said the hell with everyone who judged me or thought they were better than me.

It's a great way to live. Pick a few good friends who care about you no matter what, and screw everyone else.

[Leo656]

I got a few thumbs-up from the guys in the locker room for wearing my TMNT shirt to the wrestling show.

Wasn't looking to make a statement; it was hot out, and it's 100% cotton, so it's nice and breezy. :tgrin: But it always gets a good reaction.

[nylemon]

I am not hiding it to anyone,in junior school we like playing you the Donnie,he 's Leo I am Mikey,the unlucky one is rat sensei thing.Yeah,now it reminds me some people might thought us werido.

And in senior high I took my only Mikey figure to school when there was a exam.And My classmates all knew that.

But somehow I do feel kinda awkward when buying figures and collecting 2007 movie figures in Mc'Donald's.I think It's because classmates are the people you knew and people in store aren't.I only buy things online now not because I feel shame but in my place there almost no tmnt stuffs in local store.

In college I keep a low profile about my ID,but still didn't totally hide it.I watched 2k3 in public and didn't feel shame at all.I remembered my friends once joked to me saying "you just like a ninja turtle".

My family knows it too,though my parents think it's foolish spending hundreds yuan onto turtles.

After seeing some of your guys' storys,I think I just don't care much other people think and I am too naive or stupid:teek:

[Dash]

I do hide the fact I'm a mega TMNT fan to some friends/family that is mostly because I'm 31, they don't seem to understand its fine to collect figures, watch cartoons, play games..attend conventions etc. They make out its 'babyish' and I need to 'grow up' Also been told its not very 'lady like' to like 'boys' cartoons, grr makes me so mad at times! Must admit when I'm buying merchandise when I'm out to add to my collection I sometimes say its for my nephew or something like that..sometimes a tad awkward! its hard at times not having many 'rl' turtles friends to geek with! :<!

[MsMarvelDuckie]

Well... It's official now... everyone in town knows about my obsession! My family already thinks I'm weird from gaming, anime, costuming... this is just another to add to the list so I don't really give a damn who knows! ^_^

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h196/drag0nfeathers/100_1272_zpsfoc8lnes.jpg


Awesome car! And I like who you decided to use there.



I have a Kia Soul too lmao but mine is white. Guess I need to make mine look like Casey or something now..


Mask and crossed sticks with the word Goongala! underneath. Perfect.

[cloud]

Nah.
If anything,loving TMNT is the only cool thing aboot me.
It's also easy to strike a conversation.
The Turtles are somehow a healthier characters to enjoy because people mostly associate with the 80s show that's funny,less violent, colorful and full of pizzas.

[Kanon]

I do hide the fact I'm a mega TMNT fan to some friends/family that is mostly because I'm 31, they don't seem to understand its fine to collect figures, watch cartoons, play games..attend conventions etc. They make out its 'babyish' and I need to 'grow up' Also been told its not very 'lady like' to like 'boys' cartoons, grr makes me so mad at times!

My family is exactly like that!:roll:
At least my mom knows I am a big fan and don´t judge me.
I really wish I would have a friend to speak about the turtles. :ohwell:
(But I am not sad cause I got you guys :D)

[IndigoErth]

I do hide the fact I'm a mega TMNT fan to some friends/family that is mostly because I'm 31, they don't seem to understand its fine to collect figures, watch cartoons, play games..attend conventions etc. They make out its 'babyish' and I need to 'grow up' Also been told its not very 'lady like' to like 'boys' cartoons, grr makes me so mad at times! Must admit when I'm buying merchandise when I'm out to add to my collection I sometimes say its for my nephew or something like that..sometimes a tad awkward! its hard at times not having many 'rl' turtles friends to geek with! :<!
Minus the "not lady like" part, that's pretty much the same thing I ran into in my teens. Back when there were no older fans - since the oldest fans were us - and no widespread internet (which I don't think my family even had yet) to simply go online and prove that I wasn't weird, wrong, or childish to still like it.

Older teen fans that could be questioned about it these days are fortunate to have much older fans out there to point to as proof that their remaining a fan is fine and TMNT as worthy of it.

Now... my immediate family seem ok with it, but I'm still cautious thanks to years ago. Hard not to be. I think/hope the rise in "geek culture," embracing of hero stuff and just, you know, fun things, has helped.

I have no real life fan friends though, but having people to talk to online works fine for me. :)



Edit: Come to think of it, the other day I noticed my mother - who is in her 60s and the same person who shamed me into giving up TMNT years ago - was wearing a vintage style Jetsons t-shirt. She's also got a pink Superman "S" shirt. Maybe a few others... Times have changed. :tlol:

[KC Midnight]

I kind of hide my turtle obsession. I know when my mom visits she'll see episodes of the Nick TMNT on my DVR but I don't outright tell her about it.

