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I think its hard to say. you really have to make the call on a base by base thing... when I became open it was really more of a gradual thing. I mean, I knew I was what I was, and I wasnt really TRYING to do what I do. it just kinda happened. A few of my friends were/are embarrased by it, and its sad, so I tone it down or will completely shut it off around them, but a few Ive found are more than receptive, hell, one who I've always called Cheetah as a nickname for a completely unrelated reason actually confided in me that she saw herself as a Siamese Cat fursona. And then promptly keeled me with sexiness by talking to me as her Self. (If you've checked my profile, she's the feline I'm talking about)

well not really. i mean i get some refferences from a few of them who it doesnt quite sit right with. but they generally accept me for me since im still the same guitar playin guy i always have been. And I can understand about how it can make some ppl uncomfortable, i mean we DO get bad PR from all the beastiality ppl out there, and even from all the furrfest ppl that are just lookin for yiffing and scritching. Hell if I recall there was a CSI episode dedicated entirely to furries and it went to a big underground yiff where the only "female" ended up bein a male accountant in big blue cat suit with a bikini on it.

I'm not saying its right, I'm just saying its how society views us. Annoyingly enough one of my close friends little brother is a furry and hes the very type of furry that makes US look bad. He bought a big dalmation suit and goes to furrfests just to get yiffed. Frequently comming back a few days later with stories of MANY men.

(He is interesting...and prolly will catch something)

In a situation like yours it really boils down to if they are the friends they say they are to you. If they like you for you then it shouldnt matter who you are or what you see yourself as, youre still you, doing what you always do, and maybe if you just talk to them about things a little or discuss how it makes them feel. Perhaps they are just intimidated?

The comfort level is why I dont do some of the things I do around certain ppl, its just easier to make everybody a little happier.

I know it hurts when they say things like that, it was really hard to hear my two really close friends tell me they were embarrassed to be around me at the college because I would wear my tail and be me like I am anyways even when I dont wear it.

So I just would toss it in the car before hanging out with them, sometimes I wish they would be more accepting, but I know its also because they dont want ppl to think they themselves are furries by association. More often then not when we are just chillin in our houses they dont give a rats a** when I've got my furrgear on

hmm... what ifwe sluth out other furrs like my friend jo...lol almost walked right into that one. and how exactly DO you ease into it?

@nekita Tough skin...hmmmm yeah I think anybody whose different has ta have at least a little bit to shrug off the insults.

@nihill Heh, thats what I've been doin on my main gaia person for a while as a lurker. I only recently made this account since I found ppl who werent just the normal anime Neko-nerds, this avi actually has all my animal trait stuff on it, my other has my RL traits. As for easing into it...start small like a few drawings here and there, or maybe every now and again wear an item. Then as they get more comfy get more hardcore =P

@darkmoon I'd like ta meet yer "best friend" and show him what a fur f** is made of. I hate ppl that insult us like that based on stereotypes, especially when we have hetero mates. Love is still love, and the media just needs to find a way to stfu about alternative lifestyles. A LOT of my friends are normal ppl when ya get to know them, we just have fursonas also.

Kidding or not, its still hurtful, but i hope he comes to his senses. If not he could lose a great friend =/

Heh, seems to come with being a canine, im the same way =P