The Energon Pub

GuyIncognito wrote:Only when I'm trying to flirt with some young mom who's there buying TFs for her kid while I'm there buying them for myself.

Last weekend I was in Walmart, where usually the girls are mostly trashy, but there looking at TFs was this really really cute girl, probably about my age - early 30's - maybe a late 20's. She was going to buy a TF for her son as a First-Day-of-Kindergarten present. How cute is that? I was helping her pick out a good one, we were chatting, she was VERY friendly, I was hoping she was a single mom... then I notice the ring (of course), and she pulls out her cell phone to call her husband. At that moment I was a little embarrassed. Here I am, a 34 year old guy, shopping for Transformers for myself, and trying to hit on a married woman buying Transformers for her kid.

Another time, I was at TRU looking at TFs for myself, and I ran into a girl who happened to be a bartender that I had met the night before. And I already knew from talking to her the previous night that she was my age, grew up in the same area and went to a nearby high school, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: she was single. But again, she was there buying something for her young daughter, while I was there looking at TFs for myself. I felt kind of silly.

The first day the ROTF toys were on shelves, I met a geeky girl TF collector who was there, like me, to buy for herself. My type of girl! Except she was not the least bit attractive.

Those stories are all completely money.

magnusalpha wrote:The only times I've been embarrassed is when I happen to be wearing a TF t-shirt when I've got Transformers in my hands, walking to the register.

Should I be embarrassed in this situation? Perhaps not, but for whatever reason I feel like I'm overdoing things a little, in that moment when I have a TF shirt on, and I have an armful of Transformers.

Exactly. I don't feel weird about wearing a TF shirt or buying TFs on their own, but put the two together and it probably comes off a little over the top..like maybe you have a bit of a problem, which I suppose we kinda do. Anyone here not addicted to buying TFs?

I avoid wearing the t-shirts if I know I am going to buy TFs. Its like wearing the t-shirt of the band you are going to see. Don't be that guy.

GuyIncognito wrote:Only when I'm trying to flirt with some young mom who's there buying TFs for her kid while I'm there buying them for myself.

Last weekend I was in Walmart, where usually the girls are mostly trashy, but there looking at TFs was this really really cute girl, probably about my age - early 30's - maybe a late 20's. She was going to buy a TF for her son as a First-Day-of-Kindergarten present. How cute is that? I was helping her pick out a good one, we were chatting, she was VERY friendly, I was hoping she was a single mom... then I notice the ring (of course), and she pulls out her cell phone to call her husband. At that moment I was a little embarrassed. Here I am, a 34 year old guy, shopping for Transformers for myself, and trying to hit on a married woman buying Transformers for her kid.

Another time, I was at TRU looking at TFs for myself, and I ran into a girl who happened to be a bartender that I had met the night before. And I already knew from talking to her the previous night that she was my age, grew up in the same area and went to a nearby high school, and MOST IMPORTANTLY: she was single. But again, she was there buying something for her young daughter, while I was there looking at TFs for myself. I felt kind of silly.

The first day the ROTF toys were on shelves, I met a geeky girl TF collector who was there, like me, to buy for herself. My type of girl! Except she was not the least bit attractive.

These experiences are priceless. I guess, better luck next time.

SJ21 wrote:I avoid wearing the t-shirts if I know I am going to buy TFs. Its like wearing the t-shirt of the band you are going to see. Don't be that guy.

Easy to say if you're planning your day around shopping for TFs...typically not the case for me.

And I'm probably in the minority since it's the new thing and all, but I don't get how showing support for the band you go to see has become frowned upon. I do agree putting on the shirt you just bought 5 minutes ago is pretty toolrific and poser, but if I'm wearing a shirt of said band that 90% or better of the people in attendance have probably never even seen before much less nobody else is wearing, I don't get how that's now taboo. Don't really go to many shows anymore so it doesn't really affect me either way, but I still don't get it...

I used to be bothered--I'm an old lady. Women my age should be collecting, what? Hummels or that sort of junk? Whatever. People normally presume I'm buying them for a child that I allegedly have. I guess being female, I can play the 'cool mommy' thing pretty well, so people think me knowing about the various figures is all part of 'cool mommy's job. So cashiers and most other shoppers just leave me alone. Though one did catch me suspiciously petting my Starscream box as I was in line.

In fact, my coworker's kids invite me to the toystore when they go, because I'm more fun than their mom.

The only issue I've ever had is with parents of kids. A few times parents have apologized for their kid talking my ear off. Several times a kid has started a conversation with me--like who was cooler in TFA, Lugnut or Bulkhead--and he's breathlessly telling me the plot of every one of Bulkhead's adventures. And the parent comes and yanks the child away. I must look like a child molester.

What really annoys *ME*, to be honest, are the clueless parents who don't even know what they're looking for. SOmetimes they're cute, but sometimes they can be a little rude, esp if you try to help them.

But wow. The cell phone trick. I shall file that away. BRILLIANT!

hellkitty wrote: Though one did catch me suspiciously petting my Starscream box as I was in line.

