What do your parents, girlfriends, boyfriends, ect think?

[Sammyantha171]

Heh, my parents are still getting over my coming out as trans. I'm still not sure whether being a mermaid will be easier for them to deal with.
I've actually been super shy about it so far though, I've only told one other person.

[teeth4u]

My boyfriend has been so supportive and accepts every part of me. I've told some of my friends about it but I usually down play in order to not bring too much attention to it. My mother hates it. It's really sad and I believe I've posted about before. She does not accept it and I don't know if she ever will. I don't tell her about any of my mermaid adventures. When she asks I just say nothing is new because I know if I tell her everything I'm doing she will get mad. It has caused so many problems between us in the past and will continue to do so if I tell her about it. She is very conservative and does not approve of any sort of cosplay for anyone over the age of 12.

[Skytroque]

I figure being new here it don't hurt to chime in either.
The merfolk stuff, as with most cosplay, my family really doesn't get. Whether the SCA, my go-to Doctor McNinja cosplay, or Sith, they're mostly apathetic towards it...at least since I keep it relatively inexpensive thus far...dropping over 1000 on a nicer tail might draw unwanted attention though. I've come to deal with it as I'm more the black sheep of the family. As far as the (I guess for me) merman stuff goes, most of my friends are pretty on board with it. My best friend who I've known for...14 years now answered me with "You suck. I'm jealous." when I told her I'm trying to get into it. I conscripted one friend into coming along at DragonCon for the Mer lessons there, and she loved it, looking into getting a fabric tail now. I like swimming, albeit not terribly good at it depending on your angle...I never did get the breathing down right for the breast stroke, but I'm fine with Butterfly...doesn't make sense to me either. As for girlfriend? Well, file under "not applicable" lol. In the future, as long as she wouldn't be militantly against it, it's good, I think.

[jvry8c]

Only a few people really know about my interest and passion for merfolk. I try to down play it and am somewhat nervous about letting most people know. Mermen are somewhat on the fringe I think. My family is rather judgmental so I have kept it mostly hidden from them. They tend to think of me cosplaying as a waste of time and money rather than a hobby.

[Mermaid Sirenia]

My friends are my biggest fans, they've supported me from the very beginning and attempt to come to all of my events. I'm so lucky to have friends like them

[Mermaid Sirenia]

Also one of my friends now introduces me like "this is my friend the real live mermaid"

[Vrindavana Starfish]

Also one of my friends now introduces me like "this is my friend the real live mermaid"

Awesome! That feels good. My husband told someone over the weekend that I was a real mermaid. I don't even have a tail. This, and "You look like an elf from Lord of the Rings" have to be two of the best compliments I've ever received.

[PhaylennMurúch]

my husband has always known about my affinity to water, one of the first real conversations we ever had was late one night at HSU, I was playing in the art quad fountain and he scared the bejeezus out of me 'cause he walks quietlike and I was not paying attention.

The first day I had my tail, I was in it watching TV after the boys were in bed. He came home from work, looked at me, laughed and said "it was only a matter of time". He then suggested that we carve out weekly swim time for me so I could go more than once a month

[Nyx]

Also one of my friends now introduces me like "this is my friend the real live mermaid"

Same here!

I'm pretty straight forward with being a mermaid. I think it has something to do with the fact that if anyone gets me talking about mermaids or swimming I'll keep talking and talking until it comes out.
It has gotten to the point where my floor in my college hall knows me as 'the mermaid'. I've even had people tell me that they add on "the one that's a mermaid" after my name so others know who they are talking about (There are so many Sara's here. SO many).

My mother and my boyfriend are probably the most supporting ones. Mom is pretty much my 'manager', so to speak, she finds any way possible to advertise me to her friends and co-workers (even though I'm not doing gigs yet). Sometimes I think I'd sink without her there! (pun intended )
My boyfriend loves it and is super curious about it! So much so that he's coming with me to NC Merfest next year .

[Merman Chatfish]

Only my cousin and 2 friends know about my interest in merfolk stuff, none of my parents do...it was bad enough just telling my mom I am a nudist. No girlfriend right now but I hope to eventually find someone I can swim with.

[Mermaid Jaffa]

My family still thinks its weird and not something a 40 year person does, they've finally accepted it as my form of exercise. They can see that I'm stronger in terms of health and body. Though they think its just a phase. My Mum thinks I should do kids parties, she always says I get on so well with my niece and nephew, but bleh! I had to tell her that's because they're related, I have no choice!

