My name is LX and I'm a pokeholic

[Ledian_X]

Dodgy title isn't it? I just got back from the Diamond/Pearl boards and there was a few people antzy about various aspects of the game such as the American named for Manene and Manuyla. So, That got me thinking about making a topic asking the important question: Why do you care what people think?

Seriously, there are people here on SPP who apparantly are scared to go into Gamestop or something to buy a Pokemon game, afraid to talk about it at school and even play it sometimes. It's just a game! It isn't crack/cocaine/estacy or whatever. You got to get over yourselves.

I realize a lot of you are kids but seriously, are you going to let this run your life? So what if you buy a game. The games aren't that bad. I bought Pokemon Trozei when it came out. The lady didn't batt an eyelash and she was probably about my age. I draw Pokemon pics for my cousins and their friends like it.

So, why do you have to be afraid of being a pokemon fan? It's almost like people are "in the closet" so to speak. If someone teases you about it, ignore it and walk away. If a friend does it, then they probably aren't a friend. Yes, the anime is babyish but come on, you don't have to hide. That's being ridiculous.

Pokemon isn't illegal and you should go to Japan and see for yourself what the game's like there. The games are for everyone as the ESRB rating says.

People my age play the game and we're respected by friends. If you're not mature enough to hndle someone playing a game that's "kiddie" perhaps you shouldn't play video games at all. I mean the genre's been around since I was a kid. I'm 27 and still, you shouldn't let people dictate your lives.


End of rant. Will take any questions.

LX

 

[klonoa]

YOu could go to pokeholics anonymous? But we're here for you!

 

[Astinus]

*stands up from metal folded chair* My name is Hanako, I'm a Pokéholic, and I'm wearing a bad suit.

People around me think that I'm cute for liking Pokémon. They find it a bright part of the day in work, which is where I see all of these people, when I bring a little plushie, or wear a shirt.

I'm ninteen. I go into stores, and I buy Pokémon toys. (I even buy Krypto toys, and those were made by Fisher-Price!) I don't care what people think of me. It's not like I'm going to see those cashiers in the store again.

So, in summary, I don't give a hoot. *sits down*

 

[octoboy]

You're a pokeholic? Me too! Sweet!

 

[~Shining-Metagross~]

The whole idea is that the little kids are too afraid it will "Damage" thier rep. Big woop, my school knew I was playing it, and they were like "MEH, whatever". I had no rep to begin with anyways.

 

[Timid Kyogre]

*Jumps and waves* Hi there! My name is TK, and I enjoy playing the Pokemon game. Actually, I play it everyday with my little brother and got my halfsister into it, and she happens to be twenty-one.

At my old school, everyone knew I liked it. My two best friends liked it too, so YAY. I'm not scared if anyone found out, really. If they were all "wtf..." I'd say "Well, you cry when you break your nail. "

I moved to the school I'm in now this year. A few girls know, and one reason I don't want everyone to know is that it won't change anything and well...it doesn't matter so yeah, don't care if they found out.

Also, my halfsister had no problem buying the Emerald game at the store. Actually, she calls me sometimes just to say "Hey, I'm stuck in blahblahblah. How can I defeat blahblahblah?" (she lives somewhere else, since well, she's married)

~Timid Kyogre

 

[Cucco-Cojiro]

As someone who used to be a closet player, I would like to suggest a theory as to why some of us fans are afraid of admitting our fandom to others.

I believe it is the same reason that public speaking is feared by so many people. When one gets up on stage and speaks, there is a chance they will make a mistake and be ridiculed. Though that chance is low, it is still there and some people fear it. Why? Because some people don't have the skill set to deal with it. Instead of defending themselves, they will take the insults personally, which lowers their self-esteem.

The same goes with pokemon. Fans know pokemon isn't that popular anymore, especially among older kids. So there is a chance of ridicule if a fan tells others about their pokemon games. Some fans will brush it off, knowing other peoples opinions don't matter. However, some fans don't have that skill set, and they will take the ridicule personally. To avoid this, these fans will hide their fandom from others, thus protecting their self-esteem.

In closing, the whole idea of hiding pokemon fandom is to prevent akward and embarassing situations, which lower self-esteem. So let's all be nice to closet players, and let's not make fun of them, (not saying you are, just making a point,) because that will lower thier self-esteem. Instead, let's be encouraging and accept them for who they are.

