pony fans who choose to hide the fact that they like pony

[ManaMinori 4,145]

There are quite a few fans who talk about MLP as if they're ashamed of liking it; who ask others for advice on how do they "come out" to their friends and family that they like this show and have pony merch, as if its some disease or sexual orientation; there are people who confess to other pony fans that they're afraid- 7 years later into FiM- to be seen buying pony merch in public, as if they're some kind of bedroom gratification toy, and to be honest, its really sad.

 

I got into My Little Pony because bottom line- it made me happy. There's SO much mess going on in the world, murders, war, injustices, day to day stresses, and My Little Pony has always been a refreshing sense of escapism for me. I'm happy to be seen buying pony items in public and talking to others about it (even though I'm 30 and have no irl friends) ;_; My Little Pony is just something that makes me happy in this dark, depressing, and terrible world that we have to live in. So to see fellow pony fans say that they're ashamed or try to hide their pony merch or only watch the tv show behind locked doors makes me really, really sad, because I'm sure that these fans got into MLP the very same way- because it provides a fun and bright escape in this world where everything is just depressing. And it almost seems like a contradiction to have something that makes you happy, and provides a warm, positive message ad morals, yet be so ashamed to share it with others, out of fear that they won't understand that its simply what makes them happy.

Are such fans really happy like this; having to hide and be ashamed of what brings them happiness and joy in their lives? How do others feel about such a contradictory mindset?

[Steve Piranha 29,428]

I have no problem in buying pony merch despite being an over 6'1'', and I drop the occasional pony reference or meme to my closest friends and relatives (to the point of explaining why I LOVE ponies to my aunt), but I don't see the need to flaunt my love for them. Not entirely because of shame, it's mainly that I'm a very private person with most people. I don't hide my pony merc in my room though, as it is MY room, and it ain't anyone's problem what it's there or not  . Though I intend to expand with more geek stuff later, but I'm sure that ponies will keep dominating it for now 

[ManaMinori 4,145]

6 minutes ago, Steve Piranha said:

I have no problem in buying pony merch despite being an over 6'1'', and I drop the occasional pony reference or meme to my closest friends and relatives (to the point of explaining why I LOVE ponies to my aunt), but I don't see the need to flaunt my love for them. Not entirely because of shame, it's mainly that I'm a very private person with most people. I don't hide my pony merc in my room though, as it is MY room, and it ain't anyone's problem what it's there or not  . Though I intend to expand with more geek stuff later, but I'm sure that ponies will keep dominating it for now 

hey, I'm not saying you have to flaunt it, just take pride in this means of wholesome entertainment that brings you 22 minutes of pure happiness in a dark, scary, and evil world. And even if you don't have a problem, per say, I was trying to get your thoughts on the ones that do. Not calling anyone out or anything, just how you feel about that sort of mindset that they need to be ashamed and hide it from the world.

[Crystal Peppermint 1,108]

Well for what i have seen, sometimes it's better to hide it.

For example that kid back in 2014, who tried suicide because he was bullied in school for being a brony. Especially school is a cruel and hard place and any sign of difference/weakness will get punished.

For me, I don't really see any benefit to tell people that i like mlp. It's just a tv show i like, like game of thrones or the walking dead.

To your question: I'm glad that i hide it. Saves me a lot of trouble or gossip.

[Catpone Cerberus 23,615]

Yes, they can be happy and I fully understand why they act like they do.

I for example used to be like that, having a background of being bullied my whole childhood, I hid not only my MLP-liking but everything from my music taste to my favorite food, and still don't go around telling them to everyone, for example my parents don't know what music I listen.

Only downside to that is that if there is no one person they can tell about it, it can lead to loneliness and depression.

So, they can be happy like that, even more if they find a place like these forums, but there is certain negative possibilities.

[Luminance 2,186]

The term "Brony" may seem like a derogatory term to many still and bringing it up in a conversation isn't as easy. Even I don't tell or show people that I like MLP because it can develop a sort of negative connotation because of that term that society had already set it forth to. I'm sure other fans would like to express and share their affinity towards MLP to everyone but it's not something that everyone can accept. 

 

[Megas 27,739]

If people feel more comfortable by not telling people that's their prerogative, and there's nothing wrong with that

[cmarston1 5,959]

I mean people don't really need to tell other people everything that they are interested in, and if they don't want to tell people they are into MLP, than I don't see why they need to.

