A Common Lanuage We all Speak

sugeknight

sugeknight

I'm on a ROLL
Silver Member
Born and raised, I've lived the past 26 years of my life in California, until recently.
Last September I got the chance to move to Bangkok, Thailand for a 1 year teaching contract. I happily accepted, but it came at a time when my game was really starting to improve.
I was taking lessons, and I was able to practice at least 5 times a week. I was really worried that I wouldn't be able to practice and play as much as I had been at home in California.
Well, its been about 6 months and truth be told, I haven't been able to play nearly as much as I was at home since my pool hall here is about a 45 minute commute and I have to take 2 different modes of public transportation to get there. But despite the inconveniences of travel and expenses, I still try to make the journey downtown 2-3 times a week.
On to the point of this post.
Since moving to Bangkok, my appreciation of our game has grown to a whole new level. I always knew that pool was played in every country around the world, but there is a difference between thinking that you know something and then experiencing it first hand.
Yesterday I went to play and had sets with gentlemen from Japan and Bangladesh. English wasn't spoken at the table. It wasn't possible. But we were able to communicate perfectly and even share a few laughs.
In just 6 short months I've meet and played with people from India, Austrailia, England, France, China, Dubai, Japan, of course Thailand and even AZ forumland. It's been a real pleasure and has given me a lot of hope for the future of our sport.
Regards,
suge
 
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And what would that hope be, Mr. Knight? That one day we'll all be playing in the burned out rubble of a pool hall, amid the burned out rubble of a city that was laid to waste by those who failed to heed the lessons of the past? Where the promise of change brought only heartache and despair? I say pish, posh Mr. Knight.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. :grin:
 
Tramp Steamer said:
And what would that hope be, Mr. Knight? That one day we'll all be playing in the burned out rubble of a pool hall, amid the burned out rubble of a city that was laid to waste by those who failed to heed the lessons of the past? Where the promise of change brought only heartache and despair? I say pish, posh Mr. Knight.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. :grin:
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WOW Mr. Tramp, you hit the nail right on its head :clapping:

tell me something, when you go to the bathroom.... whats it like to pee sitting down?
 
Don't get in a huff, Mr. Knight. I was only implying, through an admittedly brilliant bit of satirical humor, that the 'we are the world' crap is a facade. Just remember that two of those countries you mentioned own almost all of our debt, and one of them would just as soon turn our country in to a parking lot than argue over a barrel of oil, which is probably what's going to happen one of these days.
 
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Suge,

What a fantastic opportunity you have had! I am very happy for you. It is almost euphoric to be able to enjoy another person's company who shares the commonality of pool that you both have in common.

To share it with someone who doesn't speak your language has to be a most enjoyable experience.

How do the players from each country show their appreciation?
(Tap their cue, snap their fingers, simple nod of the head, tap their drink glass, tap their chalk or shout their appreciation for a good shot, etc.)

I would be most interested to know if there are any other forms of appreciation that you noticed. These are the types of things that are of most interest to me. Several years ago, once when Wei Chao came to New Orleans (the inventor of www.cuetable.com) I was making some good shots that day and I kept hearing this clicking noise everytime I made a really good shot while playing one pocket and finally I realized that it was Wei showing his appreciation by snapping his fingers sharply and it was my first time ever seeing or hearing it in person. It made me smile to learn something new and that shows the good side of our humanity all without speaking a word. Wei speaks English just fine but he brought that custom to New Orleans and it was fun for me to see and hear it firsthand.

Thanks,
JoeyA
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Don't get in a huff, Mr. Knight. I was only implying, through an admittedly brilliant bit of satirical humor, that the 'we are the world' crap is a facade. Just remember that two of those countries you mentioned own almost all of our debt, and one of them would just as soon turn our country in to a parking lot than argue over a barrel of oil, which is probably what's going to happen one of these days.
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I was upset at first, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I can see where you're coming from.

Although the things you say may have some truth, and I can't say I disagree, the efforts of my post were to emphasise that on a pool table none of that political shit really seems to matter. At least not to the people Ive played. ethnicity doesnt matter. languages dont matter. religion doesnt matter. and I just wanted to write about how much I appreciate that aspect of our game.
 
