What you saw with the chain is usually just the binding you get when you break a link on that fat chain and yes it works itself out with a little oil help.
Now for the fun part of experienced tips, have you found the joy of skipping gears on a shift?
On a 7-speed I only use the even numbered gears.
Start in 2nd, max it and jump to 4th, max it and jump to 6th.
In short treat it like a 3-speed which is what I like best especially as an internal hub with a fat chain to it.
Just let the motor idle jump you 2 sprockets at a time in shifting up or down and see if you don't find just even numbered ones are perfect for being even more awesome.
As for looks and questions and your reclusive feelings you can take this as an opportunity to be a bit more social or just tell everyone you don't know what it is and you just ride it.
You seem very social on-line, maybe just be the way you are here in real life contact?
Ya never know what new good friends you can meet and keep if you do is all and you did well bud.
