Adult fans of Lego, known online as AFOLs, have become a massive part of the toy company’s success over the last decade. Makes sense. Adults have more money than kids, are more likely to be suckered in by nostalgia, and are willing to spend a lot of cash on something that just sits on a shelf or hangs on a wall. These AFOLs, a term I hate using so I won’t use it anymore in this article, can vary in age, gender, and so forth, but there are some things that they all share. Some quirks and opinions that are mostly universal among these older Lego lovers, including myself. Here are eight things to never say to an adult Lego fan and why.
Legos are cool!
Okay, look, I know this is going to sound pedantic and annoying, but please stop saying or writing “Legos.” Lego is a singular noun, never pluralized. If you mean Lego bricks or pieces, say that. If you mean Lego sets, well, just say that. There is never, ever, ever a reason to say “Legos.” It is weird to hear you say that or read a sentence that includes it. The Lego-loving nerds and adults in your life are judging you.
It’s so expensive
Yes. It is. There’s no getting around it. In fact, it’s getting more expensive, even. But there are some bright spots, like the incredibly affordable and amazing Game Boy set that came out last year. Still, there’s no denying it’s a pricey hobby. So maybe stop reminding us of the fact that these plastic bricks are so damn expensive every time you see a set. Trust us, we know.
Is this a toy for kids?
Hey now, some of these sets are explicitly not designed for kids. Like the Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series of very pricey and massive sets based on ships and other gear from the franchise. There are also Lego flowers and art pieces that are meant to be built and then displayed, not played with by kids. So when I spend four hours building a Star Wars X-Wing ship, I’m not an adult playing with toys; I’m a hobbyist enjoying an adult activity. Right? RIGHT?!
Where do you put them all?
Ask this question to most adult Lego lovers and they’ll sigh, look down at their feet, and mutter something like “I don’t know…” That’s because the more of these Lego sets you collect and build, the more room they quickly take up, and unless you own, like, a massive warehouse or extra home, you’ll quickly start running out of room. And it sucks! I’ve had to take apart and store old sets so I can display newer ones. If I ever win the lottery, you’ll know because I’ll stop posting here and start laying the foundation for my massive Lego workshop and museum.
Oh, I bought a Lego set once, and it contained a misprinted piece. Tossed it.
WHAT? Please, if you ever find a misprinted minifig or other Lego piece, don’t trash it. Hold on to it. These can be valuable for collectors. These mistakes are very rare, making these pieces sought after by collectors. Sell a few misprints, and you’ll have enough money to buy any set you want.
I bet these are a pain to dust
You have no idea. I swear, Lego bricks are made out of a plastic that is designed to collect more dust than normal. My Star Wars ships are almost always covered in a thin coat of gray dust. Cleaning them can be a pain, as they often contain so many crevices, nooks, and crannies that getting them clean takes time. And if you drop it or push too hard, you could break it. Trust me when I say a lot of Lego collections are covered in dust.
The stickers seem so nice!
Lego stickers are wonderfully printed, and also annoy me and many other Lego builders and collectors, as they will one day peel off and make your set look worse. And trying to apply them can be a pain. I usually rely on my wife, who has smaller hands that are less shaky, to apply them; otherwise, I’ll screw it up and ruin the sticker. What Lego fans greatly prefer are printed pieces that feature custom art directly applied to the brick. These last a long time, look better, and won’t peel off one day and make you sad.
So this is like Mega Bloks?
Fucking get out of here. Leave. Go away. I’m done.
