Kids only?

[unrealist83]

Have you ever been bothered by the fact that your friends, family members give you funny expressions or tell you that Lego is for kids?

Have your wife or partner tried means and ways to stop you from your hobby? (Partly because it seems expensive & childish to them). :D

Sometimes I get funny or bewildered expressions from passengers in public transport when I am lugging my newly purchased Lego home..

[legitimatealex]

Have you ever been bothered by the fact that your friends, family members give you funny expressions or tell you that Lego is for kids?

Have your wife or partner tried means and ways to stop you from your hobby? (Partly because it seems expensive & childish to them). :D

Sometimes I get funny or bewildered expressions from passengers in public transport when I am lugging my newly purchased Lego home..

My older brother does it as well so my family was kind of already groomed to the fact. As for partner attempting to stop you, not in the least. She enjoys building too.

The funny stares never stop though. Some people just don't understand a passion or a hobby. No one rolls their eyes when they say they play a musical instrument or build models. Throw in LEGO though and it just seems silly to them.

Also try walking across a university campus with a new LEGO box...That gets you some stares.

[Ras 74]

First off welcome to the boards unrealist83!

I think all AFOL´s kind of get that reaction sometimes.

To the ones you can explain your hobby, like friends, family or someone else, I think there is no problem.

I often say it is a great way to escape the real world for some time. You disconnect stress in your average day.

You have a forum were there is a bunch of people that has the same interest all over the world.

In my case I have even got to meet people IRL, went to Chicago with a friend and stayed with one of the best guys around.

I had never met him before, just spoken to him over here on EB and then on skype before we left there.

I have made several friends around the globe due to my hobby. Some of what I meet at least once a year at our Event.

When saying things like this, plus when they get to see my collection, they most often sway to think it is pretty cool.

Also in my generation EVERYONE has some relation to Star Wars which is my main interest.

So don´t feel bummed down. You are among friends.

[LuxorV]

Let's start with a welcome to you, unrealist83, and by saying I totally agree with what Ras said.

But I think can gran you it's the same thing for other hobbies, too.

You can always meet people who think their hobby is the only one worth some consideration, be it collecting Mickey Mouse comics, WWI and WWII miniatures, playing RPGs and collecting fantasy and whatever else strange and even obscure items.

And everyone of them (or at least the major part) will tell you that their hobbies and collections, and only those, are forms of art and have a great historical value, being direct tokens of certain periods and their societies.

Now, why shouldn't this be true for LEGO, too? Yes, it is a toy, and it is still in production today; but does something need to be old and almost forgotten to be worth collecting? Or is it because it's also fun? Do we all need to collect stamps and shut them in books on our shelves to be worthy collectors?

It is not what others think about your LEGO hobby at first glance: we can all get wrong impessions and dispatch things as childish and/or uninteresting at first glance; the important thing is how you show to the others your passion for it. If you tend to hide and to diminsh its importance in the first place, then the others will ignore it and dispatch it as childish, a remnant of your childhood you'll eventually leave behind some day.

Just after my Dark Ages, I tended to be very shy about my LEGO hobby, as I thought people would not accept it. Now my colligues often ask me if I have anything new to show them (not all of them do that, of course, but different people have different opinions and sensibilities, too). The key was to show them some of my creations, the passion I spend on it, and the vast online AFOLs community I'm part of.

I'm sure that you'll find your way with it, and people will come to relise it's more than a kids' toy for you!

[Daniel Williams]

Yeah, sometimes they (strangers) look at me funny, however my family is fine with it even though they don't see me having a career in it. My parents hope I become a nurse or a doctor, my brother hopes my writing takes off and my sister doesn't really pay me any attention. So yeah, it's annoying how some times people look at me funny, but than again I take my Lego home and feel better as I build them and recreate things that I could use in story plots for future novels. Oh and welcome unrealist83 to the forum.

[Piratedave84]

LOL

I believe your concerns/observations can be made or seen for any hobby.

My girlfriend loves Legos, especially those creator homes and modular CC buildings but she still thinks I'm obsessed or compulsive. She does not give me any grief over ti though, hey she said yes when I proposed to her so .... I know she's going to at least tolerate my hobby!!!!!. As far as it goes, I know for a fact my parents, my sister and my girlfriend wil NEVER buy me a set but when I show them the collection they are amazed and all want to touch/play with the models.

I find that coming to sites/forums like this one is a great way to feel proud about your hobby, to meet amazing people and to just let go!!

Anyways, welcome to the site and Keep Brickin'!!!!!

Pirate

[Joey Lock]

I can't wait to become an adult because I can go to Sutton and not feel weird looking at Lego when I can say if anyone asks "I'm getting it for my Nephew" or something. When your a Teenager, all your other friends are buying Ipods and Music, You feel a bit stupid in a Toy section...