I also work in a pretty serious business so I don't really broadcast it too much there but I guess it's because when I was growing up it wasn't "cool" to like anime and manga and cartoons and such. So I hid the fact that I was obsessed with those things in high school and college. So...I guess I've carried that stigma into my adult life.

Either way, I don't mind. I get enjoyment out of it and I don't need people looking down at me just because I like something that's childish. :P

[1987]

i could admit on here that i am somewhat of a closet tmnt fan. i dont wear any tmnt clothing in public or anything like that. nobody in my workplace knows, just because i dont brag about being a fan of the franchise to them, but if it ever came up i would not deny the fact that i think they are cool. pretty much all my family and close friends know i like the tmnt. but casual friends, if they saw the amount of tmnt toys and other miscellaneous tmnt merchandise i have (which i usually keep hidden in the closet anyway if i know people are coming over) im not gonna lie id feel kinda embaressed and childish. it's mainly because i am getting closer to 30, i should have grown out of my tmnt fandom by now, or at least the toys/merchandise aspect of it, working on becoming a mature adult, but im still OBSESSED WITH TMNT TOYS AND CARTOONS i cant help it. i have so much tmnt clutter i do kinda hide it. if things dont change im just gonna have to come out and be more open about it, cant try to hide it forever.

[senpai]

Do what you're most comfortable with. In my experience it was too draining to constantly be hiding the things I loved, especially something as fun as TMNT. Nothing wrong with expressing your appreciation without shame. TMNT's harmless and so many people actually DO like it so I don't see what the big deal is. I'm in my late twenties too and my room is all kinds of...well messy atm but has a lot of things I love in it too! Persona stuff, TMNT...but mainly Persona. If someone sees it and wants to know about it, I'd be happy to tell them all I know and spread the joy. My last bf asked what cartoons I liked and later we spent the evening watching Fungus Humungous, Mazes and Mutants, and Ultimate Spider-Man. I'm not entirely sure how he felt about it but I had a blast. On nights when I was lazy he'd be like "Wanna come over?" and I'd be like "I dont' feel like driving..." and he'd go "We can watch Ninja Turtles..." .... :tshifty: "Ok. Omw." Sadly after I broke up with him, I have no one else to watch TMNT with...unless my nieces and nephews are visiting.

[MsMarvelDuckie]

i could admit on here that i am somewhat of a closet tmnt fan. i dont wear any tmnt clothing in public or anything like that. nobody in my workplace knows, just because i dont brag about being a fan of the franchise to them, but if it ever came up i would not deny the fact that i think they are cool. pretty much all my family and close friends know i like the tmnt. but casual friends, if they saw the amount of tmnt toys and other miscellaneous tmnt merchandise i have (which i usually keep hidden in the closet anyway if i know people are coming over) im not gonna lie id feel kinda embaressed and childish. it's mainly because i am getting closer to 30, i should have grown out of my tmnt fandom by now, or at least the toys/merchandise aspect of it, working on becoming a mature adult, but im still OBSESSED WITH TMNT TOYS AND CARTOONS i cant help it. i have so much tmnt clutter i do kinda hide it. if things dont change im just gonna have to come out and be more open about it, cant try to hide it forever.


No need to hide it, amigo, it's perfectly fine to have stuff like that around your home if you want. It's YOUR home! Considering some of the weird and/or dumb crap some people collect or enjoy at home, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Heck, I have my TMNT toys all over my desk- on my PC tower, on top of the printer/scanner, on the speakers, in front of the monitor..... Even some still packaged figures tacked to the wall! It's my "writer's cave" area, and I even have a TMNT fan-art piece as my desktop wallpaper. Don't care who knows or sees any of it, either. If anyone comes over, they can think whatever they like, but it's really none of their danged business what I collect or enjoy in my own home. Unless the apartment management decides it's a violation (doubtful- my hubby's rubber duck collection takes up more space) then what do I care?!

[Garfield]

Nah! I don't hide it! no need to hide it.

When I put on my TMNT shirt...man, I'm getting hit on by soccer moms, I'm slapping high fives with old ladies and a fat guys sporting tattoos and wearing sunglasses are giving me the thumbs up.


Live it up man, don't be scared.

[Shred Head]

Honestly this was never a thing that's come up. I never really had to hide it back int he 80's early 90's I was a little kid and it was cool to love the Turtles so I wasn't seen as out of the ordinary. Then the CBS affliant rarely played there Saturday morning block that or it was preempted and thats when I found Fox Kids. So I was pretty much officially out of the Turtles I still bought the Archie and Mirage at my comic store but I never felt shame at a comic store everybody has the same hobby there so I never felt like I was looked down upon there. I'll admit during my teen years I never had to hide my Turtle love because I didn't have any. Next mutation was out and I had all but just given up on the TMNT franchise. Also missed out on a good chunk of the Mirage line thanks to my comic store shutting down and having to go to a new one that didn't carry the book.

