Do you ever feel judged?

I wear anime shirts all the time, have a degree in electronics, and talk about games and anime passionately. To my co-workers, they couldn't care less what I think. Hell, most people judge me for it. I don't understand the stigma. I've had people say I'm attractive but that because I watch "cartoons" and play games, they wouldn't date me. They want someone serious. It kind of hurts. I play games to relieve stress from work. I stream on twitch so I have friends to talk to. I watch anime because the stories actually impact me more than any movie can. I'm just wondering how everyone else here feels about the situation. I've given up finding a relationship in this town because I'm crucified before people get to know me.

that sounds rough :/ i think you should keep yourself open to any relationships in that town that may come your way just in case, but ofcourse without forsaking your passions personally iv never felt ashamed for liking anime, even when people have tried to make me feel ashamed i was made fun of for bringing a naruto headband to school but i didnt care because it was kool and i liked it if someone made fun of me for liking anime or cartoons i dont think id give a shit because its nothing to be ashamed of its like making fun of someone who watches football because "sports are dumb" it makes no sense xD as for the 'stigma' i guess when your older people who dont know what anime really is just see it as cartoons and being immature, these same people probz laugh at family guy still but yeah guess all i can say is logically theres no season to feel ashamed for enjoying something that is really interesting and varied hell, if anything your more cultured to enjoy foreign entertainment :P maybe think of it that way? sorry if my rambling didnt help ;~; god speed!

Not really, oddly enough a lot of people I meet seem to not really think much of the fact that I'm into anime, video games and whatnot. Hell some think it's pretty cool. Especially when they find out I speak Japanese and whatnot. I never really held that part of me back when it comes to other people honestly. I don't go maximum weeb but like if the conversation goes to like what my interests are, I'll tell them about it. Ironically if I'm honest I've felt more judged by other anime fans at conventions and whatnot at times, I guess because I don't look like a typical anime fan or something people just assume I'm just another black dude that only watches battle shounen anime or something lmao.

It's not so much feeling ashamed. It's more along the lines of feeling misunderstood. As far as speaking Japanese, I'm learning how to read/write Hiragana and Katakana right now. Getting better at it. Figure it'll help for when I learn the words.

There was definitely a time in the past when I felt pretty embarrassed about liking anime/manga in high school and early college. But eventually I realized that anime is a form of art just like any sort of entertainment out there and you really shouldn't care what other people think. Various people like different things, but If they want to have that sort of mindset without even giving it a chance? Then it's their loss really. What really matters is what you think about it. If you're truly passionate about anime/manga then hey, you're allowed to like it and nothing should stop you regardless of what other people say. There's so many amazing works out there, and phenomenal films like what Studio Ghibli has produced for years.