Overreacting?

CreeDo

CreeDo

Fargo Rating 597
Silver Member
Ever say something and you think it's no big deal but everyone around you has that look like "what an ass, did he just say that?"

Well, maybe that doesn't happen to y'all very often.

The other night I was playing in league. It's not a serious thing but I treat it like it is, and it's rare I let anything keep me from trying hard. I have no problem beating a fish 10-1 and calling a push foul on him too. I may also steal his french fries. Well, the last one not so much.

Anyway my teammate, who can be annoying with lots of chatter and loud clapping and generally being in people's space (but he's a nice guy) starts woofing about sports with one of the guys on the other team. This other guy is a nice guy but well known for being loud. Between the two of them, they are carrying out a kinda loud debate about the depth of such and such's bench or whatever (not yelling, just like... 30% louder than I'd consider normal). And they're doing it not face to face, but about 15 feet apart on sort of opposite sides.

So, like a gentleman, after missing a shot I said something like "jesus christ will you two shut the f#ck up?!"

Now.. I get that I should probably tone down the swearing. Certainly the pool hall owner wouldn't have liked it if he'd heard it.

I guess my question isn't so much "did I overreact" but is this kind of thing merit reacting at all? Sometimes I think I'm the only guy in the pool hall who cares about table etiquette. But I've noticed that I have been in situations in the past where I've chewed people out for distracting me... and nobody else seems to get into those kinds of conflicts. I readily admit I'm pretty easy to shark. I guess working on my ability to tune out is just expected as a pool player, like learning to draw or whatever.

Maybe I'm totally in the wrong here and I'm way too strict on what I consider a polite amount of talking. My feeling on talking while someone's shooting is that it should be about near volume 0, and never ever about the person playing or the table layout or the game. Or maybe those rules apply but only in a more serious situation, not a meaningless league night match.

I just dunno, what do you think?
 
A reaction of some sort would be justified. The one you gave was not cool. What would you do if another grown man told you to stfu? A simple "guys, could you keep it down please?" would have been not only more polite, but way more effective.
 
I would have hit my team mate over the head for talking while I'm shooting. What a blatant display of disrespect for a team mate... He should have been quietly watching your match and learning.

If he wanted to discuss the bench depth of the NBA teams with someone he should have gone to a sports bar.
 
CharlesUFarley said:
A reaction of some sort would be justified. The one you gave was not cool. What would you do if another grown man told you to stfu? A simple "guys, could you keep it down please?" would have been not only more polite, but way more effective.
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Now just say if he did say it politely but they still didn't stop chattering loadly then would you have said STFU ??
 
yeah - i gotta go with exactly what you did. i have a loud mouth and everyone who knows me knows nothing mean comes out of it unless it's deserved. i got sharked by one of my own team mates the other week during bca play - as i leaned down on shot and stroked he states quite loudly, "it's alright he ain't gonna make that" - i didn't and promtly dropped an f bomb and then lost the game. my team got on him worse than i did for sharking me, the stuff that rolled out of thier mouths was just as foul as what i would have said. bottom line, you're either playing in a pool hall or a bar - big boy language is used and you have to accept that.
 
Times are changing, old school games where everyone watched in silence don't happen much anymore. Especially during a league night, in a pool hall or bar. If it bugs you, either get a pair of ear plugs or headphones and block it out, I met a really nice guy and superb shooter who gave tips at the last tour I spectated at who did this. He finished top 4.
 
I think a STFU was in order. I can put up with noise in the pool room, it's expected, but talking over tables? Nah, I wouldn't stand for that for one second. And whoever said STFU probably shouldn't have been used, yeah, right. Ask them nicely to be quiet and more often than not that is when the trouble starts because they want to get cocky or make some reply. A stern STFU puts everyone in their place.
MULLY
if you've got the ass to back it up, and they know it, that is
 
Well, I feel better knowing some kind of response is expected.

I try to be fairly quiet when my teammates shoot. But generally I'm not a social dude, so it comes easy for me. I woulda been quiet anyway. So I gotta make some effort to cope with the idea that some people are there for the social aspect, and the shooting is secondary.

But I wish they could be more into the pool.

Looks like the jury is split on whether politer language is called for. Since both guys are nice guys and I can't imagine either of them directing STFU to me, I am leaning towards going the polite route next time. The guy on the other team didn't react well tho we made up afterwards. It sharked me a little my next game just thinking about all the negative vibes I created.

===
Wish it could be like this...

"No bar. No pinball machines. No bowling alleys.
Just pool. Nothing else.
This is Ames, mister."

