Chilly_Productions Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 I went to Argos (a UK retailer) a few months ago, when I went in and bought the Star Wars advent calendar, the woman serving me was giving me this "you're special, aren't you" kind of look, needless to say it was awkward. Whenever I buy a set, even if I'm in the recommended age range for a particular set, I still get a weird look from the cashier. I am a TFOL, and I know that AFOLs get it much worse, but AFOLs do have the advantage of other people assuming that they're buying it for their kid. Before I just bought primarily Bionicle and Star Wars, but know that I'm interested in getting Nexo Knights sets, it's gonna get worse. "When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up." -C. S. Lewis- Quote
KCMatze Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 I admit, it sometimes feels a bit strange or odd, but hey - it is our money and hobby, we are free to like what we want and it is nothing to worry about :) Maybe the cashier has other hobbies that someone else would consider strange or whatsoever. If you feel uncomfortable just chose another store or go into the LEGO store. They love every customer:D Quote
Alfadas Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 Yeah, I get a lot of strange looks when I browse Lego sets, almost 2 meters tall, 20 years old and dressed in all black with the long hair required for Metalheads... Between all the kids. But I don't care Lego is love, Lego is live Quote
Legocity2713 Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 I don't get those looks from the cashier but I pray that I don't see a friend in the store. But like KCMatze said above, its our money, so if this makes us happy, who cares what others think. (Still, I'm always prepared with the excuse, "its my little cousin's birthday this week and this is his/her gift.") Quote
Dhivael Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 That's what amazon or S@H are for. No judging cashiers. ;) Quote
KCMatze Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 (Still, I'm always prepared with the excuse, "its my little cousin's birthday this week and this is his/her gift.") Haha yep, you got to have that one ;) but my close friends do know, of course. As I have about 100 minifigures on display it would be hard not to recognise! Quote
Tariq j Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 I get that look a lot. At the end of the day Lego is a hobby, just like watching football, collecting stamps, collecting shoes, listening to a certain band etc. why should People who buy Lego be judged any differently? Quote
Robianco Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 I buy most of mine from the Lego store in Liverpool and the staff there know very clearly what's for me and what's for my daughter. I moved house recently and one of the removal men said 'You're a bit old for Lego aren't you?'... so I obliged him with a 'No' accompanied by a 'just carry the f***ing box like I'm paying you to' look. I offer cashiers the same look if they try the 'special' look. Quote
Dosenbrot Posted December 19, 2015 Posted December 19, 2015 (edited) Lucky for me, I never got into this situation. Once I was in a Toy Shop in Italy to buy a Castle set. They had the 7188 King Carriage and the big 10223 Kingdoms Joust. The first time I only picked up the Carriage, but after leaving the Shop I regretted not taking the Joust and went back to it half an hour later. The Cashier's reaction tho was really cute. She asked me if I collect LEGO, in which I replied with "yeah, thats what I'm doing" and she gave me a cheerful smile. If you have a LEGO Shop in your area, buy it there. The Staff there is always nice to every customer. I know a LEGO Shop 2 hours away from my Hometown, so I just drive there once in a month, but I always meet the same Cashier there, he knows me now for about 2 years and always gives me some extras like twice of the Promotion articles you normally would get or so. Edited December 19, 2015 by Dosenbrot Quote
Dopplercb Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 I'm new to this, so not much, yet. But I do Lego for therapy as much as for fun. I'm bipolar and also have anxiety issues and find that building clears my mind and helps. My therapist, however, judges it as an unhealthy obsession and a waste of money. I find him to be a fool on this issue. Other than that, which I largely ignore, I only deal with a bit of ribbing from my family. Quote
Iria Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 After the first couple of purchases it stopping feeling awkward/ I stopped caring. I've also recently hit the age where sellers assume that the Lego is for my [non-existent] child. I think everyone has their own weird and unique hobby, collection or interest that they are into. If they don't, they are probably either lying or bored with their lives. The judgmental people tend to belong to the latter group. Quote
dr_spock Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 The older you get, the less you care about what the cashier thinks. I don't think I ever felt odd buying LEGO even when I was in university. Quote
Chilly_Productions Posted December 20, 2015 Author Posted December 20, 2015 My therapist, however, judges it as an unhealthy obsession and a waste of money. I find him to be a fool on this issue. Yeah, whenever I say I play video games, nobody bats an eye, when I say that I still buy LEGO, people give me the "what?" kind of look. Quote
Dopplercb Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Yeah, whenever I say I play video games, nobody bats an eye, when I say that I still buy LEGO, people give me the "what?" kind of look. I don't understand this. Lego is essentially a model. When people say, adults say, that they build models, they don't get judged very harshly. What makes Lego so different? It has to be because they market to young children, too. Idc. I love building. It's fun and largely self explanatory. I think it's excellent. Edited December 20, 2015 by Dopplercb Quote
Sweet Pea Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 I am 60 years old and have loved Lego since I was small. I don't care if I am "too old" for Lego. It's my hobby. Quote
fred67 Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 The older you get, the less you care about what the cashier thinks. I don't think I ever felt odd buying LEGO even when I was in university. This! Although, thankfully I haven't cared what other people think for quite some time. If people actually say something (like ask me if I'm buying for a child) I tell them that I'm the LEGO collector in the family; I have some on display at work... a lot of people simply don't know what's out there. Luckily I work in a creative environment, and I'm not the only one with toys - mine just happen to be LEGO. I just gave a coworker a Mystery Machine (and got an extra Velma and Daphne) because I know she's a Scooby Doo fan... she loved it. So with this, as well as other things in life, anyone that would think of me badly about something they obviously know little or nothing about isn't worth my concern. Quote
Junior Shark Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 Just ask for gift receipts! ;) Sure, I've felt judged once or twice, but like many have said, it's just another hobby. Heaven knows other people have weirder hobbies..... Quote
Dopplercb Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 Just ask for gift receipts! ;) Sure, I've felt judged once or twice, but like many have said, it's just another hobby. Heaven knows other people have weirder hobbies..... This is a good idea. But I still don't understand why people judge Lego as a kids only toy. Quote
Robert8 Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 I've got weird looks when I'm feeling the CMF bags But then I stare at them like a creeper and they run away It never fails Quote
Fritzy Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Waiting to read tips from a male AFOL who buys Friends sets on the regular. This is a good idea. But I still don't understand why people judge Lego as a kids only toy. Marketing has a lot to do with it. Edited December 20, 2015 by Fritzy Quote
Robert8 Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 (edited) Waiting to read tips from male AFOL who buys Friends sets on the regular. Go to the store naked No one will notice the LEGO Friends box You're welcome Edited December 20, 2015 by Robert8 Quote
KCMatze Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 "Man got arrested naked at LEGO store." Not the best header to read about yourself in the newspapers :D Quote
Fritzy Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 Unless they've done it enough times that it's not even news anymore. Quote
Dopplercb Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 Go to the store naked No one will notice the LEGO Friends box You're welcome Lmao! Awesome :-) Quote
dr_spock Posted December 20, 2015 Posted December 20, 2015 Waiting to read tips from a male AFOL who buys Friends sets on the regular. Just be confident of yourself. Grab the sets off the shelves and go pay. No problemo. You can always say for your daughter or neice if you are not totally comfortable. Quote
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