Had the family from hell set up on the lane next to me

[ursus]

It was a true test of concentration tonight. About halfway through the second game a family with four kids moved into the lane next to ours. Not a single one of the 6 had any kind of coutesy. The teen girl after her shots would shimmy backwards sideways into our lane, I think at another point one of the other kids walked squarely in front of me across the lane as I was about to shoot. Parents didn't do anything. They were just about as bad as the kids.

[eugene02]

i experienced that as well.. was already taking the 1st step and the girl runs in.. had to stop and felt frustrated and just waited for them to finish their throw before i go on it again..

[MICHAEL]

eugene,,,, lol,,,,LOL,,, We have all been there before!!! They just don't raise kids like they used to!! (:)

[americantrotter]

It's not just kids. It's teenagers, twenty somethings, and even adults. It's anyone who bowls for entertainment as opposed to recreation. It has gotten my blood boiling many times.

[Etrain]

b-day parties are the worst!

[MICHAEL]

Birthday parties are the worst,, yep your right Etrain,,,, its called a SUGAR HIGH!!! lol,,,, Cake, Ice Cream, POP,,,, Pizza!!!! lol (:)

[swingset]

Every time I shoot practice I always ask if I can be off somewhere by myself. I understand they don't like to string bowlers all over the place (that's bad if you're working the machines in the back), but 9 times out of 10 they'll "buffer" an empty lane between me and the recreational folks. I always thank them and tell them I really appreciate it.

[MICHAEL]

It was a true test of concentration tonight. About halfway through the second game a family with four kids moved into the lane next to ours. Not a single one of the 6 had any kind of coutesy. The teen girl after her shots would shimmy backwards sideways into our lane, I think at another point one of the other kids walked squarely in front of me across the lane as I was about to shoot. Parents didn't do anything. They were just about as bad as the kids.

When ever I have a Family from Hell pull in next to me, I always pull out from my bowling bag the Crucifix, and holy water!! Just the threat of dousing them with Holy Water, is enough to make 99.9 percent of the demons to move! Just look at them and say this: "Be Gone demons from Hell!!" Make sure to have a spray bottle of Holy Water, and have it poined at them while you are saying the Words!!! It will work!! I guaranty it!!! (:)

[Florida Bowler]

Wait, you put a crucifix and holy water in your bag? With your Hell Raiser? How does that work?

[MICHAEL]

It keeps the Hell Raiser at bay!!! lol

[J Anderson]

Every time I shoot practice I always ask if I can be off somewhere by myself. I understand they don't like to string bowlers all over the place (that's bad if you're working the machines in the back), but 9 times out of 10 they'll "buffer" an empty lane between me and the recreational folks. I always thank them and tell them I really appreciate it.

Depends on who's manning the counter, but most of the time my local center will try to put a buffer of at least one lane between a regular who is practicing and families with kids.

[ursus]

Where does one acquire a bottle of Holy Water?

[MICHAEL]

Holy water goes way back to ancient times! Even the Greeks had a machanical device that you put a coin in and out came a small amout of holy water! Used in many religious groups,, including the Catholics. Its water blessed by a prest. bishop, cardinal, pope ect. The Holy water refers to the water that, in Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Catholicism, Oriental Orthodoxy and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest. The water is sanctified for the purpose of baptism, blessing of persons, places or objects. It can also be used in bowling alleys when needed!! It melts, demons from hell!! Burns their skin, and in most cases causes them to run like hell!! HRR.... get it? Well I do sell the stuff if you want some, I charge a fair price, $52.21 a ounce! ( just a little goes a LOOOOOG way. Any one out there that would like to order some, just let me know!!! LOL...(:{

[martinezsam2495]

haha, you'd probably scare the crap out of them, shaking that water at their face, and say " The power of Christ repels you, now be gone you foul beast!"

[travkoiboi]

Always request end of lanes.... can't stand the parents who use the bowling alley as a daycare and just let their kids run free.

[eugene02]

I don't mind any lanes.. Prefer not to have the 1st and 2nd lane, Last 2nd and Last lane.. always having fault...

[billf]

Had a big clan during practice Monday next to me. I didn't mind though as the oldest girl was a real cute college girl. I thought maybe Aunt until her and all the little ones called the woman mom. Kids in all ranges up tp 20 years apart, glad it's not me!

