Does being laughed at bother you?

[unipsychler]

I have a couple long unicycle rides/races comming up in the next two months so I need to do some training. However, since I work all day, help my wife feed the boys supper, then get them ready for bed, I can only train after dark. My two favorite places to train is the university campus nearby and a quiet but very hilly neighborhood which is nearby as well. My problem is that both areas have a lot of teenagers and twentyagers hanging around who bombard me with laughter and various other verbal abuse. I realize I probably look funny riding my 36" unicycle with all my gear on but there I am trying to seriously train and I have to deal with this abuse. While I ignore most of it I have to admit, at times, it bothers me. So I'm wondering how many of you are bothered by the laughter and insults?

[dunawan]

Well, "you reep what you sew". In other words, that verbal abuse is going to come back to them someday. While it bothered you its most likely going to come back to them twice as bothering. Also "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" so as long as they are not getting physical, just ignore them man!

[juggle508]

Eh sometimes but hardly ever. Its just one of those thing that you have to forget about, even though its easier said than done. You could ride to music to drown it out?

KH.

[Chexjc]

I know how it is man. I also ride my Coker on my own campus. Teenagers are brutal...but I don't let it get to me. Good chance it'll escalade beyond verbal abuse. I've had things thrown at me lol.

[monkeyman]

It doesn't bother me with unicycling that much at all. Other things, yeah, it can get to me, but not with unicycling. It's just their fault for missing out.

[dunawan]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

It's just their fault for missing out.

Aka, they are jealous of our beastly skills.

[MuniAddict]

Hell no...I LIVE for it!

[Chexjc]

It's all a male jealousy thing. Notice how women almost never laugh or yell cruel things? It's a male's nature to be jealous when he sees another male doing something that he can't.

The unicycle is threatening to man's masculinity.

[fluxusmaximus]

I'd usually just ignore them but taunts do get kinda irritating and sometimes I'd snap back at them. The good thing though, about Singapore, is that there aren't many punks who'd actually pick a fight with you if you do that. That I'm female probably helps too.

[unipsychler]

Originally Posted by Chexjc

I know how it is man. I also ride my Coker on my own campus. Teenagers are brutal...but I don't let it get to me. Good chance it'll escalade beyond verbal abuse. I've had things thrown at me lol.

I know it's only a matter of time before some drunken idiot lofts a beer bottle at me.

[MuniAddict]

Originally Posted by Chexjc

It's all a male jealousy thing. Notice how women almost never laugh or yell cruel things? It's a male's nature to be jealous when he sees another male doing something that he can't.

The unicycle is threatening to man's masculinity.

Haha, only if you land on the seat wrong!

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by Chexjc

The unicycle is threatening to man's masculinity.

They're just jealous that we can handle the thing between our legs better than they can. That's why they always have to prove themselves in front of their girlfriends.

[torkerdx]

monkeyman +1

i rarely get laughed at. people usually gasp. including when i fall. which is more annoying than laughing because most of my falls include me flying through the air and rolling out. pretty spectacular, fun and i don't get hurt. should be a thats funny moment not a oh I hope he isn't hurt moment.
and since I gave up caring what people think it isn't obnoxious to me. but regardless I usually respond with the first smart alec comment that comes to my head. usually ends up being totally random

[mill_mobile]

I honestly dont care, not that i have been laughed at while uni'ing much at all.
The way i look at it is we ride unicycles, yes it may look a little odd to some, but we enjoy it and get pleasure out of it.
As has been said before, its their loss for not knowing what we are experiencing.
J

[wobbling bear]

England was the only place where I got abusing remarks.
elsewhere even the rowdiest teens (or grown-ups) do not feel a masculine challenge from an old bear on a unicycle: the only things I usually get are witty remarks or encouragements.
the age factor is important: I talked about that with younger unicyclists and, yes, they may be in trouble with other young males who fear for their macho turf.
this said people who just stare at me do challenge my balancing skills