/[end rant]

 

[Kalosian]

I talked with a little with one of my best friends about pokemon today. He said it was "Not very serious" & that i should waste my time on something else instead.

Why i care what people thinks? Well, one of the reasons to that i joined this forum was that i don't know very many perons in real life that plays pokemon. But almost everyone at my school hates me, so it doesn't really matter if they know that i play pokemon or if they don't.

 

[Abraace]

Meh...once you leave school no one gives a toss. I'm at University, aged 20, run a Pokemon web comic, and people around me have recently started playing it more because of my influence. A lot of closet players seem to come out when they know I like it too.

At school, pretty much everyone knew I was into it...I didn't really care tho. I was one of the unpopulars, but I was the most popular of the unpopulars, so I was at the top of the unpopular food chain. In otherwords, the bullies picked on people who were weaker willed than myself.

Two of my best friends went closet for a 4 year period, until finally confessing to me that they were still into it. Now they're part of my comic series, and we battle fortnightly for fun.

I enjoy being a Pokeholic. Gives me a nice distraction from other stuff that annoys me in the world.

 

[Luna Umbreon]

Wow, I didn't know there was anyone as crazy about Pokemon as me, but I guess I was wrong. ^^;;

Yeah, I'll proudly waltz into Target, Walmart, Toys r Us, and ask the employees where the Pokemon merchandise is. I don't really care what they think of me.

If they think I'm weird, go ahead, they can think that. It's not like they're personal friends or that I know them. -_-

I proudly displayed pictures of Umbreon Fan Art in my locker, yet no one thought I was weird. They got used to my pictures. Some people even asked if I could get a picture of an Umbreon for their personal use.

Anyone that's afraid to tell others about their addiction to Pokemon (or ANYTHING) they should just give it up. Really, everyone has a addiction to something.

 

[klonoa]

Come on guys this is solid gold im a pokeholic too at first it was difficult but i embraced the fact that just a simple game and franchise can be so much fun and bring tonnes of strabgers together to chat and have fun so yeah im a pokeholic but by god im proud of it! *waits for applause*...*if applause doesnt come releases machine gun fire*...

 

[Leon Phelps]

I guess I'll be the minority...

I believe that there is a time and place for everything. Will I walk into a store and buy something poke' related? Maybe. Will I go to school with GBA and whip out my Emerald at lunch? Hell no.

I am in high school right now and at a time in my life that I value my reputation. Compared to some of the other higher echelon students, I attract more positive attention than negative. Personally, I'd rather have a pretty girl clinging to me than spending a lonely afternoon with me and my pokemon. I just feel a lot more comfortable playing in my room and remaining popular at school than trying to show everyone my very private interest.

 

[MachopGirl]

To me, there's nothing wrong with liking Pokemon, no matter what age you're at? I've even met some guys in their 20s who were avid fans of the series. In fact, I still draw Pokemon art either general or *blushes* adult. Nobody even said it was weird to turn various video game or anime characters into Pokemorphs.

Many of my friends accepted me for who I am and they don't care if I like Pokemon.

I mean, people shouldn't make a HUGE deal about what others like. If you like it, no big deal. If you don't, so what!

 

[Evanji Axu]

One of my close friends enjoys it just like I do, and we talk about it freely (her favorite is Absol)

My other close friend is an old-school maniac, so she says they suck nowadays and that everything released in a date that begins with 2 sucks major balls as well.

Evetyone else either doesn't care or is stuck in RBYGSC.

Because I've been the school laughingstock for years, I don't really give a damn about my reputation. It's not like it'll change anything.

 

[intergalactic platypus]

I used to be very ashamed that I liked pokemon, until my friend Kaitlyn yelled it out one day when she was very hyper. I discovered no one looked down on it, and there are several people at my school who have been playing it since they were kids anyway. Now people know that I play the games (though the anime and SPPF remain a secret), and it hasn't hurt my rep in the least

 

[Blueysicle]

When I was in elementary school, there was a bunch of little brats that took every oppertunity to harrass me, or anyone else that liked Pokemon because they thought it was "uncool" or "babish". Up until a few months ago when my friend brought in an Emerald game that he was borrowing, I was pretty much a closet trainer. I then began talking about it with him, even if there was others around. Sure, they laughed at first, but eventually they didn't care.

