Fabric vs silicone tail bias?

[Mermaid Gipsy]

Are kids biased against fabric tails vs silicone tails? Biased meaning not believing or not believing as much as they would with a silicone tail, because silicone looks more "real".

I would hope that having a super realistic silicone tail would eliminate (or at least cut down on) "You're not a real mermaid!" or "You're just wearing a costume!" type comments. Is this true in your experience?

Silicone tails look way more realistic in terms of the tail itself, and hiding the legs/ankles. While my tail itself looks pretty darn realistic patternwise for a fabric tail, the knees still stick out and make it less convincing on land. I blame my boney knees. The seam on the side doesn't look all that real either, nor does the monofin "bump" at the heel, (which happens to be hidden by a convenient shadow in the picture below). I usually just say those are bones and kids are cool with it most of the time.

26455

Another BIG issue is how the fabric clings when wet. It really outlines my legs. This is the worst issue of all, and even happens when I'm wearing tights.

26456

The only option I guess is to stay in the water, but this can be a challenge when kids want you to sit up on the side or on a floatie for whatever reason.

I recently made another thread regarding kids not believing (http://mernetwork.com/index/showthread.php?9956-How-to-deal-with-persistent-non-believers&p=166514#post166514), in which I mention a super passive-aggressive, snarky eight year old who would make comments just shy of "Your tail isn't real because ____", without verbally saying it. She would pick apart every little thing, like seeing/feeling my legs or feet (& touching me without permission and encouraging others to do so to show where my limbs were), and point out my tail's stitching and how it feels like foam (it's plastic and neoprene, btw).

I was wondering if the issues of these seemingly insignificant details that she tried to bring to other's attention would hopefully be cut back with a silicone tail, and thus make it easier to believe, or at least harder to discourage believers.

Not saying those who come in knowing or not believing will be convinced, but it'd give them less issues to bring up. I also wonder if more kids believe silicone tails are real vs fabric simply because of how realistic they look.

Is the realism of the tail itself the determining factor, or is a mermaid a mermaid to a kid, and thus they're equally fooled (for lack of a better word >_>) either way?

Thanks for reading my novel rant, haha. Any input appreciated!

[Elle]

Haters can get screwed. Being a mer isn't dependant on the type of tail you're wearing. My tail isn't even finished yet.
I know that NixeFromTheReef has a fabric tail and I don't think she has had much issue with people (i.e., kids) commenting on whether she's real or not.
When it comes to kids, they either are going to believe or they aren't.

[courtneymermaid]

I have only ever used fabric tails, and though I do come across those comments as well, I don't let it get me down. Like you, I say that my knees and heals are bones and more often than not they go along with it. There will always be a few children (even adults) who like to spoil the magic for others and in some cases I will remind them that imagination is sometimes more important that what's really there. I try to keep a light happy attitude about it and try to be inviting rather than abrupt. I want everyone to experience the wonder and fun! ^_^

Not sure if that was of any help, but fabric-tail fist bump! ^_^

[Shimmer Mermaid]

I haven't tried it yet myself, but I'm big into cosplay, and costuming, and have worried about this also, as I have a fabric tail too.
I recently started making a set of faun/satyr legs with leggings and cushion foam. I was wondering maybe if you could use foam that has been cut down to meet your individual shape and such to put between your legs to prevent the boniness and shaping going on.
It may slow you down though in the water, which I'm not a fan of.
Using duct tape to essentially do the same thing maybe? Just make a duct tape slip for the problem areas such as knees, and shins?
I would use ties, or velcro straps to fasten it to your legs?
Just spit balling.

[Echidna]

You can best compare when two mers with a tail of each are performing together.
In my experience, the children make no difference between the materials.
They either want the fantasy to be real, or no.
And in the latter case, you could have a real prostethic tail surgically surplanting your legs, and they would still nag!

Your last picture, which shows the legs' outline clearly, reminds me of mermaid art where the tail looks like fused legs. There's quite a bit of that around, it's seen in statues too.
There might be even more fused (or not even fully fused) leg mermaid art around than those with a solid fishtail!

The "I can see your knees!"-meme is rather recent :p

[Triton-Mahtlinnie]

I had a fabric tail and they pointed out the stitching in my fluke. Then I got a realistic cast latex tail and they felt it and went "this is made of rubber!"

There's no winning sometimes.

[Theobromine]

Agreed....I have a silicone tail and kids still tell me it feels like rubber. So many kids seem to love telling me I'm not real! I even had a four year old boy yell at me once telling me I was FAKE, before his very embarrassed and apologetic father came and rushed him away.

I don't like children.