Holy cow JoeyA! Snapping fingers to acknowledge a good shot is as old as the hills. It's hard to believe that as much as you get around, and as long as you've been around pool, you've never heard of that. The players were doing that 50 years ago in Johnston City (among every other place). IMO, it's always been extremely commonplace. Well...at least NOW you know about it.:grin:

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

JoeyA said:
Several years ago, once when Wei Chao came to New Orleans (the inventor of www.cuetable.com) I was making some good shots that day and I kept hearing this clicking noise everytime I made a really good shot while playing one pocket and finally I realized that it was Wei showing his appreciation by snapping his fingers sharply and it was my first time ever seeing or hearing it in person. It made me smile to learn something new and that shows the good side of our humanity all without speaking a word. Wei speaks English just fine but he brought that custom to New Orleans and it was fun for me to see and hear it firsthand.

Thanks,
JoeyA
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Suge,
Hopefully I'll see you again next month. I arrive right after Songkran.

Bangkok is a great town for pool. I agree with your post.

You need to get into one of our late-night ring games at Players. That will improve your game.
 
sugeknight said:
I was upset at first, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I can see where you're coming from.

Although the things you say may have some truth, and I can't say I disagree, the efforts of my post were to emphasise that on a pool table none of that political shit really seems to matter. At least not to the people Ive played. ethnicity doesnt matter. languages dont matter. religion doesnt matter. and I just wanted to write about how much I appreciate that aspect of our game.
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Well said Suge, but I think it does matter. I cite the recent Olympics as an example. Sure, the athletes may have hung out with each other and drank Molson until the cows came home, but in the end it was all about who kicked whose ass on the ski slopes.
Enjoy your stay, then come back home where at least you'll know what it means when one of your buds call you a name.
And to JoeyA. How do you know Mr. Wei wasn't trying to get the barmaids attention? :smile:
 
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JoeyA said:
Suge,

What a fantastic opportunity you have had! I am very happy for you. It is almost euphoric to be able to enjoy another person's company who shares the commonality of pool that you both have in common.

To share it with someone who doesn't speak your language has to be a most enjoyable experience.

How do the players from each country show their appreciation?
(Tap their cue, snap their fingers, simple nod of the head, tap their drink glass, tap their chalk or shout their appreciation for a good shot, etc.)

I would be most interested to know if there are any other forms of appreciation that you noticed. These are the types of things that are of most interest to me. Several years ago, once when Wei Chao came to New Orleans (the inventor of www.cuetable.com) I was making some good shots that day and I kept hearing this clicking noise everytime I made a really good shot while playing one pocket and finally I realized that it was Wei showing his appreciation by snapping his fingers sharply and it was my first time ever seeing or hearing it in person. It made me smile to learn something new and that shows the good side of our humanity all without speaking a word. Wei speaks English just fine but he brought that custom to New Orleans and it was fun for me to see and hear it firsthand.

Thanks,
JoeyA
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Hey Joey,
Its cool you bring that up. Maybe I havent noticed but it seems most guys Ive played will just remain silent or tap their cue just like back home, but I have seen a few give head nods.
Also there was one time I gave this Japanese guy the 9 ball because it was a straight in hanger. I didnt even think about what I was doing because at home its so common to just give that to your opponent, but maybe not in Japan? Im not really sure, I didnt ask. but he didnt look to thrilled after I said "thats good".
 
Tramp Steamer said:
And what would that hope be, Mr. Knight? That one day we'll all be playing in the burned out rubble of a pool hall, amid the burned out rubble of a city that was laid to waste by those who failed to heed the lessons of the past? Where the promise of change brought only heartache and despair? I say pish, posh Mr. Knight.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom. :grin:
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It's a cruel world, ain't it Tramp?

cat creation.jpg


BTW, I find your tale heartwarming SugeKnight. So there.

:D
 
Tramp Steamer said:
Well said Suge, but I think it does matter. I cite the recent Olympics as an example. Sure, the athletes may have hung out with each other and drank Molson until the cows came home, but in the end it was all about who kicked whose ass on the ski slopes.
Enjoy your stay, then come back home where at least you'll know what it means when one of your buds call you a name.
And to JoeyA. How do you know Mr. Wei wasn't trying to get the barmaids attention? :smile:
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A more relevant example may have been the mosconi cup, since everyone knows that the real trophy is the bragging rights for the winning country.

but in the Olympics I cant imagine after years of training and dedication to a sport you love that in the end it all comes down to what country you beat.
You would think its about the individual or team athelete reaching their full potential and becoming the best in the world. Especially considering the fact that many Olympic sports have no higher reward than becoming a medalist or even an olympic representative for their small country.
 
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