FAHA: Team clothing that adds a bit much girth?

[Ken Leung]

In the heat of the competition, people tend to get excited and emotional, and might not be as understanding as they normally would. Take a look at the following experience described by this fellow FIRST-a-holic, and let us know what either team could've done differently to ease the situation in the stands.

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I was at a regional recently, and there was another team behind us in the stands. Part of one member's costume was an apron stuffed to give the appearance of an object (which I won't name for fear of calling out the team).

In the stands, said apron bounced off of our team's heads multiple times over the day. Then, when our team's match was up, we stood to cheer and they asked us to sit, saying we were blocking them.

I'm all for team spirit and giving spectators a good view, but it seems like this team struck out on both counts. Am I alone in thinking this?

[MikeDubreuil]

In my experiences, if there is a team viewing area in front of the stage you should use that. Exceptions of course if you have a handicapped member on your team.
Maybe they didn't realise they were hitting you in the head?
The vast majority of teams wouldn't mind your team standing during your match. I think you just might have gotten "a bad egg" sitting behind you.

What I have learned dealing with those type of teams? Clench you teeth, count to ten, and move on with life.

[MissInformation]

It reminds me of something that happened at Annapolis. There were two women from a team, I don't know if they were parents or teachers or engineers, but during the semi-finals, when their team was up, they stood up. I couldn't see through them, but I thought, "hey, it's their team, they're excited, I'm just going to miss most of this match." They did this through all of the semi-final matches (I think their alliance lost). Next go-round, the team in front of them were involved, and two or three of their members stood up. The one woman had the nerve to tap on one of the guys shoulder and ask them to sit down. Now, there is a vindictive part of me wanted to say loud enough for all to hear: "Excuse me, but how can you ask them to sit down when you, yourself didn't and blocked my view? Pretty darn rude." but I didn't, I just shook my head watched the match.

Did your team ever tell them they were being hit in the head? They should have, and if that didn't change their behavior, then shame on them. It would be nice if teams who were going to stand up and cheer through all of their matches always took seats at the top of the bleachers instead of at the bottom or middle, but that's not going to happen. Our team always goes to the floor area to cheer for our team, that way we don't block anyones view and our flight crew can actually hear us cheering. Try that next time.

Heidi