[zeprock]

Regular buyers should not feel embarrassed. For every person that you feel is judging you for buying 'kids toys' as an adult, there are just as many, or let's say half, who think you're buying them for a kid, or just plain don't notice at all what you have and only want to pay for their stuff and go home.

There probably are people that look at every item and snicker to others or themselves, but I'm the type that doesn't care what they think or say. There are plenty of people who buy cards for their kids, or use them as a reward to students or take them to hospitals. If you happen to hear someone and if it makes you feel any better, turn to them and say "yeah... it's for a kid in the hospital. I thought about buying beer like you, but he's only 6 so..." I bet that will shut them up. Even though my purchases are mainly for myself I do send out extras and cards I don't want to other people (some with kids). I'm lucky that my g/f likes the randomness and surprise of opening packs. Sometimes she nudges me to get some but I have more important stuff to buy and decline. I work at a school and give them to a teacher to pass on to students. Even if you don't. If you just collect for you, so what. It's about as absurd as someone saying "look at this guy and his apples, who eats apples anymore, grow up and buy steak."

Great perspective and good advice.