Noticed again in Atlanta
 

Just curious:

Does your team advise you not to show affection (PDA) for that special other of yours at Competition and Events.


Do you think their should be a team rule if your team does not have one?


Another topic, how do you feel about the students outside sun bathing and hanging outside (especially seen at Atlanta) during matches and competition?


Anyone want to touch on the subject? Agree or disagree.


My personally opinion. I feel that at competition it is a professional event with sponsors, friends, and family there. PDA is not appropiate. I believe that we students are here to learn and grow from the experiences of FIRST. This is not the place to hang all over or even kiss your special someone.

Again, there is alot to gain and learn from FIRST even at competition. I understand that some may have free time at competition and playing sports with other teams is great but when the time is right.

(i think it is bad to see students who will go find a spot to sleep on the nice couches in the building where the pits are at as well in Atlanta) I do understand that the day is long, I promise you that.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

I dont like PDA and agree that it should be KEPT PROFESSIONAL.
I dont mind hand holding, occasional hug, but groping, holding eachother for LONG LONG periods of time, or kissing....its a no no on our team. not to mention private school rules lol

then again i want my kids having fun. I encourage them going out to throw a football or frisbee or play kickball as long as we dont have a match, they dont have a job, and they ask a teacher befo. I like to run the team as sports team. There are rules to follow and sponsors to represent. Keep it classy, but HAVE SOME FUN!:D :D

The sun bathing in a bikini i suppose? thats pushing it...

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

i agree to an extent... if someone is giving someone a friendly hug, or holding hands, so be it, they are not really doing anything inapporpriate as per my standards for a public place... if they are engaging in further PDA's (idk if i can say stuff like that here) you cant really stop them, but if they have finished, you can advise them that there are children, and adults, and it may be inappropriate to them... tell them that they try to restrain from doing things they wouldn't do in front of their grandmothers...

oh and if people are sunbathing in bikinis and the such, they shouldnt be at a FIRST event... there is definitely more to do at CMP's than working on your tan... besides, you have the whole summer for that

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

[quote=234smidget;852624]Just curious:

Does your team advise you not to show affection (PDA) for that special other of yours at Competition and Events.
Being and all male team we don't run into this problem.


Do you think their should be a team rule if your team does not have one?
I don't think it would be appropriate for a couple to be groping or spooning in the pits or on the field, but I think it would be okay for them to hug after a win.


Another topic, how do you feel about the students outside sun bathing and hanging outside (especially seen at Atlanta) during matches and competition?
It's perfectly fine for people to hang out outside. My team takes shifts at championships for lunch and eating. Maybe the kids outside are eating lunch. Also, it's a cool place to meet new people from other teams. This year I remember seeing a hacky sack game with students from about 8-9 teams. I thought it was pretty cool that kids from so many different teams were able to meet up and have a casual game of hacky sack.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

Your parents must be very proud of you! I have always remarked that Cyberblue is one of the most well-behaved and professional teams in FIRST. In fact, I was just saying that again yesterday. Although you will probably not change many minds on the need for decorum and respectful behavior at events (trust me on this as I beat my head against this wall constantly) please know that your mature attitude and actions serve as a powerful example. It is especially influential when seen in the light of the stellar success and reputation of Team 234. Hopefully some can connect the dots.

-

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

The Championship is not the place for PDA. I can understand hugs and high-fives between team members after an exciting match or a win, but couples who are hanging all over each other constantly are not okay. You have to realize that you are not just representing yourself, but also the rest of your team, your sponsors, and your school. This is very unprofessional behavior and it makes some people uncomfortable.

As far as hanging out/playing sports goes, there is also a time and a place for it. People need some downtime or they will go crazy. If you play during the lunch break or after matches end for the day because you don't have an important job to do at that time, it's perfectly acceptable. If you're playing during matches or when you're needed for something, it's not okay. The competition should be your primary focus, that is why you came to the Championship. After you take care of your responsibilities, then you can let loose.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

PDA doesn't bug me too much-- as long as its nothing too over the top. I can handle a casual kiss and a hug, but pretty much anything past that could be deemed "inappropriate". I'm more concerned about whether or not the person needs to be doing other things instead. (Scouting, watching matches, pit support)

As far as sleeping on WCC/Dome couches, I really don't have an issue with it. The couches are there for people to rest. I know how exhausting it can get during a competition. I'd prefer if a student needed a nap, that they would take care of it outside of the pits.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

As far as PDA goes, FIRST is stressful (especially when you have problems with the robot) and I'm fine with handholding/hugs if it's used for support and stress relief. I suppose I apply the same rules that are at school to being at a FIRST competition; if you would get in trouble at school then I don't want to see it, you know?