And I've been worrying, Lego is my ultimate hobby, I have it scattered around my bedroom, So obviously its hard to hide, So I'm a bit worrying about what will happen when I get into a long relationship with a girl, bring her round, she sees Lego and thinks I'm kind of weird but pretends its ok, Then the next day, Everyone in the school knows or something!

But lots of people have said "If its what you like doing, Don't care what anyone else think's". Just like people who like to collect Hornby Trains, some take it seriously like the Music Record producer Pete Waterman, He has a huge garage full of trains. I think it's the type of person you are. If it's all you ever talk about, then people will get sick of it, If you have a huge collection but hide it well, then you won't get such funny looks, especially if you don't have it scattered about your house, if you make a special like bookshelf/closet for your collection, That's what I'm thinking of doing soon.

[General Redwater]

This happens to me so many times! I go to a LEGO store, and the parents that are there look at me like I should be buying an electronic, or saving up for a car, instead of getting a LEGO set.

And I've been worrying, Lego is my ultimate hobby, I have it scattered around my bedroom, So obviously its hard to hide, So I'm a bit worrying about what will happen when I get into a long relationship with a girl, bring her round, she sees Lego and thinks I'm kind of weird but pretends its ok, Then the next day, Everyone in the school knows or something!

This happened to me, and the next day my girlfriend said I was wierd and brokeup with me. That,(for me) is the only downside to this hobby.

-

General Redwater

[posades]

This happens to me so many times! I go to a LEGO store, and the parents that are there look at me like I should be buying an electronic, or saving up for a car, instead of getting a LEGO set.

This happened to me, and the next day my girlfriend said I was wierd and brokeup with me. That,(for me) is the only downside to this hobby.

-

General Redwater

If that's the reason she broke up with you then she probably wasn't worth it anyways. I've learned that outer beauty quickly fades but the inner beauty stays forever (yes that's my words of wisdom for the day ).

As for funny stares, I can't say I've gotten too many. However walking through the mall with a bright yellow LEGO bag isn't exactly my idea of blending in. My family is fine with it since they've grown accustomed to my hobby over the years; heck my sister still loves them although she doesn't collect anymore, and I've gotten my niece hooked as well.

[Peppermint_M]

Well, as an adult I can have any hobby I wish to have, so I do not listen to the small minded comments of others.

My family thinks it is fine, although my father believes I spend too much time on Lego. My teenage brothers waver between it being cool and it being stupid/childish. My younger brothers think it is fantastic.

I guess in the adult world, one person will spend £5000 on a marine fish tank and another £75 on golf shoes. Some will spend much money on a horse or surfing equipment. I choose to spend on Lego. (All theses are examples from my place of work). I have never encountered hostility towards my hobby in the work place, just amazement at what can be accomplished with plastic bricks.

[-JD-]

I can't wait to become an adult because I can go to Sutton and not feel weird looking at Lego when I can say if anyone asks "I'm getting it for my Nephew" or something. When your a Teenager, all your other friends are buying Ipods and Music, You feel a bit stupid in a Toy section...

And I've been worrying, Lego is my ultimate hobby, I have it scattered around my bedroom, So obviously its hard to hide, So I'm a bit worrying about what will happen when I get into a long relationship with a girl, bring her round, she sees Lego and thinks I'm kind of weird but pretends its ok, Then the next day, Everyone in the school knows or something!

But lots of people have said "If its what you like doing, Don't care what anyone else think's". Just like people who like to collect Hornby Trains, some take it seriously like the Music Record producer Pete Waterman, He has a huge garage full of trains. I think it's the type of person you are. If it's all you ever talk about, then people will get sick of it, If you have a huge collection but hide it well, then you won't get such funny looks, especially if you don't have it scattered about your house, if you make a special like bookshelf/closet for your collection, That's what I'm thinking of doing soon.

Ditto.

I'm sure most kids and people in late teens feel the same way, including me. My friends think, to quote: "Wow. This is awesome! I'm impressed! Oh my God! Are all those Jedis?!" (), it's great. However, this probably won't be the same for those in school who feel they are too cool to have a different hobby to usual at that particular age. But who cares what those stuck-ups think? If they are brought up to respect people, it is no problem for you or them. So don't feel it is your fault, it's theirs! A true friend or classmate will be happy for you and admire it instead of teasing you and putting you down.

I'm having a LEGO room soon too, once it has been cleared out and decorated. So if I want to hide anything when people come round it'll go up there.

