Other People Don't Support Your WWE Fig Collection

pfff I am a 43 year old collector and have received many "looks" or "comments" that frankly I have shrugged off.
we all have our vices and everyone, no matter what they say is a collector of something in some form or another.
my all time favorite was my ex wife complaining when she saw a bag from TRU and chimed in with "really more figures"?
my reply? "Yeah really, just like you needed to buy another carton of cigarettes"!
don't worry about what people think it is my opinion that people who bemoan it are just bitter they do not have something in their lives they are passionate about.

my grandmas the only one who understands but my dad thinks their alright
my mom hates them

I have a couple of friends who collect as well so that's cool.

Sometimes my dad mocks me.

Like, when i went to TRU ages ago and i got Brodus Clay. My dad said: " 'Brodus Clay' eh? Is he a rapper?" I just said yes. Didn't want to tell him he's a grown man who dances around at random times lol.

He pointed to the toys for kids 3-6 and said "Here's some toys for ya haha"
My mum told him to stop it so i think she's cool about the collecting.

The only people who know i collect is my sisters, parents and my friends who are wrestling fans.

My girlfriend doesn't know about it but i don't really wanna tell her.

And when my friends (The ones who grew out of wrestling) come to visit i avoid them coming into my room.

My father was my worst antagonist growing up. He was absolutely malicious every time I made a purchase that wasn't something involving hard labor. He would refer to my figures and games as "trash" and "little plastic toys". He did everything in his power to make me feel like I was a horrible individual because I was enjoying something he never had growing up (my dad grew up and was born in Mexico, where things like this were extremely scarce). I was ridiculed even by him for enjoying wrestling, the one thing me and him bonded over when I was young, when I was in my 20's, attempting to hint I was a closeted homosexual.

It's 2013, I'm 30, I collect WWE Mattels, I have a wonderful fiancee that not only shares my wrestling passion, but also customizes figure attires and has been lauded on this very site as an amazing artist.

I think I came out ahead, no? Bottom line is everyone faces opposition in their lives. Most people can overcome it. IF you enjoy collecting something, then do it and by all means to hell with anyone that doesn't like it. It never stopped me, and it never will.

Whenever people behind me at checkout counters give me the business at stores, I tell them that I'm enjoying my sense of ironic whimsy & that I'm enforcing sobriety & giving my mind an outlet of free expression without requiring much strain as when I play piano or paint.


Following that I ask them if they'd rather I spend my money on Crystal-Meth & 11 year sex slaves...

They don't criticize me much after that...

I hear you there man...being a sneakerhead can get a bit pricey...

My GF really doesn't care. Her logic is that I could be spending that money on things that were worse (drugs, boos, etc). So she's glad I have a healthy hobby.

Luckily my brother and I still collect so my parents cant say anything

Ive never cared about what anyone has thought of me before. Im sure not going to worry if they like/dont like that I collect figures.