You're dead right on having a shopping/work car that don't have to worry about.
I have had a few robust ' discussions ' with people that have not treated my vehicles with respect in the past. Leaning on my car, banging their doors against it, sitting their shopping on it, letting the shopping trolley career into it, letting their kids sit on my unattended motorcycle etc. You'd be amazed at the selfish attitude of other people.
Simple solution is to take the vehicle out of the occasion as you have suggested.
And having a pocket rocket is fun to drive and really easy to park in some of the tighter spaces these days.
