Do you buy LEGO with your head held high?

SapmiSatan

I'm seventeen years old and I'm very uncomfortable when entering a toy shop. Practically none of my friends know that I still collect LEGO, and I can't imagine what their reactions would be if they'd found out, or rather, I CAN imagine their reactions, and that's why I wouldn't want them to find out. My "dark age" was during the first year of junior high, I only bought TWO sets that year, but since then I've gotten more money on my hands and I care less about what other people think about me, thus, I've started buying more sets.

Just after my short "dark age", I wouldn't dream of buying LEGO on my own. I have a couple of friends who knows about my dark secret, that I'd always bring along. If going without them, I'd get up really early on a weekend and rush in and out of the shop, wearing a hood, so no one I knew would recognize me.

I have a younger sister who I tend to bring along when buying LEGO, as an alibi of sorts. If doing something as extensive as buying "Collectable Minifigures", wether it's barcodes or dots, it's really nice to have someone along who gives the impression you're helping them.

This is how I've been going along for the last years, I never deny toy shop employees to gift-wrap my sets and I try to buy as much LEGO as I can when I'm away from home. Especially when I'm abroad, as that saves me a lot of money. I live in Norway, and for a LEGO fan, that is like living in Hell.

So, a lot of you are grown ups, but does that mean you can walk into a toy shop with your head held high, and buy sets for yourself? I would expect you to, I mean, you don't get the looks, or at least imagine you do... People expect you to be buying for your kids, which some of you do, but for those of you who don't? Is it a problem? And of course, when at my age, did you have some of the same issues as me? Before I finish this thread I guess I have to tell you that I am making progress. Last time I was buying "Minifigures", I did it alone, and I didn't try to hide the fact that I was buying for myself. If someone would like to congratulate me for this, it would be most appreciated.

Jørgen

atkinsar

I'm 34, and generally I'm ok with buying LEGO in toy shops, although to be fair, a huge proportion of my buying is online because it's so much cheaper generally. I wasn't buying LEGO at 17, but I could imagine if I was I'd have the same sorts of issues you are facing. At 17, it's a tricky age where you are trying to fit in with others but also define yourself as a person, so I can appreciate it's not easy. The pressure to conform with others is huge at that age, and if none of your friends are into LEGO, I can imagine that creates problems.

Something I definitely don't feel confortable doing is sifting through CMs in a store, feeling the bags, scanning barcodes etc. The embarrasment factor is through the roof with that sort of thing for me.

So keep at it, and oh, CONGRATULATIONS for your first solo CM buying acheivement!

bluemoose

I used to feel a little embarrassed walking into TRU & buying sets for myself; one day I just decided that I didn't care anymore what other people felt, so, yes, I buy with my head held high. I am more than twice your age, so most people probably assume I'm buying for my kids (my wife & I don't have any kids, but they don't know that), but quite often the person on the checkout will ask if the sets are for me ... I don't have any problem telling them 'yes, they are all for me'.

SapmiSatan

So keep at it, and oh, CONGRATULATIONS for your first solo CM buying acheivement!

Well, it's not my first time buying CMs alone, but it's the first time I haven't swooshed in, thrown the money on the counter, grabbed a random bag and swooshed out again. And thanks for the congratulation, it really means something to me.

bluemoose, do they really ask if they're for you? I don't think I've ever experienced that, I've just assumed that they assumed...

bluemoose

Yes, congratulations on your solo CM buying experiences!

bluemoose, do they really ask if they're for you?

Yup, happens all the time, but only in TRU. In my local LEGO store they know me so well they don't ask :-)

Huw

I think you get to a certain age when you don't care waht other people think of you, including when buying LEGO. Of course, when you look old enough to have kids they assume it's for them or nieces/nephews or whatever.

I've been asked a few times if it's for me, but that's not common.

So, Sapmi, hold your head up high and say 'Yes, it's for me. Got a problem with that?' if asked :-)

rocao

I think atkinsar summed it up correctly when he said that you are at a difficult age where there is a lot of external (your friends) and internal (yourself) pressure to fit in.

