I get a lot of questions from parents bringing their daughters into my store (more often a criticism under the guise of a question) asking why we don’t “make more girl Legos.” When I hear this, I try to explain that most of what we offer is actually unisex in its appeal. LEGO kits are for kids of all ages, and all genders.
“But they’re all aimed at boys. Everything is so aggressive with dragons, cops and robbers, slick cars, nothing’s pink- (this can go on for awhile.)”
When they give me their evidence, what I’ll usually then do is bend down so I can talk directly to their child.
“What do you like, miss?”
“I like dragons, um, I like Star Wars and oh-airplanes! Trains, aliens, the color blue and- (this can go on for awhile.)”
Yeah, LEGO Groups’ main aim is directed at eight-year old boys. And as kids get older they more and more want to do exactly what their friends are doing, so they’ll want to avoid getting “pink” dolls or “blue” LEGO or even playing with LEGO altogether. Which is the penultimate mindset that can (and does) shape kids’ entire lives from pre-adolescence until long into adulthood with how to look, speak and act. But, until they get there, kids are in this really fantastic area of simply liking what they happen to like. A really simple, and altogether happier state of existence where things are appreciated not because their friends also approve of them, but because they’re just really fucking awesome of their own accord. Rocks are fucking awesome. Bugs are fucking awesome. Gay uncles and transgender aunts are fucking awesome. A perspective that, as adults, we are very, very lucky to get back - if we ever do.
I like to try and prop up that perspective when I’m helping customers. I’ve put buckets of pink LEGO back on the shelf in favor of sea-planes, ninja-outposts, and alien motherships to the visible delight of my customer’s daughters countless times now, and I’m looking forward to more of the same. I’ve even sold more than my share of “pink” lego to boys.
tl:dr = I have the best fucking retail job ever, you guys.