As the captain of one of said teams (the only team, I think) being hobos on the couches outside the pit area, I'd like to say that there are some battles I'd prefer not to fight. If the choices are between clogging up the pit while people are working, clogging up the aisle where people are moving robots, and hanging out on couches, couches are the best option. We may be a group of particularly respectful highschool students, but we are still highschool students and occasionally we act like it.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

PDA: nothing more than a kiss or a hug and holding hands, most people won't do more than that. Yelling PDA! at people usually embarrasses them too much to continue if they go over the top(I wouldn't recommend doing this to strangers).

We have a few couples on our team and we have rules set for the hotel as well, such as if there's someone of the opposite gender in your room, the door is open, and there has to be at least three people in the room

As for sleeping in the lounge, I must say there were quite a few people guilty of that at the championships, including me and much of my team. But, getting off your feet for a while and taking a nap makes you feel soo much better. That, and isn't that what the lounge was there for? resting and napping? Sleeping in the pit is a different issue, it's not safe and it's probably not very comfortable

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

My team's rules were: Follow the school Code of Conduct. Pretty much that meant no PDA's. Pretty much. Also a dress code (T-shirts are approved) and follow the team leaders' decisions. And with the school vice principal often along on our trips...

As for having a team rule if the team doesn't have one, definitely have at least a guideline. All appropriate school codes of conduct should be reviewed when you form the guideline; if you don't have something like that, sponsoring organizations' codes should be followed.

Hanging outside: That's just fine. Professional companies have stuff like that fairly often, offsite (or on, in cases of, say, engineering competitions), in some cases.

Sun bathing outside is probably across the line. At least, it's across mine.

Also, if you're supposed to be doing something else, neither hanging out nor other things are appropriate. (Lunch break doesn't count as something else... until you stretch it deliberately to a game of Ultimate or something like that.)

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

Just curious:

Does your team advise you not to show affection (PDA) for that special other of yours at Competition and Events.
We like to tease the team couples, but it's not really a problem. I met my boyfriend through Robotics and I think it's great that people have FIRST in common. Hand holding, sitting next to each other, and hugging is acceptable. I will even admit to being that friendly with people I'm not dating.
I admit to being a little strict in the hotel with the kids, but I'll admit it's because I was personally upset my boyfriend couldn't make the trip. Otherwise, I wouldn't have made it such a big deal.

Do you think their should be a team rule if your team does not have one?
We call it "Keep it G-rated" . I like that rule.

Another topic, how do you feel about the students outside sun bathing and hanging outside (especially seen at Atlanta) during matches and competition?
I am a little jealous of that also. I think that you shouldn't be doing that. I try to make jokes about it when i give VIP tours, but I think it's unprofessional.

Anyone want to touch on the subject? Agree or disagree.
Also, the naps on the couches? Well, you know what, I'd fall asleep on the floor. Our students get about 5 hours of sleep maximum during CMPs. Also, about 4 students were suffering from colds, and I fell asleep several times waiting for matches. If you need to nap in the midle of the day, then do it. You certainly can't hike 6 blocks by yourself to go to the hotel to do that.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

(PDA? What's the matter with Personal Digital Assistants?)

But seriously ... Our team does have a rule barring PDAs (which parallels our school's rule), which was succinctly summarized by a mentor who wrote "If someone can tell you are boyfriend / girlfriend by your actions, you have crossed the line." Thus, we have no problems with hi-fives, hugs, etc. at the end of a (presumably successful) round, but we don't tolerate hanging all over, tonsil examinations, etc.

I personally don't have a problem with hanging around, frisbee, etc., outside; sitting in the sun is fine, but I sunbathing would be going too far.

It all boils down to the reason you're in Atlanta: If you're committed to the team and its activities, there won't be issues. If you make the trip so that you can simply go to the Atlanta equivalent of Epcot (as some of my students did 7 years ago in Orlando), find another team.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

My personal views on the topic...