Call me old-fashioned, but I don't think you're supposed to be petting any kind of box while standing in line.

One thing I am always amused by, is when the cashier asks if I need a gift receipt. I realize they're SUPPOSED to ask, but I immediately assume that they think I'm buying for a kid's birthday. I think they're slowly getting the idea at the closest Toys 'r Us, because I've been there about 6 times since August. I used to go to a different one, before I realized this one was so much closer.

magnusalpha wrote:

hellkitty wrote: Though one did catch me suspiciously petting my Starscream box as I was in line.

Call me old-fashioned, but I don't think you're supposed to be petting any kind of box while standing in line.

At least she wasn't repeating "My precious..." as she was being affectionate with the Starscream box.

magnusalpha wrote:One thing I am always amused by, is when the cashier asks if I need a gift receipt. I realize they're SUPPOSED to ask, but I immediately assume that they think I'm buying for a kid's birthday. I think they're slowly getting the idea at the closest Toys 'r Us, because I've been there about 6 times since August. I used to go to a different one, before I realized this one was so much closer.

Be honest with them.

Tell them 'No thanks, I plan on either opening this in my car out in the parking lot or at any red lights I happen to hit on the way home.'

Don't you all dare act like you don't do this crap too.

not the slightest bit. hell i even wear TF shirts every where i go. i wear dog tags, pins, wrist bans, hats, all that good stuff, i even wear it at school. all the time. i dont give a rats ass what people think of me.

Mkall wrote:

DevastaTTor wrote:Only when I forget to wear pants.

That happen often?

Only in bad dreams.

The only problem with wearing whatever you want, whenever you want, is that in some situations, it will prevent people you work with as an example, from taking you seriously. Is that how it SHOULD be? I guess that depends on who you ask. If you're going to a job interview, you're probably not going to wear a TF sweatband on your wrist.

Unfortunately perception is reality, in today's world. If you don't look professional, then your interviewer is going to assume that you are not.

Come on guys...

Yeah, when i was a kid and still playing with Transformers, wrestling and G.I. Joe figures well after most of the other kids were I was kinda shy about it.

However, it's 2009 and Transformers popularity is at an all-time high. I have no shame, if I want something I go get it. Some people will still wonder about you, but it's amazing how many people of ALL AGES think that TF collecting is a cool hobby.

As for wearing the shirts, believe it or not, chicks often dig those. No lie, at my deli I wore all sorts of TF shirts and really good looking girls would compliment them all the time and tell me how much "they loved that movie" Now, if they realized just how into it I was they might freak out but Transformers in general has become a "cool" thing, not a "nerdy" thing.

LIKE IT SHOULD BE!

Delicon wrote:
As for wearing the shirts, believe it or not, chicks often dig those. No lie, at my deli I wore all sorts of TF shirts and really good looking girls would compliment them all the time and tell me how much "they loved that movie" Now, if they realized just how into it I was they might freak out but Transformers in general has become a "cool" thing, not a "nerdy" thing.

Well, I'm not too concerned with what chicks dig, as I already have the best girl in the world. As for Transformers becoming the cool thing, who cares?

When did this turn into a *fashion* thread?

I agree, that perception is reality. However... sometimes I like to mess with that. I teach college, and though I've done a good job looking all professional (skirts and heels and jewelry and that junk) thus far, it's just a matter of time till the vast collection of Starscream t-shirts makes an appearance. If, by that point in the semester, any of my students chooses to think less of me, that's their own dumb problem. Just because I wear a cartoon t-shirt doesn't mean I suddenly can't kick their asses in Medieval Lit.

Sometimes I even make them write about it--their clothes and what messages they try to send, vs mine. It's fun.

But still, I use discretion. No Screamer tees on days I have to sit in Code of Conduct hearings, for example. (Though I've often thought a Megatron tee might give off the right amount of 'hope' for the hearee).

Anyway, I'm actually not cool with TF becoming 'cool' and not 'nerdy'. Seems every time something I like ever became 'cool', it died an agonizing death in the public eye. I kind of liked the exclusivity--like a secret handshake.

HK, the secret TF cabal has been exposed!

hellkitty wrote:I used to be bothered--I'm an old lady. Women my age should be collecting, what? Hummels or that sort of junk? Whatever. People normally presume I'm buying them for a child that I allegedly have. I guess being female, I can play the 'cool mommy' thing pretty well, so people think me knowing about the various figures is all part of 'cool mommy's job. So cashiers and most other shoppers just leave me alone. Though one did catch me suspiciously petting my Starscream box as I was in line.

In fact, my coworker's kids invite me to the toystore when they go, because I'm more fun than their mom.

The only issue I've ever had is with parents of kids. A few times parents have apologized for their kid talking my ear off. Several times a kid has started a conversation with me--like who was cooler in TFA, Lugnut or Bulkhead--and he's breathlessly telling me the plot of every one of Bulkhead's adventures. And the parent comes and yanks the child away. I must look like a child molester.

