Pet peeve: asses on tables

The owner of the room where I played in NY used to say: "Please don't sit on the table". Changed to: "Please don't sit on the table!", to: "Please don't sit on MY table!", to: PLEASE DON'T SIT ON MY TABLE!!" Tone of voice changed with the expression. If I know the room owner and am sure he/she would agree with me, I'll ask them to "Please don't sit on the table." And telling them why is a good idea, most have NO idea why they shouldn't be doing it in the first place. I think if they see someone else do it and noone says anything, they think it's ok.
 
Dhakala said:
"The word is 'disingenuous,' and who the **** are you that I should lie to?"
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If you were here in NY, you wouldn't have gotten past the **** of your sentence, regardless of the race.

I've had my share of a$$holes in poolrooms where even some of the pool room workers don't say anything 'cause they themselves don't know to!

One time there was a couple who had just finished playing and were placing the balls in their tray. How? She was at one end of the table and was bouncing them to her BF at the other end. The employee saw them and said nothing which is understandable 'cause the employee is not a pool player and didn't realize that the slate can ding up.

I've seen soda cans placed on tables, asses on tables with swinging legs, shoes! on a table, etc.

I always said something in each instance where I was around.
 
9 Ball Girl said:
If you were here in NY, you wouldn't have gotten past the **** of your sentence, regardless of the race.
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I've played in New York often, and nobody ever interrupted me. :p

I always said something in each instance where I was around.
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What's your technique, girl?
 
9 Ball Girl said:
If you were here in NY, you wouldn't have gotten past the **** of your sentence, regardless of the race.

I've had my share of a$$holes in poolrooms where even some of the pool room workers don't say anything 'cause they themselves don't know to!

One time there was a couple who had just finished playing and were placing the balls in their tray. How? She was at one end of the table and was bouncing them to her BF at the other end. The employee saw them and said nothing which is understandable 'cause the employee is not a pool player and didn't realize that the slate can ding up.

I've seen soda cans placed on tables, asses on tables with swinging legs, shoes! on a table, etc.

I always said something in each instance where I was around.
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wendys_ass.jpg
 
Dhakala said:
Who you callin' a fool, Willis? :mad:



Well, that's probably best if one lacks the social skills to handle awkward situations appropriately.
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Or one doesn't want to find ones tires slashed when they leave.

It all depends what type of place your at and what type of people are there. I've been witness to many "revenge" acts while playing pool, bowling, even golf while playing in NY over the stupidest things and regardless of whether your right or wrong (and you most certainly would be right) their tables aren't worth purchasing 4 new tires, a new windshield or having my car repainted.

Of course I am sure not all places are like NYC with the gaggle of guido's who were never taught consequences for any of their actions.

It pisses me off too but the way I see it if the people running the place can't be bothered to stop it or hire employees and at least tell the employees basic things like that then they aren't running a pool hall they are just running a daycare and chancea are I'll be going to a new place anyway.
 
Interesting post. Often times I am busy and don't always catch those sitting on my tables. If a regular see them, they usually go up nicely and tell the offender to please don't sit on the table. They appreciate good equipment. Or they come and tell me.
Depending on the calendar...is how I handle it. Sometimes I walk over nicely and ask them nicely not to sit on the table...othertimes...I holler across the poolroom...please don't sit on my pooltable! As for beer on the table--sheesh I just walk over--pick it up and show them where to put there beer.
Sometimes they give me the stinkeye, but with an explanation as to why sitting on a table is bad for the equipment usually settles it.

Kudos to Dhakla for looking out for his poolroom's interests...now if he'd just pay the bill...rather than tipping the barmaid...
PHM
 
Dhakala,

You need to take a deep breath and relax a little. If this is how you approach people regularly you might want to consider some communication skills maybe...maybe not. If the conversation went down as you described then it seems to me you could of been a little nicer to this gentleman. He was sitting on the edge of a pool table, not beating it with a hammer or anything. I could see if you were the owner but your not. Just my opinion.
 