Reasons one would need in order to go relax or hang out in the courtyard...

1. If one has nothing else to do. (If you have finished scouting, no one needs your help with the robot, there are no more workshops to attend, etc.)
2. If one is really sick, and was advised to rest. (I came down with a bad stomach virus during the championship, so my coach allowed me to wear comfortable pants, instead of khaki pants, which is part of the team uniform.)


PDA...

PDA is alright, but only if, as others said, it is not over the limit. There are two people on our team that are in a relationship, but they do not go off willy-nilly to make out. One of them goes off to help out other teams with electrical problems from time to time, and the other one goes off and scout. Only when both of them are finished, they cuddle and watch the matches.

Tanning...
Haha, I can honestly say that I have never sen people tan or sunbathe during the championships. If you mean sunbathing, as in people laying on the grass talking, then that is alright. But tanning and sunbathing in the middle of a few thousand people is a bit over the limit.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

PDA has no place in public. End of story, no questions asked. If I see two kids kissing each other I will tell them to stop, even if I dont know them.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

Being from a city that was 35 degrees and raining when we returned makes me want to escape to the sun every chance I get. I am guilty of taking a couple of naps in the grass between matches as long as I had nothing else to be doing, and I don't see anything wrong with others doing the same.

I know after a long day of watching matches and scouting on Thursday, our students were ready for some energy-releasing time. Playing Frisbee in the quad let us have some fun and enjoy each others company after a long day.

As mentioned before if the students are into the competition, then there shouldn't be a need to be outside playing games. It is very tiring however to watch 60 matches in one day.

As for PDA, there is a time and a place for everything and no one should be setting any rules except for the teams and the school. My high school team always lived by the policy that we are still at school when at a competition, and school rules apply.

I also think it has to do with the age and maturity of the students involved. Instead of yelling at students for PDA-ing, or saying "thats gross", sit down and discuss with them what it looks like from an outside perspective, and how it is perceived. Explain why PDA reflects poorly upon the team, and make suggestions for what's appropriate PDA and whats not.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

i somewhat agree with most of you on the pda thing, but form a student perspective most of those rules against it that school boards make are to keep kids from getting jealous i think and i dont really see what the big deal is giveing your special someone a kiss or two in public.

the sports and stuff in the court yard i think is fun and you can meet alot of cool people by joining in on it, but also i agree time and place thing if your teams up you should be up there or if you have something to do for your team you shouldnt be there

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

A peck or two is not that bad, but making out for a good 5 minutes is a little too much. I do not think the adults are trying to prevent two people from loving each other, but they do not want the two going off on their own making out, when there is work is to be done. They also have to know where you are, because they hold some responsibility for the students during the championship.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

A few years ago, the comment was made that you should behave as if 'Grandma' were watching...

To a certain extent, that advice could apply here--to both parts of the inquirey.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

It's embarrassing to the team and the team's sponsors when a couple is being a little too affectionate or groups/individuals are clowning around, especially at the capstone event of FIRST. The Championship should indeed be a professional event and things like PDAs and goofing off should be kept to a minimum.

There is, however, a time and a place for everything, and its hard to go through stressful events like the championship without letting off a little steam (for some people i know that statement is frighteningly literal).


Yeah, that is pretty much the standard.





On the other side of things, this is an event dominated by mostly high-school students, so overreacting to things like PDAs and sunbathing and playing around could be a little harsh. Im not saying its right, but its sorta expected.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

While I agree that a FIRST event is not the best venue for PDA (our team must follow all school rules while on a robotics trip, for example) I think it's a little presumptuous to assume that all students should follow any one set of beliefs as to what constitutes appropriate behavior at a FIRST event. Schools and teams vary widely in what is considered inappropriate. Likewise, different teams have different policies regarding when, where, and how it is appropriate to "relax". I've seen mentors scold students for holding hands, and I've seen high school students allowed to openly smoke in front of their mentors (had to do a double take when I saw that). It's a long continuum.

I know that in the professional world, the range of acceptable behaviors is very narrow. But then again you don't see anthropomorphic mascots, painted faces, and team chants in the business world all that often, either. So I'm inclined to let each team make the determination of how professional to act for themselves and I will never tell them otherwise.

