I was in Romania for three years. Picked up my first yoyo to have as a hobby while over there. Simple and “cheap” and Romanian winter proof
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idk if its just the timing of my birth (1965), but you Peace Corps guys & women have always inspire me (Vets too) - made me think of JFK & the natural good in folks ! If it was left to me & folks like me, we would have thought about it but never actually acted. & we’d be speaking … another language.
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I was at a big museum last week, and I unexpectedly saw a guy throwing. Seemed to be using some sort of hybrid, like an iYoyo. I really wanted to chat with him, but I was in a group, and we were all walking somewhere. It was a fleeting moment, but I regret not telling him how cool I found him.
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I gave a lady a Duncan Butterfly today because I got her talking about yoyos and she was like “I used to love yoyo I’m gonna go buy one” so I offered her my giveaway Butterfly and you could tell it just about made her day. She threw it and got it to come back and she was sooo hyped. That’s what it’s about! Pretty much made my day too, I love it when people actually accept my giveaway bfly. So often they’ll go “oh no I couldn’t no thank you” and I won’t argue but it always disappoints me. It cost me 3 dollars and I buy them to give away, just take it, right?
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The year was maybe 1999 or 2000.
One time when I was a kid and had met like no yoyo players locally, my family was driving around Davis, California and we saw this guy with crazy blue spiked hair.
I didn’t think he good at first - but it was only because he was throwing a Tigershark with a huge knot around the axle.
Turns out he was really good. Really really good.
His name was Spencer Berry.
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Plot twist!
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What yoyo is that? The red string looks great on it.
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It’s a Speedaholic XX, one of the clear edition. The strings Zipline Executive Red. The XX is my go to in public (no tears if I wack it into a wall) and the Exec is my current favorite string.
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Two years ago i moved to to Ecuador. After a couple of months i went to a market that was held over the weekend where local artists could sell their stuff. And there was a probably like 12 year old boy infront of one of the booths with two magicyoyos, with tons of knots in the strings, offering to teach a trick for 25cents. So i obviously picked up on that offer and the people were a bit astonished when i pulled out my own yoyo. He taught me to do a star but sadly i was just starting to learn spanish and couldnt really talk to him or teach him a trick in return.
The next day i returned to the booth which i then learned was his dads. Sadly the boy wasnt there. So i gave his dad a bunch of fresh string and he gave me a sticker his son designed in return.
I wish i would meet them again, now that i speak spanish
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I throw in public, mostly while waiting for trains, busses or people. Throwing actually made me much more relaxed about things and people running late as it pretty much deleted “dead time” and replaced it with something fun that you can easily carry to about anywhere.
Haven’t met another thrower in the wild yet. In about a year I’ve had 3 reactions/interactions in total. First was a homeless guy at a train station who just watched me for a bit, then smiled, gave two thumbs up and walked away. 2nd was a few months later another passenger waiting for the same train. He was in the “I used to throw in the 90s, should really dig out the old yoyos and get back into it” category. Thankfully only asked for Rock the Baby, not Walk the Dog. 3rd was a few weeks ago at a bus stop, a dad with his kid asking if I can show the little guy a trick. He had recently gotten a yoyo as a present but no one at home knows anything about them and can’t teach him. Sadly I only had an unresponsive yoyo with me. Shortened the string, explained about the slipknot instead of using the loop for attaching it to the finger and let him throw anyway. Too bad that bus wasn’t late so all in all we only had a few minutes. Gave his dad the link to the Skill Addicts app though, so they have some ref where to start.
Since the last encounter I always pack a cheap responsive in addition to my unresponsive EDC in case anyone wants to try. And if bag space allows also some cheap throws to give away. Neither has happened yet but I want to be prepared when the occasion arises.
Mostly people just ignore me when throwing in public or watch a bit from a distance. Which works for me, not big on socializing. At fellow introverts: I get the anxiety connected to doing things in public, but if throwing brings you joy just try it in public. You’ll be amazed how invisible you’ll remain. And don’t worry about skill level. I’m somewhere around beginner intermediate, but I play for my own enjoyment, I didn’t promise anyone a show. So if they get bored watching me fail at landing certain tricks it’s on them for not simply moving along ^^ Haven’t had any negative reaction so far anyway.
