Sports Card Collector Stereotypes

My girlfriend claims I'm a geek and that she doesn't understand why I collect, yet anytime there are packs to be busted she demands to be in on it. Hey, at least there's that :)

As far as the rest of my friends/co-workers go, no one really knows. My best friend does because we both used to collect until he moved away and my co-workers give me crap for it saying things like "oh look at that, a game used piece of cloth with sweat/blood on it!"

Then again, I'm the youngest person in the office by almost 10 years.
 
I think all my friends know. They kind of expect it to be a phase though, like my competitive video game playing (went to nationals), competitive magic card playing (almost went pro) and now hockey cards. I use to do sports, and when I say I don't now, it's just me being humble because I used to be in the pool 6 days a week and now my physical activity is no where close to that of the past. So with that in mind I'd like to think I'm unique... my girlfriend also gets mad when I spend so much time on hockey cards (including these forums) but I got her a puppy and now her time is occupied too :D
 
What I find works is I say, "as kiddish as it may sound..." before i talk about it. you'd be surprised at how many people will then start in on the "really? I have some still in my attic. Is suchandsuch company still around?"

Also, my office has benefitted from my collecting. This year, I brought in a bunch of mini jerseys from 07-08 and offered them up to my co-workers. Almost everyone in the office came by to at least look at them, most of them grabbed pretty quickly.
 
I've always been a little embarrassed by it, because it is a stereotypical nerdy hobby. But I truly believe it is more investing and trading and shouldn't be considered lame. In fact, most of the people I tell that I collect to respond positively(even the girls). The main reaction I get it "Oh, I've got a bunch of baseball cards from the 90's. Are they worth anything." I just shake my head and laugh...

As for the card shows, the dealers here in NY smell fine, for the most part. They are mostly young guys though. Older card store owners, on the other hand, definitely have a comic guy musk.
 
I never get that when it comes to cards. Most of the guys who find out I still collect think its cool. Right now most of my collecting inolves my son so most women think its cool that I do this for my son haha.

I would never hide the fact that I collect. I really could care less what people think of me or my hobbies. I don't judge my friends on their hobbies or likes and dislikes. As for the money part I don't drink (much), I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I don't gamble. I could be spending my money on worst things then cards. Besides my wife its no one elses business where I spend my money. My wife supports or at least understands that I love cards, she is cool with it. I don't question her spending and she returns the favour:)

Try collecting comics now that is where there is MAJOR stereotypes.
 
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At least we don't collect comics, lol.

In all seriousness, who cares what other people think?

Oh yeah, I've been known to collect a comic or two ;)
 
I have an M.A. in Political Science and the highlight of my past weekend was meeting (finally) Michael Ignatieff. Card collecting ranks a distant second on my geek scale. LOL
 
I'm fairly close the the stereotype. I work on computers as a profession. I'm about 6'2" and 275 pounds. I collect cards (199K+), MAD Magazines, coins, Penn State items, books about World War II (European theater) and several TV shows on DVD.

I do bathe regularly and do not have stringy facial hair. I've been married for over 9 years and had regular girlfriends since college (although none in high school). I do NOT now and have never played video games or Dungeons and Dragons (when I was young, I was too busy programming computers and now I work on servers for a living). My wife doesn't care what I spend my "excess" income on as long as she can buy what she wants. I use to play Dek-Hockey before a friend of mine broke his leg in three places and was laid-up for nine months.

Call me a geek, I am what I am.
 
Well i have to say that my wife did draw the line here when I suggested after our wedding, instead of sending thank you cards, we would cut up our wedding outfits and create Jersey cards and sign them for our honored guests.

I still think that would have been a stellar idea..

Oh well...


Meeting Ignatieff is definately cool.. i would rank that high as well.. I always wanted to meet Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chretien...

I will have to settle for meeting the speaker of the house on one occasion lol.

CHeers
 
I collect hockey cards, read comic books, play D&D - pencil and paper kind - as well as other RPGs, a whole host of computer and console games, and have seen Star Wars somewhere north of 200 times. Han shoots first in my world. I know why the number 42 is exalted above all others. I know where my towel is.

I am not only a geek, I revel in it.
 
99goals said:
Meeting Ignatieff is definately cool.. i would rank that high as well.. I always wanted to meet Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chretien...

I will have to settle for meeting the speaker of the house on one occasion lol.

CHeers
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It was a neat little moment, got my picture with him and got him to sign my copy of his book, The Rights Revolution. I've been fortunate enough to meet (your definition of "fortunate" may vary, of course) Brian Mulroney and Paul Martin--quite regularly for Martin back in the day as I was deeply involved with the Liberal Party at one time---over the years, and although I've never shaken hands with John Turner, Jean Chretien, or Stephen Harper, I've been within about 20 feet of all of them.
 
I use to think collecting cards was kinda nerdy. When I first started dating my current girlfriend I didn't mention it for a while but once I did she thought it was cute. Her mom collected cards back the early 90's so I had that whole "Are my cards worth anything?" thing as well. Of course if my girlfriend knew how much some of my cards cost she wouldn't like it that much. :D
 
Another thing is, particularly with my vitage (c55, etc) and game used pieces, when I actually BRING IT to show people, as opposed to just telling them about it, you get a whole other reaction.

The cards from 1911 seem to impress ANYONE. The GU stuff (sticks, pads, jersey, patch) generally only sports fan it seems. Older adults like my parents, aunts, uncles (in their 50 - 60s, as opposed to my 25) also seem to be interested in stuff like the Masterpieces Autos of older players who they remember!
 
Two years ago, I took all the cards I had in my parent's house (that haven't been touched in 15 years) and move them to my new house. I told my parents that I will sold all of them on eBay, but instead, I got hook up to the hobby again.

First of all, I know that collecting cards is illogical. Spending big bucks on carboard pieces featuring males in sweat??? And sorting those in a box without never “using” it????

But what do you want? I work hard and a lot. I earn my money and I have the right to do what I want with it.

And when I pass time with my cards (sorting them, surfing on the Bay or on other collectors web pages, updating my lists) I feel great. I don't think about my personnal problems or job problems. My mind is completly immerge in what I am doing at the moment. And this is precious for me.

That being said, I don't talk about my hobby with my friends. I don't know what is their opinion on the subject, but I don't want to look at their judgemental face if I told them that I collect.
 
card show

Brave said:
That is good to know because I may stop at the White Plains show this weekend.
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damn, I Just missed you, as I came back to school this week. Otherwise, I would def. be at that show. IT is a really good show. You will be pleased. They have lots of hockey sometimes.
 
quincy said:
I collect hockey cards, read comic books, play D&D - pencil and paper kind - as well as other RPGs, a whole host of computer and console games, and have seen Star Wars somewhere north of 200 times. Han shoots first in my world. I know why the number 42 is exalted above all others. I know where my towel is.

I am not only a geek, I revel in it.
Click to expand...

42 has been my hockey/soccer number ever since
i read the book :beer:
 
None of my friends or family think it is weird. Everyone has their vices. Some can be much worse. And about opinions, if someone's opinion doesn't matter to me what would I care what they think?
 
When I go to the P.O. and the people working say "whats in these 42 bubble mailers going to Canada" they look at me funny when I tell them its hockey cards. My friends also think its weird until I told them about all of the autographs and game used pieces. They also stopped making fun of me when I told them how much some were worth. I guess they never really made fun of me. I am Big Ben after all. And the last time I heard the word obtuse was in reference to an angle.
 

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