Does anyone hide their love for TMNT?

aliena · 05-11-2015, 06:41 PM

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* · 05-11-2015, 06:55 PM

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* · 05-11-2015, 06:59 PM

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 · 05-11-2015, 07:27 PM

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* · 05-11-2015, 07:47 PM

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* · 05-11-2015, 07:48 PM

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.

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* · 05-11-2015, 08:03 PM

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

*ToTheNines* · 05-11-2015, 08:30 PM

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

ImmaAxolotl · 05-11-2015, 08:36 PM

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

*CyberCubed* · 05-11-2015, 08:49 PM

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 · 05-11-2015, 09:03 PM

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

*Cipher* · 05-11-2015, 09:09 PM

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* · 05-11-2015, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cipher

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

Perfectly worded. Same for me.

*MsMarvelDuckie* · 05-11-2015, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndigoErth

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~~ · 05-11-2015, 09:59 PM

We do this one a lot, don't we?

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* · 05-11-2015, 10:07 PM

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.

*IndigoErth* · 05-11-2015, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsMarvelDuckie

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.

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.

Esp that first day.

*CyberCubed* · 05-11-2015, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

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 · 05-11-2015, 11:07 PM

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.

*DarkFell* · 05-12-2015, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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?

I'm quite comfortable in my nerd ways.

05-11-2015, 06:41 PM	#1
aliena Hench Mutant Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 294	Does anyone hide their love for TMNT? 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.

05-11-2015, 06:59 PM	#3
MsMarvelDuckie I Married a Duck! Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: The bowels of Hell, Texas(otherwise known as Decatur) Posts: 8,773	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. __________________ "You IDIOTS! You've captured their STUNT doubles!" -from "Spaceballs" "Where Science ends, magic begins." -Spiral, Uncanny X-Men #491 My various stories and fan-fics are now here- https://m.fanfiction.net/u/4770494/#end

05-11-2015, 07:47 PM	#5
Autbot_Benz Hellblazer Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ventura California Posts: 9,150	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. __________________ I respect what FW cartoon did for the turtles franchise but it is the most overrated and hard to watch of the 3 turtles cartoons.

05-11-2015, 08:03 PM	#7
TigerClaw Mutant Tiger Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Hialeah, Florida, USA Posts: 14,160	Its probably due to being older, I'm sure there are fans who are hiding it, and they are in there 40s. __________________ Follow me on my Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@tygerclaw305

05-11-2015, 08:30 PM	#8
ToTheNines Col. Stinkmeaner Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 19,136	All of my family and friends know the extent of my mania lol. Last edited by ToTheNines; 01-20-2025 at 03:20 PM.

05-11-2015, 06:55 PM	#2
Shark_Blade Emperor Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 7,909	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.

05-11-2015, 07:27 PM	#4
Wolfie65 Foot Soldier Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 182	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.

05-11-2015, 07:48 PM	#6
IndigoErth Team Blue Boy Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: U.S., East Coast Posts: 16,288	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. 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.

05-11-2015, 08:36 PM	#9
ImmaAxolotl Foot Soldier Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 138	I used to hide it, but I've become more open with it. I'm proud to be TMNT fan! __________________ Source for profile image: http://kitendawili.deviantart.com/ar...2015-531357836

05-11-2015, 08:49 PM	#10
CyberCubed Overlord Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 43,746	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.

05-11-2015, 09:03 PM	#11
Toitlefan Hench Mutant Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: MA Posts: 293	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

05-11-2015, 09:09 PM	#12
Cipher Foot Elite Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 3,454	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.

05-11-2015, 09:59 PM	#15
~~Leo656~~ Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: nWo Country Posts: 27,703	We do this one a lot, don't we? 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.

05-11-2015, 10:07 PM	#16
pennydreadful trash Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Australia Posts: 4,546	Nah, I don't hide it. There are so many things about me that people could hang sht on me for, being a TMNT geek is the least of my worries. __________________ Creator of the Technodrome After Dark Discussion Group. PM for an invite (must be over 18 - no exceptions).*

05-11-2015, 11:07 PM	#19
Mellie Foot Soldier Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 184	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.