I was standing in line last night to get a sports figure to sign his new book. We have relatives that would like such things. GPop was in charge of the event, so he was able to arrange for us to be in the first 100 people. That means we were able to leave quickly.
Whilst we were in line, there was a couple of sports buddies who found their places in line and tried to be everybody's best friend. These are the kinds of guys who, in their 30s, still wear their high school letter jackets to occasions other than costume parties or the beer-intensive part of class reunions. The louder one noticed that my wristband number was 19069, and I was standing behind 19070 and 19071. "Hey, why are you all the way back here?"
I responded politely, but with a tone of voice that was supposed to indicate that I had no interest in continuing the conversation. "My son has 19072, and I'd rather stand back here with him than cut in line in front of these folks."
"These folks" happened to be two college aged women. The man started flirting shamelessly, then told everyone that he was going to buck the system and call his wife to sneak into line so she could take his picture with the sports "hero." And he kept touching people.
Throughout this ordeal, the man kept trying to soften his more egregious behavior by repeating the mantra, "Hey, we're all having fun here." I have decided that this saying is a 100% accurate marker of jackassery.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I Travel in the Right Circles
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9 comments:
Couldn't agree more. "Hey, we're all having fun here" means "I'm having fun at all of your expense"
What, no cheerleading?
"Gimme a D!
Gimme an O!
Gimme a U!
Gimme a C!
Gimme an H!
Gimme an E!
What's that spell?
YOU, dude!
Somehow, I seem to sense when I am having fun without being told.
Perhaps I'm a seer.
Unfortunately, the ole "sports goon" mindset isn't limited to North America. It's alive and well down under. That's why I watch the cricket and rugby on the telly. Besides, the popcorn and beer is cheaper at home :)
It's interesting at bicycle races (Tour Down Under) you don't have that type of bloke, BUT you do have "bike snobs" which can be just as bad.
Mel Keegan,
Welcome to the flyover zone of the USA! I hope your trip was pleasant. Please help yourself to some drinks and snacks. We're pretty informal here.
Bill,
We'll start calling you Cassandra.
CP,
This could be a great cheer.
I say D*O*U*C*H*E, you say B*A*G!
gdad,
You forgot about having me put my tray table in the upright position, tuck my head between my legs, and then kiss my *ss goodbye! :) Hmmmm, your offer of drinks and snacks sounds so much more pleasant.
I've never understood how some folks think that going to a sporting event gives them a reason to act like total *sses to anyone near them. Must be the beer, eh?
I think the beer is a contributing factor, but I'll go out on a limb here and say that it's somehow a feature of a sort of tribalism.
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