I didn't really get back into TMNT tell the 2K3 series came around and by that point I was almost at my last year of Highschool. I already had my social circle of friends who knew what I was about and I was already in the metal state of I'm never seeing any of you again in a year so why should I give a **** about what think. So yeah thats pretty much how it went for me so I kinda lucked out. Now Power Rangers that's a totally different story took years to out myself on that one.

[pennydreadful]

I can't understand why anybody would want to hide their love for TMNT. It's a cartoon, it's not like it's anything odd or unheard-of. Everybody knows about the Turtles; I don't see how anybody could regard it as strange.

Better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you aren't - at least you're being true to yourself. What is even the point in hiding your love for TMNT? So you can get the approval of boring sheeple who are douchey and shallow enough to care about something so trivial?

We get little enough joy in this short, miserable life as it is - if you want to have action figures all over the house and wear TMNT shirts every day because it makes you happy, go for it. If someone else doesn't like it, they can go pound sand; it's got nothing to do with them.

[CyberCubed]

Agreed. I can only see someone doing this in their early teen years (like 13-16) when kids want to grow up and cartoons are considered "immature" or something. But then when you hit 17-18+ you realize you never have to outgrow the things you love.

Basically its a middle school thing, since in middle school all the dumb little teens think they're adults. Middle school crap.

[turtlefanforever]

Agreed. I can only see someone doing this in their early teen years (like 13-16) when kids want to grow up and cartoons are considered "immature" or something. But then when you hit 17-18+ you realize you never have to outgrow the things you love.

Basically its a middle school thing, since in middle school all the dumb little teens think they're adults. Middle school crap.

Chlorophyll more like borophyll

[Yabuturtle]

I was just reading some other fans on another site who were all stating that they hide their fandom from their friends and family members. I get a feeling that many of the fans were in their teens and definitely did not want any of their fellow schoolmates finding out.

One person said he had been hiding his obsession for 8 years! He was only found out when his brother snooped and found his stash of artwork.

I don't get why TMNT out of all things gets the most ridicule. I had to hide my love for the Turtles when I was a kid and it took a long time before I told my husband I was obsessed with them. He accepted my love for them, but still thinks it's weird of me.

Now I just don't care. I let people tease and make fun of me for watching a "kids show". Those who are not fans just don't get it. It's hard to explain it to them. My mother, who looks for specific turtle items for me, asked me one day why I liked them so much. She just didn't understand.

I'm just curious as to how many people on here hide it from friends and family members, or did hide it and now no longer do.

I always find it strange that people have to be so rude and vocal about their disapproval of a certain show. Like if they walk up to you and say you're watching something "lame and kids stuff". I don't walk up to them and say, "You know, I never liked Star Trek Voyager and think it's totally lame." That would be rude I would say that I personally am not a fan of it but would never ridicule them because they like it. Why can't they just say "Oh ok that's cool that you like it. Although I personally am not a fan of it though." How hard is that?

I couldn't care less what they think of me. I like what I like. Their opinion won't change that.

[IndigoErth]

Probably just dumb people who somehow believe their opinion in those matters is the ultimate truth; and probably the same people who think other people don't notice things. Like if you wore a bucket on your head, one of them is bound to inform you that you're wearing a bucket. So if they think something is lame, I guess you just gotta be informed that you're making a mistake liking something they don't. Bunch of wannabe social saviors. :tgrumble::tlol:

[Leo656]

Gotta say, as a guy, I can understand guys giving each other a hard time for liking stuff like TMNT, but girls I'd figure were more relaxed about such things.

I mean, as a guy, once you hit a certain age, if beer, cars, sports, and chicks aren't your entire agenda, you're a "p*ssy" or a "nerd" or whatever. Every kid who ever got picked on in high school for not playing Sportsball or being "too into" video games knows that.

But I'd figure girls would be a little easier on each other. I mean, I guess not, since soooo many of them are so catty and fake to begin with, but still, I'd figure they'd have other stuff to be passive-aggressive about rather than who still watches cartoons. I mean, tons of chicks watch stuff like "Gossip Girl" and "So You Think You Can Dance". Do they really have any authority to judge someone based on a cartoon show? I kinda don't think so. :lol:

[IndigoErth]

Well, depends some on the other person's priorities and what they think is worthy pursuits I suppose.

I haven't even mentioned it (renewed fan status) to my oldest friend (of almost 26 years). Anymore our conversations pretty much all focus on her talking about social related stuff and her vaguely desperate man hunting (Zzzzz)... Being single myself (but not the desperate sort), I'm not too sure how that would come across to be honest, if I appear like my interests don't seem focused on alleviating singlehood or other topics she understands being focused on. I don't think she'd judge too harshly and it's not like she doesn't have her own things (Hello Kitty for one), but feel she might still give me an odd look and pass it off as not deserving of much attention and think it's weird if I'm fine with mentally pouring my heart into fave characters as much as I might real people, as if there isn't room for both/all.

[shuriken]

nah. most of my friends are nerds and those who aren't don't care. Anyone else's opinion is just that.