Saving Seats Epidemic

[GeorgeM]

Oh come on guys, does this really need to be addressed?

Why not have your FULL team arrive earlier than the seat takers and sit in the seats that you want? Or why not hold your ground when someone tells you that this seat is reserved? Yes, you may get into an argument - but it is clearly stated in the rules that seats are not allowed to be saved. They can choose to sit in between the full team if they'd like, but generally people don't like doing that. I've been on both sides of the argument enough times to realize that the "reserver" eventually loses.

The problem with trying to change the culture of saving seats is that more teams with more students will show up earlier and try to race into the building, creating an even bigger "Black Friday Sale" scenario, which is apparently the exact opposite of what you want.

Another thing that adds to the problem is that teams can choose to sit in the "reserved" seats, but - like the "reservers" - want to sit together as a team. What this means is that if people are mad that teams are saving seats in sections, it's because it doesn't let their team sit in a section. That's some backwards logic.

Additionally it's the kids that "lose" the race that make such a big fuss about the teams that win it. In most cases, teams only send a skeleton crew to get seats - which means that the ones who lose have no right in being mad that other teams got their first. If their teams gets there before the "reservers" team gets there - then by all means, take the reserved seats! What's stopped people from doing that? Oh, right, their team doesn't get there before the "reservers" team...

What's another 30 minutes (at a regional) in the scheme of things? Kids spend longer than that on their hair...or dressing up in bad costumes...What's the problem with taking a quick nap in the stands before ceremonies start? What do the teams that get the best seats do? Send an early crew to stand at the front of the line, then send the rest of the team earlier to join them. 1114, 2056, 254, 148, and more ALL DO THIS - You want to be the best? Do as they do.

This problem stems from laziness and lack of courage to stand up to someone who is breaking the rules. The arguments are usually very passive aggressive, and even when there is a disagreement both sides see it differently. (I've been the victim of an alleged debacle with an older woman for being in "my section". The lady further went on to contact my team and tell them how unimpressed she was of my behavior. Although not true it taught me a few things - namely that there are two sides to every story.)

Moral of the Story: If you're unhappy about something, change it. Send the full team earlier...