How do you deal with the "bad" part of your fandom?

[AbsoluteVirtue18]

I'm a Final Fantasy fan, so even discussions about "Who's you favorite character?" devolve into "I think every game after (Fill in Game) ruined the series" or "The most recent game ruined the series" or "(Fill in Blank) is overrated."

It's like that even here. I ignore them on the internet and laugh in their face in public.

 

[Fridge]

It's an unfortunate truth that when any group gets large enough it gets, well, assholes, in it. Or sometimes there not exactly jerks but, in general people you are embarrassed to be associated with.

So how do you deal with the "bad" part of your fandom?

For example as a fan of games, I have to deal with being lumped in with the XBL trolls. Or for a more specific case, as a fan of old school final fantasy, I get lumped in with the "newer" final fantasy crowd.

It's not just Vidja games either. You tell someone you support "x political party" you then are associated with the more. extreme, members of said party.

There are two fandoms that I get tarred with the same brush by. One is gaming and the other is music.
In the rare instance that I feel I have to defend gaming I usually point out its advantages e.g; While visiting my Mum we were discussing a recent purchase I'd made (the deposit on Fallout Vegas Collectors Set). She said that it was a waste of money and there was no need to spend so much on so little. I pointed out that if you look at it in a money per hour way that my purchase works out cheaper since I will spend £60 and get over 70 hours of enjoyment out of it.
This arguement actually had her conceed and even reevaluate what she thought of my hobby.
As for music, I have dreadlocks and listen to rock music OBVIOUSLY this means I smoke weed right? Wrong. But its amazing how many people treat you as a freak or try to buy/sell weed to or from you. In that case I just ignore them.

 

[Eric the Orange]

It's an unfortunate truth that when any group gets large enough it gets, well, assholes, in it. Or sometimes there not exactly jerks but, in general people you are embarrassed to be associated with.

So how do you deal with the "bad" part of your fandom?

For example as a fan of games, I have to deal with being lumped in with the XBL trolls. Or for a more specific case, as a fan of old school final fantasy, I get lumped in with the "newer" final fantasy crowd.

It's not just Vidja games either. You tell someone you support "x political party" you then are associated with the more. extreme, members of said party.

Anyone worth their salt should be able to make or at the very least understand the distinction between certain parts of said fandom.

I often insult Xbox for my impression of its memebers, that doesn't mean I'm oblivious or ignorant to the fact that there are many who aren't immature pricks.

I did say "trolls", not just XBL players.

 

[Dango]

Well most of the people in the "bad" portion of anime fans are the ones who do cosplay and such, so I respect them, since dressing up as a random anime character and walking around takes quite a bit of bravery. I suppose the other portion of "bad" anime fans are the ones who watch ecchi anime and hentai, to which I respond with a facepalm, oddly enough I don't really think anything of them, though, I mean it's just a hobby.

 

[Kurokami]

It's an unfortunate truth that when any group gets large enough it gets, well, assholes, in it. Or sometimes there not exactly jerks but, in general people you are embarrassed to be associated with.

So how do you deal with the "bad" part of your fandom?

For example as a fan of games, I have to deal with being lumped in with the XBL trolls. Or for a more specific case, as a fan of old school final fantasy, I get lumped in with the "newer" final fantasy crowd.

It's not just Vidja games either. You tell someone you support "x political party" you then are associated with the more. extreme, members of said party.

Anyone worth their salt should be able to make or at the very least understand the distinction between certain parts of said fandom.

I often insult Xbox for my impression of its memebers, that doesn't mean I'm oblivious or ignorant to the fact that there are many who aren't immature pricks.

I did say "trolls", not just XBL players.

And I can read, what's your point?

(Not trying to be a dick here, but I've no idea why you said that when I was talking about my impression of XBL players and how people should be able to differ between the dicks (or as you called them trolls, I hope you weren't correcting that) and the rest of the players)

 

[KezzieZ]

I just go about my business and try not to get wrapped up in any stereotypes/trolling.

Also, I try not to rub my preferences in cinema/books/games/whatever on people. I'm cool with people doing whatever it is their thing is as long as they don't have that annoying over-opinionated "I'm right and you're wrong" vibe going on (like that fans with a "die for our ship" attitude or something).

 

[deathninja]

I tell them that Rob fucking Halford is gay, so shut your goddamn stupidity spout.

Ah, the man (or God, depending on your opinion) who fooled the whole metal community in the 80's into copying the gay 'skins' movement.

It always makes me chuckle when people get so bent out of shape over that.

 

[Something Amyss]

Who is still what? Oh, I used was, didn't I?

Shit, hate it when I do that. I was just writing something about Dio, so I was in a "was" mood.

I was just being nitpicky for the sake of humour.

I also took your point. I find it funny when guys who dress like leather daddies run around calling people "faggots," too.