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To all the peopkle whove expressed anxiety or nervousness about throwing in public:
I truly hope you fine folks can get over that fear of judgement from other people and enjoy yourselves any and everywhere with your yoyo!
In my opinion, busting out your yoyo at a bus stop, or the park, or the mall, or wherever, is not AT ALL an attempt to show off or peacock. Now if you jump up on the table in the middle of the food court and yell “Attention!” before you throw, then sure. Finding a little space off to the side somewhere isnt the same in any way.
And even if you wanted to draw everyone’s attention, youd still fail with most people. Noone else is paying attention to anyone for more than a second or two, if at all. Nobody is laughing about your yoyoing, or your clothing, or that pimple, or ANYTHING. Theyre too wrapped up in their own thoughts and lives to notice or care.
How often do you spend more than a few seconds thinking about the massive number of people you see every day? Most of us see hundreds if not thousands of people every day and couldnt pick one out of a lineup 3 days later for a million dollars.
And in my mind, this is such a relief when you finally realize it. Unless youre going out of your way to scream and flail and punch a baby noone is paying even the slightest attention to you.
So bust out that yoyo, step off to the side with plenty of room to throw, and get to shredding! Maybe 2 or 3 out of 100 people will even have a conscious thought about it. And out of 100 who even DO notice, only 2 or 3 of THOSE people will think anything more than “a yoyo, hmmm” or “hey, cool”.
You enjoy yoyoing, and if youve got any time to do it, wherever you are, seize that opportunity to have fun! The super rare loser who would say or think anything negative will find a reason regardless. Because theyre miserable. And you wont be the one anyone thinks poorly of, or even remembers, in that one in a million scenario.
Sucky people do exist, but not having fun with your yoyo when anyone is around wont keep ypu safe from them unfortunately. They almost always keep it to thenselves though. But those folks are judging you anyway. They dont like your shirt, and think the guy next to you is ugly, and that little kid is probably a brat, etc. Theyve already robbed themselves of their own happiness, dont let them take even a tiny bit of yours by refrainjng from enjoying your yoyo.
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Personally, as an introvert, I WANT to be noticed when I yoyo in public. When people look, I try to smile and make eye contact. But they usually shy away. Parents shuffle their kids away like I’m a danger.
This probably means I should stop trying to learn new 5A tricks in public and do something more calm and inviting that doesn’t look like I’m flailing nunchucks. 
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Hey, nothing at all wrong with that. I just noticed quite a few replies on the opposite end of the spectrum. And i was just hoping to offer maybe a little encouragement that noone is judging you for yoyoing yknow?
More power to you my friend, truly! Id say im somewhere in the middle. Im not actively trying to get peopke to engage with me, but id welcome anyone with a comment or question. Ive been leaving a speedaholic in my center console permanently now, and intend to let anyone give it a try if theyd like to.
I tend to think your side of the aisle is my preferred choice if i had to pick one extreme lr the other. But im also the type to say something to almost anyone i endup making eye contact with, or making minor small talk with the bank teller or the cashier at tbe grocery store.
Nothing much, just a “hows your day today?” or “hows it going?” and depending on their response potentially conversate while im cashing my check or whatever. I find it more awkward FOR ME, if I dont say anything and avoid eye contact for the entire 2 or 3 minutes an employee rings my groceries. Then the wheels start turning in ny brain lol.
But if i say hi how you doin and get just a “fine” or “im good” back, ill give a short but polite reply that effectively ends the engagement. Not trying to yap at someone whos not feeling it that day. Most of the time its just super topical small talk while were conducting whatever business. Asking the dude making my sandwich if hes doing anything fun this weekend type deal. I like giving people random compliments as i walk by them too. Especially people on the clock at work. Just hey, cool shoes and keep moving.
Idk, it helps a lot that when i do get the rare rude reponse it has zero effect on my mood i guess. If it’s over the top, like insulting, i dont have any problem addressing it calmly and just asking why theyre acting that way. Surprisingly, quite a few times people have apologized when i dont escalate and remain polite. But if they start raising their voice, or cussing, ill walk away and be totally fine.
