Family's (and others) reactions to your collection?

[Angelshy]

Hi all 

As I mentioned in my intro post, I'm rather new to pony collecting. I've noticed however, that my parents aren't too pleased about my current hobby .

It's kind of strange, since they've tolerated me 'collecting' all sorts of things over the years (mostly models of sea creatures and fairies, and plush toys) but the other day Mum actually said she disapproved of my pony collection...possibly because I'm an adult now

Some of my friends are fellow pony fans (one even bought me ponies as a graduation present  ) and those who aren't are pretty tolerant (though one said he only tolerates it because I'm female, which is kinda silly)

How did/does everyone else's family/loved ones react to their pony collection? 

[Juri]

I think that my mother isnt surprised by much these days lol. Its just another one of my 'quirks'

My partner is very nice about the collection, and keeps me in check when I spend too many pennies

Everyone I find either has an expression like this --> O_o
or laughs because they expect that kind of thing from me.

[mlp4me]

My Mom isn't very supportive, but then again, she's a minimalist.
My Dad thinks I like Strawberry Shortcake and only thinks this because I tried to sell a bunch of vintage stuff at a rummage sale. I don't know Dad, usually when you sell stuff you don't like it anymore. Guess he kinda knows that I like 80's stuff...lol Does he support, well, we don't discuss these matters.
My husband has his ups and downs of supportiveness...
My BFF is an enabler; we both need some pony therapy daily.

[josiekat]

My family and friends are very cool about it. I get ponies as gifts from most people. My coworkers are interested in it too. They love looking at pics of my collection. People tell me that they can't wait until I have my pony room set up when we get our house so they can see it all together. My husband is the most wonderful about it. He makes his fun of it, but is really supportive too. I have found that if you sport your collection with pride, people tend to not make fun. Cuz, even if people make their comments...it's not like they are going to stop me. lol

[rybett]

Let's see, hubby thinks it's nuts.  However, we have a 6 yo daughter, so that helps.  He thinks customizing is dumb.  Cough...  Slot cars... 
Co-workers accept it as part of "me".   Except for the admin.  He's jealous that he will never get one, like some of the other staff have. 
Have not polled Dad or siblings.   

[kirei_na_sakura]

Hmm...my dad said something along the lines of "That's fine if you like My Little Pony as long as you are not drinking bottles and wearing diapers"
I thought that was kind of mean, but he did buy me the FS Luna & Celestia right afterwards.

My mom is not surprised as I like to collect cute things in general. She really went all out for my birthday last week and got me MLP balloons and an awesome MLP cake.

My boyfriend is really good about it. He watches MLP FIM with me all the time, and doesn't get annoyed when I want to go to the same stores frequently to see if they got new MLP merch.

[gemini_pony]

My family is fine with it, but my Mom always want me to try to sell them to make money xD...but they are very tolerant of my hobbies....and my hubby considers himself a Brony.

[hyenacub]

My mom collects, too.    As for my friends, well they're not too surprised.  lol

[Akemi-chan]

First person that I lay my pony collecting habits on was my bf.  He was super supportive since he has his own collection of odds and ends (books, LEGOS, and Warhammer models).  I then told some of my closer friends and even dragged my best friend at the time to Target to pick the latest G4 releases.  While I know he probably has his own sarcastic opinion about the whole thing (because he's just catty that way) he generally approves.  I've learned to just take people's reactions with a grain of salt because at the end of the day, the PONIES make me a happy camper (besides the bf of course, ^_~)

[MsTwilight]

My family seems ok with it. My Mom even buys them for me. Sometimes from certain people in my life I have to hear that saying "put away childish things yada yada" and I just wanna scream. 

[ThriftyPony]

I haven't told my coworkers really. My one coworker Jose let it slip that he likes anime and everyone seemed to react negatively so I just decided to stay quiet about my ponies, lol.

My boyfriend isn't really in love with it, but he accepts it since I keep my ponies displayed in my closet. When he first heard about bronies, he was eager to tell me about it because he figured I'd be excited about it, so that was kinda cute. My boyfriend is a man of few words and very minimalistic so I gotta take it for what it is, lol.

My family... Even though they all collect things they don't support it anymore. They don't get that you don't buy them because you want to play with them (well, some people do, ), you get them to collect. MY G1s are an asset -- if I decide to sell, I could get a couple hundred dollars after all is said and done. They're vintage, and I love vintage things. I don't have a huuuge collection, and I don't spend that much on ponies. Months go by between purchases, so it annoys me that they care at all, but whatevs. My life, not theirs.

As long as you are reasonable about your collection -- if it makes you happy, why care? I gotta admit, I am jealous of people with supportive family... :/

[scarletjul]

My family and friends are generally supportive although I do get teased from time to time - they were already used to me collecting toys.  My mom's the best, though; she even collects with me.  And my best friend is the one who got me into collecting in the first place so I occassional give her g1s - and last Christmas, she bought me Feathermay. 

[TwistedWindSox]

My family and friends tend to be very supportive... A couple of my male friends have even given me MCD's toys and other pony trinkets. And, although I think my parents think it's silly, they're pretty supportive of me as well.
My boyfriend is amazing about it... He buys me ponies and pony things on occasion, and helps me buy ponies when I don't have the money right away for them. I think this is because he collects pokemon, and we both support each others' collections. ^^
I feel very lucky to have such a supportive and caring family...

[hathorcat]

My family and friends love it! My mum tends to tell everyone about my pony collection and is always on the look out for ponies for me...she ll check out the toy shelves just for ponies I may be looking for...she knows the names, she knows the gens...I adore her just because of how willing she is to support my "habit"...

I have always been a little bit of a retro geek so my friends completely understand where the pony love comes from and even though he may not like ponies even my little brother will put up with me going "oooooh look at his lovely new Princess Cadence....isnt she so pretty!!!" every now and again...

I think the nice argument back is 1) people collect weirder things than little plastic ponies [seriously my gran has a teaspoon collection - to each their own!] and 2) dont people prefer you spend your "spending money" on plastic pony than other things [I always say if it wasnt for ponies my local supermarket would be permanently out of margarita mix]

Not everyone is going to be supportive...unfortunately sometimes family and friends will be judgemental and that can hurt...but hopefully once they see how much you love collecting and how much ponies are a part of your life...over time they "hopefully" will come to accept...be strong and if anyone ever gets you down about your ponies you know you can pop on the Arena where all of us are equally enthralled with the little equines!

[Angelshy]

It's funny because my latest ebay acquisition to arrive in the post today was a Shine Bright Twilight Sparkle

It's nice to read that people's families are supportive. Mine aren't actively against it, they just think it's a little strange for an adult to be getting excited over toys for little girls, or something.  They'll come 'round