I've had the same experience lately - people who normally don't follow markets start to ask about gold. I've talked to them before, but there has generally been a lack of interest.

I mentioned recently that back in the 60s, a silver dollar would buy you 4 gallons of gas, and today, .72 ounces of silver would buy you the same amount of gas, given the premium to spot prices we are now seeing ($1.80 above spot for junk silver now!)