I would describe the occasional situation I encounter more an awkwardness than an embarrassment. A typical scenario would be that I check out with a basket full of Lego, and the cashier or whomever else states "Wow, that's one lucky kid!" Depending on the circumstance, I'll either give it a dismissive "Yeah", or I'll say "They're actually for me."

But I'm not at all embarrassed. I think when you get older you will understand. There is a reason that nearly every child universally loves Lego. And as adults, it is a toy that many of us encourage and want our children to play with as well due to the creativity and analytics it fosters as opposed to -- for instance -- video games. So both parents and children alike understand the interest in Lego. I think it is those adolescent, young adult years where many leave behind things considered "immature". I think you should rightly interpret that you've never lost your way, and they have.

Rainstorm26

My "dark age" was during the first year of junior high, I only bought TWO sets that year,
Jørgen

Boy I wish my Dark Age had been that short. Mine was more like 30 years. It was a tragic time. Many a great set was made during those sad 30 years that I missed out on. But you know I don't care if people know I am buying Lego for myself. I missed out for 30 years, I have to make up for all of that lost time. I think it is becoming less stigmatized in society to be an AFOL.

rocao

I forgot to add that this is another reason I love purchasing sets from Lego company stores and will often do it in spite of better deals elswhere. They know that Lego is not merely a child's toy and understand both the voracity and meticulousness of adult collectors. As a result, they are very accommodating and don't pass judgement:

Some examples are:
1) Voluntarily helped me feel Collectible Minifigure bags for the figures I wanted.
2) Very willingly check backroom stock for the least damaged box
3) Offer to let me borrow a dolly and/or have an employee help carry sets to my car despite a long distance from the mall store to the parking lot.

drdavewatford

I'd definitely agree with the guys on here that when you get to a certain age your concerns about the reaction of others to your LEGO buying habit melts away.

And if David Beckham is willing to admit he's a LEGO fan then nobody need worry too much about appearing uncool !

Matthew

I would love to shop at the Lego store, but I've never been to one. Why can't we have one in the north of England? We do have the LDC and the woman behind the desk seemed to understand about it not just being a kids toy, but it is so embarrassing standing by the counter in W H Smith or in the middle of John Lewis 'feeling' the minifigure bags.

natro220

As others have stated, you stop caring after a while. But I can feel for you, being that age and not having friends who are into Legos. I think that's what causes Dark Ages for most collectors...my friends and I collectively became "too old" for Legos sometime around 6th or 7th grade. I didn't rediscover them until I looked for a hobby to do while I was on an opposite shift of my wife. I pulled my old Lego's out and realized how much I still enjoyed them. Since then, I've probably bought hundreds of sets in Lego Stores, TRU's, Targets, and Walmarts, and haven't thought twice what anybody else cares.

Yellowcastle

I'll admit that sometimes at the checkout counter, I turn to my wife and reaffirm, "Timmy doesn't have this one, does he?" If only there were a Timmy... :o)

SapmiSatan

Haha. I can imagine myself doing the same thing, Yellowcastle, in fact, I think I probably have. Not pretending to have a kid, but giving the impression I'm buying for some relative. As I mentioned in the original post, about not denying anyone to gift-wrap my sets.

brickmatic

I can totally relate to how you feel about buying LEGO. I was the same way when I was a teenager. However, when you get older you'll realize how trivial all of the drama from that period of your life really is. Although in the moment it may seem like your reputation is at stake, when you enter adulthood you get a sort of clean slate. It doesn't matter what people thought of you back then. What matters is who you've become. And you'll find people become a lot more understanding of your hobby as adults, even if they themselves think it is weird. So congratulations on keeping your interest in LEGO going strong despite discomfort at the store!

