No Stupid Questions

I live near a big public park and it would be strange if there wasn't someone juggling there on a sunny day.

I live in Chicago near a park and every now and then I’ve seen someone juggling there. I’d say it’s out of the ordinary but not in a bad way; it’s unique. Still a fun hobby and you’re not hurting anyone, so go for it!

Everything's weird.

As long as you're not actively hurting someone, do what you love.

It's possibly the least disruptive thing you can do that may also entertain some passersby

As a professional juggler I say go for it! That's where I practise and never had any bad experiences in public parks.

True story: I used to worry so much about what people thought. One day I did an experiment, dyed my hair lime green and went around to the shops, library etc. Nobody batted an eyelid and I realised it was just me.

Nowadays I do "weird" things in public every weekend, and people usually pay in advance!

Does it matter?

I don't mean that in a dismissive way. Actually think about it.

If someone sees you and thinks "wow look at this weirdo" it's on them, not you. And in truth they're probably just jealous of someone that's having a good time :)

Seems fine to me. I'd rather someone juggle than loudly play some instrument.

Nope, that is what third spaces are for. :)

If you're good enough at it you might make some side money, win-win imo.

I mean, if you take "weird" to mean "abnormal", then yes, it would be very weird. You will likely be the only person juggling in the park. But weird doesn't mean bad - just different.

On the other hand, your coworkers probably spend their lunch breaks eating McDonalds and scrolling IG in their cars. Juggling in the park sounds like a way better use of your time.

Sounds really cool. Weird? Not at all.

I'd say that's exactly what the park is for.

It's weird to juggle anywhere, but you shouldn't let that stop you cause everybody's weird in some way or another and that's fine. A park seems like as good a place as any.

I don't think so, but people might stare a bit if you do it in a busy place of the park.
I would look for a place with a bit of quiet. I saw people do a variety of things in parks. When they choose a quiet place, I'll assume they want peace for there outside hobby and give them that.

When you're 20, you care what everyone thinks about you

When you're 40, you don't give a shit what anyone thinks about you.

When you're 60, you'll realize no one was thinking about you the whole time. It will be more empowering than depressing.

Skip the worry. Do you. It's public space and hurts no one.

Absolutely not weird, and any normal adult would just walk by and think hey cool.

Unpopular opinion time, the only people, and I mean literally, the only people that are even suggesting it's weird or thinking other people think it's weird, are the sweatys that have never actually been to a park, or understand the dynamics of park people.

Would it be weird if you were in a park and a grown up man was there juggling?

No. It would be depressing if I was in a park and no one was there juggling, or trying to learn to ride a unicycle, or failing to slackline, or setting up a tent for the first time before going on an adventure, or doing yoga, or practicing artistic moves.
To me, that's just what people do in a park. That's (also) what parks are for.

When you start, for the first 5 minutes or so, people will look at you, maybe they'll even point at you, maybe even laugh.
But unless you live in a really shitty depressing place, that laugh will be one of joy, and they'll look and point at you cause they are interested.

Source: I did all those activities in parks. No one ever laughed at me, and I never got the feeling they thought I'm a weirdo.

Yes, it is.

Do it anyway.

the only barrier to this is in your head

Weird as in outside of the norm? Sure, just a bit. Weird as in dangerous or creepy? Not in the slightest. If I were out for a walk and saw someone juggling at the park, that would make me happy. I wish I felt as comfortable to do things outside.

Seems about the kind of activity people tend to do in parks.

Unless you're causing harm to other people, what someone might think is rarely a good reason to not do something you genuinely want to.

Just don’t wear a vest, bowler/tophat or wingtips.

Ive seen this a lot and i don't think it is weird. One thind I'll mention is people are probably going to stop and watch you, ask questions, maybe even ask if they can try. If that won't bother you while practicing then I'd say go for it and get out there juggling. You could probably leave a hat or something on the ground and people will toss you a couple of coins just for letting them watch.

There was one guy in my classes during undergrad who rode a unicycle while playing guitar. He did this everywhere he went. Cool guy. Very level headed and down to earth, just quirky.

Na, totally fine. Go for it mate.

Are you even a juggler if you don't go play in public from time to time? It's a gift for others to see.

Compared to other public spaces, no.

Not as weird as at a funeral

Juggling in the park is exactly the kind of things parks are for. Anyone who thinks it’s weird has crippling hang-ups; their opinions can be safely disregarded.

Most people are going to think it's cool, it's not any more weird than playing the guitar on the street or playing on a public piano.

I am an adult male who goes to the park / beach to play with and practise my levitation wand (flow toy) which is way less "normal" that just juggling.

Aside from the fact that who gives a fuck, it is a public park and anyone who thinks a man juggling is weird is the one with the problem the opposite is actually true in my experience.

The majority of people ignore me and the ones that don't are genuinely interested in what the fuck I'm doing or how it works. Some people will watch from a distance, some people will engage and ask but no one tells me it is weird.

Go practise your juggling man!

You juggle all you want in any park. Just don't make it weird. Of there are tombstones in said park, it's not for juggling.