i fold my dahon up and put it in the cart - at whole food. sometimes i just roll my unfolded bike into trader joe's. nobody bothers me except when they ask to take a picture or ask me questions about it. lol. don't underestimate the bike's ability to charm people. mine is a pretty powder blue so it's prolly easy to like.

i've found that people are far nicer and accommodating than i ever imagined they'd be. i bring mine into restaurants and i either put it next to me at the table or they've offered to stash it for me, without me even asking. this has happened in clothing stores too. but, some movie theaters are not so accommodating. but, i've found a movie theater that is and i go there when i can.

i also roll my bike around with the seatpost extended. it's fine. i gave up driving a year ago and at first i was a little annoyed by the entire process of folding, etc. then i realized that it's just another set of things to do. if i were driving, i'd have to find a space to park, park, then set the alarm, etc. i just had to change my mentality about some things.

and you have to think that stealing let's say your folded dahon from a restaurant would be interesting. first, everybody at the rest would know it's not theirs cuz all eyes were on you when you brought it in. and, the thief would have to fumble with it to steal it. most thieves like a clean easy getaway. a folded 20" wheeled bike sitting in a restaurant would not be so clean a getaway, imo - unless, he was a folding bike specialist.

i fold mine up at put it under my desk at work every day - somebody would have to reach under my desk and take it. again, unless they are a folding bike specialist thief, they won't really know how to unfold it or carry it so easily away. plus, everybody knows this is my bike. lol. i'm the only one who frickin commutes (partly) on a bike.

i'm not saying you won't have to make adjustments, but i prefer the lifestyle i have now to the one i had before.