However, is it actually true that people would frown on an electric scooter but not an EUC? They seem to have a pretty similar footprint. I see people zipping around on models that don't have any handlebars.
>I see people zipping around on models that don't have any handlebars.
Do you mean hoverboards? In my understanding, your description does not fall under the definition of "scooter": https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scooter
To compare I was fine taking my one wheel in the store, carrying it. There's something awkward about taking an escooter, in the same way you wouldn't roll your bike around a grocery store.
Also in my experience escooters are much harder to lock then bikes. Being able to just take an EUC or one wheel inside and stick it under my desk at work is a good thing to me.