September 3, 2008

Too Hip To Be Cool

I’ve been trying to figure out what exactly is “cool”. If cool is a thing or an object, then there are some things that are universally regarded as cool. Like motorcycles. Cool, right? Well ….some cars are cool and some sports or activities are cool too, but what makes them that way? Is it the object or activity or the people that are associated with them? Does cool have to be tough or mean? Or is it a secret desire to be something else?

Here’s an example: remember Fonzie from the TV show “Happy days”?

He was cool. I remember watching that show every week as a teenager, and thinking, “wow, that guy is so cool”. I recently watched an old episode on one of those re-run channels and made a startling discovery. Fonzie wasn’t cool, he was a poser. His attitude was antisocial and aloof. He treated women as objects and intimidated people. Then I started to notice how Howard Cunningham behaved. He was good to his family, nice to people, was even tempered, thoughtful, didn’t freak-out when Richie came home drunk, and was….well…..cool.

So again I am confused about cool. If I ride a bike, does that make me cool? What about a scooter? Not so cool? I find myself not really caring if I’m cool anymore. As a matter of fact, maybe I wasn’t cool to begin with, and just thought I was. Holy doodle! What a revelation! And, simultaneously, what a relief. If I no longer have to worry about how cool I am, think of all the time I’ll have to do other stuff. I can be nice to people, I don’t have to “act” tough, and I can be myself. So I’m not cool. So what?

I think I’ll go for a scooter ride.

CA

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5 Responses to “Too Hip To Be Cool”

1. Gane says:
   

   This scooter is very easy to ride.Maintaince will be easy.
   ———–
   Ganeshan
   widecircles

   September 7th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
2. Dave S says:
   

   Hey Chris, That’s an interesting take on “coolness”. Might need a soothing beverage on a sunday evening to fully appreciate it.
   But it gives me food for thought for a further blog as a reply. Stay “tooned” everybody.
   DS

   September 10th, 2008 at 11:01 am
3. Stephen says:
   

   Here’s one for you. When I first got my C3 scooter, everyone thought that it was dorky. Then one day, people started asking questions about it, and why I liked it, and most importantly, what sort of mileage I was getting. They saw me pulling dead bodies out of the storage area and got even more curious. Scooter became cool. Sometimes cool needs time.

   Kidding on the dead bodies. Maybe dead animals like fish and steaks and chicken, but not for long because it does get toasty down in there.

   Stephen,
   sometimes it requires a drastic event (high gas prices) to motivate people or shift their expectations. my favourite thing is pulling up to a gas pump next to an SUV and chanting something like ” ok, three fifty, c’mon 4 bucks, can we get 4 bucks?” i love the dirty looks, especially when the SUV guy has just passed the 70 dollar mark. annoying? yes. just making a point.
   keep on scootering!
   chris

   September 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
4. Rob Wadman-Scanlan says:
   

   I live in St. John’s Newfoundland and ride a 2006 BWS. I’ve had it a month and totally love it. I also own a car and a minivan. I use the Bee Wee, when I can, for commuting and grocery getting. Amazing all the stuff I can cram under the seat and into the Givi top case. I get lots of comments about it’s good looks. I get a kick out of paying for a full tank of gas with pocket change. Great bike and a hell of a lot of fun.

   Hi Rob,
   I put a Givi top case on mine too, doubled my capacity! I got it from the Yamaha website. (yes we sell those too).
   As for the Scooter, does it matter to you if some people don’t think you’re cool? Me neither. I do notice that the ladies like it more than the men though. Hmmmmm, funny that!
   I guess you’ll need to store it soon, the snow will be coming. Check out Dave’s Blog under “maintenence” for the “Motorcycle Storage Tips: Why”.
   definitely a worthwhile read.
   Keep on Scootering!
   Chris

   October 22nd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
5. Yamaha Dirt Bikes says:
   

   Hey,
   Great Article,
   Talking about coolness I would say it varies among human nature.
   Ya,It can be an object,a human being or a TV Ad or Host or anything.
   According to me an eye catcher or having some unique features can be considered as COOL.As it attracts.
   I fell Britt Custom Bike a cool one.

   February 2nd, 2009 at 2:51 am

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