I've had one for years, and since I love to bake, it's been a beloved fixture in my kitchen. I used to do mixing by hand, or with a hand mixer, and believe me, the Kitchen Aid changed my life. It became quicker and easier and baking became even more joyful. I just have the basic stand mixer. The head doesn't flip back and I don't have all the attachments, but it's a workhorse, and when it comes time for Christmas baking... Well, you just can't imagine.

It isn't strange at all, for it is a traditional and useful tool, just like decent knives. If one cooks at home it gets regular use and is quite valuable. It allows hands free operation and makes a lot of work easier - I think you are trying to read way too much into this. It is a gift request because it isn't cheap.

I first used a Kitchen Aid mixer in food science class back in about 1978. It was a revelation for whipping egg whites and heavy cream and for beating cake batters. I got to use the industrial version in quantity food production. Nothing I had ever used was anywhere close and when I finished school & got a job, the first thing I got myself was my own Kitchen Aid mixer. It is now 30 years old, has fallen on the floor twice with no injury (except to the floor)and I use it regularly. There is no wonder at all why people want one and if they use it once, they will be as sold on it as I am. It appears expensive but I figure mine has cost me about $7/year so far. How many other appliances (or cars!) last so long?