Interesting note

Most of my regulars will tell me when there is a drink or an a** on my table rails. But I do think it is the owners job to police the tables and not the customers. A while back some kid (not a regular) came up to me to tell me a group brought in a couple beers I didnt notice. (We do not have an alcohol license) I thanked him and gave him a handfull of 1/2 off coupons in front of everyone. For the next week every regular in there was like a parole officer reporting every rule violation to get coupons. Was kinda fun. Until the coupons ran out.


My little story of the day before I head out to work.

Moral of the story...sometimes honesty pays!
 
TheConArtist said:
Correct them, it just makes my stomach cringe when someone places the chalk upside down.
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I never place the chalk upside down, but if I knew that an opponent in a tournament would get his nose all bent out of shape if I happened to do this, it's something in the heat of battle that might cross my mind. Would I do it??

Flex
 
jjinfla said:
Not my job mon.

Besides, I don't want to meet his friends - Mr Smith & Wesson.

Jake
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Ever hear about Bad Bad Leroy Brown, Baddest man in da whole damn town??

Don't wanna meet up with dat dude, no way, no how.

Flex
 
9 Ball Girl said:
I
One time there was a couple who had just finished playing and were placing the balls in their tray. How? She was at one end of the table and was bouncing them to her BF at the other end. The employee saw them and said nothing which is understandable 'cause the employee is not a pool player and didn't realize that the slate can ding up.
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Are you sure the slate can be hurt like that? First time I've heard that. If jumping balls actually put dings in the slate, there's no way jumping would be allowed. I've seen numerous tables having the cloth repaired and have never seen these dings you're referring to. Jamming a cue with a full masse into the slate is different and can mess up a table. But bouncing balls?

Flex
 
best place in town

Dhakala said:
Huh. I've never seen that happen when customers are protecting the owner's interests.
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Not uncommon. The owner of a business is A. in a position to instruct patrons what they can and can't do, and B. likely to be far more tactful doing it than many customers. When customers butt into the owners business and somebody trips offline then the customer that was just trying to be helpful can become the "bad guy."


Dhakala said:
I can't see myself playing on a table that's been so abused, or in a pool hall that's run like a daycare center for the developmentally delayed. Why do you do it?
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Leaping to assumptions here. The cushions and indeed the entire tables here are in perfect shape plus it is a well lit and well ran place. Climbing carefully onto a table does far less damage than rolling a fat bottom across a cushion can do. I will grant it is a bit different though and I haven't seen a place where it was accepted practice since an old place with five by ten's many years ago.

Hu
 
Dhakala said:
What's your technique, girl?
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I give it to them with my No Nonsense Don't Fcuk With Me Go Ahead And Do It Again And You'll See What'll Happen To You Cause I'm Only Telling You Once look.

I learned it from my Mom. :D
 
Flex said:
Are you sure the slate can be hurt like that? First time I've heard that. If jumping balls actually put dings in the slate, there's no way jumping would be allowed. I've seen numerous tables having the cloth repaired and have never seen these dings you're referring to. Jamming a cue with a full masse into the slate is different and can mess up a table. But bouncing balls?

Flex
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Maybe the cloth gets screwy? You know how sometimes when you're playing a shot and the ball sort of rocks back and forth on a certain spot before it comes to a stop? Would that be the cloth or the slate? Anyway, this chick was bouncing the balls to the other side in the same way a ping pong ball gets bounced to the other side. It put me to an elevated mode of Pissed Off.
 
9 Ball Girl said:
Maybe the cloth gets screwy? You know how sometimes when you're playing a shot and the ball sort of rocks back and forth on a certain spot before it comes to a stop? Would that be the cloth or the slate?
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Some slates have holes in them. Some slates have grooves. Some cloths have divots in them. There could be some tiny bit of chalk or something else that's causing it too. Probably other things also.
 
Dhakala said:
I've become outspoken lately about people who sit on pool tables where I play. I helped a room owner recover a few tables recently. The number of cushions that were broken loose from their glue in butt-width spots dismayed me. In one room whose tables' pockets hang on adjustable hinges, I find some whose backs are no longer vertical due to people sitting on their outer rims, causing hard-hit balls to rebound up and out over the rail.

Today, a dude of about 220 pounds caught my eye, with his overflowing butt on the rail while BSing with his girlfriend. So when he passed me on his way back from the restroom, I beckoned him over to say,

"Y'know, sitting on the rails bends the cushions down and makes them come loose, ruining people's banks. So please, stop sitting on the rails."

