How open are you about your Lego passion?

[ZORK64]

I'm 23 years old and I'm used to buy LEGO sets in toy stores or stores with a toys section. Since a Lego store opened here, I'm usually buy new sets there (unless I found older sets somewhere else with a neat price cut on it).

Most of my close friends know that I'm an AFOL and they're cool with it although they don't share my enthusiasm for it.

However, I must admit it's one of the few hobbies I don't tell new people if they ask me what I'm doing in my free time - even if those new people are familiar and cool with all the other nerdy hobbies I got, like video games, tabletop strategy battle games or pen'n'paper RPGs. It's kind of a bad habit.

[Omicron]

Wow! Okay what happens if they start packing Lego in with condoms? You rip it open and there's a Trojan (condom) and a Trojan (collectible minifig)?

More "bang" for your buck. That's how I see it. :P

-Omi

[tootsman10]

I got the Lego Club magazine today in the mail and was pleased to see the official picture of the collectible minifigures series four. So excited I showed my dad, and although he usually says I need to get a life[ always thought he was joking] today he just flipped. He said Im not buying you any more legos their a waste of money and time, go get a girlfriend. Mind you Im a 16 year old guy in high school suffering from depression, this was not easy. Usually my family encourages me to do this, and says that more people should have this as a hobby, but my dad decided to be a jerk I guess. I really want to tell people in school about lego, but its hard especially in high school and I know all my friends wouldnt understand the hobby. In fact I tried asking one of my friends if I could buy the legos from his collection, and he said why are you a pedophile. I honestly wanted to punch him, but didnt. Its so hard, but I love Lego and all people who love it to and if you cant express your love for something than whats the point, so Im debating what to do, can someone help?

[Follows Closely]

I got the Lego Club magazine today in the mail and was pleased to see the official picture of the collectible minifigures series four. So excited I showed my dad, and although he usually says I need to get a life[ always thought he was joking] today he just flipped. He said Im not buying you any more legos their a waste of money and time, go get a girlfriend. Mind you Im a 16 year old guy in high school suffering from depression, this was not easy. Usually my family encourages me to do this, and says that more people should have this as a hobby, but my dad decided to be a jerk I guess. I really want to tell people in school about lego, but its hard especially in high school and I know all my friends wouldnt understand the hobby. In fact I tried asking one of my friends if I could buy the legos from his collection, and he said why are you a pedophile. I honestly wanted to punch him, but didnt. Its so hard, but I love Lego and all people who love it to and if you cant express your love for something than whats the point, so Im debating what to do, can someone help?

Us dads have bad days too, but that is no excuse. What are you debating exactly?

[tootsman10]

Us dads have bad days too, but that is no excuse. What are you debating exactly?

If I should tell my friends or not about the hobby.

[peterab]

If I should tell my friends or not about the hobby.

Depends how you think they'll react. As someone who also has depression, there's a lot to be said for making your life easier. If you think your friends would support you then tell them, if not, don't.

I'm not sure if you're father remembers exactly how much time and money you can waste on a girlfriend either :-) In the end our whole lives are likely to be a waste of time and money because you can't take it with you, so you may as well choose to waste them in a way that makes _you_ happy. It may be easier to do this by not pushing the buttons of those around you, so now you know your father has a problem with buying you lego, perhaps you need to limit new lego to just what you can pay for yourself.

[Cloud0]

From where I come from(Singapore), most of the people who buy from Lego speciality shops are adults. Never see kids or teenagers buy any. Adults buy for their kids, and AFOL wheel of carotns after cartons for themselves. So it's like a norm to buy Lego here as an adult. Hardly see kids buying them anyway.

[fred67]

Acch.... just be honest. Don't ask don't tell. If someone cares enough to ask you what you do in your spare time, don't lie, but you don't have to walk around and advertise it if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

[Man with a hat]

I (35y) have no problem letting others know.

It is funny sometimes when you are in a store (other than the regular one I usually buy my LEGO) and buy some LEGO. Then when they ask if you want it gift wrapped and say no they look bewildered. You got to have fun in buying it as well, right .

Apart from that I think especially my nephews like it. They are always amazed by my street of modulars. Also I pass on the news on new sets I find here to them, so they can save money for them in advance. Or ask me them for their birthdays of course.

[The Player Nº1]

In the beginning I told that the LEGO was for my nephew. But now, I say that are for me. My girlfriend likes it too, and she gives me a lot of LEGO.

By the way, I'm 20 years. ;)

Regards

[CptMugwash]

I've just really come out over the past few years (I'm 23yo) my local store where I buy Lego from know it's for me but my bro who is 13 collects aswell, mind you I think I'm definately more enthusiastic about Lego then he is. But when I go to other stores they don't normally ask who it's for and TBH it's none of their business, sometimes I get a funny look but it doesn't bother me too much. I do suffer from depression a bit, not so much now but I do have my ups and down days. I don't really have any friends my age up where I live as it's fairly rural and I don't go out much, but I'm quite happy in my Lego world

My parents usually say to their friends that me and my bro both collect Lego, and people are usually impressed by our collection, my parents are quite happy for me to collect it but not too happy when I spend alot of money on it. If your parents don't want to buy you Lego anymore maybe you should get a job, even if you hate it it's money at the end of the day that you can buy Lego with I work for my parents in hotel and catering and TBH I really don't like it, but it's in the situation where I can't leave because I'd be dropping my parents in it so I just put on a front and get on with it

[Aanchir]

I'm certainly proud to be an AFOL. If liking LEGO sets is something you feel you ought to be ashamed of, then it's probably something you shouldn't be doing. No need to live a double life.

