Take it like a MAN.

lodini

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?
 
Its tough to find a good loser in the pool scene. I used bang my cue around when I was younger until I broke the butt cap off my Jack Madden haha.
 
lodini said:
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?

"Nothing in the world wrong with losing...as long as you have a good excuse." - Burt Gordon (from The Hustler)

Southpaw
 
I've always striven to a be a gentleman, I shake the opponents hand, tell them good match and walk off quietly.

I hate excuses and whiners and I have always had an even keeled disposition, it takes a lot to get me upset.
 
I have never missed a shot that was my fault. :grin-square: :grin-square:
 
lodini said:
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

Think the above is called in some cases self critique, or when a bad shot is made, and the GOOF is recognized I call it self critique.

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

People do do that IMHO

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?

Some people are more emotional than others IMHO, others in many cases BEAT THEMSELVES with what I like to call STUPID MISTAKES, when i personally make em.

When playing a match, or practicing I am constantly in a state of self critique. Also I try and learn from my mistakes.
 
lodini said:
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?

I don't think the kind of excuses that you list are "just insulting and disrespectful" at all. There could be several things happening simultaneously. It could well be the person really didn't get enough sleep, or overate and is suffering from indigestion, or the humidity in the room was through the roof and made playing conditions really tough. To make note of that could well be a statement of reality, with no insult or disrespect intended. It could also be meant to be insulting or disrespectful, no doubt.

When someone runs off a laundry list if they lose to me, I try to be kind to them, and shake their hand and compliment them on a really tough match, if indeed it was that. At the very least, a "good shooting with you" will be forthcoming, unless they were engaged in blatant, intentional, vile sharking. In that case, I may or may not shake their hand. And if they resorted to the foul stuff, I know they think they had to stoop to such low tactics to beat me, and I like that. It's basically an admission they don't measure up.

Gotta say though that not every guy's a gentleman...

Flex
 
I sometimes play one-pocket with a guy who always attributes his losses to his own poor play. It wouldn't matter if I ran 8 and out every game, he would still say, "Man, I just couldn't get it going today...I really played bad!"
 
I think it's very rude to say, "UGH I PLAYED LIKE CRAP," as it's just like you saying, "You didn't win, I lost!"

A really winner can recognize if they won based on their own talent or their opponents lack of talent. Just let the winner enjoy their victory and the loser should be humble enough to give the winner their credit and say, "Good game and look out for me next time b/c I'm coming for revenge."

Listing off excuses is just poor form and shows insecurity in one's game. Take it like a MAN!
 
GG11 said:
I think it's very rude to say, "UGH I PLAYED LIKE CRAP," as it's just like you saying, "You didn't win, I lost!"

A really winner can recognize if they won based on their own talent or their opponents lack of talent. Just let the winner enjoy their victory and the loser should be humble enough to give the winner their credit and say, "Good game and look out for me next time b/c I'm coming for revenge."

Listing off excuses is just poor form and shows insecurity in one's game. Take it like a MAN!

I think it's humorous that the ladies/women/chicks/whatever on here (in this thread, so far) insist on using this line. Are they speaking only to men, or are they using inclusive language?

What's worse: making excuses or breaking down and crying? For some reason, excuse making isn't as pitiable as boo hoo hooing.

Flex
 
Last edited:
No one beats me up more than myself when i lose. I got beat first round at the last Seminole event and missed 2 easy 10balls in a race to 7, people were asking me what happened. I just told them I suck at pool.

The kicker is that my travelling partner, Raymond, was saying that on Friday night (actually Saturday early morning) I was talking in my sleep. He said I was talking about how I'm shitty at pool and a big dog under pressure. Seriously.
 
Flex said:
I think it's humorous that the ladies on here insist on using this line. Are they speaking only to men, or are they using inclusive language?



Flex
No, I am not speaking to men only. ("Take it like a man" is a very commom expression, I didn't make it up, I promise) But I have to tell you that in my experience playing with women, I have heard a LOT more compliments to the winners then excuses from the loser. At least from my experience, the females may take their whining to their friends later on, but won't make it a public display.
 
EVERYONE Loses, I cont care who ya are!!!! LOL

I have a saying I say to myself and others.

"You have to be a good loser to be a good winner"

When I started taking the loses better,(yrs ago) I started winning more and more. I think your confidence as a player has something to do with dealing with loses. IMO

OOPS LOL The heading should say dont instead of cont. LOL
 
lodini said:
No, I am not speaking to men only. But I have to tell you that in my experience playing with women, I have heard a LOT more compliments to the winners then excuses from the loser. At least from my experience, the females may take their whining to their friends later on, but won't make it a public display.

I'm a big complimenter, whether I win or lose. It's not about winning, it's about playing good/beautiful/awesome pool. I don't like to lose, but I recognize excellence when I see it, and also when someone gets a lucky roll.

Some time ago there was a game of 8 ball going on in a bar, on a 9 footer, and when the guy unwittingly hooked himself on his run, out came the jump cue, in went a beautiful jump bank shot, and the chick started sobbing uncontrollably.

If you were to witness that, how would you react? How would you describe her behavior? Was she emotional, overcome with grief, a crybaby, or just being a girl? Or should she have "taken it like a man"? For some reason, I don't think she would enjoy being told to "take it like a man"...

Flex
 
lodini said:
Why does it seem that the first instinct for most players after losing a match is to go on and on about how they played so bad, how the equipment was faulty, how they slept wrong last night, how they might be getting a cold, how they were a little tired, how the planets werent aligned right, how the temperature was a bit chilly, how they didnt have their lucky chalk, etc.etc.etc...

And so RARELY does anyone just say "my opponent played a hell of a match."

Does anyone else agree that these excuses are just insulting and disrespectful to the person that just beat you? And wouldn't the loser look like a bigger man by just accepting the loss and moving on?

It's human nature to look for place to lay blame......hardest place is yourself
 
I'm polite when I lose a match. I shake hands, congratulate my opponent on a good game and wish them luck in their upcoming matches. I'm like the original poster, I think it's disrespectful to run off a laundrey list of excuses.
MULLY
 
People in competitive situations on the losing side of the battle just can't handle it well. Period. It's probably in the genes. These are probably the same group of people who can't drive worth a piss, agonize their neighbors with their barking dogs, and let their kids run rampant across society. Really.

It's not just pool though, it's all forms of sports and games. I don't think the ill-mannered idiots are any more in numbers versus something like a pick-up basketball game or a weeknight softball game or at a poker table.

Until there is a cleansing of the world, I'm afraid we will always be plagued by dummies without manners and morals.
 
Back
Top