[Theobromine]

On the flip side, before I got my tail or even had my fabric tail, I used to swim in my Rapid all the time (had it for like two years before ever getting a tail) and kids would always ask me if I was a mermaid :P WTF kids

[merstorm]

wait I am not a mermaid bloody heck hehehe all creatures have some sort of struture. I am fat and old just means i lived a long time and i love to cook. hehehe

[courtneymermaid]

@Theobromine: Haha! I totally hear you! I get that all the time! Kids get so curious about my Rapid, the Aquarius or even just plain flippers! Then there is the odd kid when I'm in costume who likes to pull the "Your not a real mermaid!" card... I like to smile it off and maybe pretend like I'm really confused like, "Wait! I'm not real!? Are you sure!? You can see me right!? Whew... I was worried there for a sec haha!" and that usually gets a giggle or two!

[MermaidBonnie]

I think it makes a difference to the children. I've experienced this. The ones who like to point out we aren't real....well I like to converse was with them on the meaning of real, kinda mess with their perception of reality. By the time I'm done doing that they're too confused to call attention any parts of my tail they deem to be fake.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Miyu]

Bonnie, I'm curious, what do you say to that extent? I like those little kinds of mind games that get them questioning reality, LOL! :lol:

[MermaidBrandie]

I've only had one point where a mother stood behind her daughter and pointed out to the daughter how my tail was made. Otherwise I haven't had an issue. It really depends on the kids. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Gipsy]

Wow, thanks for all the input, everybody! I really appreciate every response. :) You all made good points!


Haters can get screwed. Being a mer isn't dependant on the type of tail you're wearing. My tail isn't even finished yet.
I know that NixeFromTheReef has a fabric tail and I don't think she has had much issue with people (i.e., kids) commenting on whether she's real or not.
When it comes to kids, they either are going to believe or they aren't.
That's a pretty good attitude to have in general, especially with an "out there" hobby of mermaiding. There's no convincing some people, so just don't dwell on the negatives.

[Mermaid Gipsy]

I have only ever used fabric tails, and though I do come across those comments as well, I don't let it get me down. Like you, I say that my knees and heals are bones and more often than not they go along with it. There will always be a few children (even adults) who like to spoil the magic for others and in some cases I will remind them that imagination is sometimes more important that what's really there. I try to keep a light happy attitude about it and try to be inviting rather than abrupt. I want everyone to experience the wonder and fun! ^_^

Not sure if that was of any help, but fabric-tail fist bump! ^_^
Fist bump! ^_^
It's really hard (in my mind) to believe that ADULTS will purposely spoil it for children, especially ones that aren't even their own! I've seen it happen, and it's saddening. :( I like the idea to remind them that imagination is what's important! :)



I recently started making a set of faun/satyr legs with leggings and cushion foam. I was wondering maybe if you could use foam that has been cut down to meet your individual shape and such to put between your legs to prevent the boniness and shaping going on.
It may slow you down though in the water, which I'm not a fan of.
Ooooh! I bet they will be awesome! :D Satyrs are a huge obsession of mine. I hope they turn out well!
While that's a nice idea, you're right that it would probably slow me down, and that could be problematic.




You can best compare when two mers with a tail of each are performing together.
In my experience, the children make no difference between the materials.
They either want the fantasy to be real, or no.
And in the latter case, you could have a real prostethic tail surgically surplanting your legs, and they would still nag!
True, true. I didn't think of it that way. Since I work alone currently, I should have no issue of having an "inferior" looking tail. Like you said, the children who do believe want to believe either way, and those who don't, simply won't. It's no use trying to make them.

[Mermaid Gipsy]

Your last picture, which shows the legs' outline clearly, reminds me of mermaid art where the tail looks like fused legs. There's quite a bit of that around, it's seen in statues too.
There might be even more fused (or not even fully fused) leg mermaid art around than those with a solid fishtail !
That's a really cool thought, thanks for that! I have seen that in statues and things. :) I'll have to work that into my character.


The "I can see your knees!"-meme is rather recent :p
Is it? I'm only speaking from personal experience, because I'm going for realism, but I'm sooo boney. :thumbdown:



I had a fabric tail and they pointed out the stitching in my fluke. Then I got a realistic cast latex tail and they felt it and went "this is made of rubber!"

There's no winning sometimes.
Ugh. I cannot agree with that last bit more. There is just no arguing with kids or drunks sometimes. Kids are like mini drunk people, anyway.


I used to swim in my Rapid all the time (had it for like two years before ever getting a tail) and kids would always ask me if I was a mermaid :P WTF kids
A perfect example.


