How to introduce my skeptical brother?

[Joy 60]

My brother is not a fan of MLP. At all. Last night, I tried to introduce him to it, but the episode choice was horrible. I don't think he'll let me do it again. 

What episode should I do to ease him into it? I think Wonderbolt Academy is a good one. Any other suggestions on how to approach it, and what episodes to use and such?

 

[Lightning Bristle 33]

Honestly, he needs to be up to it if you want him to become a fan. How did you become a brony? What episodes did you watch? Watch those ones with him, or even tell him to watch them in his own time. Give him space...

[Joy 60]

Honestly, he needs to be up to it if you want him to become a fan. How did you become a brony? What episodes did you watch? Watch those ones with him, or even tell him to watch them in his own time. Give him space...

I watched the first ones, and thought it was okay and would be good when I had nothing else to watch, but I watched more episodes and became a fan.

My brother isn't giving it a chance. He can't judge something, especially when his friend is into MLP. Who trust me, you'd never think would be a brony.

Edited December 14, 2012 by Joy

[Lightning Bristle 33]

I watched the first ones, and thought it was okay and would be good when I had nothing else to watch, but I watched more episodes and became a fan.

My brother isn't giving it a chance. He can't judge something, especially when his friend is into MLP. Who trust me, you'd never think would be a brony.

If he isn't giving it a chance, wait a bit and see if he loosens up towards it a few days later or something. Just make sure you don't seem as if you're forcing it on him and he may come around.

[Bronium 512]

I just wouldn't bother. I mean, if he isn't disturbing you, so be it. People tell me to watch their favorite anime and I don't. Because I've got things to do that are more important. Admittedly, not by much.

 

So, I'd just let him be. Some people just don't want to watch MLP.

[#1 Flutterfan 174]

I didn't try forcing it onto a friend--if anything just saying I liked it to him, and randomly sending pony memes to his phone every now and then. Then he'd laugh at it--he started referring to noises his wife made as a "Fluttershy noise" (since I played the noise for him to hear) and then I was like "Alright let me put the show on while we wrap christmas presents." Needless to say within the first episode he was laughing, saying "What the... oh man--I hope my wife doesn't come home" just ease into it. If he doesn't want to watch, no point making him. 

For example. People like My Littlest Pet Shop. I am not going to watch that, I don't care what people say. Not being judgmental  but I don't want to watch it. Or if someone doesn't want to watch Naruto, you don't force it onto them.

[butter scotch 79]

Don't force it on him. Bronies who force the show on people should be slapped...

By someone wearing a Type-25 Powered Combat Armour or a Type-10 Heavy Lifting Exo-skeleton!

If he doesn't like it boo-hoo.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

There have been people with similar problems so you could search for their threads for episode recommendations. Wonderbolts Academy could be a good choice, you could also try Lesson Zero since that episode does a good job dispelling preconceptions about the show.

Overall though at some point if he doesn't like the show you should respect and accept that. It isn't for everyone, and if it isn't for him then just leave the guy be.

[Wolf-Boy 54]

I'm having the same problem with my brother.  I'm trying to get him into the show, and yet he seems opposed to becoming a brony.  But, he is a "prep" so that's making it hard.

[Winona the Dog 1,984]

The others are right, You shouldn't force the show onto your brother. Instead just try to ease him into the show by watching it in front of him. He will probably be curious as to why your watching it and once he asks you why you're watching it just say that "It's a good cartoon to watch." (He also might ask "Isn't that show for like little girls?" But you can just counter it by saying plenty of people your age and beyond watch it too.) Maybe tune into your favorite episode and ask if if he'd like to watch it with you. Hopefully if he's curious enough to watch it then your good to go but if he declines then just leave him be.

Edited December 14, 2012 by ~Chaotic Harmony~

[angels_gal 204]

Honestly, don't force ponies on someone who's a skeptic.  Because there's a possibility that you might make things worse.  and also people don't want something crammed down their throat they don't like.  I would  be patient and see if he starts asking about ponies. 

[Feather Gem 967]

You don't have to make him like it.  But since you asked;

 

On Christmas I plan to shove my family into the living room and putting on Hearths Warming Eve.  Its a Christmas type episode, so there's my excuse!

Christmas.  Family.  Movies.  Yes.  Ponies. 

xD And its a good episode too.

