How open are you about your Lego passion?

[brickmack]

I tell just about everyone I know, family, friends, etc.

[Ogre]

A post in another thread just brought up this question in my mind... Do you share your passion with non-Lego fans? Do you tell your relatives, friends (only the closest ones, or everybody?), your work colleagues or classmates? Where do you draw the line, and what makes you hesitate about telling some on the people you know, if it is the case?

Myself, I'm just back from my dark age, and so far haven't bragged about it to my friends yet. The closest of them will probably know in good time. I will probably never tell my work colleagues though, I work in a 'serious' scientific lab so I'm afraid I will look weird! My parents... well they live far from me, and would probably find it very amusing that I'm into Lego again, since it was such a passion for me when I was young!

Hou about you? Is this a topic that has been raised before? If so, sorry for bringing it up again!

Pretty much everybody who has known me for any reasonable length of time knows that I'm totally 'into' LEGO. Family, friends, co-workers...

I don't keep it a secret. Quite the opposite.

Some folks think I'm weird. Some think I'm nuts. I don't care. IMO, it's no different than folks being into NASCAR, sports, gardening, or stamp collecting (except that *I* think that MY hobby is more interesting than those!).

I fly the flag and preach 'the gospel of the brick' to anyone who'll listen. LOL

Heck yeah do I tell everyone. I get my Lego parcels delivered to where I work, and whenever something big arrives like the Green Grocer or the Imperial Flagship, I go around and show it to everyone and talk about the features. Most people say 'wow that's awesome', which I don't think is anything to feel ashamed about.

Actually, I was more ashamed when I was 15 and I was still buying Lego and all my friends were getting into relationships and alcohol and 'adult' stuff like that. I remember one day having to avoid my friends at a shopping centre because I had a big Lego set and they were all hanging out being teenagers. Shortly after that I dropped the Lego hobby for a long time, probably because of this incident.

Now I'm an adult, I earn my own money, I can buy whatever I like, and see no reason to be ashamed about it. I mean, personally, I don't see the appeal of getting drunk every Saturday night and hanging out in clubs where you can't hear a word anyone says... that just seems weird to me.

Absolutely!

I'm an adult, it's MY money and I'll do with it as I please!

And as to the underlined: *big thumbs up* I used to do that sort of thing when I was 16-19 years old. It was so boring, I could barely stand it. Finally got fed up, stopped 'hanging out' with that group and started spending the money (that I had been wasting on booze and cover charges) on LEGO again.

Edited March 27, 2011 by Ogre

[krystalKING]

I am very open about my hobby,I can't hide it (I have a spare bedroom full of bricks.),so why try?

[Ogre]

Yeah, I was just like you when I was in my twenties. Luckily, now that I'm in my late thirties, I don't really care anymore.

Clerk: "Is this for your children"?

Me: "This Lego? No, it's all for ME! HAHAHAHA!"

Getting old does have some benefits

I'm pretty much the same way, though I stopped 'hiding' my love of LEGO in my late teens.

If a clerk asks if a set is for a child, I respond with "Yup. My INNER child!" LOL

Everybody that knows me puts the words Heavy Metal & Sci-Fi & Lego more or less close to me...

LOL!

I hear ya!

For folks who know me even passing-well, it's "heavy metal, fantasy and LEGO"...and not in that order.

You should see my story about Series 3... I was in the LEGO store with my son and there we were, feeling up the minifigures when a lady with two young daughters walks over and picks them up and starts feeling them... her daughters wanted the "girl" ones, and had randomly bought some the day before... but ended up with the space guy and a couple other ones they didn't want, so I told them it was easy to feel what it was you were buying and telling them what to look for... so there we were, the five of us crowded around the minifigure box, feeling up packages. It must have been a sight.

That was the same for myself and the missus on Saturday at a local Wal-Mart. We were there for a while and an employee came by "to see if we needed any help with anything"...then a while later, another employee. This one asked questions and ended up talking to us for quite some time, utterly FASCINATED that there was this huge 'underground' interest in LEGO. As we kept feeling the bags (there were six boxes to go through), more people started showing up, including parents with kids who asked things like "how do you know what you're getting?", etc. By the time we left, there were about a half-dozen folks "feeling-up" the bags. LOL

*edit*

I'm wondering: are there any other folks here who used to have MANY hobbies and it's been whittled down to pretty much just LEGO now?

