How do you convice someone that yoyos aren't a stupid hobby?

General Yo-Yo
81

Exactly,

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I actually had to make this argument to an uncle of mine. He asked me “what’s the point of this?”
And I had to remind him that most hobbies and loads of things people enjoy are pointless beyond that they enjoy doing it. It kind of gave him something to think about it and he wasn’t critical anymore after that.

Of course it helps that I was a 40+ year old man having that conversation with a 60+ year old man. I suspect a lot of adults are not ready to listen to kids when they talk with them…sadly.

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82

I don’t think we ever saw the kid again that lost the bearing to the snapback you bought him either. :skull: Tough to get kids to stick to the hobby.

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83

Never forget the mailbox saga

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84

A true classic. Thanks for the reminder and the chuckle :face_with_hand_over_mouth:

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85

Oh, you sweet summer child, trying to convince someone that yo-yos–the ancient and majestic spinny boys–aren’t a stupid hobby? Buckle up, because this is not just about defending a pastime, this is a full-blown, glitter-covered crusade for truth, justice, and string-based entertainment.

First, let’s address the audacity of the accusation: “Yo-Yos are stupid.” Ah, yes… because anything that doesn’t involve overpriced gym memberships, crypto speculation, or yelling at strangers online must be stupid. let me guess, they collect NFTs of cartoon monkeys, but your $3 plastic Butterfly yo-yo is the real problem with society?

Start by hitting them with facts, but not boring ones. Hit them with the hard-hitting, yo-yo-flavored truths:

  • “Did you know yo-yos have been around since 500 B.C.? That’s right, buddy, while your hobbies didn’t even survive weeks, mine has literally stood the test of millennia.”
  • "Yo-yos were used as weapons in the Philippines.* Not even joking. So yes, this is both a toy and a low-budget nunchuck. Come at me.

Then show them a trick. Not just any trick—go for a full-on, wrist-snapping, gravity-defying Eiffel Tower into Mach 5 into Pop n’ Fresh combo, and stare into their soul while doing it like, “Is this stupid? Or are you just intimidated by my string mastery?”

And if they’re still unconvinced? Tell them, “Yeah, I totally regret having a hobby that improves hand-eye coordination, patience, spatial awareness, and looks absolutely baller. You’re right, I should’ve invested my free time into binge-watching seven seasons of a show I don’t even like just so I can pretend to have opinions at parties.”

Finally, just casually mention that professional yo-yoers get paid to perform, tour the world, and compete internationally. Meanwhile, their hobby involves arguing with teenagers on Reddit about Batman casting decisions.

So how do you convince someone yo-yos aren’t a stupid hobby?

You don’t. You let them sit in their dry, dusty, joyless little corner of the world while you throw a perfect Eli Hop and bask in the glorious whirl of your high-speed enlightenment. And when they ask “What’s that you just did?” you just smile and say,
“Oh, just stupid yo-yo stuff.”

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86

To address the topic/ thread title, I won’t put it quite as eloquently as ol’ Snoop here, but when I get that confused look/ “is that ayoyo???” I typically end up explaining that it’s my way to meditate and to spend my time away from my doomrectangle.

They almost always get on board, which is why I have now given away like half a dozen or so yo-yos, and have gotten pretty good at explaining how to bind lol.

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87

I also get that “hey your that yoyo guy” I’m not that good or anything and I don’t have any social media following I’m just literally the only one who yoyos in public. it makes me happy

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And here I always thought when people mentioned me being a “yo-yo” guy… they were saying I was weird… :rofl::rofl:

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89

No. They’re saying, “that guys a yoyo!”

That’s different :joy:

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That was the greatest

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I had a kid and parent one time watching me yoyo at the park. Parent tells their kid “hey, check that out!” (points to me doing tricks). Kid asks “what is that?” and parent replies “it’s a yoyo, you can do tricks with them!” kid asks “why would anyone want to do that?” followed by going back to his game of flappy bird or candy crush.

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I avoid yoyoing in public now. I just want people to leave me alone when I’m doing it and not comment and ask questions. Lol

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94

Questions like… Can you walk the dog While yoyoing over concrete

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95

Tell them you could be speedcubing

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Yep. And DNA. I’m not your average friendly smiling yoyoer.

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Oh, come on, now, Glen… you and I both know that you avoid it simply because the general public is not ready for your talents—what a gracious, and selfless thing of you to do; your efforts have been noticed, and applauded.

I kid, of course… I relate to this myself; I have seldom enjoyed a conversation with a stranger about yoyos…

99

At least around here, the public is already lost… Looking at you, iPad kids with zero imagination and phone zombies as they cross a busy street.

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100

So true… It’s sad.

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101

ppl want to ask you about something you love and are passionate about and you’re like “leave me alone”!? lol all i can say is if someone asks me about my yoyo its them that’s regretting it cuz i won’t shut up :rofl:

“No”…works every time :wink: