bbo commentary reprise
Lest things get out of hand, let me clarify: while watching USA1 - South Africa, I found the otiose chatter drifting in a potentially offensive direction and asked one participant to please stop. There was an interesting match being played, the gossipy chatter was distracting and annoying. These are the play-by-play guys, the only voices allowed in the vugraph room, and they were conducting a conversation that had nothing to do with the match being played. I knew first-hand about the incident to which they referred, having had dinner that very evening with the player they were discussing. The chatter bugged me, plain and simple.
What bothered me was the reaction I got to my simple request. “Mind your own business!” is inappropriate. The guy had, in my opinion, two options: ignore me or say something along the lines of “right, sorry.” I fully expected to be ignored. That would have been fine.
Here’s where it gets interesting: I wasn’t alone at the computer. George had just sat down at the computer when that answer came back to me privately. He was outraged. More than just about anyone else, George Jacobs was definitely minding his own business. (A couple of incidents in Shanghai raised the interesting question “Whose team is it?” I’m working on a post about that and hope to have it up later this week. But you know what happens when I make a blogging to-do list …) When George then suggested privately that they maintain decorum in the vugraph theater and the guy lashed out again, we were both shocked.
My point: the original conversation was marginal, and unnecessary; the analyst’s reaction to a fair request was out of line. Bad customer service, at best. I solved my own problem by learning a little more about the software: I made the guy my “enemy,” (an act which, frankly, feels a little ugly) and therefore filtered out his chatter in its entirety.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:56 am
It sounds like they were out of line and certainly there was no reason for them to be obnoxious.
But we should remember that these people were unpaid (to my knowledge) and trying to help players of various skill levels better understand the bridge. Most did not have any system notes and so at times were confused by bidding systems.
Larry Cohen was the very best in my opinion. It was too bad that he was on so seldom. Walter Johnson was very helpful when Meckwell played since he knows their system.
I find the use of “enemies” to be very helpful in avoiding people with whom I have had bad experiences.
Stacy, I think you are 100% correct but that in general we should be greatful to have such a wonderful and FREE mechanism for playing, watching, using the bidding room, etc
October 15th, 2007 at 11:14 pm
Hi Stacey,
enjoyed reading your coverage of the team during its great medal performance in Shanghai. Terrific photos too.
What did you think of the USA women holding that sign aloft during the medal ceremony. Is it a storm in a tea-cup or a more serious breach of behaviour? I’ve only seen a photo of the incident so it’s a bit to comment on it in context.