I ask, because that's how it is with me. I used to be 'into' many things such as collecting comics; collecting/building/painting Warhammer and Warhammer 40K figs, etc.; collecting action figures; building/painting car models; etc., etc...but, now, pretty much all of that stuff has fallen to the wayside and the money/time/energy that used to be devoted to that stuff is now pretty much solely devoted to our favourite little plastic bricks.

I figure that at least SOME of that is due to just how awesome LEGO sets have become since getting past that horrible '<insert that tiresome argument>' period and now there are more and more sets that I want to snag (not to mention the CMF craze!) but, I'm just curious if anyone else is going through this, too? And, if so, to what do you attribute the change?

Edited March 27, 2011 by Ogre

[Legoist]

My wife obviously knows it, but that's it... I asked her not to tell around.

When our children are old enough so that nobody knows who exactly is playing with what, and it will seem that we're just playing all together, then it'll be easier to tell friends and collegues.

Actually, I don't think my problem is feeling ashamed of the hobby itself, but feeling ashamed that I'm yet not good enough at it... If I could make locomotives as good as Sava the Aggie's, then I'll have no problems telling the whole world

Edit: I realized that "ashamed" is really a strong word, I don't feel that bad about the hobby! Just a little embarassed... And I second that my embarassment is because of the current results...

Edited April 16, 2011 by Legoist

[Legoist]

Plus, there are people who work on model trains throughout their lives, who collect antiques, stamps, jazz vinyl, comic books, 18th century British watercolours, vintage dolls - it's all the same...

This is indeed a good point. Not to mention that a lot of people have much more expensive and/or destructive/immoral hobbies, they just don't call them "hobbies". In many ways, sport cars and motorbikes are toys, and one of them can cost more than a lifetime Lego collection. Why should we be childish and they "adults"? And then to think that there are people whose real hobby is heavy drinking or cheating on their wifes

[Miss Kyle]

This is indeed a good point. Not to mention that a lot of people have much more expensive and/or destructive/immoral hobbies, they just don't call them "hobbies". In many ways, sport cars and motorbikes are toys, and one of them can cost more than a lifetime Lego collection. Why should we be childish and they "adults"? And then to think that there are people whose real hobby is heavy drinking or cheating on their wifes

Cheers, man :)

[Hrw-Amen]

Well my wife knows and in fact getting back into LEGO is mainly her fault as she is as big a fan as me. She never had it as a kid. My mother knows we are collecting the minifigs as do one or two people at work and close friends. Not sure what they think of it, no-one has really commented. I think my close friends and relatives all know I like making/painting models (Wargaming, no I don't play I just collect the figures.) anyway so see it as an extension of that.

[The Spark That Bled]

I post pictures of the things I make on my facebook so anyone who is a facebook friend has pretty much figured it out. I only talk about it to people I trust not to make fun of me for it. I'm glad I told one of my co-workers because she's giving me all her son's old Lego sets for free.

[DOOM!]

My wife and I started buying legos when we got married, and have been doing so for going on 19 years now. It's hard not to notice we love legos, when you step through our front door, Legos are one of the first things you see.

I really don't have a problem letting people know I enjoy playing with them, I usually have built lego models on my desk at work and many of my customers are interested and make comments about them. As for my co-workers, they already know I'm nuts.

[Zoidy]

Absolutely no issue with my Lego passion. I get mocked for it, but in an affectionate way, and I quite enjoy it.

I know folk who have all sorts of hobbies, my old man builds model railways (I enjoy that too but it is far too expensive), I've friends who fly remote control planes, build Airfix, you name it and they are all proud of it so I see no reason why I can't be proud of my hobby!

There's always a Lego model on my other half's table and folk now just ask "He's bought a new one, hasn't he?!!"

[Pingles]

I keep quiet about it. It's such a pain to have to explain why. Its all very logical and most of the points have been detailed in this thread I just hate having to go through the explanation.

If they enter my house they'll see my Emerald Night pretty quickly, anyhow. Most folks can't believe it's Lego until I open the case it's in.