That all said, I still do feel a bit awkward sometimes. I think this happens more often when the store is filled with children. I think this has to do more with me being out of place in the store and less with my interest in LEGO. I've been asked on occasion if the purchase is for me and I've said yes. Also, I've gotten asked questions as if I'm an employee and had to say I don't work here.

starfire2

I have gone into a store to buy Lego, both with my kids and without. If I am alone and they ask if it's for my kids or say " wow what a lucky kid", I am not afraid to say that is for me if it is. Mostly I don't get questioned. At the Lego store they know us so well, we are on a first name basis. Two years ago my husband and I won a year supply of Krispy Kreme donuts. So before we went to the Lego store, we would swing by a Krispy Kreme and pick up our free dozen and then bring them into the Lego store to share with everyone.

gime

I'm in my twenties and I don't really care any more. I just go and buy what I want. I don't bother what people think when they see me searching for a Minifigure.
People do lots of crazy things in life that they should be ashamed of and buing Lego sets would at the very bottom on the list.

gime

Also, this may be important for young adults, beware of lying that it's not for you, especially if a cute cashier asks you about it ;) She will know that you lied, 100% guaranteed. And that's be the moment your reputation plummets. It's that "oh really? who are you trying to fool?" kind of situtation. You'd be better off admitting it's for you, joking and being cool about it.

drdavewatford

Also, this may be important for young adults, beware of lying that it's not for you, especially if a cute cashier asks you about it ;) She will know that you lied, 100% guaranteed. And that's be the moment your reputation plummets. It's that "oh really? who are you trying to fool?" kind of situtation. You'd be better off admitting it's for you, joking and being cool about it.

This man speaks the truth. No point in pretending - you won't fool anybody !

PaulTR

I'm 17 and a half, and I have no problem buying LEGOs at my local Walmart. Then again, I'm short, nerdy, and don't even look like a 17-year old, so people probably think I'm a 12-year old. But even if I was 6 feet 5inches, could bench 250 pounds, and had a face that could make Taylor Swift fall in love with me in NY minute, I still wouldn't care what people would think if they saw me buying LEGOs; I love LEGOs too much! But I understand where you're coming from; I sometimes get the slightest hints of unease when I tell my friends that I still play with LEGOs. But if you love LEGOs enough (which I'm sure you do!), don't worry what other people think; to paraphrase what Will Smith said in "The Pursuit of Happyness" , "Never let people tell you can't do something. Often, they say that because they're too scared to do it themselves. You want something? Go get it!"

dmm32552

Hmm...I'm 30, so people might assume they're for my kids. That said, I do most buying online because I buy retired sets & pieces for the most part. I like to build them and then just display them. So my fiancee and friends and family all see them displayed on a shelf in our office. Most of them actually think it's cool. My fiance is aware that several licensed LEGO lines really do hold their value, so they're a better investment than most other things you would buy. So she's okay with it. But yeah, I am fine with going into the store and buying sets with my head held high. My brother who is older loves to go LEGO bargain-hunting too.

jatonaz

I'm going to add to the encouragment here and say hold that head up high! In my country it's considered quite abnormal for adults to have certain hobbies, playing with a "toy" like Lego being one of them. What they fail to realize is that Lego, at the heart of it, is a construction block, and a media for creativity, just as much as sculpture or painting. An afternoon on MOCpages sometimes impress me even more than a trip to the local museum. So you don't need to feel ashamed about the hobby (or can we say passion?) at all, it's a much better one than a lot of things kids your age are doing.

That being said, I do understand and have felt first-hand the look on people's faces when they first hear I'm collect/build "toys". But I never feel the need to convince them, and I don't try to talk them into it unless they ask. They can feel my passion and dedication towards Lego, and sooner or later they start to respect it.

I don't know if it'll apply to your case, but try showing some people your collection. I have some sets organzied in display cases, and when people actually see them they are in awe at what is suppose to be just a "toy". Then they get interested and start asking about the collection. Some even envy me, for having a hobby that seems to be getting somewhere. I hope that works for you too.

