Thread by @TheFliteCast

THREAD: Today I had a case of "real world MCU bias" on my way to work and I thought I would share it here for the people who think it only happens on social media. I'm not telling this story out of anger, it's just to give people an idea of how this happens in the real world.

The Spider-Man Legacy Collection Steelbook(non-4K version) is on sale right now for $24.99 at Best Buy. I pounced on it. If you don't know what it is, it's all 5 of the pre-Homecoming movies in one set. Awesome and a steal at $35 off.

Usually I get rung up and that's that...

...but in this case, the young cashier that rung me up had a co-worker next to her who said "I didn't think anyone would ever buy that." I said I already had Homecoming so it made sense for me.

That's when the cashier tells him that she saw Aquaman and was "disappointed."

I said "Really? Why? I love that damn movie," in a jovial "aw, man" tone. She didn't like the sneak attacks and thought the movie was repetitive, though she liked the action in it. Ok.

Her co-worker then mentions he's never liked Aquaman and won't be seeing the movie...

...because that's not his type of character. "I can't dig a guy wearing tights," he said. I told him the version in the movie is very different from earlier versions and he said he knew that, but still had no interest because "I don't need the taste of DC in my head."

I see.

I asked him what his type was and he says "I'm waiting for Captain Marvel and Endgame."

"Oh, you're one of those," I said.

I said it with a half smile on my face, trying to disarm because he's making it clear what his preference is which is fine, but then he rants a bit.

He talks about how Marvel has it all setup for movies and DC doesn't at all, so he's not going to bother with their movies, but he still likes both labels, he'll just only deal with DC animation.

At this point I'm rung up, so I smile, say "It's all subjective," and then leave.

Now both of these people, the cashier and the co-worker are young. Like they can't be more than early to mid-20's. So the reason I'm not mad is because I get where that perspective comes from. They've literally been raised on the MCU since they were teens. That's their standard.

Which likely explains his incredulous reaction to me buying Spider-Man movies that aren't Homecoming. Tom Holland is likely the only Spider-Man he cares to have since it's part of the universe he's most connected to.

I'm making educated guesses here, but I think I'm right.

I tell this story not to start a debate, or to say "see how bad it is for DCEU fans?" or make some commentary about tribalism like I and many others have done before. I tell it just to give an idea that this thing DOES happen in the real world more than some might think.

And yeah I'll admit, as a DCEU fan it stings that there are people who grew up with the idea that DC movies are trash. I didn't feel great leaving the store, but I wasn't outraged either. What they said was nothing I haven't heard before in person and especially around here.

The most important thing that I said to them was "It's all subjective," and I looked him in the eye when I said it. Because he and his cashier friend are fully allowed to feel however they feel about the MCU or DCEU and I've never had issues with it...

...but it does suck to be the fan of the franchise that people look down on even in the real world, I can't lie about that. It won't stop me from being a fan of it for my numerous reasons, but it is something we have to deal with and understand is the case.

So when I say things like #TheBiasIsReal, understand that it's not always snark. Sometimes it is, no question about it because I'm human and have emotions like anyone else, but it's still the truth of the situation. Bias DOES exist and it's not a bad word.

And for right now, probably for a good while longer, that's just something that DCEU fans can't escape, even when we sign off Twitter or social media, and it's by and large something that MCU fans have never had to, and likely will never have to face.

I'm not asking for pity because it is what it is and I understand the situation a hell of a lot more now than I did even 3 years ago when it really started with BvS, I'm just sharing how it truly is something that DCEU fans deal with in the real world, not just the Internet.

And this was an "amicable" situation, not a contentious one. I wasn't looking for a fight and the kid was expressing his subjective opinion, no matter how it might sound or feel to a DCEU fan like me. I have to accept the subjectivity of the situation.

Still sucks, though.

So really, this is just for people who tell those of us that get worked up on Twitter about the situation to step away and understand that it's largely a social media thing. That's true, but while the GA may not care as much, there's plenty of real world fans to deal with.

So sometimes it's not as easy as stepping away from the phone or the computer and going into your real life, because you could walk into a Best Buy to buy of all things, Marvel movies, and get hit in the face with the bias at any point in time. It's not good or bad, it just "is."

IMO, it's not anything to get upset over, feel persecuted about or needs to be fought all the time. It's just the reality of the situation that everyone needs to accept with regard to perception......and someday it WILL change. It always does.

But for now, just know that it happens any and everywhere, not just on Twitter or on social media. We deal with the absolute worst of it here, no question, but the real world knows about it too. That's all. #ItsAllSubjective