RadioActiveChimp said:
90% of the time when I either tell someone or they hear from someone else that I love anime, they either think I like DBZ or Yugioh/Pokemon or they think I watch porn. And I can't ever convince them otherwise. Anyone else deal with this same problem?
I find that if these people have preconceptions about japanese animation, they probably have preconceptions about other things as well.
I wouldn't say they have a problem with anime, I'd say they have a problem with making generalisations about things they themselves are not interested in. What sticks in their minds is what is most sensational (sex and immaturity is what they remember).
I have alot of similar preconceptions about things like accountancy, I focus on boring number crunching rather than shafting the system and I'm probably missing out on alot of money because of that.
So I say don't try to attack their reasons for not liking anime, they're nebulous reasons and have a habit of changing or multiplying when you pin one down and dismiss it - you'll sound like a fanboy if you do.
Best advice? Dunno, maybe find some common ground, 'yugioh sucks', 'anime hypersexuality is a done-to-death trope', 'spirited away was kinda neat'? Don't try to interest them in anything they haven't already seen.