Let's just face it people, everyone thinks we're crazy. Or horny. Either one. There is so this dichtomy of obsession linked to anime, that it's hard to have it as a hobby...or erm, whatever. Anime is asian, foreign...something that is not friendly in the American market of "protect our children's ears and eyes" and whole propoganda crap that is rampant in our cartoons and animations. (hellooooooooo Disney)...I mean, they edited, ripped and destroyed Cardcaptor Sakura simply because it wasn't American enough???? Have you SEEN the American version? (I KNOW you did not just admit to ever calling Yukito Julian!)
And this has gone on before with so many other animes. But it's not even the prejudice the form of animation has in America already--its also what people THINK of the fans. I myself have been called obsessed and strange and crazy...simply because I watch some anime, have some series in my DVD collection and happen to like to decorate with a little anime splashed on the walls. But no, do I even compare to anyone when I do go to a convention? DO I KNOW WHO HAD WHICH GUNDAM? No...Do I know which Prince of Tennis character is the coolest? No. It seemed even at the anime convention, there was tension for me...it was as if on one side and I should be going because friends who don't watch anime think I'm obsessed...yet on the other side, when I get to the convention, I don't think I should BE there because I obviously don't know enough (who the heck is that...dressed up as that...wearing...WHAT?) 
But there is also the race factor as well...being white I feel strange watching anime when for Asian people (even though they are American Asian, it slips by)...its a part of their culture, ya know? I mean, I'm sure they get ridiculed here too...but they have an explanation for it...I've had people think I'm a hentai because I watch anime. Hello...not watching perverted crap here...please don't group me with those people. And then there is those older people who watch anime...and I mean, that is so cool that they still are into it, but I am afraid for them too...it's like as a older adult would be certainly thought strange for admitting to this hobby. Anime isn't sensible, it isn't real...it isn't tangible. People don't like that. My friends always say... "we would watch it if it was live-action because the plot seems cool"...but they don't want to watch it if it's animation. Some things can be explained and shown and...done...through the medium of animation that is lost in live-action, likewise as well, too.
Bottom line: anime isn't excepted as a social norm in America. My suggestion? Find some anime fangirls and boys who you can relate to share your anime hobby. And don't feel weird if you go to conventions, just have fun...everyone else is.
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