Back in highschool and maybe my early 20s i placed a lot more imprtance on peoples opinions of me. But i realized i really dont care. I dont like that person at that point anyway, im not trying to be friends with them or anything, so why should i care if they dont like me? And that realization was so liberating. A huge weight lifted. No more worrying if every hair is in place, or if im eating my dinner in a weird way, or if im laughing at something harder than others. I liked what i liked, believed in my beliefs, and had enough friends who felt the same. So what if a random group at the store might be saying something about me?
I know its not that simple, and for a lot of people its incredibly difficult. But working towards being truly comfortable in your own skin is worth whatever effort it takes.
Youre all awesome, believe that!
Was just practicing some spirit bombs waiting for my food to reheat at work
An intern walked by and started chatting me up about it, good times.
Btw, landed spirit bomb while I was talking to them(flubbed the exit tho) and felt like a badass lol
I always get nervous attempting a trick in front of someone but the payoff when it lands feels so good 
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I really have only had positive experiences throwing in public. Assuming I’m not testing out some crazy new 4a routine in a museum of priceless artifacts or something, the only people that approach are genuinely curious and open, otherwise they’d just walk on by.
Sometimes it’s as quick as “hey is that a yoyo? Cool!” Sometimes, an actual conversation about yoyos and other skill toys.
A month or two ago, I brought a yoyo to the car dealership to waste some time while my car was getting routine maintenance. Didn’t end up throwing the entire time waiting, but while cashing out I put the yoyo on the counter to sign away my money. The cashier got so excited and started telling me stories of a black and red yoyo he had as a kid. I showed him some tricks and it must have been the pick-me-up he needed during a long boring workday, cause he said he’d help me out with an employee discount he could use. I look down and he saved me like $300! I would say yoyoing can be profitable, but then I bought more yoyos…
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$300 saved off maintenance sounds like $300 i can spend on yoyos
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I’ve started throwing in public, at London Euston station (one of the busiest stations in the UK!) during peak morning rush hour as well–so as public as you can get.
Keep in mind, in the UK, yoyo is not as popular as in other countries such as those in Asia, or the US, or AUS. So at first I definitely felt quite self-conscious. I’ve also never seen anyone yoyo other than myself here the UK lol.
Nobody ever really bats an eye. It’s kind of nice really, as it makes me feel non-performative and in my own element, really. I even have my yoyo in a holster while I travel.
It’s a nice vibe, I feel like I’m repping a part of myself (yoyoing is a part of who I am now, on eof my favourite traits) and yet, it doesn’t feel scrutinised, or looked down upon by any means. I think yoyo is a really unique hobby in this regard.
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Thats awesome! Glad you got over the fear and did your thing.
Like you said, people just dont care. Theyre not paying attention to every person in a crowded space. Theyve got their own stuff going on just like the redt of us. There isnt time to wprry about everyone else, and even less interest jn doing so.
Its like walking by someone dribbling a basketball while waiting for the bus. You might see it, maybe even keep your eyes on it for a second or 2. But theres not really any actual thought about it coming to mind.
You dont go “oh look, a guy with a basketball. I wonder if hes on a team. I wonder if theyre good. He looks like a point guard. He probably dates a cheerleader and his coach is tough but fair…”
Youre still thinking about how your boss was kind of lame at work today and youre glad youre off and what am i having for dinner. Even if you end up looking at the basketball for a couple seconds.
Or maybe im just a psycho. If so, dont anyone say so. Its working for me just fine
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Most kids (and some adults) in my community don’t even bother to remember my name, they just call me ‘the yoyo man!’. Suffice to say… I’m the only yoyo man. 
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Never. When I learned Braintwister in 2018 I was so excited that I showed some people at work (of course, the only comment I got was asking if could walk the dog). I got my neighbor interested in 2020 and he excelled quickly and surpassed me in several months then moved away. I’ve never had an interest in throwing around people. I mess up often and it feels like if I start throwing around people it’ll look as if I’m trying to draw attention to myself. Yoyo is for me alone and for personal fun. I put some yoyo vids on my youtube channel and that’s the closest to “throwing in public” as I’ll ever get.
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