Do you get hate for being a nerd?

[babyblob]

I live with my father and have my own bedroom. I decided to do my bedroom with a superhero theme. I have posters and pictures of superheroes. I have action figures and little statues of heroes. I have Marvel curtains. My dad is very supportive of this. He lets me know about superhero tv shows that I might like, buys me posters and action figures for Christmas. He said it is a hobby that makes me happy and that is good enough for him. But my aunt moved in about a month ago. She is recovering from an illness and is trying to get back on her feet financially. At times she makes little coments on how I need to grow up and stop reading comics and collection figures because it is a childs hobby.

Well today was a bad day for the two of us. I have a small bedroom and because of this I have a twin bed. I got tired of looking at my plain boring bedding so I ordered an Avengers sheet set and Spiderman comforter. I saw them and thought these look really cool and will add some color to my bedroom. Man she went nuts. Telling me that was the line. I am acting like a child. I am 38 and need to grow up. I am never going to find a partner if I dont grow up. I got tired of hearing this and we yelled back and forth for a few minutes.

No I am not dumb. I know a grown man having superhero bed sheets is a little odd. But its what makes me happy. So I dont understand why she flipped out the way she did.

Do you guys ever get hate for being a nerd or having a nerdy hobby?

[JackDaw]

Never hate.

But a fair amount of leg pulling, of course. And long ago dear old mum gently suggested that I was maybe too old to read comics...but it never came across that she was really worried about it, so it was one of few times I just ignored her advice.

Really anybody worth listening to will practically always take line “if you enjoy it and it doesn’t hurt others, carry on”.

Worth thinking..of course...about best way of reducing friction with your Aunt.

[Phoenixx9]

Sorry you had a rough day, tbaron.

It is never nice to be on the receiving end of that, especially when you do not deserve it. Many, many people do not understand "Superheroes" and think it is childish. Please remember, your Aunt is probably older ( in that grouping who never got it) and is Ill/recovering. That can take a hard toll on someone, as can the financial worry. While she may have felt the same, probably the wording and tone is more harsh now because of those things.

I am not a nerd and have never gotten that sort of backlash, but I had friends who did. Rarely do those yelling understand the enjoyment a fan gets from their hobby. I always offered my friends support and tried to help their situations with a few things I write below.

I say, enjoy your hobby. If you can afford to buy things that give you pleasure, do so. Perhaps over time living with you, your Aunt may come to appreciate you and your hobby. When the opportunity seems right and perhaps she is feeling a little better (or sometimes even when a person is feeling a bit worse can help the situation), you can share some fun facts or what you like about a team or character. You can tell her that reading comics does expand a mind and maybe show her some really good artwork.

Without knowing you or those involved, it is hard to be more specific, but I hope this helps! You do have support on here.

[Mia]

Depends how you describe being a nerd. A nerd to me is an intellectual person. I've gotten snarky remarks from people sometimes, but since I know it where it's coming from I let it go in one ear and out the other.

[WillieMorgan]

No, I've never experienced anything like that. I wouldn't stand for it. I must say though that I'm not really the merchandise type. Outside of the comics themselves I actually buy very little superhero related stuff, the odd DVD and that's about it. I'm not a poster/bed-sheets/action figures/collectables type of person. There's absolutely nothing wrong with folks that do enjoy that sort of thing of course.

I honestly don't want to stir, and I'm certainly not advocating any kind of conflict between the two of you, but your aunt really has no right to move into your house and then suddenly start telling you how to live your life. I hope that you manage to resolve this amicably but I would strongly recommend that you stand your ground and continue living your life and surrounding yourself with whatever makes you happy. She's also playing up to a stereotype in telling you that you'll never find a partner if you continue down the path you're currently living. It's a myth that all super-hero nerds are social pariahs. There are legions of us in loving, committed relationships.

I'd say stand your ground but try to do so in a non antagonistic way. You aren't in the wrong here.

