It occurred to me that when asked what our hobby is, there are three words that can be used: "Collector," "Toy" and "Adult." Used one way, "Adult collector of toys," would be the proper reply, as I don't know if I'd like to be called an "Adult toy collector."

_________________

How about Adult Toy Enthusiast........Oh wait, that's no good either.

_________________

My wife just uses "geek". I'm okay with that.

_________________

I just tell folks I'm a "customizer". When they ask what, I just say toys and action figures. When pressed even further, I just tell them I make figures of what is either not currently available, or was made in entirely the wrong scale for my enjoyment.
Last resort is a link to the website. Usually that is enough to sate the curious.

_________________

^^This^^

I had some of my girlfriend's family over recently and they came down to the basement and saw the man cave.

They hit the Joe Wall and see my customizing tools, paints and brushes and ask what is that all about. I explained to them what Cap mentioned above. Very easy to show and tell with some stuff I was working on.

_________________

yeah, me too... i stopped telling people I "collect" joes anymore... although several of my friends and acquiantances still call me a joe collector...

i started calling myself a customizer around the time the 25th wave came out, and I stopped buying new stuff... if people don't get what a customizer is, i change it and tell them im sort of a painter (of figures), and somehow, they're like, "uh, ok.", instead of going "oh wow, really?"...

but then, who cares. this is what i enjoy doing in my spare time.

Your wife and mine must be related, Can I use this in my sig.

_________________

as far as i am concerned i collect pop art. i collect it and display it, its art its sculpture. my interest and use of it is totally different than when i was a child.

_________________

Go for it. Sig away!

_________________

feeding an addiction mostly based on nostalgia for a happier time in our lives.

_________________

What's the point of adding 'adult' as a descriptor. If they're talking to you, they know you're an adult. Its as useful as describing yourself as an 'adult sports fan'.

_________________

I agree. But I get where adding the "adult" part comes from. It is a way to try to get another adult to relate in some way. The fact is, a lot of other adults think we are weird or simply crazy because we collect toys. That is never going to change. For that reason, I just don't talk about my hobby with people that don't already know about it. I don't want to be asked stupid questions nor do I feel like I need to spend the time trying to justify it too them. I have plenty of fellow collectors to talk to anyway.

_________________

OK, I was making a joke with my original post, but I like where you guys are going with this.

I don't bring up the hobby with just anyone, but if I can tell the other person is a geek in some way, it does make it easier to talk about. If a person is a Trekkie and has no interest in Joes what-so-ever, they can still relate.

When ever I'm out taking pictures of my figures and someone happens upon me (I try to find secluded places so as to avoid dealing with other people) and they ask what I'm doing, if I can tell they are a bit of geek, I have no problem explaining what I'm doing, but if they aren't "geeky" I tell them I am a freelance photographer for Hasbro, taking pictures for trade magazines and brochures and the like. I'm not embarrassed by the hobby by any means, but some people just don't understand it and no amount of explanation will make them understand and I don't really feel like trying to explain myself, nor should I have to.

_________________

Thats awesome

_________________

I take the opposite approach and tell people I fill my basement with miniature, soulless replicas of humanity, all given eyes and a mouth so that they can see the absurdity of their own existences, and scream. And no, I would not like to apply for a Target Red Card, thank you.

_________________