[americantrotter]

Sitting at the wrong tables, bowling at the same time as others, standing in the next lanes space, spilling drinks, throwing stupid shots at the bumpers, getting and not using way too many balls, and general ignorance to those around you.

It's a neverending issue for me and as i mentioned upthread it's a myriad of people doing it. Still, I must have been those kids/young adults one day. Perhaps it's Karma.

[MICHAEL]

haha, you'd probably scare the crap out of them, shaking that water at their face, and say " The power of Christ repels you, now be gone you foul beast!"

never, NEVER spray Holy Water, our of your plastic squeeze bottle at children!!! It's not their fault! Point it at the parents!!! two squeezes will usually do the trick!! While anointing them with the holy water its important to say: " In the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ, get a grip on your sons and daughters"! lol (:)

Remember while spraying them with the bottle in your left hand, Hold the Crucifix with your Right hand, with arm fully extended! This metod WORKS EVERY TIME! LOL

[panbanger]

Bowling last week there was a family 2 lanes over. The teenaged girl of the family actually bowled while talking on her cell phone. Quite a few frames, too. I was amazed.

[GeorgiaStroker]

Bowling last week there was a family 2 lanes over. The teenaged girl of the family actually bowled while talking on her cell phone. Quite a few frames, too. I was amazed.

Now if she texts while bowling I'll be impressed.

[billf]

Bowling last week there was a family 2 lanes over. The teenaged girl of the family actually bowled while talking on her cell phone. Quite a few frames, too. I was amazed.

My daughter and I have both done that. I actually called the local association once in the middle of a league night and carried on a conversation the whole game and bowled well. It was my best game of the night.

[TheSheibs]

Families are one thing. What do you do when you have foreigners, who don't speak English in the lane next to you? I had this happen on time. One guy was okay and was paying attention. The other guy I just about punched in the face using my bowling ball. This smuck would stand on the approach between the two lanes next to the end of the row of seats even when he wasn't bowling just to talk to his friend. He would just grab the ball when it was his turn and throw it, turn around and start chatting with his friend again. I was up and getting set, took one step, and....The smuck went ahead and decided he was going to throw when I was starting to take my steps. I stopped, turned to him and said "really??? what the F!@#? How about some courtesy?" The smuck ignored me and eventually left. That's when I noticed the smuck had not only left the Carona beer bottle under the seats but also spilled it and left it there. WHAT A SMUCK!

you can substitute "smuck" for any name you would call this smuck.

Families I can put up with, especially if they speak English. Usually I will give them a look and they know what it is for.

[billf]

Families are one thing. What do you do when you have foreigners, who don't speak English in the lane next to you? The smuck ignored me and eventually left. That's when I noticed the smuck had not only left the Carona beer bottle under the seats but also spilled it and left it there. WHAT A SMUCK!

you can substitute "smuck" for any name you would call this smuck.

Families I can put up with, especially if they speak English. Usually I will give them a look and they know what it is for.

What country were you and this schmuck bowling in? If it was the U.S.A. I see your point. If not, then it was you that was the foreigner:D
Sorry, it was always a pet peeve of mine. I tried my best to learn as much of the language of whatever country I was in.
Schmucks like that exist in every country and go to every alley....unfortunately

[TheSheibs]

I'm in California. I've seen some inconsiderate people but it's one thing to be able to say something to an inexperienced bowler but another thing when they don't even speak English. The thing that made me feel good was bowling a 195 while they were barely above 100.

[GeorgiaStroker]

When I worked in a bowling center I knew the people who were serious bowlers and tried to keep them seperated from the casual bowlers as much as possible. Just seemed like good business to me. The bowlers were happy and the goof-offs couldn't care less.

[martin]

i've never had kids in my bowling centre, but been placed countless times next to casul bowlers who didn't know bowling courtesies.. there were times i reached my 3rd step (i use a 4-step) when all of a sudden, somebody next to me "flies" past and i have to start all over again..

