Un-Gracious & Professional Behavior at AZ Team Social

[DarMagi]

Wow, that's horrid news. My mom is like that but with asthema, so I know how the smells can affect people. I can't wear any cologne or even certain deoderants around her or she can't breathe, because of how strong they smell. This was a bad idea! A bucket of water would have been a little better, but even still, that is bad enough...

What ever happened to the good ol' days of just playing hackey sack with other teams like at the FL regional? Good times those were, and great sports!

[K.Shaw]

wow i am sorry for the actions of that person....that is one very un-gracious act and we don't need people like that in the FIRST community....i also hope the best for you and your illness and that you get well soon and stay in FIRST because without people like you (mentors) we don't have FIRST teams. get well and i hope the culprit either gets punished by his/her team, apologizes, or at least rethinks their actions.

[Shu Song]

This is really low...

I thought FIRST was free of people who this kind of stuff, but apparently I was wrong. If whomever did these stil has any dignity left in him/her, he/she should come out and apologize.

[pyroslev]

There are always a few people that ruin fun for everyone. These people are always around in some shape or form. I personally hope the person who poured it(Mean thing to do and also a waste of their money) is caught.

[JIN]

Well, those students were pretty stupid. Though I'm certain they didn't mean any harm, they should come out and apologize. And nobody should be trying to "hunt them down" like common criminals. That just adds to the tension and negative feelings. I do hope they apologize to you.

[Jeff K.]

That is really horrible. How rude some people can be goes beyond human nature and goes against what FIRST is based upon. Our coordinator has also told us about how some teams at regionals havn't felt quite welcome and have never wanted to go to that regional again, and I feel that too is horrible. We should treat all FIRST teams and anybody, whether they be in FIRST or not, as a friend. As Jesus once said, "Do onto others as you would wish them do onto you."

[Alex Pelan]

I agree that this was a horrible thing for those people to do. I am glad everyone is ok. I think that we should use this as a lesson to all of us.

"Think before you post." It's been said a lot in these forums. "Think before you act" and "think before you talk" are other good examples of this. The next time you want to post/do/say something...remember to think it over. You never know, especially when dealing with other people, what the other people have been through. You can strike a nerve with a joke that you think is personally hilarious. You also never know disorders or other diseases that people have, such in this situation. They may not be able to help something you think is weird, and they may end up having negative reactions to your actions, as clearly could have happened in the case above. If something could possibly hurt someone, or be insulting to someone, anywhere, you should probably not do it, especially in a public place such as this forum, or at a FIRST regional. And always remember...you're representing your team through your actions, whether you like it or no.

*steps off soapbox*

[R.J.]

I am shocked that this event took place. Ever since FIRST began its core value is and always will be gracious professionalism. For someone to act against those values should truly not be involved. I can understand that people might do a prank on someone, but to do it to that caliber is pathetic. When the person being pranked on is not laughing then you know that you have invaded their comfort zone. I truly hope that individual comes out and apologizes not only to the family but to the entire FIRST organization. Actions do think louder than words, and before you decide to do something please think about it!!!!!

[Adam Y.]

I am one of the team parents and a mentor for our team. I have a severe illness which is called Chemical Sensitivity. I get extremely ill from chemicals and something that makes me very ill happens to be perfume and cologne. I choose to mentor because I love kids and love to work in my community- despite the fact that I am very ill.

Wow. That is just one bad joke that went out of control.

[sirbleedsalot]

Now I don't know if this was a closed event or not but we have to realize there may have been people outside of FIRST there; however this does not excuse their actions in the least bit.

[Justin]

I'd like to start out by saying that I don't usually make posts like this. Also I think that this prank was stupid and it does serve to demonstrate how not thinking before you act can have potentially devastating consequences. Those responsible should be punished.

I would just like to make a few other observations, keep in mind that I am not a team member or a mentor on any team...just a FIRST member at large. It seems to me that there is an increase in the number of posts about incidents like this. There was another post about some behavior that was occurring at a regional and arena security had to step in to insure the safety of those involved. I think that to often there is a sense of isolation within the FIRST community. That some how anyone who would ever come into contact with FIRST is "better than that." I know we would all like to believe this is the case but it defys human nature. What is the appropriate response? I'm not sure. It is something that deserves some consideration. Everyone who participates in FIRST has the right to have a fun and enjoyable experience free of incidents like these, equally everyone in FIRST students and mentors a like to insure that that is the case.

Justin

[KTorak]

That's pretty bad, there are just some people who shouldn't be involved with the type of stuff becuase they can't handle themselves Maturely and Professionally. On that note, at GLR, the MC said people were stomping on "containers" of lubricant. (I'm thinking it was grease for robots)