No one expects a fencing bout to last more than two minutes. In fencing you don't have to worry if your partner enjoyed it or not. In fencing you don't have to get your own equipment until you're sure you like it. You usually fence in a large, brightly lit room with lots of people. The person you fence with won't mind if your friends stand around and cheer you on.
Whips are normal in fencing.
It doesn't hurt if someone steps on your foil. It is almost impossible to catch a disease from a foil. You can play with your foil in public and no one will laugh. If your foil gets bent, all you have to do is run it under your foot a few times. No one cares how long your foil is.