Do you have to be a social misfit to enjoy TMNT in "old" age?

[aabxx]

Well, I know I am. A social misfit that is. TMNT is my comfort zone.

Now, if I were to tell someone how much I care for TMNT, I think they would give me an odd look. Actually, I've never met a grownup who was crazy about TMNT, let alone watched/read it at all actually. And I must admit, if I suddenly met a person who fits the description of a real TMNT fan (as opposed to someone who simply has fond memories of the show), I too would raise an eyebrow and start wondering what's wrong with the dude or dudette... not necessarily in a bad way, but I would find it to be odd indeed.

So who better to ask than the good people of this forum... are most of you, erm, social misfits or odd in other ways?

[VaughnMichael]

Yes I think so, people who usually at one point or another are TMNT fans to me.
I'm sure some one will love to come along and dissagree with me because it just wouldn't be a day without that, anyway It's just how I see it.
The turtles themselves had been missfits and outcasts, so I related to that allot just like with other mutant characters like the X-men, etc.

But I'm sure there are every day people who like the turtles, I personally haven't met a single one that hasn't been a : Nerd, Gay, Lesbian, Gamer, Toy Collector, Goth, Metalhead, insert more labels here, etc.

I guess it all comes down to what you think is normal compaired to what the rest of society thinks is the norm for a person.
So no I don't think you need to be but I'd say most of us indeed are.

[aabxx]

Well I guess I enjoy TMNT because it was my favourite cartoon when I was a kid. So I feel I have a strong connection to it and watching it brings out my inner child

When I was a kid, I'm not sure I identified with them because they were misfits. It probably had more to do with them being really cool characters in the OT. Maybe to a certain degree the misfit part helped but frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if I back then didn't even realize that they were misfits or for that matter, I didn't really know myself well enough to realize I was going to end up as a misfit myself.

But today I can identify with the misfit part for sure.

[Jester]

I'm a proud, almost militant nerd. I make no bones about enjoying comics and bad cult movies.

As for people who are older than your average TMNT fan, I'm sorry BL, but I'm looking at you. Love ya!

[Kendamu]

People see me as a pretty normal guy that just happens to have a weird quirk or two. TMNT is one of those weird quirks. People who know me well enough, though, know that my TMNT fandom is kind of a way of "paying respect" because TMNT is what got me interested in martial arts in the first place.

[Scandia]

The answer to the poll is a proud loud AYE!

I admit to being weird. I have pet mice. I collect dolls and sometimes even play with them. I am in a sorority. I watch anime and read manga- and have even played a few RPGs. I am a fashion plate. I am a professional who hopes to be buying her first home soon. I am 30 years old and look much younger. I have my own religious and political beliefs. I use big words all the time. I have a thick accent that nobody can identify (ok, so it does not correspond to where I first lived due to my copying my father's accent).

But I am not a complete and total social misfit either.

[Eiko]

im lucky i have 2 kids now so i can like the turtles without people looking at me funny. but i think i love the turtles more than my kids do.

[ToTheNines]

Originally Posted by Putrescent

But I'm sure there are every day people who like the turtles, I personally haven't met a single one that hasn't been a : Nerd, Gay, Lesbian, Gamer, Toy Collector, Goth, Metalhead, insert more labels here, etc.

I don't fit any of those (except nerd, to an extent). I'm not a jock, but I play basketball everyday after school, go to WVU football games all the time (just got back from the spring game), play baseball in the summer, hang out with kids that don't give a rats ass about TMNT, listen to punk rock... and whatever else I do. Even if I don't look it, I'm easily the nerdiest of my freinds, yet I'm the coolest guy at the comic shop If I didn't wear TMNT shirts, most people wouldn't know I'm a fan, but my close freinds/family know about it and don't think I'm too crazy.

So no, I'm not a social misfit but I enjoy my solitude more than most do (but I still voted yes).

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

I don't fit any of those (except nerd, to an extent). I'm not a jock, but I play basketball everyday after school, go to WVU football games all the time (just got back from the spring game), play baseball in the summer, hang out with kids that don't give a rats ass about TMNT, listen to punk rock... and whatever else I do. Even if I don't look it, I'm easily the nerdiest of my freinds, yet I'm the coolest guy at the comic shop If I didn't wear TMNT shirts, most people wouldn't know I'm a fan, but my close freinds/family know about it and don't think I'm too crazy.

So no, I'm not a social misfit but I enjoy my solitude more than most do (but I still voted yes).

Ok mama's boy

[ToTheNines]

Originally Posted by Putrescent

Ok mama's boy

lol, I actually am one!