[MorningFlash 214]

Wonderbolt Academy would be a good episode to show him, since it's the newest one and all,

Lesson Zero would be pretty good also.

[Jokuc 8,173]

I didn't try forcing it onto a friend--if anything just saying I liked it to him, and randomly sending pony memes to his phone every now and then. Then he'd laugh at it--he started referring to noises his wife made as a "Fluttershy noise" (since I played the noise for him to hear) and then I was like "Alright let me put the show on while we wrap christmas presents." Needless to say within the first episode he was laughing, saying "What the... oh man--I hope my wife doesn't come home" just ease into it. If he doesn't want to watch, no point making him. 

 

For example. People like My Littlest Pet Shop. I am not going to watch that, I don't care what people say. Not being judgmental  but I don't want to watch it. Or if someone doesn't want to watch Naruto, you don't force it onto them.

This.

 

Don't try to show him the episode directly if he's not a person who is acceptable to watch things..

Just show him some funny pony memes or as I did at my friend, show him some funny or cool pony videos.

[Antismurf9001 1,271]

If he doesn't want to like MLP there is very little chance that he will like it, even if you were to show him the greatest episode in all of existence.  If you really want my recommendation though, I have a potential tactic.  I believe that a person will be more open to the idea of ponies if they choose by themselves to watch the show on their own.  However, there may be a way to 'prod' them into such a situation.  Show them part 1 of any of the 2-part specials (preferably either s1 or s2 intro episodes (s1 for characterization and story purposes and s2 for sheer awesomeness)) and only part 1.  Then just leave.  If he wants to finish the story arc, he has to do so on his own.  I know that it's sort of a dirty trick, and I've never tested it on anyone nor heard of anyone doing this so there's no evidence of its success rate.  I'm only basing this on my own experience with the show (when I first decided to watch MLP, I was set on only seeing the first episode.  Then I had to see the second episode to see how the story arc ends).

[Harmonic Revelations 8,835]

If he doesn't want to be a fan he isn't going to, if he tolerates you then that's good enough. I mean I don't think force feeding him content will get him into it. 

Edited December 14, 2012 by Harmonic Revelations

[Snowfeathers 43]

You shouldn't force him, as everyone else is saying. Give him some time. My personal experience is that I absolutely hated the show- until my resolve melted and I decided to give it a shot. Maybe he'll be the same way.

...On another note, why can't you just give him the first (two) episode(s)? Unless that was your episode choice in the first place.

[Joy 60]

Thank you all! 

Yeah, I guess forcing him wouldn't be a good idea.

 

The two parter? With stuff about the magic of friendship and stuff....my brother wouldn't like that.

I'd like him to be at the point where he understands why I like it and he tolerates it. Maybe I could ask him if I could just show him or something. 

[Saeda 19]

I'd suggest Part of One (or maybe lesson zero) to show him. It was the first episode I ever saw and it made me realise that MLP isn't what I would expect a little girl's cartoon to be.

[Flying Whales 311]

Yeah, I don’t think My Little Pony is something you can try and push someone into. I think many of us got into the show because we saw pony-related material or happened to hear something about it and it peaked our interest, I know that was the case for me anyway. 

 

If it something you really want to share with your brother and it could be something you want to watch together perhaps just very casually asking him “hey, just give it one more chance it’s a decent show, and I want to watch it with you.” Depending on how responds take your next action from there. 

[kirbyboi 588]

Well, don't overwhelm him.... try introducing it to him casually, and have him watch a better episode....better yet, just have him watch the first ever episodes! That alone will make him change his mind (maybe). But don't bluff about it too much or overwhelm him, and be humble about it. I'm sure eventually he might watch the show, unless he's pretty stubborn or just sincerely doesn't like it. 

 

 

It's possible for your brother to become a brony, but don't keep pushing it at him. If he just simply doesn't want to watch the show at all, then let him be and let him discover it for himself. Maybe you can suggest a few sites or even show him a couple memes! Even if he says he won't watch it, I'm pretty sure eventually he'll look it up or something. 

[Zygen 6,066]

Honestly I think the best way to get someone to watch the show is get them curious by simply telling them about its exsistance. Atleast thats how I became a brony.

 

But don't force him to watch it, he may not want to, and thats fine. Let him watch it if he wants or if he doesn't he doesn't have to.

As long as he isn't bothering you don't worry about it!