Competition Professionalism

[Drwurm]

All these teams have been working feverishly for 6 weeks, and this is the final culmination of all that work. Sounds like the perfect dancing situation. Even engineers at major companies celebrate together after a successful project.

Also regionals might be the only time some of us ever get to dance without being laughed at!

[galewind]

The way I see a regional competition as a celebration of all of our hard work. It's a big party with excitement, competition, cooperation, and prizes. Thousands of individuals commit an enormous amount of time and energy into getting everyone to perform the same task (in different ways), and we learn from each other and take so much from the program.

Dancing together is another way to celebrate as a group, and I think it's something that should be encouraged because it helps bring people together, and that's a large part of FIRST's mission. Hearing the word "professional" in this context makes me think of sitting in a cold business office all day behind a cubicle wall -- and I just don't feel that FIRST is about that.

[Danny McC]

And I dont see how dancing relates to them not being interested in the goals FIRST is trying to set. They may be involved in the build but when it comes to the competition they may not be involved. And sometimes the ones who dance the most also help with the robots. Example: I told my friend to be in the mascot area today for our first match where she had been dancing the whole time. And her response to me was I will be there if it doesnt interfere with my pit shift. The dancing at competitions is a way to relieve the stress from the six week build season.