I wish they would make LEGO stores and the bags not so obvious. In the MK shopping centre the store is surrounded by clothes and music shops, so you get noticed. I tend to get a bag from another clothes shop and put the LEGO bag in that. Then people think you like the latest fashion etc.

[General Redwater]

I tend to get a bag from another clothes shop and put the LEGO bag in that. Then people think you like the latest fashion etc.

That's.......................that's a great idea!

Thank you.

-

General Redwater

Edited June 3, 2010 by General Redwater

[Ras 74]

A funny story just poped into my head regarding this.

I had a job several years back now when my LEGO hobby was still in an early phase.

I worked with a guy that collected knives. All kind of strange pocket knives to combat knives.

Funny thing is he was very tolerant with me telling him about my hobby and how that all worked

all the way from going into a store and buy a set til the whole thing about forum and such.

As well as me listening to him telling me about his hobby with storys behind certain knives and such.

The funny thing was we could talk simultaneously about our very different hobbys.

To one that would have been over hearing our conversations it would probably have sounded like we

shared the same hobby.

The other thing this story gets is that it taught me to be very openminded with other persons varyed hobbys.

Really interesting to let one talk about their passion for something. Beeing able to put the "right" kind of questions

to that person and just let them talk and talk about their hobby. You even get to learn something if you want to

[prateek]

Yes. But it's mostly just my mom. My dad doesn't mind getting me a $20 once in a while. My aunts and uncles think it's okay, and my cousins either think it's cool or just don't care. None of my friends care, but I know some of them have the same hobby.

[The Legonater]

I get these all the times. I used to be mocked for buying LEGO- but nowadays I've got friends who come to my house just to play with my LEGO (No, really- I've got two rooms practically deticated to my colection). And- even though it's been centuries sicne the first set was released, the fan-population is still growing and high numbers. In fact, I'll bet (with my virtual money ) that 1 tenth of North America has LEGO. You looka round these days, and you see it everywhere. Of course, we still all get those looks, but ignore them. The time will come when you can shoot them all with flick fires and spring missiles .

[ZO6]

I've been collecting Lego for the past 20 years now, so everyone in my family and of course all of my friends know about and support my hobby.

My family is extremely supporting, and to my delight my parents still purchase me sets from time to time! I've been increasing the amount of kits I pick up every year, and though my parents often wonder where I will find room for them all, they have no problems with me adding more shelving to walls or me buying display cases when I am at home.

Amongst my friends, I've always been known as "The Lego guy". During the valedictorian speech in grade 8, I was to be always remembered as being a Lego enthusiast. During high school, I often used Lego as a subject for photography, and those in my classes where very impressed seeing photos of sets in my collection. I had a number of Star Wars fans for teachers, and they always loved seeing the latest reproductions in plastic form.

At college, I am a relatively short bus ride away from a TRU. A couple of years ago for my birthday, after finishing classes for the day I headed out to treat myself to some Lego. I picked up the creator 4956 House and brought it back to residence. That evening, while everyone had started partying, I busted out my new acquisition and began work on it. I always left my door open while in my room, and because of this everyone who passed by saw me building the house that night. I remember, they would exclaim "Are you building Lego?! That's awesome! Can I take a picture!?". I had countless other residents pop into my room to check out what I was doing, and they were all very excited about it. Since then, I often keep a couple of sets on display in my room in res. and everyone now knows how seriously I take my hobby and they are all perfectly accepting.

In 1999, I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Though I've been losing the battle against it over the past decade, the past few years have been extremely tough. More than ever, I use Lego as an escape from the harshness of reality. Though no one ever gave me a hard time about my Lego hobby before my diagnosis, since then no one has dared to give me anything but positive support towards what makes me happy in life - and I owe much of my happiness to Lego.

[Joey Lock]

I wish they would make LEGO stores and the bags not so obvious. In the MK shopping centre the store is surrounded by clothes and music shops, so you get noticed. I tend to get a bag from another clothes shop and put the LEGO bag in that. Then people think you like the latest fashion etc.

Same. In Asda, The only shop that seems to sell the proper cheap Lego sets in Sutton highstreet, Shame is, They now have the Toy section full of bright coloured boxes and its right near the entrance to the store, hundreds of people coming in and out of the store, or waiting by the tills can just watch you. So you feel stupid being a 15 year old looking at Lego. Even in WHSmiths, the Lego is right next to the DVD's and I still have to quickly turn when I see someone. I eventually look like I'm trying to steal something when I have shifty eyes!