[LunarShadow 397]

When I first got into the whole MLP Fandom back in 2013 is became painfully obvious to everyone that I was into it since I flooded my Facebook with it. I was more or less obsessed with it and it was quite cringy given how open I was about it. Eventually as time wore on I calmed down ALOT about it and eventually wiped out the cringe from my Facebook and started acting like a normal human being. 

I still love the show and like indulging in the Fandom content but I don't blow my Facebook up with ponies anymore or obsess over it and annoy my friends. I treat it more like a casual intrest that is appropriate for certain times and places. 

So in short I am open about it but not anymore so than say my interest for Game of Thrones or PC Gaming. It's just something I casually like. Treat it as such and you should have no issues barring exception of course for some of those special breeds of assholes but in those cases they would find more ways than just MLP to get under your skin.

 

 

[ManaMinori 4,145]

1 hour ago, Prowl said:

If people feel more comfortable by not telling people that's their prerogative, and there's nothing wrong with that

I know, but am I not allowed to ask how others view such a mindset, or express my opinion on it?

51 minutes ago, cmarston1 said:

I mean people don't really need to tell other people everything that they are interested in, and if they don't want to tell people they are into MLP, than I don't see why they need to.

While they don't need to tell everything, what I'm saying is that shameful or neurotic feelings about trying to hide or be seen with it shouldn't be an issue with something that should provide happiness and innocence. Doing so only causes unnecessary stress, than say, just being open about it- wearing merch in public, having merch where others can see, etc. 

[Frostgage 7,975]

I'm not ashamed one iota of being a fan; the sole reason I would never tell anyone is because I don't want to face ridicule. Everyone has their own situation and it doesn't seem fair to judge people based on black-and-white rationale.

[Steve Piranha 29,428]

10 hours ago, Crystal Peppermint said:

 

To your question: I'm glad that i hide it. Saves me a lot of trouble or gossip.

That's one of the reasons I don't like to flaunt, as I've already have experiences with gossip, and that's because I had a false friend telling everything about me to everyone  . I no longer have a problem about buying some merch of pony, as most employees don't give a shit about what one purchases or not 

[Jeric 46,854]

12 hours ago, Nightmare Muffin said:

I know, but am I not allowed to ask how others view such a mindset, or express my opinion on it?

Yes. And you got your answer from the late great @Prowl

Before I give you my response, there is something that I have noticed concerning your habits in posting here on MLPF over the years that you may want to dwell on. You usually open a topic about something you have an interest in discussing. You give your own opinion within the topic as well. That specifically tells people they have two options ... post their thoughts on the topic in general ... or on your opinion specifically. When that happens, and it is a opinion contrary to yours, you post something akin to what I just quoted. Of course you are allowed to open the topic in the way you did! Of course he is allowed to respond the way he did! It's called a conversation. It almost feels as if you assume any disagreement is like a personal attack on you. It isn't. But that approach you took in this topic can actually create that very situation. That leads me to my actual answer. 

What someone enjoys can be highly personal. It can come with anxieties that you may not understand entirely as we all have our own unique social environments and histories. Because one person enjoys something with public pride doesn't mean others have to or even should. The world is increasingly polarized yet filled with contradictions that defy traditional categorization. Navigating that emotional maze with a hobby that a person fears will isolate them from others, or draw in personal judgement, can he emotionally exhausting. It's a pretty standard fear. Rational or irrational ... it exists. 

I'm not so sure calling people out for wanting to stay hidden by pitying them helps anything. If the intent was to understand the motivations behind it, you have ample research material in Life Advice over the years. It's pretty well spelled out there. People are afraid of the reaction. Some don't want to be seen as weird or different. Saying, "don't feel weird. Have pride in yourself", isn't a magic wand. 

 

[ManaMinori 4,145]

8 hours ago, Venomous said:

A close friend of mine does enjoy My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic but he refuses to admit it. When we hang out together, he likes to watch episodes of it with me and is very engaged. However, if I even mention MLP when more people are around, he acts as if he despises it. It seem that he only wants me to know his secret.

While I am glad that your friend can enjoy mlp in your presence,  it does sadden me to hear that they turn the contrary when it is brought up in the midst of other people. And while I understand that the situation almost seems like the course that Babs Seed took in her episode,  have you ever tried to talk to this friend in private, and get a sense of whether they feel like pretending that they hate the show that brings them so much joy is the right call, and if that might have any effect on his personal enjoyment, whether in the short or long run?