I grew up in the arcades of Buenos Aires....and it literally was an every day affair. I don't remember the FIRST pin I ever played, but I remember the one that changed my perception about pinball (I always thought that they ate my money WAY too quickly - figure a 2 minute play time versus a 20 minute play time on a vid).
Then, all of a sudden - there was a pin that made me willing to feed it over and over and over again...F-14 Tomcat! The day it arrived at my main haunt with its booming soundtrack and flashing beacons, I was hooked. I always said, "One day, when I can afford it, I am going to own one of these!". It was indeed the first pin I bought and having it at home awakened the addiction, er desire to "collect".