Agreed....I have a silicone tail and kids still tell me it feels like rubber. So many kids seem to love telling me I'm not real! I even had a four year old boy yell at me once telling me I was FAKE, before his very embarrassed and apologetic father came and rushed him away.
That's horrible! I would have been so angry. At least the father was apologetic. Since I wear a cloak in the winter, I've often had kids ask if/tell me I'm a vampire or witch. The parents are usually so embarrassed. :lol:

I usually just say "Well, have you ever felt a mermaid's tail before? What did you expect it to feel like?", when it comes to "this feels like (insert artificial material)!" I often encourage them to feel their own ears, saying it's made of the same stuff (cartilage).

[Mermaid Gipsy]

I am fat and old just means i lived a long time and i love to cook. hehehe
Hehe! ^^


I like to smile it off and maybe pretend like I'm really confused like, "Wait! I'm not real!? Are you sure!? You can see me right!? Whew... I was worried there for a sec haha!" and that usually gets a giggle or two!
That's always a good one. Or insist that they're not a real little boy/girl and their legs are fake.


The ones who like to point out we aren't real....well I like to converse was with them on the meaning of real, kinda mess with their perception of reality. By the time I'm done doing that they're too confused to call attention any parts of my tail they deem to be fake.
Ha! Sneaky! I'll have to try that.


I like those little kinds of mind games that get them questioning reality, LOL! :lol:
Me too! :lol:


I've only had one point where a mother stood behind her daughter and pointed out to the daughter how my tail was made. Otherwise I haven't had an issue. It really depends on the kids. :)
It's so awful in my opinion when parents do shit like that; ESPECIALLY when it's in front of the mermaid/character/performer. At least wait until you're in your own damn space where other kids won't be around. But I'm glad to hear you haven't had a problem other than that. :)

[Nyx]

In my experience, the best thing to do is be quick on your feet. Have an excuse for every single aspect of your tail.
For example: why does your tail get wrinkles? Your elbows get wrinkles when you bend them! so those my tail.
Then there is the whole "those are my bones" argument that explains knees and monofin ridges. And for those kids who touch the tail and say it feels like fabric/rubber, I think the best way to respond is to take it as a compliment and say something like "Thank you! It takes a lot of work to make it feel like that" (Similar to how Aquamarine responds to her tail being slimy); or say that it is the way mermaid tails feels, question the kid if they have ever met another mermaid or touched their tail (that way you change the subject before they have time to keep questioning).

But either way kids are smart, and as it was said above, they will only believe if they want to believe. Just have fun with it!

[Mermaid Wesley]

Omg that's cute. "Your tail feels like fabric" "thanks for noticing! I've been eating a lot of kelp to get it soft!"
Oh! Once I had a little girl think that my tail was like mermaid pants and that my real tail was underneath!! It was so cute!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mermaid Fenicia]

Oh! Once I had a little girl think that my tail was like mermaid pants and that my real tail was underneath!! It was so cute!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That will be because of the Barbie mermaid-movie, they wear fabric tail-covers over their real tails and then Barbie uses one to mingle in with the other mermaids. ;)

[Mermaid Gipsy]

In my experience, the best thing to do is be quick on your feet. Have an excuse for every single aspect of your tail.
For example: why does your tail get wrinkles? Your elbows get wrinkles when you bend them! so those my tail.
Then there is the whole "those are my bones" argument that explains knees and monofin ridges. And for those kids who touch the tail and say it feels like fabric/rubber, I think the best way to respond is to take it as a compliment and say something like "Thank you! It takes a lot of work to make it feel like that" (Similar to how Aquamarine responds to her tail being slimy); or say that it is the way mermaid tails feels, question the kid if they have ever met another mermaid or touched their tail (that way you change the subject before they have time to keep questioning).

But either way kids are smart, and as it was said above, they will only believe if they want to believe. Just have fun with it!

You're absolutely right, and that's a great idea! Especially since it changes the subject. And I must say your profile picture is ADORABLE. @3@



Omg that's cute. "Your tail feels like fabric" "thanks for noticing! I've been eating a lot of kelp to get it soft!"
Oh! Once I had a little girl think that my tail was like mermaid pants and that my real tail was underneath!! It was so cute!
Hahaha! That's adorable! :)

[Mermaid Gipsy]

That will be because of the Barbie mermaid-movie, they wear fabric tail-covers over their real tails and then Barbie uses one to mingle in with the other mermaids. ;)

I haven't seen this movie, but it sounds kinda...silly. Probably cute, though! :)
Speaking of Barbies, I've been looking for a 2002 Mermaid Christie Barbie doll and can't find her at a good price anywhere! I guess since she's kinda old, they're asking $60-$300. Ugh. She's purple (tail and hair) and I had her as a kid. My dad brought her home for me when I was sick with the stomach flu to make me feel better. Ah, memories.