Body painting and first

[Melissa Nute]

Back when FIRST was still at Disney, this was really common. In fact, in the FIRST booklet given out at regionals in 2003 there was a picture of this with people with body paint on them at the 2002 Championships. Things change though.

[Martinez]

I remember students for 229 did this at BAE in 2004 by painting numbers on their chest. I thought it was awsome, and they seemed really spirited. Next year they did it again, but were told to put their shirts back on for indecent exposure. Go figure.

[Rohith Surampudi]

a few of us painted our chests at Boston, nobody said anything, they were more amused than offended

[santosh]

This is one of the things the press noticed when we were interviewed at another robotics competition and the interviewer was thoroughly impressed with the fact that there were people that did paint up. I think that people should be allowed to paint up and I can understand the concern in the pit. FIRST tries and succeeds at trying to make enginering and sceicen fun and enjoying. It seems to me that people painting up most certainly shows the enthusiasm people are beginning to show for FIRST Robotics and what it stands for.

[KenWittlief]

I think the issue is the same issue with other public places (stores, malls, resturants, schools, churches, government buildings....) No shirt, no shoes, no admission. Its not a dress code thing, its a sitting-next-to-a-half-naked-person thing.

A tank top is a reasonable compromise.

EDIT: consider that it might also be a requirement of the venue that was rented for the event, esp if they are serving food.

[omutton]

I am all for the body painting/ face painting. I think it is an awesome way to show spirit. I totally agree with the notion that you shouldn't be allowed in the pits with no shirt on, seeing as it's a safety hazard. I don't agree with the idea that body paint conveys an image FIRST doesn't want. Just because we are nerds doesn't mean we can't show spirit! I have done full face paint (see WAI pic) and 4 of us did our team number on our chests 2 years ago at the Canadian Regional and weren't hassled for it.

So body paint in FIRST? I say GO FOR IT!

[Jason Kixmiller]

I think another real issue is that FIRST is still in a somewhat new state...while those of us involved with the program can understand the excitement and the team dedication/spirit, outsiders to the program (like corporate sponsors, mayors, governors, etc.) might be a little startled by a bunch of rowdy, shirtless team members. Team spirit is essential and the excitement of the crowd is what makes competitions great, but sometimes decisions have to be made in the interest of those who might not have the same experience in FIRST as the rest of the crowd.

[Alex Burman]

lifes short party naked

[hoorayforpink]

at the ucf regional in florida a few of our students did that and they had to put their shirts on, the staff said they didnt want it smeered on the stands and seats and whatnot

but to say it doesnt convey the spirit of First i believe isnt rite

[Tetraman]

I think it's more of the person's personal beliefs too. I'm sure any FIRST-respsecting volunteer would allow it, but someone with their personality-factor going into it might make a difference.

We were going to paint our chests, but we didn't have enough paint. So we went with faces.

[65_Xero_Huskie]

I think this is just an issue at the venue
At GLR this year there was this really strict security gueard
she kept coming over to us when we were hitting baloons around in the stands and taking them and poping them. i mean come on...balls were flying around ont he field, so whats the point?
and last year at Midwest regional we wernt aloud to get up and dance or do anything or else security would come over and tell us to sit down and stuff.
personally i think you should be able to show spirit as long as its not hurting anyone, people had their shirts off at GTR but i dont know if anyone said anything to them.

[GlitterRave113]

Ya, some of us had that problem at the philly regionals as well. every time we would stand up and cheer for our robot, people would complain. i understand that we were blocking them, but it was for like ten seconds! I think that everyone should be able to express their spirit, especially when their robot is up, but hey, that's only my opinion... I think that they should make a huge assigned section for people that want to dance, that way we wouldn't block anybody and we could cheer for our teams properly! Maybe they could even make this assigned section a place for people who want to show off their paint!

[Dillon Compton]

Originally Posted by GlitterRave113

Ya, some of us had that problem at the philly regionals as well. every time we would stand up and cheer for our robot, people would complain. i understand that we were blocking them, but it was for like ten seconds!

Really? We were loud, had a couple hundred ballons (At one point), big blue streamers on 10ft pieces of PVC, and the only thing we were asked to do was to keep the ballons off the field/in the stands!

-Dillon Compton
Team 1394

[GeorgeTheEng]

Originally Posted by GlitterRave113

Ya, some of us had that problem at the philly regionals as well. every time we would stand up and cheer for our robot, people would complain. i understand that we were blocking them, but it was for like ten seconds! I think that everyone should be able to express their spirit, especially when their robot is up, but hey, that's only my opinion... I think that they should make a huge assigned section for people that want to dance, that way we wouldn't block anybody and we could cheer for our teams properly! Maybe they could even make this assigned section a place for people who want to show off their paint!

That's surprising... It definitely not the judges that prompted that... And I doubt the regional director, refs, or field volunteers would mind... They'd be all for that type of spirit. In fact, the judges are looking for that kind of spirit for the team spirit award.

One thing that should be remembered throughout this discussion, the vast majority of people at the events are volunteers. I'm not saying that excuses them, but before being too harsh, everyone should remember that these people are giving up there time to help out. Personally, I see no problems with it myself as long as the half-naked painted spirited individuals are still decently attired... My team did this a number of years ago at VCU, Philly, and Epcot with no problems...

[KenWittlief]

Keep in mind at EPCOT we were in a glorified parking lot.

They will not let you into any of the theme parks now without a shirt. I suspect its because, if they do, then sooner or later some organization will get behind some woman who files a lawsuit for 'equal access'.

If guys can run around wearing nothing but shorts and body paint then.... ?

(Whenever something doesnt make sense at face values, there are lawyers involved :^)