[Nine Crocodile]

Growing up, I did. I also got the talk from my mother about being too old for comics. She tried a different route later, suggesting comic collecting would be OK if I monetized it. That didn't appeal to me. She gave up eventually, and I'll never know if she accepted it or thought she failed in some way.

Haven't had any grief from others in decades. I've even become the go-to guy for nerdy topics in my office.

[Moon Ronin]

My younger brother is 39, has a massive comic book collection. His apartment is decorated in video games, superhero, and horror movies. He pays for it all him self and lives a happy life. He is not married (says he doesn't want to share his stuff lol) and is find with it but has an active social life . He is an awesome guy and I'm sure you are too. The funny thing that I read is that she said that you'll "never going to find a partner if I don't grow up"... As if that is the meaning of life or something. You be you, and anyone that doesn't understand... Just brush that off.

[Tami]

I live with my father and have my own bedroom. I decided to do my bedroom with a superhero theme. I have posters and pictures of superheroes. I have action figures and little statues of heroes. I have Marvel curtains. My dad is very supportive of this. He lets me know about superhero tv shows that I might like, buys me posters and action figures for Christmas. He said it is a hobby that makes me happy and that is good enough for him. But my aunt moved in about a month ago. She is recovering from an illness and is trying to get back on her feet financially. At times she makes little coments on how I need to grow up and stop reading comics and collection figures because it is a childs hobby.

Well today was a bad day for the two of us. I have a small bedroom and because of this I have a twin bed. I got tired of looking at my plain boring bedding so I ordered an Avengers sheet set and Spiderman comforter. I saw them and thought these look really cool and will add some color to my bedroom. Man she went nuts. Telling me that was the line. I am acting like a child. I am 38 and need to grow up. I am never going to find a partner if I dont grow up. I got tired of hearing this and we yelled back and forth for a few minutes.

No I am not dumb. I know a grown man having superhero bed sheets is a little odd. But its what makes me happy. So I dont understand why she flipped out the way she did.

Do you guys ever get hate for being a nerd or having a nerdy hobby?

If you behave responsibly, if you have a job or are going to school, if in every other sense you are acting like a mature adult, then that is the only thing that matters. If sleeping on superhero bedsheets makes you happy, then go for it. Life is too short to allow anyone to take away your happiness.

My husband and I, before and after we got married, spent hours together playing arcade and computer games. I introduced him to Manga and Anime and he got hooked on it. We both share a love of stuff like that, that doesn't make us any less adult. And we are both significantly older than you are.

[Joker]

But my aunt moved in about a month ago. She is recovering from an illness and is trying to get back on her feet financially.

I think context is important here. Your aunt obviously isn't going through the best patch in life, and is likely misdirecting anger at you. She may also have genuine concern for you, and because of her situation, be expressing it in the wrong way.

Not to take her side, but people are complex and don't always realize why they're doing things.

She also definitely doesn't understand the popularity and acceptance of "nerd culture" with generations younger than her.

[Crazy Diamond]

I think context is important here. Your aunt obviously isn't going through the best patch in life, and is likely misdirecting anger at you. She may also have genuine concern for you, and because of her situation, be expressing it in the wrong way.

Not to take her side, but people are complex and don't always realize why they're doing things.

She also definitely doesn't understand the popularity and acceptance of "nerd culture" with generations younger than her.

Sounds about right. That being said in my culture acting like that is very rude. Your relatives open their home to you when you are in need and your response is to needle and criticize them? That's terrible and unacceptable. At least she apologized.

I can't recall the last time I ever got **** for liking comics and video games. I got made fun of moreso for how I dressed, social awkwardness, not being straight, and not fitting in a conservative area but reading comics got me positive attention once in awhile. This was around the time that nerd culture was becoming mainstream though with movies like Spider-Man 2 and Batman Begins and manga was becoming more popular too.