Though I have no pity for those naive enough not to realize that their behavior will be seen, and judged, by those around them.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

This wasn't an issue for us in Atlanta as I don't think there were any open relationships between team members that could make it to Atlanta but generally this isn't the kind of thing our team talks about. It just seems that we all "get" that we're representing our team at all times.

I'd like to think our team doesn't really need to have that rule written down somewhere...

I've always been surprised that teams have enough people working that there are people with free time to go hang out in the sun. If they have enough and these people want to hang out in the sun for a minute or two (or if they're taking a break from scouting) then I don't see why not.

I personally have a sleep schedule that works best if I take 10 minutes here or there to doze off for a bit. It makes me more alert for matches and the rest of the day, so I'll often try to sneak in a few minutes here or there resting on my cheese head. That's the best thing about them, you know?

I try to nap in out of the way places, like queuing behind Newton Field. Our team always loves to go out 20 minutes early so it's not like we have something better to do in that time ^_^

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

Our team doesn't have a rule about PDA, but our mentors have a lot of trust in us. I think we're on of the few teams that let the genders mix in rooms freely with no consequence (we're also an incredibly small team). For the only two students in a relationship, they know whats right and whats not.

Sporting and Sunbathing-
Sports are okay. The games were only big around lunch and towords the ends of the days, which allows you to assume they weren't busy.
If you call kids laying in the grass "sunbathing", then I'm pretty sure you were mistaking it for napping. Spending 3 plus days with your teammates ensures that you won't be going to bed at a reasonable time, and I can understand wanting a nap.

QUOTE=Chris is me;853807]
I try to nap in out of the way places, like queuing behind Newton Field. Our team always loves to go out 20 minutes early so it's not like we have something better to do in that time ^_^[/quote]

Our team is similar. I was on drive crew, and queuing was that only time I got to sit down, and thats when I'd nap. Otherwise I was on feet. At one point, when we had a particularily long break between matches, I litterally told the drive coach that "I'm going up stairs. And I'm going to just sit."

So I'm pro-napping, as long as its not excessive and is in the right place.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

I personally don't have an issue with PDA's unless it's during a match or in the pits, In my opinion, either a: your putting your relationship above the respect you give to the team(s). if your going to display some PDA, do it during matches (and i don't mean jsut during the teams matches, any match, I wouldn't want my students disrespecting any other teams). or outside of the pit area (the pit area in general). there is the hallway in the GWCC or the entry way into the GA dome for that.

I also don't have an issue with the kids outiside. It allwos some of them to make friends. remember, not all FIRST kids are into Engineering... some might have done animation, some might have helped with Chairmans stuff and writing the essay and could care less about the robots inside the two buildings bewteen them. Plus it gives some of us a chance to cool off from the heat of the action in those two buildings that the courtyard connects. :)

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

I actually think that is interesting. I don't think anyone's brought up the question (that I have yet seen) about opinions regarding hanging around the open field area during competition.

I personally don't have a problem with the kids who are just hanging around in the middle of the dome and GWCC just because if these are the kids on teams who don't care about whats going on, I'd rather them outside then complaining in the dome and potentially distracting people who actually have things to do during matches (i.e. scout).

Additionally, from my experiences people who hangout in the field usually are the ones who just want to relax for a while, hang out with friends, and meet new people from competition. Lets face it, not everyone can be on drive team and the pit crew and teams don't have matches back to back all day. Sometimes kids just don't want to sit in the dome restless and would rather go out and play.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

Although I needed the sleep, I did not sleep on the couches. However, our driver was having a rough day and needed some sleep. So he went to the couches upstairs and slept for 30 minutes or so. When he woke up, he felt a lot better and went into the matches with a better attitude. I think for the kids that work a lot and that put a lot of hard work into the competition deserve to take a short nap if they need to. I know for me, I get about 5 hours of sleep due to scouting meetings. A short nap is all I need to go into a competition fresh and awake.

Re: Noticed again in Atlanta
 

there you go... i reiterated (sp?) that point... our team is pretty lax about that, but we all know that if we are caught doing something wrong, we will be reprimanded, so we try to stay out of trouble...

::ouch:: ::safety:: (yaaay... new emotes... )