I've related this on "the other forum" enough that most people are probably tired of hearing it. But, since you asked... a deteriorating hip was making it painful to get a leg over a bike. I had downsized from a Harley Ultra to a BMW R1100RT to a V-Strom 650. With the seat height on the V-Strom, it went from painful to impossible to toss a leg over. I figured I was done riding. My wife suggested we get a couple small scooters. I was not onboard with that.
We compromised. And bought a pair of Honda PCX 150 scooters (married folks will understand that "compromise"). I didn't expect to like them. I was wrong. Really wrong. It gave me all the great riding sensations I was missing... in a lightweight, easy, and fun conveyance. I thought I would miss shifting... wrong, again. At the time (2013), our life still revolved around boat cruising (our own) and seasonal boat jobs (commercial boats). I got so hooked on those scooters, that I was ready for another life change: we sold our cruising boat the next year and spent more time RVing, taking the scoots to some fun places. I found I had the same passion for riding that I used to have when we were long-distance cruising on big road bikes... just doing it as day-trippers and looking for more fun back roads.
After 5 years with the PCXes, I wanted something that could handle the occasional freeway jaunt to get to the fun cruising. I got a Vespa GTS 250. The next year Joan got an Xmax 300. The next year, I upgraded to a 2020 Vespa GTS 300 HPE. I figured that would be "all the bike I would ever need." And then, Honda came out with the Rebel 1100 DCT. I knew DCT existed, but never paid much attention to it until reading about that 1100. I started learning all I could about Honda's DCT. A new titanium hip meant I could toss a leg over a motorcycle again. A test sit on the 1100 was OK, but not as comfortable as my Vespa. I didn't let it go. I tried an NC750X, and it wasn't comfortable. Looking back at previous DCT models, the CTX caught my eye... the full fairing model reminded me of something between the BMW RT and the Harley FXRT I had in 93-94. So, now, my wife's Xmax is the only scooter in the family, but my CTX700 DCT is a motorcycle with some of the good features of a big scooter. I can see another scooter in my future at some point.
As far as anyone looking down on riding a scooter: I had a few friends who made a disparaging remark or two early on, but not so much after I cordially invited them to kiss my ass. I am long past caring about what anyone thinks of my choices for anything. I ride to satisfy my passion for riding, not to impress anyone with my bike. Scooters, to me, are a great riding experience: twist and go, and you are one with the bike.
Other comments: other than a couple of my friends, only good comments and questions with the his & hers PCXes (that "cute factor" of having the same bikes). Each of the Vespas I had seemed to attract people with questions and compliments - not why I picked the Vespa, just an observation. With the Xmax and CTX currently, most people don't pay much attention. "Civilians" don't know what an Xmax or a CTX might be, but I found out lots of them are drawn to a Vespa.