OTP poll

[xparrot]

I've seen OTP ("One True Pairing") used a bunch of different ways around fandom, sometimes leading to confusion and misinterpretation. I'm curious what the general trends for its use are.

(For this poll, please answer the way you personally use OTP, not the way(s) you may have seen it used by other fans.)

[Poll #1356482]
Thank you for feeding my statistics lust - and of course, please comment if you've got anything interesting (or, heck, boring XP) to add. Y'all know how much I love the talky-talky!

Comments

[xparrot.livejournal.com]

I find shipping fascinating to examine, because it's something that's so significant emotionally to so many fans (myself included!) I don't think it's a coincidence that shipwars can be some of the most heated conflicts in fandom; shipping is such a major part of being a fan for many of us...

I count "OTP" with friendships as much as romantic pairings - I'm a gen fan; I absolutely love moments of friendship and caring between many pairs of chars who I don't want together romantically (Sarah-Derek & Charlie-Dani both being in that category...)

And I have a major married couple kink, too - probably for the same reason as you (my parents will be celebrating their 35th anniversary this year. ^^) Successful marriages are so rare in media that I adore seeing them. (I'm not so much into comic books, but Clark/Lois actually causes me troubles, because as a Smallville fan Clark/Lex is one of my ultimate OTPs - but I watched Lois & Clark way back when, so there's a part of me that always ships Clark/Lois. (heck, I thought they were pretty cute in SV, too...) I haven't really worked out how to handle the paradox - as an OTP fan it's most troubling! XP)

[shardsofblu.livejournal.com]

Considering the fact the shipping is the very reason that got me started to be actively involved in fandom, emotionally significant is an understatement. :)

I count "OTP" with friendships as much as romantic pairings - I'm a gen fan; I absolutely love moments of friendship and caring between many pairs of chars who I don't want together romantically (Sarah-Derek & Charlie-Dani both being in that category...)

ITA! Familial and platonic relationships have always been as important to me as romance, none is lesser or more than the other, each has their own place in one's life. Easiest example I can think of right now is like Clark's relationships with Diana and Bruce in the comics. One would be blind not to see just how crazy in love he is with Lois, but man. They would be blind not to see just how much he loves the other two as well. (the usual "in love" and "love" speech, heh)

And I have a major married couple kink, too - probably for the same reason as you (my parents will be celebrating their 35th anniversary this year. ^^) Successful marriages are so rare in media that I adore seeing them.

An early Happy Anniversary wish to both of them. :D And I agree, successful marriages in media are a rare species, so it's very heartening to see those kind of endearing and enduring relationships. I also think that some people miss the point whenever they talk about such portrayals aren't as fascinating and compelling compared to those who are dysfunctional.

(I'm not so much into comic books, but Clark/Lois actually causes me troubles, because as a Smallville fan Clark/Lex is one of my ultimate OTPs - but I watched Lois & Clark way back when, so there's a part of me that always ships Clark/Lois. (heck, I thought they were pretty cute in SV, too...) I haven't really worked out how to handle the paradox - as an OTP fan it's most troubling! XP)

That's precisely why OTP taken literally can never work with me. :p Speaking of SVClois, I was definitely a card-carrying shipper of these two. But I'm quite cold on the pairing at the moment though, another important criteria for me to ship is that I have to like both individuals separately -- I cannot ship when I just like one half.