What really annoys *ME*, to be honest, are the clueless parents who don't even know what they're looking for. SOmetimes they're cute, but sometimes they can be a little rude, esp if you try to help them.

But wow. The cell phone trick. I shall file that away. BRILLIANT!

I don't pet the TFs that I intend to buy while waiting in line, but I will be checking out the toy bio on the back. I lold at the child molester part.

Not in the least little bit.
If I didn't feel self conscious back in the day when my dad would derisively say "you gonna play with your little toys?", I'm certainly not going to give a sand-trout about what a total stranger thinks. And just think, a lot of those strangers at the store probably have their own things going on, freaky things like clown p*rn, road-kill collecting, dressing like babies etc, so what's the point of being embarrassed around them for doing what you like, which is just collecting toys?

Only when I'm seen by somebody I know who knows I don't have kids.

When I was in college and colected RID and Armada figures, I'd feel a little embarrassed about buying TF's. However, after I graduated, for some reason I just stopped caring. I've had a store clerk or two ask me if the toy was for me and I'd just tell them I'm a collector. I never ran into anyone who was rude. They all just ask "Really?" and I'll tell them how big my collection is and I'll usually get a "Wow, that's a lot of transformers! You must be a big fan". I actually met a fellow collector this way. He's an checkout clerk at TRU and when he asked if I was a collector, he got really excited and now he'll tell me if there's any new stock in the back and hook me up.

WolfDawg wrote:When I was in college and colected RID and Armada figures, I'd feel a little embarrassed about buying TF's. However, after I graduated, for some reason I just stopped caring. I've had a store clerk or two ask me if the toy was for me and I'd just tell them I'm a collector. I never ran into anyone who was rude. They all just ask "Really?" and I'll tell them how big my collection is and I'll usually get a "Wow, that's a lot of transformers! You must be a big fan". I actually met a fellow collector this way. He's an checkout clerk at TRU and when he asked if I was a collector, he got really excited and now he'll tell me if there's any new stock in the back and hook me up.

This happened to me once or twice, there seems to be a fellow collector working in every TRU.

hellkitty wrote:But wow. The cell phone trick. I shall file that away. BRILLIANT!

Trust me, it works all the time

hellkitty wrote:Anyway, I'm actually not cool with TF becoming 'cool' and not 'nerdy'. Seems every time something I like ever became 'cool', it died an agonizing death in the public eye. I kind of liked the exclusivity--like a secret handshake.

I must agree. I often equate things "becoming cool in the public eye" to becoming trendy and "fashionable". When that happens, fandom gets an influx of people who are here for the wrong reasons, they make a mess, and then leave when the next "cool" thing arrives.

I don't really care about exclusivity. It's more about sincere enjoyment of something, which tends to make some things exclusive. One of the main reasons I enjoy collecting is being a part of such a great world wide community of people who enjoy something I enjoy. I love the creative aspects of Transformers, the getting in touch my childhood, and the toy design. But it's the passion and enthusiasm I witness in others that makes this hobby of mine so wonderful for me.

One of the cool things about pursuing a career in art is that hobbies that include toys/action figures/models or cartoons/video games/etc. can be the norm. I remember first arriving at Sheridan College, where the animation program is top notch, and seeing so many people in one place who were into the same stuff I was into. Good times.

It's funny that people have mentioned taking a girl along when checking out Transformers. I never tried it as I wasn't collecting Transformers at the time but I had two lady friends at during the school year who I'd go comic shopping with every week. It was great, having two girls pulling me in different directions to check out different comics.

Convotron wrote:It's funny that people have mentioned taking a girl along when checking out Transformers. I never tried it as I wasn't collecting Transformers at the time but I had two lady friends at during the school year who I'd go comic shopping with every week. It was great, having two girls pulling me in different directions to check out different comics.

I'd never dream of taking my girlfriend to buy TF's. In all probability, she'd get bored to tears and take revenge later by dragging me through boutique after boutique for the rest of the day. Not that she doesn't do that, anyway

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:I'd never dream of taking my girlfriend to buy TF's. In all probability, she'd get bored to tears and take revenge later by dragging me through boutique after boutique for the rest of the day. Not that she doesn't do that, anyway

Yeah, I'd only want to take someone who was interested. I was never "dragged along" by my ex girlfriends on their shopping trips(I always went along willingly because they were usually more affectionate afterwards. ) and so I wouldn't want to do that to them.

Convotron wrote:

SKYWARPED_128 wrote:I'd never dream of taking my girlfriend to buy TF's. In all probability, she'd get bored to tears and take revenge later by dragging me through boutique after boutique for the rest of the day. Not that she doesn't do that, anyway

Yeah, I'd only want to take someone who was interested. I was never "dragged along" by my ex girlfriends on their shopping trips(I always went along willingly because they were usually more affectionate afterwards. ) and so I wouldn't want to do that to them.

Well, does gf that help you look for TFs in stores on her free time count?