Perhaps it's because I'm still in college, but nobody really questions me about this. I don't advertise it everywhere, but I'm not afraid to wear a LEGO t-shirt or LEGO keychains around. And I'm certainly not ashamed to leave a store with a bag of LEGO sets in tow. The only person who really gives me any flak about my hobby is my 13-year-old brother, and that's only when he feels like acting superior. And naturally I'm used to that by now.

[davee123]

I got the Lego Club magazine today in the mail and was pleased to see the official picture of the collectible minifigures series four. So excited I showed my dad, and although he usually says I need to get a life[ always thought he was joking] today he just flipped. He said Im not buying you any more legos their a waste of money and time, go get a girlfriend. Mind you Im a 16 year old guy in high school suffering from depression, this was not easy.

It sounds like your dad is afraid for your sake. He probably sees that you're not "normal", and doesn't know what to think. He doesn't know how to encourage you.

I really want to tell people in school about lego, but its hard especially in high school and I know all my friends wouldnt understand the hobby. In fact I tried asking one of my friends if I could buy the legos from his collection, and he said why are you a pedophile.

Honestly, it's not the LEGO that's the issue. I was a high school nerd. Kids teased me for playing with toys, for being a weakling, for not knowing anything about sports, and whatever else. But hey, other cool kids still played with toys. Some of them were just as skinny. And some other kids similarly didn't know anything about sports. But THEY didn't get teased.

The real problem was me. I was introverted, socially awkward, and generally uncomfortable around others. And it showed. So kids would just find some aspect of me and make fun of it-- all the sports knowledge in the world wouldn't have helped; they would've just found something else to pick on me about.

Your real challenge isn't whether or not you share your LEGO hobby with others. It's to figure out how to deal with other people and life in general.

To put it in perspective, there's the *creepy* guy that still plays with LEGO, and there's the *cool* guy that still plays with LEGO. The creepy guy will, without warning, talk about his LEGO hobby without any regard to others' reactions. He'll jump into unnecessary detail that others can't understand, and not notice when the other person becomes uninterested, and also not notice when it goes one step further and the other person starts to get creeped out. The cool guy (by contrast) only talks about LEGO when it's relevant. And when he does talk about it, it's at a level that others can relate to, and only delves deeper into detail when others are genuinely interested.

But you can replace "LEGO" with anything-- even something "cool" like Nascar. You can just as easily be the "creepy guy that likes Hockey a little too much", or "the creepy guy that likes computer games too much", or "the creepy guy that likes Twilight too much". The real issue isn't LEGO, it's learning how to interact with others.

DaveE

[Enpaz]

It sounds like your dad is afraid for your sake. He probably sees that you're not "normal", and doesn't know what to think. He doesn't know how to encourage you.

Honestly, it's not the LEGO that's the issue. I was a high school nerd. Kids teased me for playing with toys, for being a weakling, for not knowing anything about sports, and whatever else. But hey, other cool kids still played with toys. Some of them were just as skinny. And some other kids similarly didn't know anything about sports. But THEY didn't get teased.

The real problem was me. I was introverted, socially awkward, and generally uncomfortable around others. And it showed. So kids would just find some aspect of me and make fun of it-- all the sports knowledge in the world wouldn't have helped; they would've just found something else to pick on me about.

Your real challenge isn't whether or not you share your LEGO hobby with others. It's to figure out how to deal with other people and life in general.

To put it in perspective, there's the *creepy* guy that still plays with LEGO, and there's the *cool* guy that still plays with LEGO. The creepy guy will, without warning, talk about his LEGO hobby without any regard to others' reactions. He'll jump into unnecessary detail that others can't understand, and not notice when the other person becomes uninterested, and also not notice when it goes one step further and the other person starts to get creeped out. The cool guy (by contrast) only talks about LEGO when it's relevant. And when he does talk about it, it's at a level that others can relate to, and only delves deeper into detail when others are genuinely interested.

But you can replace "LEGO" with anything-- even something "cool" like Nascar. You can just as easily be the "creepy guy that likes Hockey a little too much", or "the creepy guy that likes computer games too much", or "the creepy guy that likes Twilight too much". The real issue isn't LEGO, it's learning how to interact with others.

DaveE

Totally /signed! Good post.

[Andy D]

Am I the only LEGO senior citizen here?

I do not hide my LEGO hobby from anyone, I really don't care what others think about my hobby.

I buy LEGO online (LEGO, Amazon. eBay, Bricklink, etc.) I also buy LEGO from Target, LEGOLand, and the LEGO Store. I even have a VIP card and use it. My wife and I have annual passes to our local LEGOLand.

