Self conscious about skateboarding in public

[Easy Slider]

I am almost 50 and don't mind being seen in public with my bloard and skate apparel. Mostly people don't mind or give me a nice commentary. Yesterday I was in a shop and the girl at the counter (mid 30ies or something) asks me if I am goofy or regular, she used to skate etc. On Sunday two fat kids asked me if I was Stephen Hawking. I hope they meant Tony Hawk but I am not sure tho.

[ferguu]

I used to be self conscious too. Then I realized like, I'm kinda good at this. Like they can laugh all they want but they would certainly crack their head open if they tried to step on a board. Nobody can argue with a treflip y'know?

Just do ya thing, helmet or no. It's all in ur head anyway.

[V Badun]

I am almost 50 and don't mind being seen in public with my bloard and skate apparel. Mostly people don't mind or give me a nice commentary. Yesterday I was in a shop and the girl at the counter (mid 30ies or something) asks me if I am goofy or regular, she used to skate etc. On Sunday two fat kids asked me if I was Stephen Hawking. I hope they meant Tony Hawk but I am not sure tho.

[Groondor the Orc]

Sounds like your identity may be tied in with skateboarding, which is a whole nother beast to tame..

100% no. It's not this at all. I'm pretty into Cosplay so when I go skate I kind of cosplay as a skater if that makes sense. I like to get into character and wear the outfit. I dress very differently day to day so maybe that's part of the issue. When I cosplay it is generally obvious (yes as an Orc most times) so people don't think it's the 'real' me. When I go out to skate I feel less comfortable than I do in full Gothmog battle dress for example.

I wish I still wore skate clothes IRL but cosplay kind of ruined that too. I cosplayed Maverick from Top Gun and the reaction I got from females was crazy. I have been sticking to the Avirex/aviators/Levis/boots formula for a decade plus and it doesn't work for skating at all.

[Hyliannightmare]

Same except I don't even post the clips I do get. I can only skate the parls from like 5am to about 8 or 9am. Streets always open though

[Rick Trapasso]

If you're talking about street skating in public, you probably just have a healthy amount of shame and respect for other peoples space.

Nothing wrong with skating street (it is the best actually) but the space is not exactly "meant" for us to skate, so I try to operate with extra caution and respect for the general public when they are around the spot.

Just try to be cool/respectful and you might feel less self conscious by virtue of feeling good about how you are operating.

Also, this talk about a "full gothmog battledress" makes me think you might be trolling right now ... Or orcing.

[Bupstop]

I get a little nervous skating in public. Sometimes I have to really hype myself up to do it but I always have fun once I get past that initial nervousness. A majority of people don’t care and are pretty cool. I had some guy the other day in a pickup truck get so psyched watching me do a crummy crooked grind on a parking block. Made my day. I guess he could have been mocking me but I’ll take it as someone getting stoked on a bald old guy skating.

[backside_frontside]

Sounds like a you problem bud. You gotta clear your mind of that bullshit and just skate. That's what its all about.

[Mandatory Reload]

as much as it shouldn't be, skateboarding as an adult is seen as juvenile societally. i don't bring my skateboard to work and people there don't really know i skate (or if they do, i don't want to remind them regularly). i'm not embarrassed to skate in public at skateparks or places where there are lots of other skaters because i'm not concerned about how my skill level is perceived, but sometimes when i'm walking back into my apartment building with my board and pass a neighbor that i otherwise have a mature relationship with, i get a pang of "wonder whether they think i'm childish for holding this skateboard right now". it's not something i'm especially proud to talk about with normies

nobody thinks twice about adults playing pickup basketball or having other hobbies that are centered around "play" but skateboarding does still have a very youthful association culturally, and older people that do it are viewed a certain way by people who care about the stereotypical tenets of "maturity". shit's dumb and we shouldn't care but i'd be lying if i said i didn't think about it

[white monster]

Talk to your doctor about this fiasco and maybe get put on a medication

Maybe percs

[GreenLineAcid]

Just wait until 3am like Rodney Mullen

[apbarbs]

the other day i had the skatepark to myself on a cold windy winter morning
it's rare to have this park to myself so i decided to start trying to finger flip out of a launch ramp
after 15 minutes someone wlse came and they were just rolling around doing nollie flips every try
i immediately packed up and left

[Jacintos Praying Mantis]

Just skate naked. the skateboard will be the last thing they notice.

[estate]

grown men bet money on fake sport teams I wouldn’t feel embarrassed actually doing something

grown men bet money on fucking horses and we all know the nlf is rigged

[estate]

Has anyone tried skating with a face covering? A breathable mask or like a Spider-Man type deal would be perfect…but I guess would cause issues with vision and sweating etc?

yeah that would be hard asf like you go stop sum robberies with your board aswell gnarly

[SatanicPanic]

It’s pretty different here in SD- old skaters are everywhere. But even in other cities I don’t care. Anyone who’s judging you is a scared, boring dumbass anyway. They secretly envy you.

[cancelfliplateflip]

Nobody cares. As long as you're not getting in anyone's way or breaking a law it literally does not matter what you do.

[skunty]

they key is the warm up slow on the outskirts of the session just kinda in your own world until you start feelin good then join in fully with the group

[ferguu]

Nobody cares. As long as you're not getting in anyone's way or breaking a law it literally does not matter what you do.

