You Cannot Graciously Accept

[ChrisH]

Originally Posted by Steve_Alaniz

Oh I understand it is an evolving language... and I do not disagree... Perhaps it is that I was just too beat up at school when I used a sentence fragment (automatic 31 points off!)
and had an editor at one time... I would get letters from English majors about my language so I suppose that did me in too... Wait... You're an English major? I'd better check my list... your name may be on it!

Steve

indieFan also has a degree in Engineering! So be careful about that list. You really don't want to mess with an engineer.

[dlavery]

Originally Posted by Steve_Alaniz

Hi All,
Hey I notice a lot of teams out there accept their invitation to an alliance by saying "Team xxxx Graciously accepts your invitation" (xxxx = your team number smartie!) This is a contradiction of terms. Gracious is one of those adjectives you cannot apply to yourself...

Steve -

Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this up. This is one of those little things that causes me to grind my teeth in frustration at almost every event. My former-English-teacher grandmother turns in her grave every time this phrase is uttered (which means that around lunchtime on most Saturdays in March, she is spinning at about 72 rpm). A strict interpretation of the rules of grammar would permit the use of "gracious" as an adverb in "we graciously accept." However, in use the word "gracious" is applied in reference to someone/thing else, and never to oneself. To do so is an improper use of the word, a violation of social context, and to be blunt, it makes one come across as conceited. In short, labeling yourself as gracious is, in and of iteslf, an ingracious act.

While I think we can all understand that no harm is intended by any of those that may mistakenly use this phase, I would encourage the use of any of the suggested alternative phrases. "We accept your gracious offer" would be a perfect response. "We gratefully accept!" would be a wonderful response from a team that wasn't sure if they were going to make it into the elimination rounds. Even "Whoa!!! Yeah! Absolutely! We are SOOO there!" would work. And of course "we are ecstatic about the opportunity to accept your offer, and we will pay you the two dozen Krispy Kremes right after lunch" is always appropriate.

-dave

[Mullen]

Originally Posted by Beth Sweet

For the record "Heck yeah man!" is not the best response to an alliance request either... (Wisconsin 06...)

no, beth, i'm pretty sure it is. its enthusiastic, to the point, and simultaneously provides a bit of a chuckle. However, i'm also a fan of other to the point responses to the "do you accept?" question.. "yup", "sure do", "of course" and "you know it" are all up their for me

[Rick TYler]

I think it's time to start a movement to change the Standard Cliche Response to "Team blargy-blarge professionally accepts!"

[Taylor]

More than once I've heard "We graciously decline," which stuck in my craw.
How about "let's get it on!" or "let's do this thing!"
Speaking of rituals that get annoying, I have had several visitors mention to me that they tire of introducing each team before each match, through quals & elims. They complain that it is repetitive, redundant, brings down the level of action, and is redundant. Any thoughts?

[IndySam]

At St. Louis our rep said "oh snap team 829 accepts."

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by boiler

"Thanks for thinking of us, it would be WICKED AWESOME to join you guys."
-paraphrased from 166.

Actually it was "Team 166 thinks it would be wicked awesome to play with you guys"

But that works too

Originally Posted by Richard

Wicked awesome -- that's what they said, and wicked awesome partners they were. The 166 Chop Shop moved themselves and their signage all the way from the other side of the field at BMR to join their alliance partners 1189 and 931.

Yeah. We moved where we were sitting in the stands.

I didn't quite understand what you were saying for a second.

That was so much fun

[Ellery]

I'm just surprised how people are even nit-picking on even little things like this. In my opinion this is where forms of political correctness is getting way out of hand.

It's one thing to advise of the proper usage of a term- I agree that's Ok. But today every little nuance is so critically examined for no other reason but to say "You're wrong and I'm right."

What's this world coming to?

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by boiler

it is repetitive, redundant, brings down the level of action, and is redundant

I swear, the world is made of irony.

EDITED: I just wanted to add that Boiler was being ironic on purpose. It was -- you know -- like -- humor.

[Jessica Boucher]

As annoying as it may be, "graciously accepting" has momentum that's tough to squash at this point in time, and the benefits of GP certainly outweigh this brief irritation. We'll just have to chalk it up to "WOEWITWISTFT" and accept that it's something we're going to have to live with.

[DanDon]

Here is the draft and acceptance between teams 56 and 375 at the 2007 NYC regional:

Robbe Extreme: Team 56 would like to get ill with the Robotic Plague, team 375.

Robotic Plague: Jersey's in the house! *HIGH FIVE*

[Koko Ed]

I have a question:
Do teams graciously decline another teams invitation to join their alliance?

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I have a question:
Do teams graciously decline another teams invitation to join their alliance?

I think any declining would do so regretfully, especially if they weren't in the top 8.

Has team 857 ever answered with a, "Yah, you betcha!"

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by GaryV1188

I think any declining would do so regretfully, especially if they weren't in the top 8.

Has team 857 ever answered with a, "Yah, you betcha!"

I remeber hearing a kid say "Hell yeah!"

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I remeber hearing a kid say "Hell yeah!"

Which certainly isn't professional, and I don't think it's too gracious either.