[Burgon]

As I work for TT Games ive been sucked in to AFOLdom, buying more and more. I don't make MOC's but my desk is covered in models and so is my room. My girlfriend finds it funny but sometimes thinks money could do better elsewhere. Were currently collecting winter village sets for Xmas decorations! My workmates are the same, all buying some as were surrounded by it every day :). I still live at home and my parents sometimes think there's a bit too much building up, but they know how much i loved it as a kid. The collectible minifigs are the best though, as there can pass off as real collectables.

[Ogre]

As I work for TT Games ive been sucked in to AFOLdom, buying more and more. I don't make MOC's but my desk is covered in models and so is my room. My girlfriend finds it funny but sometimes thinks money could do better elsewhere. Were currently collecting winter village sets for Xmas decorations! My workmates are the same, all buying some as were surrounded by it every day :). I still live at home and my parents sometimes think there's a bit too much building up, but they know how much i loved it as a kid. The collectible minifigs are the best though, as there can pass off as real collectables.

Isn't that weird? Throw the word "collectable" in front of something and all of a sudden, most folks understand the appeal of it...YET...if you just tell them "I collect...", they think you're nuts and wasting your money. What's up with THAT? LOL!

[Gryphon Ink]

Isn't that weird? Throw the word "collectable" in front of something and all of a sudden, most folks understand the appeal of it...YET...if you just tell them "I collect...", they think you're nuts and wasting your money. What's up with THAT? LOL!

Yeah, that business is just silly. Collecting is "normal", but building is "weird". Doesn't make any sense to me. But I do sort of get why that is, and I think it comes right down to the difference between creative people and non-creative people, or as it sometimes seems, between geeks and non-geeks. Geeks want to learn. They want to create. They want to hack things and see how they work. And they like puzzles. Non-geeks don't get it. They want to watch things. Their idea of a hobby is collecting shot glasses or watching the game on TV.

In knitting circles, many of us call the non-creatives Muggles, and there's a whole literature of Funny Things Muggles Say. Things like "why would you want to spend weeks knitting socks when you can buy ten pairs of socks at Wal-Mart for $5?" Or the perennial favorite, "I could never learn to knit - I don't have the time for it." Usually the Muggle who "doesn't have time to knit" can tell you the names and ages of every contestant on this season of American Idol. The knitter might also be an American Idol fan, but made a sweater and a pair of Lord of the Rings-themed socks while they were watching this season. But the Muggle is sure she's the superior "normal" person and the knitter is just a weirdo.

[Fallenangel]

Yeah, that business is just silly. Collecting is "normal", but building is "weird". Doesn't make any sense to me. But I do sort of get why that is, and I think it comes right down to the difference between creative people and non-creative people, or as it sometimes seems, between geeks and non-geeks. Geeks want to learn. They want to create. They want to hack things and see how they work. And they like puzzles. Non-geeks don't get it. They want to watch things. Their idea of a hobby is collecting shot glasses or watching the game on TV.

In knitting circles, many of us call the non-creatives Muggles, and there's a whole literature of Funny Things Muggles Say. Things like "why would you want to spend weeks knitting socks when you can buy ten pairs of socks at Wal-Mart for $5?" Or the perennial favorite, "I could never learn to knit - I don't have the time for it." Usually the Muggle who "doesn't have time to knit" can tell you the names and ages of every contestant on this season of American Idol. The knitter might also be an American Idol fan, but made a sweater and a pair of Lord of the Rings-themed socks while they were watching this season. But the Muggle is sure she's the superior "normal" person and the knitter is just a weirdo.

I concur on this point, though I can't help but put forth the counterargument that simply "knowing" rather than trying to "understand" something relatively frivolous, whether it's American Idol or LEGO MOCs, could possibly be conceived by some as less engrossed and therefore closer to whatever is defined as a social norm. It's all relative if you ask me.

Man is the measure of all things.

Many people may think Anime otakus, doll collectors, and AFOLs are weirdos, but many of these are the same people who fuss over Facebook statuses, profile pictures, and Charlie Sheen. Come on, Miss Conventional, nothing you are into could possibly be perceived as any more "normal" to me or anyone else than what I am into to you or your definition of the general public.

