It is a commonly-held belief that Slowpoke have reflexes so dull that one could saw off their tails (a prized delicacy) before they even notice. This is an exaggeration: such a pokemon would surely be extinct in the wild (if even more beloved by Trick Room trainers than they already are) while real Slowpoke are quite numerous in the Seafoam Islands, the "Slowpoke Well" of Azalea Town, and even occasionally in Sinnoh in the area south and east of Eterna Forest. Furthermore, despite the name, they are not the slowest of pokemon: that title goes to Munchlax and Shuckle.
This is not, however, to say that Slowpoke are quick by any means. They are a pokemon which take five seconds to feel pain, a pokemon whose sluggish movements have cost them many a battle – for had they decent speed, their tough defenses would make them a formidable foe. But this lack of speed is not solely a weakness. In fact, it has developed to allow them to evolve, for what pokemon would willingly allow a Shellder to clamp onto its own head or tail long enough for evolution to take place? By delaying the pain until after it is too late to shake the pokemon off, Slowpoke manage to endure a painful evolution process and become the powerful (if not much faster) Slowbro.
Trainers have often remarked (and nurses have often reprimanded them) on the courage of their Slowpoke in battle. In reality, of course, they will battle beyond their limits because they are too slow to realize they have been knocked out, and can often be seriously injured. Slowpoke trainers should be advised to pay close attention to their pokemon's health, because the Slowpoke themselves are too slow to notice.