Congrats on the CM solo fly!!

cennsor

didn't read the whole discussion, just the op's post, and felt like just saying: do not be ashamed. as you yourself noted, there's plenty of "grown-ups" among LEGO fans, so no reason you should feel "too old" to be playing - whatever you make of what you buy!

me myself, i played (as in, role playing, not just build) up to my 18-ish, did go through some dark ages after that but not at all cause i was ashamed of buying some LEGO.

let me just tell you, people who think LEGO is only meant for kids didn't get much of its purpose and possibilities. would LEGO be releasing sets for 16+ers and the such, if they didn't think their toys also fit grown-ups?

kor

I'm 32 and I'm fine with going into TRU when they do a BOGO, filling up 1 or 2 shopping carts, and checking out. You have to be with the kind of looks you get from people when you have sets falling out onto the floor every time you move the cart. Sometimes my wife and I take our kids and sometimes not. We get asked what we're going to do with all "those legos". If I tell them the truth I have to spend the time explaining bricklink and that yes, we buy Lego toys for ourselves as well as the kids. So I usually just tell them that I like to fill up the bathtub with blocks and roll around in them naked! The same person has NEVER asked twice :)

I used to buy sets when I was in high school and I never had a problem with it. I never cared what people thought. Heck, my girlfriend during my senior year bought me the large Castle set that was out at the time. When I got my first paycheck from my first real job at 15, I bought a few sets. Be who you are and be proud of it!

tungtle

I'm 25.. I walk into TRU all the time looking for specific sets and what not. Don't have a problem with it, co-workers and friends know I collect Lego, and they don't see it as a big deal.

I guess before it was a lil awkward, buying Lego Star Wars sets, and the cashier looks at me with a dumb face, but now I'm just like whatever. Just three days ago, I was in TRU with like 26 Series 4 Collectible Minifigures.

thesinisterpenguin

I felt a little odd buying my first few series 4 minifigs in the supermarket, but was back within the hour feeling for a few minutes. The next day I went back and felt every single one they had left. As I said, I felt a little odd, but the checkout people didn't comment on it at all, which made me feel confident about it. I think I got a worse reaction to it when I was in the actual Lego store!

50missioncap

I see your point at 17-18. I'm 33 now, and when I was that age I would have felt strange. Now, they just assume it's for my son - which some one else has already said. At the sametime, I'm in very much the same position now. I wouldnt want any of my professional contacts to know I'm into lego. I'm a grade school principal, and I think the parents would think it odd - as would the teachers that work with me.

At the end of the day though, this is a great hobby that is both intellectual and creative. If it gives you fulfillment, who cares? In my 33 years, if there is one thing I have learned is that you need to be honest to yourself and to show yourself to others in a completely honest way.

Bit of a catch 22.

chertik

I'm 26, and I must say I felt slightly embarrassed at first, browsing the Lego aisles at Target or TRU together with parents buying sets for their small children. I did what bluemoose and others here suggested - told myself that I don't care what others think. I didn't even care using the "feel method" to pick series 3 minifigures at a Five Below store a few weeks ago. Yes, people and employees did ask me what I was doing, and I even helped some kids pick out minifigures they wanted.

I guess it's all a matter of how much you like collecting and building with Lego. If you truly feel passionate about it don't let anyone stop you!

jayr17

The only time I have felt awkward about buying LEGOs is when TRU hordes the minifig box at the only open counter... my wife and I are feeling up the bags and a line starts building up behind us. But then I just turn and say: "please go around us, we are going to be a while!"
I look at it like having an addiction: if you feel embarassed that someone else might find out you do it, you need to look at the moral and financial values of it. LEGOs wins on all accounts, if you have to you can resell them (and probably make money), and when you do have children you might even let them play with... might is probably pushing it! (I just about freaked when my sister let her girls play with the sets we grew up with).
My children will just have to learn to share with Mom and Dad when they grow up.

zombymobster

I'm 40 and buy Lego all the time; usually I have my 6 yr old daughter with me so that helps:) The only time a feel a little uncomfortable is at TRU when the cashiers look at me with a grin and say "Are these for you?" when my daughter isn't with me. What I am saying is this happens ALL the time if I'm alone purchasing them; never when my kids are with me. Maybe this is a market research question they are instructed to ask? It's just weird that it happens all the time...

thesinisterpenguin

Buying Lego which is fun, lasts and can be re-used and sold (if it came down to it) makes a lot more sense to me than say, buying a bottle of wine or two every week..and best of all Lego doesn't give you a headache.

zombymobster

Buying Lego which is fun, lasts and can be re-used and sold (if it came down to it) makes a lot more sense to me than say, buying a bottle of wine or two every week..and best of all Lego doesn't give you a headache.