Even when you're breakin the law it still don't really matter.

[elbarto]

Expand Quote

Has anyone tried skating with a face covering? A breathable mask or like a Spider-Man type deal would be perfect…but I guess would cause issues with vision and sweating etc?

[close]

yeah that would be hard asf like you go stop sum robberies with your board aswell gnarly

Yuto nollie 270 lipped Hollywood High with a ski mask on. Go live your dreams lol.

Also OP I just turned 30 and have definitely felt the “you’re getting too old for that” vibes from people. But I can still kickflip a damn 10 stair so am I really too old? I think they’re jealous.

[white monster]

They secretly envy you.

Lol nah

[Monolithic Flick]

I'll be ashamed of it they day they're all ashamed to play pickleball.

[Sedition]

100% no. It's not this at all. I'm pretty into Cosplay so when I go skate I kind of cosplay...

"We are all born naked. The rest is Drag." -RuPaul

Leave it to a drag queen to sum up existentialism better than any of the existentialist philosophers.


Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval
and you will be their prisoner.

Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.

-Tao Teh Ching, Chapter 9 (Stephen Mitchell translation)


Be content with yourself, and you won't need approval of others.

[EARL***THE***PEARL]

Being embarrassed skating or being seen as a skateboarder is unimaginable for me...


"They" should be embarrassed they're not pushing down the street with good style.

[Sandwich Marty]

It’s easy to be a teenager and roll around to street spots with a group and not give a fuck about anyone else’s opinion. Doing that as an adult by yourself takes a certain level of brazen defiance of cultural norms. It’s not for everyone.

Western society does not reward or favor individualism. It’s no wonder we’ve been whipped into thinking we need to fit in at all costs, going outside the lines isn’t profitable. Why are you out here using public infrastructure to explore the limits of your physical and creative abilities when you should clearly be finding more ways to earn money and present as an effective member of the group?

Your time to skate and really do this thing to your fullest potential is limited. Ask yourself what matters to you.

[Rick Trapasso]

Talk to your doctor about this fiasco and maybe get put on a medication

Maybe percs

1000 IQ play

[Sedition]

It’s easy to be a teenager and roll around to street spots with a group and not give a fuck about anyone else’s opinion. Doing that as an adult by yourself takes a certain level of brazen defiance of cultural norms. It’s not for everyone.

Western society does not reward or favor individualism. It’s no wonder we’ve been whipped into thinking we need to fit in at all costs, going outside the lines isn’t profitable. Why are you out here using public infrastructure to explore the limits of your physical and creative abilities when you should clearly be finding more ways to earn money and present as an effective member of the group?

Your time to skate and really do this thing to your fullest potential is limited. Ask yourself what matters to you.

Well said. I salute.

[Steely Daniel]

Think Kalis in a helmet... lol. Should be embarassed about typing that out.

[minilogoflow]

It’s easy to be a teenager and roll around to street spots with a group and not give a fuck about anyone else’s opinion. Doing that as an adult by yourself takes a certain level of brazen defiance of cultural norms. It’s not for everyone.

Western society does not reward or favor individualism. It’s no wonder we’ve been whipped into thinking we need to fit in at all costs, going outside the lines isn’t profitable. Why are you out here using public infrastructure to explore the limits of your physical and creative abilities when you should clearly be finding more ways to earn money and present as an effective member of the group?

Your time to skate and really do this thing to your fullest potential is limited. Ask yourself what matters to you.

I'm gonna have to disagree with the thought that western society is anti-individual and I think you're conflating capitalistic ideals with western culture. This idea of suppressed individualism is a lot more prevalent in East Asian and Middle Eastern cultures where there is a larger emphasis on social cohesion and sustaining a historical culture. Western society (USA specifically) has always placed more emphasis on liberty and personal expression to a point that we're seeing it's extremely detrimental aspects in real time. I would imagine that an adult skateboarding in the streets is looked down on more in Japan where their work culture is more overbearing than anywhere in the US.

[Sedition]

Expand Quote

It’s easy to be a teenager and roll around to street spots with a group and not give a fuck about anyone else’s opinion. Doing that as an adult by yourself takes a certain level of brazen defiance of cultural norms. It’s not for everyone.

Western society does not reward or favor individualism. It’s no wonder we’ve been whipped into thinking we need to fit in at all costs, going outside the lines isn’t profitable. Why are you out here using public infrastructure to explore the limits of your physical and creative abilities when you should clearly be finding more ways to earn money and present as an effective member of the group?

Your time to skate and really do this thing to your fullest potential is limited. Ask yourself what matters to you.

[close]

I'm gonna have to disagree with the thought that western society is anti-individual and I think you're conflating capitalistic ideals with western culture. This idea of suppressed individualism is a lot more prevalent in East Asian and Middle Eastern cultures where there is a larger emphasis on social cohesion and sustaining a historical culture. Western society (USA specifically) has always placed more emphasis on liberty and personal expression to a point that we're seeing it's extremely detrimental aspects in real time. I would imagine that an adult skateboarding in the streets is looked down on more in Japan where their work culture is more overbearing than anywhere in the US.

The fact that it snows a lot more in Canada does not negate or invalidate snow in New England.