Any team that is rude and disrespectful will find out quickly that they will not do well if everyone is against them and I think they're attitude will change quickly.
I wouldn't worry about it really.

I like that one. Here's another one

Disagreements, arguments, losing the game...

Our team has been around for awhile, and I mean we're quite spirited. But, from what I noticed last year... for the most part the "rude and disrespectful" teams have been around for a long time and are all secretive with what they do with their robot and can sometimes be REALLY rude when all you're trying to do is say hi. I've noticed that in the threads too. Lots of the "Wow, check out our such and such, we're better" and that happens at competition alot. Personally, I really dislike teams that do that and I mean, sometimes yea they do great, but if they don't they get mad and say they deserved it and such. That's where I think it IS changing the spirit of FIRST. I'm sure many others have seen how some of the teams that have done well in previous years can get quite snobby and secretive though and when you're just trying to go over and meet some people they act as if you're an enemy, not as if you're someone trying to accomplish the same goal as them. FIRST is all about everyone striving for a similar goal and helping everyone else out.

Whose robot is so much better than others that they must inform the FIRST community? Don't we all get the same kit of parts?

There will always be teams that aren't always leaning towards the 'polite' or 'friendly' end of the continuum, but that doesn't mean that your team has to be one of them. Just concentrate on those kids, and show them all FIRST has to offer. More than likely, they'll be willing to jump out and help other teams as soon as need be. If you teach a good lesson, you'll get good feedback.

Re: A Change in this year's Spirit of FIRST?
 

I am a first time poster, and I realize this was said a while ago, but this is so remarkably true I decided to become a poster and not just a reader. I don't know a lot about robotics. I can wire up an electrical board now, I can also machine some stuff, and have ideas for concepts which I can draw pretty well, but what really matters, and what I try to share with all the teams I meet, is as simple as this. This program lit my spark. I LOVE this program. My younger cousins are in FLL and I wish I had been in FLL when I was younger. This program really is unlike anything else. I've been on sports teams with good coaches and bad coaches, and the skills we are learning here will help guide us in our lives forever. Gracious Professionalism is a beautiful aspect that I wish all places could see.

My team mates are my second family, I love my Green Wrenches, I would not be on the path to a timely graduation without them holding me to be my best, love them all. <3 2517

Re: A Change in this year's Spirit of FIRST?
 

Not that this isn't a good thread, but it might be worth looking at the date on that last post.

Still, thank you for bringing this interesting discussion up again. It's a cool thing that we can look back at threads made ten years ago in a forum that is still being actively used today.

Re: A Change in this year's Spirit of FIRST?
 

I think what I took from it as well, after failing to read the original date...

There will always be people scared to see change. The same arguments will come up year after year about whether or not FIRST is meeting its objectives, why the "new thing" will destroy the spirit of FIRST, etc. However, as a new mentor, FIRST seems to embody everything it claims to. I see excited students and gracious professionals all around me. New students and new mentors eagerly asking questions and excited about this year's competition. Looks pretty successful to me ;)

-Steven

Re: A Change in this year's Spirit of FIRST?
 

I tend to agree as well, but it is on the mentors to keep us all on the same GP page!