Hello Kitty question

Oh damn. I shop at the store in the NPR story, though my vice is mainly restricted to http://www.lazyjuice.com/!/kogepan/.

I disagree- the "Hello Kitty" thing is as much about showing your devotion as it is having it.

I don't think it's really comparable to wearing Hilfiger. The Hello Kitty phenomenon in women is more in line with that of adult men who read comic books and go to comics movies, IMHO. At least, I see that behavior in men of the same personality type and same demographic as I see the Hello Kitty behavior in women. It's something about being able to explore and finally own the fantasies of your childhood, but with an adult's monetary resources.

Is it any worse than people who go through life decked out in Sean John, Tommy Hilfiger, or any other ubiquitous logo? I think those folks are just as "immature". It's all a matter of perspective.

If you're staying in, you can listen to Hello Kitty cassettes while writing letters on your Hello Kitty stationery with Hello Kitty pens. Or you could watch Hello Kitty videos on your Hello Kitty television. Later, you can play Hello Kitty computer games on your Hello Kitty notebook PC, a pink Fujitsu-made computer with Hello Kitty on the lid and on the screensaver. And if you're going shopping with your Hello Kitty International Mastercard, you could drive to the stores in your limited-edition Hello Kitty Daihatsu Mira, with its Hello Kitty sunvisor Hello Kitty hubcaps, Hello Kitty steering wheel and sprinkling of Hello Kitty faces around the bodywork (about 200 cars a month have been sold since it went on sale in Japan in January). Don't forget the Hello Kitty http://users.vectorstar.net/~jim/wtf.html.

OK, it is really crazy for a grown woman to like Hello Kitty and all of her gear? Is there a support group for this? Well, it's OK if you're Asian. I actually knew an Asian girl who felt jealous when she saw other people similarly obsessed...

I'm with crabintheocean - whilst it indeed is not crazy, it does come at a cost. And regrettably, because of the general unacceptability in western society of childish behavior or strong symbols of childhood in adult life, that price is often the respect of your peers. Also, do bear in mind that - as reflected by my earlier post - going a bit Hello Kitty wild is to a certain degree simple gluttony, shrouded in a thin plastic veil with a hair clasp. And no matter how cute that gluttony may be, it's gluttony nonetheless, which ironically is rather unattractive. So yeah - not crazy, but I don't think you're really doing yourself any favors either....

Like others have said, I don't think it's weird unless it interferes in your life to a substantial degree. I'm 26 and I love Harry Potter. I read all the books, see the movies, discuss Potter theories, although only with fellow like-minded Potter fans, discussing it with a co-worker or a stranger would be a little weird, I agree, although anyone I date ultimately should be a Potter fan. Just kidding (but it would be a plus in their favor!) I even collect the Harry Potter Trading cards. Does that make me an addict? I don't think so. I pay my regular bills before I buy Potter stuff, I don't steal to support my "habit". And I'm perfectly aware of where the real world begins and the Potter world ends.

It's never too late to have a happy childhood!