When I was younger, not married and had no children, the bottles of wine, cases of beer, etc. unfortunately made more sense. Looks like I missed some nice sets between 1988-1999...Oh well, live and learn...........................

Lanthal

I collect Lego loudly and proudly. I don't think there's any shame in collecting a product of this quality and something that has delivered so many childhood memories for me. I'm a primary school teacher and most of my kids are fully aware of the fact that I collect Lego - I've even run into them in the store with a Lego box in my hands.

For a seventeen year-old I can understand the dilemma but if you can show that you're not ashamed of it then most people that you know won't really care that much about it either way.

prof1515

Slinking around in shame. Actually, I have no problem with buying them in stores and some old college buddies and I never fail to hit the Lego store in the mall when we hang out. However, the vast majority (99%+) of my purchases in the last five years have been online (only 3 exceptions; all at the Lego store in the mall).

50missioncap

Slinking around in shame. Actually, I have no problem with buying them in stores and some old college buddies and I never fail to hit the Lego store in the mall when we hang out. However, the vast majority (99%+) of my purchases in the last five years have been online (only 3 exceptions; all at the Lego store in the mall).

Honestly, is there anything better than an AFOL buddy with whom to share your obsession?

prof1515

They don't actually collect but one is a huge Star Wars fan (collects the action figures) so he likes to drool at the Lego SW sets (we also hit Toys R Us and their Lego and Hasbro aisles). The others are non-collecting Star Wars fans who just enjoy reliving road trips in college to the toy store or the toy aisle in department stores and looking at the SW sets.

rocao

I wouldnt want any of my professional contacts to know I'm into lego. I'm a grade school principal, and I think the parents would think it odd - as would the teachers that work with me.

I bet all the children would think you were pretty awesome for an adult, and whatever thoughts among the parents and faculty that you are odd would quickly be replaced with envy of your rapport with the children.

Si_UKNZ

I have no problem with people knowing I enjoy lego, but I seldom offer up information about quite how much I've got. Being a Lego-head doesn't create such a positive image in someone's head as being, say, into doing a particular sport.
But I do buy it with my head held high, because to me Lego is about right and left brains working in harmony, and few people can claim they've achieved that.

Lego_Lord_Mayorca

I'm only 22 now, so I can recall what it was like as teenager who bought Lego. Once I started getting some disposable gift money that I could spend whenever I wanted, I sometimes strolled into the local Wal-Mart and furtively snatched up a set I wanted and immediately went to the check-out. I still do this, BUT, this behavior (which is undoubtedly clandestine) has become limited to only when I am home. I noticed this past summer while living in north Chicagoland that I boldly strode into TRUs, Lego stores, and Targets without a second thought as to what people thought. I did everything. I stood by a CMF Vol. 1 box searching through barcodes to find the figs I wanted. I spent hours filling up PAB cups in multiple Brand stores. I would haul away my purchases in those big, yellow bags that scream "LEGO FAN FOREVA!" and walk through malls without a second thought. After all, I was a stranger in that huge metropolis. I carried a little of that attitude back with me home, so I guess I'm cool with buying Lego anywhere. I even got my sister to help me scrounge around for Series 2 figs in a busy bookstore with the clerks looking on. One guy finally came forward and asked, "Excuse me, but if you find one of the Karate Masters, please let me know. I've wanted that one a lot!" And I obliged.

PacotheDuckNinja

I'm still in High School, and I really don't care if any person in a store just sees me, though I would feel awkward if anyone I knew saw me rifleing through the Lego aisle. Even Last Summer, a group of friends and I had gone downtown to the Lego store, and afterwards, while we were eating lunch, we had a good amount of people staring at our two tables at McDonalds. One for us, one for our six bright yellow bags, Lego logo emblazened on them, just showing off how we had spent over $400 on what most of those gawkers would consider a child's toy. It felt good not to care.

aplbomr79

Recently I walked into a local Target in hopes to find the Kingdoms Castle, which they didn't have. So I grabbed a couple of sets including the Ninja Training Post (2516), Outpost Attack (7948), and Court Jester (7953).