[ManitobaMoe]

I dont hide my collection so most who know me or visit my house know about it. Most think it is cool but some think i need to grow up. When the subject comes out and i tell them that i do the lego display at the local farm toy show, then they remember me :) I have never really cared what others think but i do love when little boys and girls dont want to leave the displays or when my sons friends drool over my display. Makes up for what i did not have as a kid

[Ogre]

I dont hide my collection so most who know me or visit my house know about it. Most think it is cool but some think i need to grow up. When the subject comes out and i tell them that i do the lego display at the local farm toy show, then they remember me :) I have never really cared what others think but i do love when little boys and girls dont want to leave the displays or when my sons friends drool over my display. Makes up for what i did not have as a kid

Yeah, THAT particular line tends to irk the daylights out of me!

Who defines what is 'grown up'? Why should I stop having fun with something I love, simply because of my biological age? And, really, how SERIOUSLY BORING are most of the folks who tell you to 'grow up'? I've found that most of the ones who say that to me, are guys who think that 'a good time' means hanging out at a pub and getting rip-roaring drunk, OR they're gals who think that all of a man's "extra" income should be spent on buying "pretty things" for his wife or girlfriend.

All I can say is: THANK GOODNESS MY WIFE DOESN'T FEEL THAT WAY! (cuz I'd miss her)

[McBuddha]

Since I am an artist, composer, music producer and orchestral arranger I make a million tiny or big creative decisions every day. This is my life - and I LOVE it! But, to build a large Lego set brings peace to my busy brain. Everything is thought out. All is clear in the building instructions. I get balance. This is also what I tell my friends when I celebrate Lego not only to be the best toy in the world, but to bring a grown up down to earth, back to basic and out on a travel to inner space! I will never ever be private about this healer.

[Paul B Technic]

I am telling more and more people about it as I go on, I post some of my photos on FACEBOOK so anybody I know on that can see and knows.

Paul

[Legoist]

Yeah, that business is just silly. Collecting is "normal", but building is "weird". Doesn't make any sense to me. But I do sort of get why that is, and I think it comes right down to the difference between creative people and non-creative people, or as it sometimes seems, between geeks and non-geeks. Geeks want to learn. They want to create. They want to hack things and see how they work. And they like puzzles. Non-geeks don't get it. They want to watch things. Their idea of a hobby is collecting shot glasses or watching the game on TV.

In knitting circles, many of us call the non-creatives Muggles, and there's a whole literature of Funny Things Muggles Say. Things like "why would you want to spend weeks knitting socks when you can buy ten pairs of socks at Wal-Mart for $5?" Or the perennial favorite, "I could never learn to knit - I don't have the time for it." Usually the Muggle who "doesn't have time to knit" can tell you the names and ages of every contestant on this season of American Idol. The knitter might also be an American Idol fan, but made a sweater and a pair of Lord of the Rings-themed socks while they were watching this season. But the Muggle is sure she's the superior "normal" person and the knitter is just a weirdo.

Great!

[Miss Kyle]

Great!

This!!! (Well, and the entry before that, obviously.)

Edited May 5, 2011 by Miss Kyle

[Ralph_S]

It's funny how some people in this thread have commented that if you present it as collecting it's all of a sudden more normal somehow than if you're a builder. I get the complete opposite reaction. People generally don't see the appeal of collecting of what they perceive to be a kids' toy (and to be frank, neither do I), but they do appreciate the creativity that goes into building your own stuff -certainly when they've seen it. It may be intended as kids' toy, but I don't do childish stuff.

I got questions about it in a job interview, because one of the members of the committee had googled my name and found lots of LEGO stuff. I told them that it's a hobby, that I'd even been offered a job to design models for a living (which I turned down because I couldn't myself doing that as a career) and that models of mine have found their way into museums, among other places. My line-manager later told me that at first he thought it was a bit odd, but that after the interview he too searched the internet and saw the sort of things I did. It made him realise that I'm creative, innovative, and that I have an eye for detail. These are all traits that would come in handy in my job. I work in a pretty 'serious' place. I'm a lecturer at a military academy.

Cheers,

Ralph

[hanzocloud]

my friends know, it is a good thing, because i had a friend give me his entire lego collection from when he used to play in his childhood. That's like free lego for me !!! heheh

Also my gf got me a lego heart for valentines day =)

[Legoist]

Maybe we should start organizing some "Lego pride" parades around the world...