(while we're at it throw in jukebox, taco slot, punching bag and necking couples)
 
No doubt STFU was minimal...i prolly woulda added a POS and SOB to it at the end. Bodily harm threats work too.
 
I dont have a problem with your reaction or the cursing. I do feel that when you are in a pool room/bar you should be expecting noise and especially a league where most people go to be out with friends. But there is a limit.
However i have been sharked because of people yelling over tables and i got upset aswell. I think mostly i was sharked cause i was mad at how rude this guy was being, and it was not at league it was a 5 man team tournament.
 
Perhaps you should have said something before you shot and missed.. then if they continued, your language would have made your point. After the fact, its just an attitude and might get a bad response.
 
After almost seven years of league, I've seen a lot of what, and what not to do.

Not everybody takes their game, your game or the team as seriously as you may. That's why it's league. Some use it as an excuse to hang out at a bar and socialize. There is nothing wrong with that.

-If you have a difficult time focusing on your game with a conversation taking place, instead of appearing too wound up and intense by standing up and cursing (overreacting) be a little more patient.

Get up out of your stance and appear to get reset. Maybe look or glance over in their diction. If they don't stop, or are not paying attention, kindly look over in their general direction, smile, and just wait until they are finished. This should produce the result you are looking for.
 
I think I would have said something like "Can you talk louder? They did'nt hear you in the next county".....they were rude indeed. I would not have the dropped J.C.or the F-bomb. Kinda brings you down to their level a bit. I am like you in the fact the not talikng to a shooting player or not talking loudly at all is good pool room manners. Things have changed to a bar and game room type atmosphere in the pool rooms these days and nobody cares. So it is just the way things are and accepted.
 
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The pool hall you play in seems very similar to mine! I totally agree with your actions and, like others, think a couple swift knocks up the sides of their heads wouldn't have been out of the question either. LOL

Remember that line outta "Cool Hand Luke" though...."...some men just can't be reached." It's dead on correct man, so if your STFU didn't get through to the "boys" then ya might be outta luck!

Anyway...keep on hittin' the back of that pocket 'til the damned thing falls off brotha! Play strong! :)
 
I very rarely tell anyone to STFU unless they're talking smack and I know they can't back it up. Chatter is just noise, and that doesn't bug me.
 
Note to self: Always say "shut the fu#$ up before I shoot, not after I miss.

And remember, in the words of Daulton, "Be nice. If they won't walk, walk them. But, be nice." "I'll let you know when not to be nice."
 
So, can anyone recommend a good stick that gives a nice solid hit across the back of someone's head? Something with just the right amount of flex, so it doesn't give a ton of feedback but also is in no danger of breaking.

Heh but seriously, even tho the idea of cussing 'em out appeals to me I am liking deadon and gregg's advice. I knew it was bugging me but I shot the ball anyway, that's a definite problem whether I choose to jump on their case or handle it gently... I coulda nipped the problem beforehand and not lost that match. And I do think that if I feel hostility, it can shark me almost as bad as loud chatter.
 
CreeDo said:
So, can anyone recommend a good stick that gives a nice solid hit across the back of someone's head? Something with just the right amount of flex, so it doesn't give a ton of feedback but also is in no danger of breaking.

Heh but seriously, even tho the idea of cussing 'em out appeals to me I am liking deadon and gregg's advice. I knew it was bugging me but I shot the ball anyway, that's a definite problem whether I choose to jump on their case or handle it gently... I coulda nipped the problem beforehand and not lost that match. And I do think that if I feel hostility, it can shark me almost as bad as loud chatter.
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I always do my best to treat people the way I would like to be treated. Even if they don't treat me that way.

That is my Creedo, if you will. :)

BVal
 
CreeDo said:
So, can anyone recommend a good stick that gives a nice solid hit across the back of someone's head? Something with just the right amount of flex, so it doesn't give a ton of feedback but also is in no danger of breaking.

Heh but seriously, even tho the idea of cussing 'em out appeals to me I am liking deadon and gregg's advice. I knew it was bugging me but I shot the ball anyway, that's a definite problem whether I choose to jump on their case or handle it gently... I coulda nipped the problem beforehand and not lost that match. And I do think that if I feel hostility, it can shark me almost as bad as loud chatter.
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May I suggest something in the graphite or fiberglass lines. The price is very reasonable and they provide a nice solid hit without breaking or warpping. Garuanteed to quiet even the loudest of obnoxious of patrons. So you get the biggest BANG for your buck......LOL
 
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