| Note: if this page is hard for you to read because of the background, highlight the text. If you think I should change it, let me know. (guestbook or e-mail) We've all seen them. The losers of yo. I know you know one. You're thinking of him/her right now. Your roomate who can't "Make it go up and down," or maybe your misguided brother, who thinks clutches are "cool." These people are the ones who don't understand, nor have an appreciation for the fine, underappreciated art of Yo-yoing. It's hard to yo-yo around them, at times difficult to communicate with them, due to the fact that they can't or don't see the world the way you and I do. In the following paragraphs, I'll show you how to deal and live with these people. First, let's take a look at the wide spectrum these types fall under. First of all, there are the heathens. These are the folks who have been misguided by evil corpYOMEGAorations to believe that yo-yos are merely toys. These folks tend to use a yo-yo only as long as its a fad, and will ditch it if it becomes seen as uncool. They are also more likely to accept any advance in yo-yo technology that makes performing the Gravity Gripper (basic up and down motion) easier. They would have a machine yo-yo for them if one were made. They will be seen one day, walking down the street, swinging an X-Brain at their side, then the next day giving disses to the kid who still carries his Terminator Tornado faithfully in his pocket. These people are difficult to deal with. I would say it is best to avoid them, but if that is impossible or undesirable, try to make a connection of equality between their interests and yours, specifically yo-yoing. Show them that yo-yoing is a legitimate pasttime. Second, are the dregs. These are people who simply can't (or couldn't their first few tries) manage a yo-yo. Typically they will quietly watch a yo-yo guru perform, and then offer afterword, "I never could really yo-yo." Emotions toward yo-yos may range from kind jealousy to apathy to bitterness, but there are those who later in life pick up a yo-yo and use it quite well, and you may encourage them to give it another try. Some just had bad expieriences in early childhood being unable to manage the yo-yo while say, an older sibling could. Generally they can be yo-yoed in the company of with little or no problems. If they express a desire not to be around yo-yos, its usually best to comply, in order to grant them a more warm perpective toward yo-yoers, and thus, yo-yos. Do everything toward them with that goal in mind. Next, are the antagonists. These are the people who for one reason or another, hate or express anmosity toward yo-yos. They can be extreme cases of the above two types, or maybe they have other motives. Sometimes they take the form of schoolteachers and principals who ban yo-yos in the places of education. Other times they are parents who are sick of their kids "wasting time" with a "toy" that they don't see as worthy of that time. This is one of the hardest groups to deal with, as tempers can so easily be flared. The first thing to do, is get to the root of the problem. If a teacher bans the skill toy because it is a distraction, the best thing may be to comply with the ban, since there are other times of day at which you can yo-yo. Secondly, give a little. For instance, only yo-yo when your responsibilites such as homework or chores, are done and fulfilled. As long as you don't show an attidude of war back at the antagonist, things will probably be okay. The most important thing to remember with these people, whatever their problem, is that they are human too. Don't sacrifice a good relationship just so you can yo-yo in someones personal space. On the same note, don't give up your privelige to yo-yo in order to be considered "cool." Weigh things on how important they are. Yo-yos are fun and beneficial, but relationships are an intergal part of human existence. Popularity is fun, but fleeting. You may not even speak to your fifth grade classmates in the next 5 years, so don't give up a wholesome, educational, enjoyable activity in order to be part of a dissipating organization. This is Jonny, giving you his thoughts on life and yo-yos. God bless. |