I feel bad for people like you described. They seem like the type where if everyone else isnt doing it, they arnt either, god fobid they be different from the social media influncers 
I hope you find some better and more supportive freinds. Come chill in denver if you need some yoyo buddies, we got you 
This topic is starting to turn into “what’s good about yoyoing.” And, adding to what you said; what other hobby has multiple free prescribed lesson plans (with videos) that are designed to systematically improve your skill and enjoyment of the hobby? I might have to start looking down on people who don’t yoyo. 
Well to be fair, there are some great channels on Youtube for a lot of different hobbies such as musical instruments, shooting sports, fixing cars, breaking cars etc.
Ivan
True. You can learn how to turn a hair dryer into a coffee roaster or anything else on youtube, but the trick ladders available here and one other place we know and love are a whole system with videos. There are I’m sure other hobbies with great learning sites (chess, backgammon, reversi and other games come to mind) and even great (debatable sometimes) communities, but I’m just not aware of any that compare to what YYE and YYT have provided for yoyo.
I do not believe that people that play yo-yo care a hoot what others think about it. I know I don’t.
Exactly lol
Sadly we all get influenced in some ways about what other people think about us, I think it is just how society works and how “humans” work and the general thinking change in base of the fashion and progression.
Is a bit like be a nerd that ages ago was considered something negative while in the last couple of years (around 7-8 years more or less) it kind of reversed it’s situation.
What I think is that is important do not let this people discourage you to do something you love just because is not “in line” with a standard.
Anyway not long ago I started to post my video on my personal facebook where lot of people did not know I play (except my dearest friends and family) and overall people is hugely impressed by it, so far no one that call it as something childish, also because the tricks we do and the level of difficulty of some stuff are not childish at all
Guitar snobs are the worst.
Go buy a really exotic metal.
My friends say I should stop buying way to many yo-yo’s but they don’t really tell me to stop playing them.
I don’t think they would ever stop me.
Most common folk don’t know or appreciate hardcore and technical yoyo tricks. I would recommend showing them tech picture tricks instead. They can relate more visually. There’s a cute trick by yoyorewind called spider baby
I totally agree with you.
