I find that as long as I keep my anime love, or any hobby for that matter, in perspective people generally aren't creeped out by it. Sure it makes for some less-smooth situations when it comes to making out and my date spots my Visual Arts/Key collection, but did I really want to go on another date if she couldn't handle it?

At work, I've actually been lucky enough to have Otaku office mates and I've even been able to convince one or two "norms" to watch Perfect Blue and read Monster. They might not be jumping into Otaku-dom themselves, but they're cool with what I do.

I wear a T-shirt regularly that says "Everything I know about life I learned from shoujo manga." I've had to explain it a few times. I'm not embarrassed about it, and if my future friends (or girlfriends) are not otaku themselves, they will be tolerant. They know I'm otaku, because it's what I say I'm into when I'm asked what I'm into.
I wouldn't wear a shirt like the one in the picture, but then again that style isn't really my thing when it comes to otakudom.

Move to any East Asian country and your problem will be instantly solved.

I wouldn't be embarrassed when I have guests over my house and they see my room, filled with figurines, manga, and a teru teru bozu. It's just who I am.

I always have some sort of anime merchandise on me, whether it be through phone charms or key rings, but that's probably where I draw the line, especially with people I don't know. I appreciate that they're not shoving their love of football or whatever down my throat so I do the same. However, when it comes to school, I'm a lot more open about it. My friends and classmates know I'm an otaku, and they respect that.

For some reason, I'm jokingly referred to as 'the guy who likes 2D girls'. No idea why.

It's not so much that I try to hide it, but I certainly don't have an urge to bring it up in conversation freqently.

Usually after I get to know someone and realise they're into anime, some new conversation trees open up. If not, then we'll have to find something else to talk about.

I've found that it's healthier to maintain a wide variety of interests, so that I can communicate with people on a more personal level. Undoubtably they'll like at least one of the things I'm interested in, be it anime, games, music, film, or television. Naturally I ask probing questions during conversations in an attempt to get to know people better, but I wouldn't start a conversation with "Hey, so you need to see this episode of Naruto."

It's gotten to the point where people who come over to my house realize that it's part of my job, so I don't really find it embarassing, on the other hand, I'm sure the countless wallscrolls and posters didn't do me any favors in high school. I didn't ever really need any favors, but again, I'm sure they didn't help. I actually used to rock the dragonball shirts back in the mid-90's, but I think I stopped when I realized that they're all kind of ugly. It's not that I don't want to be seen wearing anime related clothing--it's just that most of it really doesn't look fashionable.

I do wear an Iron Chef t-shirt from time to time these days, but even then, I have to admit that it's probably the least attractive piece of clothing I own, or one of.

I never really make any attempt to hide the fact that I'm an otaku. I really love manga, and I'm trying to attain a career in it, so naturally my life revolves around it. I'd rather stand out in a crowd than try to hide what makes me unique.

I would be a total closet case when it comes anime. I don't talk to any one about it and I really don't let any one know I'm in to it. Especially people at school or work. I don't hide it persay, I just don't tell any one about it. My friends don't make it to my apartment all that often because it's rather small (not much room to hang out and party) and I have a cat which most of them are allergic to. When they do make it over though I don't go out of the way to hide my stuff, no one has really noticed my continually growing anime collection, and the few figures and gundam models I have out don't seem to bother any one. In fact some of my friends think the gundams are sort of cool even though they have no clue what they are. To be honest I'm not sure any of them even know I watch anime consistently, although seeing how I have known some of them for quite a long time I'm sure they've probably figured it out by now. As for the clothing I don't own any anime themed shirts or other clothing, although years ago in high school I did have a DBZ shirt, but I never did wear it all that often, I don't even know what happened to it. Most people I talk to don't dig/understand the whole anime thing and don't want to so I leave it alone. If someone does happens to talk to me about it I might respond, it depends on the person though.

I don't hide my anime stuff at all. I go out wearing shirts and that and don't think twice about what people think.
The way I see it, if they're closed minded enough to judge someone on a misguided opinion of their hobby, then I couldn't give a flying what such a shallow person were to think of me.

Tsk...If it wasn't Ilegel...i would carry a real sword and yelling random anime moves in the mall if i could..

But mostly...i would actually wear a ninja headband in public....AND school..lol