The rest of the relatives think I've gone bananas. Idc what they think, I'm doing it for my enjoyment, its got nothing to do with entertaining, or going with somebody else's ideals on what middle aged people should be doing, or not doing.

[MermaidRuby]

My boyfriend has called me "His Goddess" from the beginning of our relationship, so me being a mermaid wasn't that big of a stretch for him. The only problem was that he's terrified of water and can't swim worth for crap. He sinks like a stone! But, I love him anyway. (July Update:So much so, that I accepted his propsal of marriage on July 4th!)

My Dad is ok with it, because he knows thats just me. I've always been an odd duck. I plan to drop about a good $600 to $700 on a neoprene tail from Mermaid Morticia and my mom blew up about it, calling such an expense "incredabily stupid" and I shouldn't invest in something like that until my birthday party business has more bookings than just the one booking I have right now. Mom just doesn't really get it. She is supportive of me in pursuing my dream, even helped me figure out all the technical issues in being a mermaid entertainer. But, it always comes back to the cost of the hobby. My brother is indifferent to it, but he thinks the same way as my mom: I souldn't blow so much money on a tail. My friends, who only number at about 6 of them, are all super supportive. they know that when Im passionate about something, its because it makes me feel normal and gives me joy. So, even though I know she'll never see this, thank you Gracie for supporting me. You've been my best friend since the 5th grade and were one of the first people who treated me simply as a complete person and not some persone with Asperger's Syndrome. Thank you for letting be myself.

[MermaidSaph]

My parents are nowhere near supportive...Whenever I even mention mermaids (or My Little Pony, Doctor Who, Sherlock, all that good stuff) my mom gives me this look, and (every time!) says, "You are overly obsessed with this! You know you're going to grow out of it, right?" She won't let me bring it up after that. Oh well. One good thing, though! My parents said they'll let me get my monofin soon! (I think I just bugged them too much...) Hopefully when I make friends here, they'll at least let me talk about it. Fins crossed!

[Princess Kae-Leah]

My mom has always been very supportive, even taking my mer-pictures and attending a mer-meetup with me. My dad however isn't as into it, I think it's his generation, he's just not familiar with the cosplay community and all that stuff.

[MerMaisy]

My mom is supportive. My sister thinks Mermaiding is the coolest thing ever. She's like my little publicist lol. My bf is becoming a merman. It's adorable. So far I haven't come across anyone who thinks its that weird other than a friend who I'm not friends with anymore for other reasons. I'm hoping to keep my mermaiding experiences positive like they have been so far

[stellar lee]

I recently showed my mom a Merfin. We had been going through photos of coral that she took from a glass-bottom boat off of the barrier reef. I was telling her the different species, and finally asked how I knew it all. I finally said "mom, you know I'm a mermaid." Her response completely stunned me. She said "honey, I'm so glad you're rediscovering your roots."

My boyfriend, on the other hand... he doesn't get it at all. I love him dearly, and it won't be a deal breaker, but... How much I spend is my busines, but as he says, it is as alien to him as a big, plush, furry suit.

[OceanWhisper]

I recently showed my mom a Merfin. We had been going through photos of coral that she took from a glass-bottom boat off of the barrier reef. I was telling her the different species, and finally asked how I knew it all. I finally said "mom, you know I'm a mermaid." Her response completely stunned me. She said "honey, I'm so glad you're rediscovering your roots."

My boyfriend, on the other hand... he doesn't get it at all. I love him dearly, and it won't be a deal breaker, but... How much I spend is my busines, but as he says, it is as alien to him as a big, plush, furry suit.

omg what your mum said is gorgeous! I'm sure your boyfriend will adjust to the idea also, he may just need a little time ^.^

[mermaidnereida]

I recently went out with someone and told him straight out on the first date that I'm a mermaid. He was delighted and thought he was very lucky to meet one. After a month of hanging out, I had to leave the country. I told him I was glad to meet him. He said- I am so happy to have met you too. It's not everyday that one gets to meet a beautiful mermaid.- My heart melted, of course. Haha!

[Dannia]

Most of my friends think that my mermaiding is neat and enjoy learning things I tell them, but my partner thinks I'm weird and it's just another one of my little obsessions I'm going through and will grow out of it in time. I doubt that will happen. He does think saving up and spending thousands on a silicone tail is crazy. That's why I shall use fabric tails for awhile. When he sees it is something I really enjoy doing and going to stick with it, a silicone tail won't be such a big deal.