I didn't really have much of a reputation to begin with, so now I frankly don't care if someone dislikes me because I like something they don't. Sure, they say it's for little kids, but who do they think made Pokemon? It certainly wasn't little kids. And besides, a lot of the people that made fun of me because I liked Pokemon probably liked it themselves at one point.

And yes, I agree that alot of people judge Pokemon too much on the anime. Those people probably don't even realize how good the games are.

 

[Evil Munchlax]

ok i'll admit it i was a closet trainer until like 2003.this one guy made fun of me about it but i didnt care cuz he liked "yu-gi-oh!"so i told him that then he backed off.Me and my best friend love pokemon and heck we get harrased by some of our other friends but we dont care what they care.but not every person who doesnt like pokemon hates it.my gf doesnt like it much but shes cool with the fact that i like it.

 

[Cobalt_Latios]

I remember when the whole thing came in back in 1996, back when everyone liked it. It was very big, until it came crashing a couple years later. Not sure what happened. All that i know, was that i was one of the last survivors of that epic. I still know a few people that know about it, and even someone that now has played the newer versions and likes them. I got harrassed somewhat in eighth grade, but it went away in nineth. I have been playing the games since Gold/Silver, and have liked it ever since it started.

Im not afraid of playing my DS with a Pokemon game, and even use it to repel people who i do not want loitering around my personal space(yes i use Pokemon to repel specific people who i do not want bothering me). I actually didnt play my pokemon games in High School till somewhere in early November(dont know why). Now i play it more and more, and dont give a damn what other people think. Actually, people mind their own business and go about their own lives, which i find particularily interesting. Although i have seen people that has that "thing" that brings a bad name in Pokemon. I am actually capable of talking about the show and the game to a couple of people and they listen. They dont contribute much but as long as they're listening i dont mind.

I am not a closet player, though i do play within the company of other people. I dont collect the cards anymore(though i think i may resume that within late June or something). I have watched nearly every episode since the beginning(though i know i did miss several episodes), and have nearly every movie and special(damn number 8, arrive already will ya!!). I have played every game and will continue to until i die.

I am a 15 going on 16 year old guy who is Canadian, and still likes pokemon. I have watched the show and played the games and collected the cards. I own a few miscellaneous pokemon things aswell.

I AM A POKEHOLIC AND PROUD OF IT!! (maybe a tad over the edge, i think)

-C_L-

 

[Leumas]

I kinda helps if when you are trying to avoid damaging your reputation, to not have a reputation. Who cares that I like Pokemon? I couldn't care less if people think less of me because of what I enjoy doing. It's my life and if I want to play Pokemon, I'll play Pokemon and to all those people who think less of me because of it, you can just get over it!

My name is Leumas, and I'm a Pokeholic!

Leumas

 

[Eszett]

This is Andrew speaking; I'm not a Pokeholic.

I'm a Pokemon fan, but I consider this such a small facet of my life that I don't bother to make a mention of it. It's simply a game that I enjoy, nothing more to it. There are bigger fish to fry in life. Even so, I haven't played the games in the longest time - as to why I feel that I've said too many times already. Nevertheless, being the fan of the franchise as I am, I'm excited for Diamond and Pearl and what it has to offer to the community.

The reason I don't display my fandom so much is that I wouldn't consider myself a Pokeholic. Sure, I may be a frequent poster at a Pokemon forum, and I'm planning to go to the JAA, but the games themselves take up little of my time. I daresay my interests lie mainly within academics and politics, and while I do have a respectable repetoire of knowledge on certain video games, it's not something I like to make a big deal about. If somebody finds out that I like the games, so let it be. Considering how many people like me for non-Pokemon-related reasons, I highly doubt that these people would sever their friendships with me for this petty fact, and if they do I know very well that those people were never friends to begin with.

There are plenty of secrets we keep to ourselves - our sexuality, our promiscuity, our religious beliefs, our medical record, the list goes on. Doubtless there are many secrets my friends and compadres about which I don't even know since they are too shy or afraid to come out with them; however, most of the time I reckon that it's simply because these people don't consider it a highlight of their life. I might mention it in passing or something, I might get into a discussion with a fellow Pokemon fan, but most of the time I remain quiet about it since it's not that big of a deal.