Discourage somebody from taking up LEGO as a hobby?

[1974]

Thanks for the update

You do not want this. Walk away. He's not your friend

[Off the wall]

Thanks for the update. I agree with the comment made by 1974.

[CopyCatz]

Ok so now it's easy for the next guy that runs into the same issue: "Let me tell you a little story about a guy who knew a guy at work..."

[LiamM32]

Sounds like it didn't turn out entirely bad, but still more problematic than I expected. I mean, even with the way you described him, I was surprised by the giant wishlist on arrival, and building Lego during work hours. I wouldn't avoid him like others are suggesting, but it's too bad about how he took his new hobby. Good efforts on your part to stay on track.

[Paul B Technic]

Well I have a "final" update on this.

This employee has been shown the door due to poor work performance. When we started looking in to his Internet usage he was spending hours and hours every day on the Internet, we have also found that he must have been building at work as in his desk we found some LEGO pieces. Finally it also seems he had been claiming overtime (which he can do due to his job) however he was at his desk building LEGO instead of working, this was caught on camera.

[Off the wall]

Living in Australia and getting paid to build Lego. Doesn't sound like a bad deal! :-) Thanks for the update.

[emilstorm]

This sounds like the beginning of a bad horror movie... if a giant technic robot with a gun and a fishing rod knocks on your door one night, don't open!

But seriously, that is a sad story. I have worked with people like that too, and I am the guy that's too nice to tell them to go find another victim. But what can you do, tell them to get a hobby?

[TheLazyChicken]

But seriously, that is a sad story. I have worked with people like that too, and I am the guy that's too nice to tell them to go find another victim. But what can you do, tell them to get a hobby?

Yeah, this is sad. I don't work with someone like this but my oldest son has had students at his school that have been this way.

[Zerobricks]

Now thats really obsessive behaviour...He could have dragged you into it and than you would both be jobless...

[Paul B Technic]

Now thats really obsessive behaviour...He could have dragged you into it and than you would both be jobless...

This was my fear, thankfully I didn't let myself get too involved...

[TheLegoDr]

You were smart about your hobby and the separation from work/play. It seems not all people are capable of that. Granted, I am here at work on this forum inbetween my patients, but I don't bring things in to build. And I don't let the hobby consume my work time. It sounds like you don't either. So kudos.

The main problem here will be if he does keep up with this hobby, he may want to continue to email you with questions.

[Paul B Technic]

The main problem here will be if he does keep up with this hobby, he may want to continue to email you with questions.

This is something we have spoken about here as I also thought of this, hopefully it does not happen, if it does I will advise him that I need to work.

[Faefrost]

E-mail him links to model railroading sites, in the hopes that he gets distracted with a new hobby.

[emilstorm]

Or just block him, he has bigger those involving his latest MOC, and as sad as his story is, you have to think very carefully about if YOU are the person to fix them. I speak of experience when I say that trying to take on such a task is something you should be careful with....

[Piggydives]

poor guy...

[BirdOPrey5]

MAybe he's independently wealthy and just keeps a job for socialization reasons. Would probably have to have some money to go from hobby to hobby.