Ever met an AFOL by chance?

[RaincloudDustbin]

I wondered what the odds were of coming across another serious LEGO collector by chance? Unfortunately, it has never happened to me but something even luckier did. I stumbled across a convention in the UK which cheered me up considering I was going through a bereavement at the time. As LEGO is a growing hobby, surely some members have met another AFOL without planning to?

-TT

[Hrw-Amen]

Well, I did discover that one of my long time work mates collects Mini-figures, whilst not a fully blown AFOL (He just goes for the figures.) it is kind of in a way.

[Fugazi]

I feel that this discussion is better suited for Community!

[Brickington]

Sadly no, I haven't. But I have seen a couple though.

[PsyKater]

I met father&son at the local supermarket discussing on what set they invest next...

[Andy D]

Does meeting a very shy, withdrawn EB member at a LEGO store count? I was at a LEGO store and tried to talk him, but he just wasn't very talkative, maybe he was just preoccupied.

Andy D

[RaincloudDustbin]

Does meeting a very shy, withdrawn EB member at a LEGO store count? I was at a LEGO store and tried to talk him, but he just wasn't very talkative, maybe he was just preoccupied.

Andy D

I've done that. Each to there own eh?

[TheLegoDr]

I've tried talking to people at a LEGO store also, they didn't really respond. It's like "dude, you are here, you don't have to hide." Oh well, I think a lot of people are closeted for a reason. They are embarrassed for some reason. Everyone knows I'm a LEGO maniac, but it does get overwhelming for them when the only thing I have to talk about is LEGO related materials. Maybe that's why I don't talk that much to anyone.

[Clone OPatra]

At an internship once, it turned out that my boss was a serious AFOL who buys every Star Wars set, plus multiples to keep around and sell later on eBay! I noticed that he had a couple minifigs on his desk, but a lot of people like a minifig or two. Then I noticed he was looking at LEGO websites on his phone, and I just had to ask.

[Brickington]

At an internship once, it turned out that my boss was a serious AFOL who buys every Star Wars set, plus multiples to keep around and sell later on eBay! I noticed that he had a couple minifigs on his desk, but a lot of people like a minifig or two. Then I noticed he was looking at LEGO websites on his phone, and I just had to ask.

Man I wish that happened to me, you are lucky. Everyone around me are a bunch of "LEGO is for kids" people.

[Grimmbeard]

Everyone around me are a bunch of "LEGO is for kids" people.

Same with me, though a few think it's kind of cool.

To answer the question, I've never met another in public, unless LEGO stores count.

[RoyalBrickCustoms]

One of my best friends is a TFOL does that count?

~RBC

[Hrw-Amen]

I have found that generally people think it is a little childish, then when they come around to visit and see some my buildings all fully kitted out inside or some of my railway stuff that loos like the real thing rather than a LEGO Train they are soon convinced otherwise, but it is getting them to see that side of it rather than the kids side of it I find. Having said that I was a bit embarrassed the other day I had to go and see the nurse at my local surgery (To get a dressing changed.) and just in general conversation she asked what my hobbies were. My wife who was with me blurted out before I could say anything, "He likes to play with LEGO." I felt like a silly little boy and went bright red.

[RaincloudDustbin]

I generally don't mention it as one of my hobbies even though it's my passion plus people used to make fun of me playing with LEGO so I just pretended to grow out of it. I'm terrified of someone I know spotting me in the LEGO aisle. Oh well, I enjoy it and that's what counts. Since, I have found a few friends who are casual collectors who I can trade with which is good. Thanks for the replies guys!

[eurotrash]

I do not keep my AFOL-iction a secret. And although the initial reaction is typically one of "WTF! You play with Lego?" when I whip out the phone (covered in a Lego case from smallworks.com) and show them pictures of my Lego Brewery, bar, other bar, ruined buildings, Taco Truck, etc. I can see that they realize that this is not like kiddies Lego.

Then I point them at the Flickr groups, and eurobricks and tell them I'm not unique....

[large88]

I do not keep my AFOL-iction a secret. And although the initial reaction is typically one of "WTF! You play with Lego?" when I whip out the phone (covered in a Lego case from smallworks.com) and show them pictures of my Lego Brewery, bar, other bar, ruined buildings, Taco Truck, etc. I can see that they realize that this is not like kiddies Lego.

Then I point them at the Flickr groups, and eurobricks and tell them I'm not unique....

I do the exact same thing And when people come to my house the first thing they ask "where did you buy that?" and then "are there instructions for that?" and after that some of them start building some of the sets I have laying around. Lego fun all around! Some of my friends even started collecting after I pulled them form their Dark Age

[Gryphon Ink]

I've never met another AFOL completely at random, but when Facebook reconnected me with one of my old friends it turned out he had become an AFOL, pretty serious about Star Wars building. It's frankly the only good thing that Facebook has ever done for me!

[westalbott]

I found out that one of my favorite artists Steve Prescott (He paints magic the gathering and D&D stuff) is an AFOL. I met him a couple times and added him on facebook, and then the next time I saw him he actually asked me about my Lego hobby. He's actually the only AFOL I have ever met in person.

[monsinjor]

Interesting topic.

Actually, I know only one guy in person. But we usually meet only on metal concerts.

And about embaressment? Secret? No way... even I am 30 years old and have 2 kids. My colleagues from the office knows that, sometimes they even get me one minifig from the store from time to time.

And imagine this, I live in a small village where almost everybody knows everybody so I believe that many of them finds this childish (for a older guy), but this is what I love and I really don't mind their looks and talks.

You know the saying: Opinions are like a$$es, everyone have one (soory for being rude)

Keep up with your Lego love guys and girls!

[RaincloudDustbin]

Interesting topic.

Actually, I know only one guy in person. But we usually meet only on metal concerts.

And about embaressment? Secret? No way... even I am 30 years old and have 2 kids. My colleagues from the office knows that, sometimes they even get me one minifig from the store from time to time.

And imagine this, I live in a small village where almost everybody knows everybody so I believe that many of them finds this childish (for a older guy), but this is what I love and I really don't mind their looks and talks.

You know the saying: Opinions are like a$$es, everyone have one (soory for being rude)

Keep up with your Lego love guys and girls!

To be fair mate, I'm quite a it younger than you so maybe that's the reason why I have a different perspective.

[just2good]

No, all I have met at KFOLs.

Of course, excluding the awesome employees at the Sawgrass Florida LEGO Store.

[monsinjor]

To be fair mate, I'm quite a it younger than you so maybe that's the reason why I have a different perspective.

No no, I didn't meant this for you, don't get me wrong at all. I'm speaking generally.

I know (I saw) what this passion means for most of the people. Their fault.

[Leo604]

There've been a couple at school I've met in the past couple years who are just into Lego as much as I am. No older adults, though.

[Sir_Basil_Ashton]

A new person at work turned out to be a giant Star Wars nut. I knew he liked the Hasbro 3-3/4 figures then I asked him if he was into LEGO and we hit it off. Unfortunately I now live and work at a different location. We still keep in touch though.

Edited February 14, 2013 by Sir_Basil_Ashton

[RaincloudDustbin]

Nice, I suppose it's just luck.