I started building LEGO many years ago, (I was over 40 then) then stopped for several years and started back up in 2008 with Mindstorms. Now I just buy and build anything that looks interesting from several themes. I look at LEGO as art and building satisfies my artistic creation needs.

Last Christmas my son (now 30) and I built a couple of sets I got for Christmas. He has not built LEGO in 15 or more years, now he says he wants to start building again as well. LEGO jut might be another connection with my son, which I think is great.

Do not be ashamed of your hobby.

Andy

[LEGO Guy Bri]

I don't use my collection as a pick up line but, a couple close friends know. Some of my family also know but, are in the dark on how much I spend/ spent since getting back in. The friends that know are/ were also big fans. As I get older I see myself caring less and less about others judging

[Abaddon127]

I am definitely an out of the closet AFOL. I have been a FOL for 20+ years. I probably love LEGO a little bit more

than is entirely seeing as how my collection of instruction booklets alone weighs more than 15 pounds. I keep the instruction

booklets from every set I buy unless it is multiples, then I only keep one copy. My dad is no fan of my hobby, but I couldn't care less.

I consider LEGO a creative outlet, and aspire to be an artist on the level of Keith Goldman and Jasbrick some day.

Edited March 11, 2011 by Abaddon127

[saek]

I'm 27, single, with a rich social life. Obsessed with my projects. Hide it from just about everyone. I've tried to show friends my projects, but most seem unimpressed or disapproving of the childish hobby, so I stopped doing that. And to clarify the ridiculous discrepancy here, I have friends who own a room full of transformers, make papercraft, knit, collect anime girl figurines, play with nerf guns, and other strange hobbies. Yet mine is mostly considered child's play and is met with bored or disapproving looks :/ I think it's 50/50 that I'll stay in the hobby more than a few more years. I'm pretty ADD with hobbies. But more likely, I'll probably enter a second dark ages, then come back to it again :D Even though I won't give up the hobby because of what people think, I still weigh the costs and benefits of publicly sharing it. I don't mind keeping it private.

[Mr. Gray]

I'm pretty open about it. My friends and family know, but I don't go around flaunting it. That would be weird. If people ask about it, I tell them as it is.

And buying LEGO? Almost all of the local LEGO store employees are either AFOLs or understanding of the hobby. Those who understand are understanding because of all the AFOLs I see walking around the store along with me.

[Calanon]

I'm pretty relaxed about it, if someone asks, I tell them. However it does get pretty annoyingly as a while ago I got some anonymous messages from someone accusing me of being a LEGOphiliac... that did put me off telling people for a while.

[train_nut]

I'm mid thirty and a professional. No I don't tell my colleagues. Obviously my gf knew about (now my wife) and she accepting of it.

[keithk]

Am I the only LEGO senior citizen here?

I do not hide my LEGO hobby from anyone, I really don't care what others think about my hobby.

I buy LEGO online (LEGO, Amazon. eBay, Bricklink, etc.) I also buy LEGO from Target, LEGOLand, and the LEGO Store. I even have a VIP card and use it. My wife and I have annual passes to our local LEGOLand.

I started building LEGO many years ago, (I was over 40 then) then stopped for several years and started back up in 2008 with Mindstorms. Now I just buy and build anything that looks interesting from several themes. I look at LEGO as art and building satisfies my artistic creation needs.

Last Christmas my son (now 30) and I built a couple of sets I got for Christmas. He has not built LEGO in 15 or more years, now he says he wants to start building again as well. LEGO jut might be another connection with my son, which I think is great.

Do not be ashamed of your hobby.

Andy

This is great, I hope I get the same opportunity when my children are grown. Thanks for posting

[Miss Kyle]

I pretty much agree with davees really good and wise post. That's what growing up really means! Thumbs up, man.

I openly display my built sets as long as there's space, just as decoration. My living room is a colourful little museum of geekdom and book/art love anyway, so a few Lego sets fit in there quite well.

Interestingly people are really benevolent when I tell them about collecting Lego. When I asked my colleagues for a Lego shop voucher for my birthday, some of them were really nice and even browsed their own basements for leftover bricks from their kids. My boyfriend loves my Lego love anyway, and my sister's boyfriend nearly crawled into my Lego book when he saw it - we got it for him for Christmas and he loved it. He even called me at work to tell me when he bought the Fallingwater set.

I think when people loved Lego as kids, they will never forget the good times they had with Lego and get nostalgic when you start talking about it. Good memories are always worth sharing, it's nothing to be ashamed of. As long as you are coping well with your life, why on earth shouldn't it be okay?

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, and anybody who is a collector or has once been will understand what your hobby means to you, no matter how old you are.

Another good thing is that I often know what kids in the bookshop I work in are talking about. :D Makes me invaluable!

[LEGO Guy Bri]

For all those who have a "mate" are lucky! Especially ones that embrace this hobby rather than running for the hills. I have no idea how I am to break this to one I eventually settle with. Ah, my love of Lego, a blessing and a curse... maybe?

[westy 70]

Who cares what people think i bet if you leave a pile of lego on a table 9 out of 10 people will start to play with it lets face it very few people have never had a set and it brings back memorys of there childhood .Why not have fun with it its not a crime