Dealing with the strange looks

[cwdana]

I often want to take my cube everywhere and continuously solve it. BUT, I don't always want to deal with the questions that come with it. "oooh, do you know how to solve it?/I had one when I was a kid/I never learned to solve it/I took the stickers off/etc"

While it is pretty amazing how much of a cultural icon the cube is, and that it can start a conversation with almost anyone, anywhere in the world, all I want to do is get some solves in.

At first it was kind of fun. But now I just try to avoid it. Wish my keychain cube worked well - I'd just use that under the table.

I usual just make pleasant conversation and move on.

How do you deal with it?

 

[RobinBloehm]

sell cubes, that's what I do with all those watching me, bought about 30 once, now I've got 8 left

 

[SajberPinGu]

Best reply would be "What did i acctually solve it? I didnt notice i just did random turns" that would kill the conversation (or atleast chock them enough to be quiet).
But seriously i try to not sit where there are much ppl if im going to do some solves, especially bld.

Just reply something pleasant and then keep on solving is what i usually do.
If they ask how you do it just say "it's a secret" (or "if i told you that i would have to kill you") with a nice attitude as a joke.

 

[Jai]

To every single person who's ever asked how I solve it, I just say "There's a way" and smile. If I try to explain ANYTHING to them, they'll get confused; trust me, I've tried. >_>

EDIT: If you wanna take the Lolcat path, try "IF U CANT HANDLE DA PWNAG3, AVERT YA EYEZ"

 

[ajmorgan25]

I don't really mind the stares I get while solving. I used to at first, but now I just ignore it or talk to them if they approach me.

The only comment that bothers me is "I heard if you just keep doing the same move over and over...it will fix it. It's like right, left, up, etc." HATE it.

 

[MiloD]

head phones...no one will bother you

 

[Crzyazn]

Stares of awe are cool...

but idiots who think they know cubing... >.<

"DUDE I THINK YOU DO THE FISH METHOD" (w...t....f....)
"I hear all you have to do is look at the pattern"
"I usually peel off the stickers" (I die a little inside when i hear this)
"OMGOMGOMG THAT WAS LIKE 10 SECONDS!!!" (when in actuality it was 25)
"Can you teach me??"

 

[Jai]

If we're gonna get into stuff people say to us, you might want to check out my Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2351879613 .

 

[TimMc]

sell cubes, that's what I do with all those watching me, bought about 30 once, now I've got 8 left

Heh, we should get $$$ or free cubes from Seven Towns for promoting Rubik's Cubes in public

I'd like to sell Black DIY (A) cubes here but the shipping costs too much and I wouldn't want to get more than 20 for the first order.

There's a few suppliers here with AUD$0.50 cubes but I'm skeptical about the quality (haven't checked them out, 1000km away).

Tim.

 

[TimMc]

"DUDE I THINK YOU DO THE FISH METHOD" (w...t....f....)

I've heard that a few times

There must have been some method talking about executing Sune or Niklas on the top when you've a 2x2 block with two edges oriented (looks like a fish?).

Tim.

 

[Erik]

head phones...no one will bother you

Yup that works for me, if people see I'm listening to music they will less likely stare at you or ask stupid things. Of course, when you WANT people to stare and get interested in what you do don't put music on
Mostly I also look annoyed because of my bad times instead of grin when I'm done helps too xD

 

[Dene]

Headphones isn't certain to work for me . I usually listen to my music, but still get people walking up to me at Uni (and yes I do sit in a quiet and secluded area to cube!)

 

[Lofty]

Just blow off the annoying people and talk to the ones you want to... I'm normally pretty quiet and introverted so I don't mind the occasional attention and people noticing me for once lol.
If you don't want people saying anything put headphones on and concentrate really hard hard on the cube so it doesn't look like you are purposefully ignoring them

 

[Rama]

Just blow off the annoying people and talk to the ones you want to... I'm normally pretty quiet and introverted so I don't mind the occasional attention and people noticing me for once lol.
If you don't want people saying anything put headphones on and concentrate really hard hard on the cube so it doesn't look like you are purposefully ignoring them

I roll my eyes alot, I am the observant type of guy, I think it wouldn't work for me.

Btw. Have you guys also noticed when you hand out your cube and you ask them ''Do you want to scramble it?'' that they say that they don't know how to.

 

[andrewvo1324]

Yea i hate when people stare at me when i cube, i feel like a attention Wh**e

and my friend get mad and say im bragging with my skills(WTF 30sec avg sure)

and yea i just want to practice but no.....to much people staring


SPECIALLY ON MY BUS!!!

 

[niKo]

If you want to get the looks, New York subway is best, lol. Keeping your head down is good if you don't want people talking to you, but I enjoy it. I give a short explanation, and sometimes a website or two for those who genuinely want to learn.

-niKo

 

[Rubie Kid]

I bring my cube to school and I get those alot...If they just ask me how I solve it i say patterns...if they bug me I just move away...and I take around a minute to solve it!

 

[cwdana]

If you want to get the looks, New York subway is best, lol. Keeping your head down is good if you don't want people talking to you, but I enjoy it. I give a short explanation, and sometimes a website or two for those who genuinely want to learn.

-niKo

I'd imagine there are stranger things you could find on a NYC sub. But it sure would be a good time-pass. I once took a train from Long Island into the city - 2 hours! And it was an express.

That would be a lot of solves.

 

[dChan]

When people start staring at you you should be happy. Obviously they think you are amazing otherwise they wouldn't stare. And those that are not shy and start questioning just sincerely want to know how you do it. I don't think anyone means to be annoying - it is just that they are really so amazed with how you can solve a Rubik's cube.

 

[fanwuq]

1.It depends on whether they are nice people. I like it when people get amazing and wonder how I solve it. It makes me feel smarter. I really like it when I reply that there are people who are faster than me and that I only got 41th out of 84 at Princeton and they reply that I'm their favorite anyway.
1 I hate it when people say, “Oh my god! You just solved it in like 5 minutes!” No, actually it was about 25 seconds. I'll be horrified if I get anything over 40seconds. 2 Some people say your fingers are so fast, my eyes hurt looking! (I was slow solving at 2 tps.) } 3 ”I used to peel the sticker.” why don't you just pop it open? “Woah! You could do that?” 4 “You are a genius, I love you!” thanks... 5 “I would take me like (random number) (hours, days, months, years)” Yeah right, I think never, unless someone has lots of patience to explain it to you. 6 “I spent hours working on that and I could barely get one side.” you don't have a live and you are stupid. 7. “you don't have a live.” I have much vitality. I bet I can beat you in a one mile race!