[Blunt Guy]

Your aunt sees that you are 38 years old, single, living with your Dad, in a superhero themed bedroom. Regardless of what people here tell you, that definitely gives the appearance that you've never grown up. Having a home with a comic room is something most people can appreciate (whether they understand it or not). Being almost 40 with a superhero bedroom at your Dad's house isn't the same thing. It's no different than an adult decorating a bedroom in a sports theme or cars, or a similar interest. Tell your aunt that she took your space if she keeps nagging you. Don't bring any dates home either if you like them. People have changed their view on comics in general, but not to that extent. Get your own place with a spare room, fix up that room to the max, and spend all your time in there. Get a nice comforter set, some curtains, and a couple of non-superhero pictures for your bedroom.

[Handsome men don't lose fights]

Your aunt sees that you are 38 years old, single, living with your Dad, in a superhero themed bedroom. Regardless of what people here tell you, that definitely gives the appearance that you've never grown up. Having a home with a comic room is something most people can appreciate (whether they understand it or not). Being almost 40 with a superhero bedroom at your Dad's house isn't the same thing. It's no different than an adult decorating a bedroom in a sports theme or cars, or a similar interest. Tell your aunt that she took your space if she keeps nagging you. Don't bring any dates home either if you like them. People have changed their view on comics in general, but not to that extent. Get your own place with a spare room, fix up that room to the max, and spend all your time in there. Get a nice comforter set, some curtains, and a couple of non-superhero pictures for your bedroom.

He shouldn't have to get his own place if he and his father are HAPPY. He also shouldn't have to rent an entire house for the express purpose of camouflaging his interests. Dude's an honest taxpayer living a life he enjoys. More power to him. If his Aunt had any suggestions worth hearing, she could try applying them to her own situation. Because there's a big difference between being a man with a job choosing to live alongside his father, and an unemployed sister choosing to live off her brother's generosity.

[babyblob]

Your aunt sees that you are 38 years old, single, living with your Dad, in a superhero themed bedroom. Regardless of what people here tell you, that definitely gives the appearance that you've never grown up. Having a home with a comic room is something most people can appreciate (whether they understand it or not). Being almost 40 with a superhero bedroom at your Dad's house isn't the same thing. It's no different than an adult decorating a bedroom in a sports theme or cars, or a similar interest. Tell your aunt that she took your space if she keeps nagging you. Don't bring any dates home either if you like them. People have changed their view on comics in general, but not to that extent. Get your own place with a spare room, fix up that room to the max, and spend all your time in there. Get a nice comforter set, some curtains, and a couple of non-superhero pictures for your bedroom.

Icant really get my own place, My father is disabled and I take care of him. I am his caretaker. So its not like I am some unemployed person living with my father and spending all of my time reading comics. My comics hobby is something I do in my spare time. And it helps me unwind from the stress of being my fathers caretaker.

[Javasaurus]

Icant really get my own place, My father is disabled and I take care of him. I am his caretaker. So its not like I am some unemployed person living with my father and spending all of my time reading comics. My comics hobby is something I do in my spare time. And it helps me unwind from the stress of being my fathers caretaker.

You're a good person, in my book. Being a caregiver is no easy task. More power to you; and enjoy your hobby.

[Mia]

Icant really get my own place, My father is disabled and I take care of him. I am his caretaker. So its not like I am some unemployed person living with my father and spending all of my time reading comics. My comics hobby is something I do in my spare time. And it helps me unwind from the stress of being my fathers caretaker.

I would rather you unwind with a good comic book. Than use other people's coping mechanism, drugs, weed, alcohol or junk food or watching mindless entertainment. Or even worse lashing out in anger and frustration.

SH comics are a bit mainstream now, But I remember years ago a poster talking about how the same people who laugh at him for reading comic books. Are the same people who like read John Grisham, Daniel Steel and Stephen King.

Like Prospero...I love my books! My main reasons for collecting comics books is to read about the qualities I admire in men and women. Bravery, discipline, responsibility and acting like a fully fledged grown up and human being. I have learned and absorbed more from reading SH comic books than most self-help books.