"I wasn't sitting on no rail."

"Yes, you were. I've seen you do it three times in the past half-hour."

"I didn't realize I was sitting on a rail."

"Well, now you know. So please stop it."

Normally, I would offer a wager to a guy who doesn't know where his ass is, but my dance card was already full.

Now, a house-broken person would accept such mild chastisement with chagrin and meekly sin no more. But Mr. Big chose to come back a few minutes later.

"Are you one of the owners?" he asked me.

"No. Would you like to meet the man whose $3,000 property you've been damaging?"

"You saw me sitting on a table from way over here (3 tables away)? I find that rather disingenius." (I guess he was leading up to, "You're just picking on me 'cause I'm black.")

"The word is 'disingenuous,' and who the **** are you that I should lie to?"

We exchanged level stares for a moment, then he walked away. The next time I looked up, Dis Genius and his gf had left the building.

The umbrage that many railbirds take when politely asked to stop wrecking other people's property and money-making opportunities confounds me. I don't know where the idea that there's a Constitutional right to sit on public pool tables originated, but it's got to go.

Do you correct such morons, or do you just let it slide?
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Great Job, I own a room in Lakewood, Washington. I see the same thing every day, and I handle it in a similar manner.

In most cases people will not react in negative manner if you act respectfully toward them. But there are always those people who do understand that you do not bring fists to a gun fight.

Since I opened my room I have only had to get physical once, and that was shortly after I opened. The young man got his butt kicked, and went to jail and that ended my problems.

I sell beer in my room, however this really has not created a problem either.

First, I cut people off if they act up, and second I do not serve people coming in off the street unless they want to rent a pool table, also I have no coin operation type tables for this reason.

My room is also all ages, in this state you can sell beer only, and allow under 21 year olds in your room with no restrictions.

This also has not been a problem, the kids understand the rules, and also know that they will be enforced. I have found that if you treat kids with a little respect, do not embarrass them in front of their friends, and set some rules that every body must follow they will act accordingly.
 
Whenever I see someone abusing equipment or sitting on the rails, I gently correct them and have not faced one gun yet...knock on Formica!

Oh yes, and the chalk thing gets me too! I am always wiping down the rails and pointedly placing them up for my opponent until they get the idea. If they don't, then I tell them. :rolleyes:
 
Saturday I went to a new pool hall in Kalamzoo, Michigan. Blackbird Billiards, very nice place all new Diamonds and Gold Crown 4's !!!! and a 5x10 snooker table and Gabriels billiard table.

Well i come in and the place is nice, a few old posters of Mosconi and greenleaf and several others. Along with the general 8ball rules poster and stuff.

The one that really caught my eye was the house rules poster.

It had rules like

Dont put the Chalk on the rails up side down. And then under it would say.

Because nobody likes to get blue chalk on their clean shirt and pants.

Or Dont sit on the tables.

They are perfectly level and are intended to play that way.

Dont Stand in front of the tables or near them or do anything that would be consider'd sharking. and said

Dont do anything that you wouldnt want done to you while your shooting. or something like that.

It had like 10 or 12 of them but I wish it was a poster that was in every pool hall because it would give the general John Q a decent reason as to why not to do this stuff.

It also had the Dont put your drink on the rails. Why? because thats what tables are made for!! DUH!!!! no it didnt say DUH!!!! but it should have :)

dave
 
Flex said:
Are you sure the slate can be hurt like that? First time I've heard that. If jumping balls actually put dings in the slate, there's no way jumping would be allowed.
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Well, every pool hall I've ever entered had a sign forbidding masse' and jump shots. I guess you ignore them too. :-)

But jumping a ball 3-4 inches high and over an obstructing ball is kinder and gentler than bouncing one manually the length of a table. Probably kinder than tapping a ball down with a cue ball, too, because the jumped ball hits with only its mass times the relatively small acceleration of its short fall, while the tapped ball transmits whatever force is applied.

Physical damage aside, the sound of bouncing billiard balls is loud and disturbing to other players. Shoot to kill, I say!:mad:
 
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