[billf]

Our summer league always starts with beginners who don't know what lane courtesy is. My mood is what determines how fast they learn it. About a month ago I said something to the captain of our opposing team (my teammate in our fall mens league) about it being his job to explain lane courtesy to the new players. They were constantly running up while we were either in our stance or delivery. The kid I was bowling against got mouthy. I asked him one simple question and his captain pulled him aside on the spot and explained how not only was he wrong to run up but was wrong to be a smart a$$ about it and that I would do exactly as I said.
I calmly asked him when he started cussing if he preferred for me to stuff his bowling ball down his throat or up his a$$. I try to be nice so I always give the option so I can adequate fulfill the request ;)

[billf]

The nice ones are told nicely and I have picked up quite a few clients through this league. I just won't put up with mouthy, stupid people and PTSD gives me a great excuse to not have to ;p

[Hampe]

Meh.....You can't get too mad with most casual bowlers for acting like that. They have no way of knowing about lane ettiquette and stuff like that. It doesn't bother them if someone is standing next to them on the approach, so they don't know that it bothers a serious bowler. The only person I get annoyed at is the guy working at the counter if he knows that I'm a league player and puts a bunch of casuals next to me when there are lanes open farther away.

[martin]

I calmly asked him when he started cussing if he preferred for me to stuff his bowling ball down his throat or up his a$$. I try to be nice so I always give the option so I can adequate fulfill the request ;)

that's a nice option.. lol..

[MICHAEL]

Our summer league always starts with beginners who don't know what lane courtesy is. My mood is what determines how fast they learn it. About a month ago I said something to the captain of our opposing team (my teammate in our fall mens league) about it being his job to explain lane courtesy to the new players. They were constantly running up while we were either in our stance or delivery. The kid I was bowling against got mouthy. I asked him one simple question and his captain pulled him aside on the spot and explained how not only was he wrong to run up but was wrong to be a smart a$$ about it and that I would do exactly as I said.I calmly asked him when he started cussing if he preferred for me to stuff his bowling ball down his throat or up his a$$. I try to be nice so I always give the option so I can adequate fulfill the request ;)

Are you sure your not a Iron Worker Bill??? lOL wow,,, if that dosen't sound like me!!1 (:) lol And believe me,,,,,, I know where your coming from with sub-people like that!! lol LOL

[billf]

Mike, I've calmed down quite a bit over the years. About four years ago during the same summer league a young man said something about my niece to her dad. I told him to watch his mouth especially when he is saying that to her dad (he didn't know). As I was on the approach he told me to mind my own business and go f$$k myself. The ball went down the lane over hand and I dragged him outside by his adam's apple. Naturally his friends jumped in. The cops told him it would be a waste of time pressing charges as it was 4 on 1. He insisted. Judge threw it out and told him he was lucky he had medical bills.

[TheSheibs]

Wow, I never want to be on your bad side. That's pretty crazy. Glade to hear you've calmed down some as you got older.

[billf]

One of the things I wanted to accomplish by joining the Army was learning to control my temper. Didn't work. They just used my temper to their advantage but it did allow me to be one hell of a soldier.

[martin]

wow.. and you're a coach bill? so unlucky to be your student when you're angry.. lol..

[Florida Bowler]

I wouldn't say unlucky, just as long as you do what you're told. :p

[billf]

ha ha. Someone asked once how it was to have me as a coach. It was a kid they asked. He said great because I explained everything and showed him when he didn't understand and that I was patient. Different levels for different people. I expect kids to behave a certain way and that's fine. I also expect adults to behave as such. But it does bug me that some people I know say they want to get better, get free lessons and yet don't take advantage of the free 3 games a day they get with their summer league. Somehow they seem to think bowling 3 games a week will get them better at it. These people are the ones that admitted they also don't do the at home drills I showed them. Those are the people I have no patience for when they start complaining about how they are bowling. The ones that bowl several times a week and put all the work into it, I will help until I drop and give them all the patience in the world; they've earned it.

[ursus]

Bowling alley was crazy today. Place was packed, had the senior social league going so just a few open lanes down on the far end of the alley. First game we had a few empty lanes between us and the next closest bowlers, then they put a family with four kids on the lane on the left of us and then another family with two kids on the right. The kids on the left threw at approximately .005 MPH and they would stand at the foul line until the ball finally reached the pins approximately a minute and a half after it was released, having on at least 5 different occasions not reached the pins and had to have someone go down and retrieve it. The kids on the right alley decided with each throw to play pinball with the bumbers up and see how many times it could bounce off them on the way down the alley. My PTSD was off the charts by the time I was leaving there.