When I went to check out the young cashier asked if I wanted gift receipts. When I said 'no', she looked at me and I just replied I collect LEGO. She gave me a very weird look and just bagged my LEGO. I had to laugh as I walked out of the store...

aplbomr79

I will say this on another end - as a married man, I must apply the '48 Hour Rule' (those of you who are Garage Logicians know what I mean). If the items purchased remain in plain site for 48 hours or more, I can claim that I have always had them. The trick to this is to unbag and build or at least spread out the pieces. If you leave them in the box, you are not getting away with it.

Divinity3d

I always walk in with my head held high. I love that within a few minutes people realize that I am there for me! Usually I start getting questions, what should i buy, whats new, whats the best deals? I help everyone I can and when I notice that my 30 minute run to TRU has become an hour and my hubby might be mad, I grab what I came for and run out the door. The employees all know me at TRU, and at all 4 lego stores nearby, and even at LegoLand the employees with refer customers to me while I am there to help them shop. I love helping people find the Lego they will love too, Now if only I got paid to do so...

jb3pin

Without a doubt, but I have had some awkward moments yet also managed to help some kids get the collectible minifig they wanted. I'm sure I wouldn't have the same confidence if I was 17 +/-, but anyone of any age should be proud.

50missioncap

I wouldnt want any of my professional contacts to know I'm into lego. I'm a grade school principal, and I think the parents would think it odd - as would the teachers that work with me.

I bet all the children would think you were pretty awesome for an adult, and whatever thoughts among the parents and faculty that you are odd would quickly be replaced with envy of your rapport with the children.

HA! Very true rocao!! Very true!

Martin

If asked, I always say it's for me, unless of course I happen to be buying it for either my children or someone else's. Interestingly, I too get asked by other people in stores such as TRU when a puzzled-looking parent is staring at shelves of sets wondering which one their son/daughter would like. They always appreciate the advice.

50missioncap

Interesting side bar... when I see other AFOLs (obvious AFOLS as they are vigorously debating set purchases like myself) I never engage... I definitely should next time.

wagnerml2

I lovet this thread. It's like therapy! I am 39 and I don't hide it at all. Like many of you, my local TRU know me so well, they don't even ask. Sometimes my 7 year old son comes with me an announces to the whole store that "all these are for my Dad, but he lets me play with them too!"

I do draw the line at searching the CMF packs. Our local TRU doesn't care for it, and frankly, I like trading the extras.

Hold your head high! This is a great hobby and remember, when you are buying from the store, they are making money too!

chewie

I'm 41, none of my friends are into lego but they all know that I'm into it and they absolutely love some of the things that I build, one of them even surprised me on my 40th birthday and bought me a set. I'm becoming a lot less embarrassed about buying from places such as TRU, but recently I was at work (on an oil rig) looking at Lego on ebay and before I knew it someone was looking over my shoulder and asking "what the &#@$ are you looking at?". I really couldn't face telling the truth so I blamed it on my son whom I claimed got a Lego train set for his birthday and wanted more "stuff" for it.
Honestly, but what else could I do????

TheBigGuy

Absolutely! I'm 32 and have been collecting since I was 19. I mostly get my sets from my local Toyworld and they all know that I buy them for myself.

elazgar

I´m 17 too and just one of my friends is also keen on LEGO, in fact, he took me out of my dark ages. Every time I go shopping LEGO to a knonw mall in my country I spend quite a lot of time looking at the only shelve full of LEGO. When I buy for example a Toy Story set I´d rather ask them to wrap it, while if I´m buying a modular building or a Creator house I do not mind saying that it´s for me.
Well, this just happens here, in my city. Last summer I went to the Milton Keyness LEGO Store and was so excited that I designed a blue T-Shirt and draw a minifig on it (I was in a summer camp learning English and we had that kind of activities).
I spent around 75 pounds in that store buying sets that I´m not able to buy in Spain (magnets, Architect...)
I also bought some little sets in differents shops at others cities in GB and was not ashamed of it at all.



Here some of my boughts and my blue T-shirt.