[Scandia]

yet I'm the coolest guy at the comic shop

I wonder what the blokes who run the comic shop think when they see me come in before or after work wearing professional attire yet getting all excited about the new Turtles comic or the cartoon or any other geek things like anime.

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by ToTheNines

lol, I actually am one!

Well there ya go country mouse, you's one of us after all!

[ToTheNines]

Oooh, good to know!

[shuriken]

Well... I'm not a nerd so to speak. Cuz nerds are smart. But I would say that I have a wierd geeky side to me. I like to draw, play video games read wierd books and watch wierd movies so I guess that makes sense right? I also have a lot of friends that like TMNT that are "normal" i guess. But normality is so trivial and subjective that its hard to pin point. I don't think that you have to be social misfit to like TMNT at an "old age", but because a lot of people think of it as something childish or immature they might be like, " Man look at this loser ranting about four turtles that are ninjas". Personally I think if you're a misfit it's easier for you to relate to them, but you don't have to be one. If that makes any sense..

[TheUltimateShredhead]

I can proudly annonce myself a social misfit funny i always wondered how other tmnt fans considered them self in the social hierarchy?

[Ninjinister]

I live alone and only normally leave the apartment for work. I rarely have anyone over. I sit on my bed and stare at my TMNT figure collection several times a day for about a minute or three at a time.

I'm not a social ANYTHING!

[MrPliggins]

yea I'm odd...I love cartoons and comic books. One of my gf's friends gave me the oddest look when I told her I just went to see the TMNT movie. She said "but....that's for kids!" and looked completely confused.

[VaughnMichael]

Originally Posted by MrPliggins

yea I'm odd...I love cartoons and comic books. One of my gf's friends gave me the oddest look when I told her I just went to see the TMNT movie. She said "but....that's for kids!" and looked completely confused.

hahahaha yeah! It's always fun bringing a date home and into my bedroom where I had my entire MIB TMNT figure collection as wallpaper hah
Boy the looks and comments I'd get.

[gobo]

Originally Posted by aabxx

Do you have to be a social misfit to enjoy TMNT in "old" age?

Originally Posted by Putrescent

So no I don't think you need to be but I'd say most of us indeed are.

Hey! He stole my answer! And, actually, you stole my question! Why, you bunch of thieves. But, the word, 'misfit', is less derrogatory than the 'outcast' I was thinking into the question... So, good thing you got to it first. ^_^

[Bigfoot]

mis·fit - a person who is not suited or is unable to adjust to the circumstances of his or her particular situation.

TMNT has kind of been a weird hobby and obsession of mine for over 15 years. During that time, social acceptance, financial obligations, and other factors have all played a considerable part in how my once innocent hobby, has devloped into a freaky obsession to "collect 'em all".

When I was younger, it wasn't weird to have a box of toys in the bottom of the closet. My parents were not rich and I earned every toy I ever got. This instilled the much needed knowledge of how the real life works. I took very good care of the few toys that I ever did get and appreciated the fact that I was rewarded for my work. (Taking garbage out, doing dishes, yard work, etc.) At this point in my life, I relied on my parents to buy them for me, and TMNT was socially acceptable with other people my age.

As a teenager, my childish hobby took backseat to school, cool kids, and girls. I only had a part time job fixing computers, and lacked the funds for all the demands of adolescence. From this point on, only family members and long-time friends knew bout my addiction to TMNT.

I have had 2 part-time jobs for the last 9 years, and there are ZERO TMNT fans at either. I work in a UPS warehouse damaging all of your valuable ebay stuff. lol. It's a manly environment, kinda like a construction site. NO WUSSIES ALLOWED! So little ooze covered turtles aren't the topic of conversation quite often. I am also a freelance graphic designer, and mostly deal with clients via email. That doesn't leave much room for chit-chat about the coolest episode in season 6. lol.

I was about 25 when I met a girl who not only knew what TMNT was, but thought it was cool that I was a fan. The day came for me to show her my now very massive collection. She thought it was weird, like any normal person would. It's been 3 years, and she has actually bought ninja turtle stuff, but she really enjoys Marvel Legends.

Besides that, I live a rather secluded life. Does that make me a misfit? I can adjust to my surroundings and am socially secure in the way I present myself, I just like the ninja turtles. It is kind of like a comfort zone. If I am having a bad day, surrounding myself with all my TMNT goodness makes me feel better in a childish, playful way.

Oh yeah, one more thing... NINJA TURTLES RULE!!!