I got the "lazy person" comment today!

[jillmac]

I decided to take the bull by the horns and ride to the Mission today. Plenty of honking horns and people calling out. I parked inside the Mission and had lots of interest throughout the morning (loads of visitors today - two weeks of celebrations coming up). It was interesting to see that the most serious interest came from older people and one lady in particular was really excited. Her father had 'post-polio syndrome' and his walking ability was impacted. She wanted to know everything about the Segway and said she was going home to check it all out.

Leaving for lunch there were crowds of schoolchildren visiting and one of the teachers/parents raised her voice and said very loudly "Oh there's one of those lazy people machines." I didn't respond, but hope she noticed the cane sticking out of my backpack! Probably didn't - just to full of herself and her 'clever' remark. I do hope she wasn't a teacher - that sort of ignorance is not good in the classroom.

I used the yellow key on the long stretches between home and the Mission but found it a bit too much around town so 'keyed down' to black for the duration, and then on my trip home after lunch, stopped and fired up with the yellow again.

I'm not sure if I will ever graduate to red. I'm never in that much of a hurry to get anywhere, and quite frankly I am really enjoying seeing everything up close rather than a slight glance as I motor through in my car!

Well - this lazy person is in for an early night..... a tiring day, but a most enjoyable one.

Jill

[mzokc]

Jill, Loved reading your adventure! Hopefully the rude person will "swallow" her pride and investigate the HT for herself! You were on the real mission today, sharing new found freedom to travel where tired feet are no longer able!

When the control bar stays close to your tummy, you will know it's time for the red key! The smoother the surface, the faster you will want to go. But don't rush it, stay in control and ease up to it. The steering is very similar with the yellow and red keys.

Have a great weekend!

Mark Z in OKC

[motleyorc]

Jillmac, remember that even though you might be using the hot red key, you can still go as slow as you want at any time. Many people think that as soon as you use the red key you're Segwaying around at max speed. Not true unless that's what you want to do. You still have complete control of your speed.


http://www.segwayceleb.com
motleyorc@hotmail.com

[toybuilder]

Well, after the Bob's meet tonight with wheels, Peter iNova, and BruceWright, I wen into Old Town Pasadena to do some more demos.

Lots of people were really keen about the device.

But there were also a handful of put downs like "are you too lazy to walk?" or "what use does it have?". And someone from clear across the street yelled out "hey dork!"

Oh well. Can't please everyone. The smiles I got from those with genuine interest was nice, though.

And, of course, it doesn't hurt that some of them are really cute women. :D:D:D

http://www.pasadenasegway.com

[pam]

quote:Originally posted by toybuilder

And, of course, it doesn't hurt that some of them are really cute women. :D:D:D
http://www.pasadenasegway.com

Which is probably why you got the comments <G>. The commenters weren't getting the cute women.
Pam

[Linc2000]

Hey Jill!

You can tell them one of your cohorts riding a Segway has lost 5 pounds in less than 2 weeks riding his Segway. There are others with similar reports.

Riding a Segway takes total focus on what you are doing. I notice walking is easier than Segwaying. It is also slower. Definitely not as much fun. The Segway is reinvigorating my life. It may not last but when the fun stops I will let you know.

Words are important. My opinion about words: http://www.words-words.com/ . Don't think you can let them pass and be acceptable and think they won't affect you.

The black key is our friend. But don't always ride in the black key mode. Find an open area to ride yellow and red key. It is important to be familiar with turning in the yellow and red key modes even if you don't use them on the street for normal gliding.

Happy and safe Gliding. Lincoln [8D]

<center> http://www.wwwebhosting.com/tm3wwwlogo.gif</center>

[JT]

Yeah I got the lazy person comment too. However I was in front of about 100,000 people and only got one... 99.9% of the commments were positive. Pretty good stats in my book...

[pam]

So far, the majority of people I've met have been interested in the technology, not the rider. The only time I've been asked about exercise was on another list where exercise is a part of that particular program. When I explained that the Segway didn't take away any of my walking time, just short car trips, they were ok with it.
Pam

[Peter iNova]

Being inconsiderate is the laziest thing around, eh? The worst thing to have to deal with is a genuinely motivated lazy person, and there are plenty of them around. Too bad you had to run into (so to speak) one.

I'm more confrontational. I probably would have pulled an about-face and come back to the person and said, "You're so athletic--you get on and balance!" giving them no help at all. No, I wouldn't. Too cruel. Too damaging. But I might have held out the cane and said "What part of this don't you understand!"

But how do I really feel about it?

-iNova
http://www.glidewalk.com

[BenBethel]

Hmmm.... I guess my response to being called lazy would be "you're the one in a car" or something of the like. But in all reality, I really am impatient when it comes to walking! It's just soooo slow. This is the happy medium between driving and walking, and I can take this a lot of places where taking a car or bike would be a hassle.


www.benbethel.com

[AtlSeg]

I've gotten a couple of the "didn't realize you were paralyzed" comments--some from people I know. I think they are so awe-struck by the Segway, that the feel they have to have some wisecrack retort. Didn't bother me at all.

I have gotten two serious questions from people asking if I had a problem with my legs--I told them "no, I'm just having fun." They were fine with that.

Someone pointed out that there are many people who don't seem to want to look at you--perhaps they think you are disabled and think they are being polite. Don't know--perhaps some truth in that.

**** (Richard) in Atlanta

[mzokc]

I am always stepping off the unit and asking if they want to step on it, so no one has asked about any disabilities.

Everyone asks about the Zcoil shoes when using the Segway. I have to explain they have nothing to do with the HT and are not needed! It does allow me to share how wonderful they feel when walking on concrete or marble.

Check the 8th photo at http://homepage.mac.com/mzokc/segway/PhotoAlbum46.html

Mark Z in OKC