Are You A Closet Collector?

Missing is "sometimes". Close friends know I collect


Peter

I voted no, but sometimes would be more accurate. I find that most people are not that interested. If someone has questions I try to respond and not get too far into the weeds. Most non collectors, in my experience are interested in how valuable stamps are. The value of my stamps is not my main focus. The value, to me, is the enjoyment and education they have provided me.

Sometimes. Sparingly.

I don't know any stamp collectors in real life, and have never talked about stamps to non-collectors, so literally nobody knows I collect....except the FedEx guy, and the mailman has his suspicions probably. I did find out long after we worked together that a retired colleague has been a prominent philatelist for a long time (director of specialty stamp society, and part-time dealer)...I never would have guessed. He never mentioned stamps at work.

Stamps seem to slowly be coming into the mainstream with social media like tiktok and twitter. I won't name the specific account I'm thinking of, but I quite dislike the cheap crap he peddles to unwitting non-stamp collectors who just think it's cute and niche. He's the type to charge 5$ for 50 worldwide stamps, and people pay because they don't know better. But at least more people are being exposed to how cool stamps are

Sometimes...and the reaction is always "Really?"

I typically do not bring it up but I also do not avoid the subject.
Don

I've talked about going to stamp shows and even posted pictures of some of my purchases on a Japanese pop music forum that I frequent, so I clearly make no secret of my collecting.

I frankly don't get the almost apologetic or embarrassment that I sense from some respondents if, God forbid, someone finds out you are a collector. I don't advertise but if anyone gets to know you at all, your passions, be they motorcycles, classic cars, boats, travel, whatever are going to shine through. After all, that is what makes you unique.

I used to be a closet collector, but I had to get rid of them as my collections of printed matter grew.

I will tell somebody but then I have to dispose of the body.........

Sure, why not? Most people find it interesting (and not a little bit quirky). It is interesting what hobbies people have - my post office guy is an avid rock collector - which I'd never have known if we hadn't started discussing stamps one day.

After 40 yrs believe wife and daughters are beginning to suspect. Must be all the white three-ring binders.

I would vote sometimes. Only if there is a specific reason to tell the person.

I don't go out of the way to tell people, but I don't hide the fact that I do, and quite a few people know that I do. Being retired, if someone asks what I do with my time, I will mention my hobbies and interests that keep me busy.

My first reaction to the thread title, though, was to wonder: you mean there are people who collect closets?