@ZO6: I'm sorry to hear about Crohn's disease. At least its a slightly manageable disease. I understand what you mean, I can't honestly think of what I would have done over my life if I didn't like LEGO. I have most probbly spent a entire year or two (added up the minutes and hours spent looking, creating e.t.c.) just on Lego. Really, nearly everything, if not everything I do on the PC is related to LEGO. For the past week or two nearly everyday has been my building, planning and listing my birthday MOC's I'm buying and I really don't know what on earth I would have done in the evening during these past weeks. I spent months planning my HMS Unicorn last year, nearly everyday I was building the basis, the planning, the bricklink lists, the ordering, all were fun, all took up my days and made them fun. If I didn't plan a ship, I really have trouble thinking what else I would do...Would I watch endless TV? Watch stupid virals on Youtube? Update my Facebook every 5 minutes? I really don't know. So yes, I agree with you, LEGO has pratically created all my happiness in my life.

[prateek]

Same. In Asda, The only shop that seems to sell the proper cheap Lego sets in Sutton highstreet, Shame is, They now have the Toy section full of bright coloured boxes and its right near the entrance to the store, hundreds of people coming in and out of the store, or waiting by the tills can just watch you. So you feel stupid being a 15 year old looking at Lego. Even in WHSmiths, the Lego is right next to the DVD's and I still have to quickly turn when I see someone. I eventually look like I'm trying to steal something when I have shifty eyes!

Oh, wow, that sucks. Random people looking at you gives you the worst feeling.

[dr_spock]

I am at an age where I really don't care about what people think of my hobbies. If they have a problem with it, then that's their problem, not mine.

[Siegfried]

I am at an age where I really don't care about what people think of my hobbies. If they have a problem with it, then that's their problem, not mine.

My thoughts exactly. My hobbies and interests are my business. I'm actually quite happy to discuss my LEGO interest with people. In fact I was out yesterday and a old couple were looking at a large set debating buying for their grandson. I butted in and told them it was an unmarked 30% off sale and was a good deal. They then asked "Does your son have this?". I just laughed and said "I buy more LEGO for myself!"

Life's too short to care what people think.

[jonwil]

Yes. But it's mostly just my mom. My dad doesn't mind getting me a $20 once in a while. My aunts and uncles think it's okay, and my cousins either think it's cool or just don't care. None of my friends care, but I know some of them have the same hobby.

If you have parents who complain about you buying LEGO and think its a "waste of money" or whatever, a good response might be (depending on the parents) "would you rather I spend that money on drugs or booze or junk food or heavy metal music" (substitute as appropriate for the situation)

[Zorbas]

The other thing this story gets is that it taught me to be very openminded with other persons varyed hobbys.

I've read all the comments and this one sums it up. This exact phrase is being used from me many times, mostly trying to explain to others that a hobby that looks strange to some isn't strange in general and vice versa.

People are Kings (I rule!) in their own minds sometimes, thinking that their hobby is the "right" and not so strange one, finding it natural. Everything is relevant I keep saying. It's just a matter of preference.

I don't like F1. This doesn't mean that it's a crappy thing to watch or like or have as a hobby, I just don't like it. (Football FTW! )

[Eskallon]

My best friends don't care that I like it and are actually impressed when they see all my models, however my classmates arn't the kindest of people and I do get teased about it a bit (and also about still liking star wars). The real thing is though, why do I give a shit about what other people think about it. It is a hobby like any other, maybe the toy is meant for kids but it is still just a hobby and why be bothered if somebody else does not like it, when they also know nothing about it.

My parents are always kind of hinting I need to give it up finally but they still support it and pay for some of it, I am a teenager so I am not married but my future wife would need to be tolerant of the hobby(and a beautiful woman ). Anyway though I agree that we should all be tolerant of each others hobbies because what is the point of making some one want to quit there beloved hobby because they get dissed or stared at for it.

[prateek]

If you have parents who complain about you buying LEGO and think its a "waste of money" or whatever, a good response might be (depending on the parents) "would you rather I spend that money on drugs or booze or junk food or heavy metal music" (substitute as appropriate for the situation)

No, I won't do that. I'm too nice

[Peppermint_M]

Really don't care about what others think, I used to, possibly at the age all of you who are bemoaing mundy reactions are currently. These days I know full well that there are wierder hobbies to have and for some reason guys in what I would consider my peer group think it is rather awesome that a girl is buying Lego sets.

I have helped explain sets to parents/grandparents looking for gifts and I have discussed the merits of clone brand sets with independent toy shop owners. My friends keep telling me to hurry up and move out so I have space for them to come over and play and as afore mentioned, I build most city sets with my mum. Dad sees it as a potential investment (having encountered bricklink).

Meanwhile, my younger brothers friends see me as some sort of mythical older sister of wonderment due to the size and scope of my collection (adjacent to his) and the MOCs that array any flat surface.

Remember kids! If what you're doing isn't hurting anyone, it's fine