Is that LEGO?

[Andy D]

Yesterday my wife had a social for a group of retirees from where she used to work. There were about 40 people from 65 to 85 years old. Many of them ventured into my LEGO Studio to see my Christmas decorations and LEGO sets and creations. It amazed me how many people said "is that LEGO?"

What are people expecting? My only conclusion is that they are thinking of LEGO as brightly colored bricks of the LEGO Juniors size or maybe Duplo. It never ceases to amaze me that many people not associated with the hobby do not understand how things like WV sets or Modulars or Technic constructions are made from LEGO.

I'm fairly certain the only LEGO they may have seen are what they may have given their children 20 years ago or maybe their grandchildren. I wonder if any of them will explore the hobby during their retirement?

Something I always say is "I look at LEGO bricks as the ultimate, reusable art medium".

Has your collection ever inspired someone to take up the hobby?

Merry Christmas,

Andy D

[Dimmeke]

Hi Andy,

Nice topic, i have the same thing but i have the discussion at work. I'm a Sales Manager of a hotel and when i talk about my Lego hobby they laugh and ask me what i make.

I explain them that i make my creations with Lego Technics and show them some of my creations. Mostly the guys are surprised to see what you can make with those beautiful bricks.

It's a wonderful art to play with LEGO!

[Vindicare]

I got the "that's LEGO?!" line when I had 10210 Imperial Flagship out or everyone to see. What I imagine those who aren't aware of what they really offer these days to think LEGO is a box of primary colored bricks with black & white thrown in. I haven't bright anyone into the light just yet...but I believe I've made some appreciate it more than they have before.

Edited December 11, 2015 by Legocrazy81

[Pimbo]

Arguably, it's all about frame of reference, and many adults may only know the simpler sets from their own youth, or the.. err.. less-detailed creations their own kids keep putting up for their approval. Some adult people also think those giant sculptures you always read about in the news are the only thing proper adults use Lego for.

Alas, so far I have yet to (re)light the Lego flame in other people. Retirees should be a decent target audience, I wonder if Lego is considering this as well.

[legoman19892]

Have you ever been asked if you were LEGO?

[xboxtravis7992]

Well Will Ferrell did introduce some parents to the idea of AFOLS in the Lego Movie, but with that image they probably think we are all obsessive Kragle users...

With people my age (20 something), I have yet to raise a lot of shock with the Lego hobby. A lot of them still play Lego Star Wars games, or have their old sets stored at their parents house, so they aren't to unfamiliar with Lego. I have even told people my age in South America that I like Lego and they didn't bat an eye. I definitely think the shocked people are in the older generations.

Edited December 16, 2015 by xboxtravis7992