Recent Lack of Good Etiquette

[josheaton16]

If you're already waiting then why does it matter? If i'm standing on deck and the person to my left is on the approach and a person to my right walks up i expect them to go because there is no reason for them to wait for me, while i'm already waiting on someone else. I definitely agree with you about some people having bad etiquette and that can be very aggravating. I just don't understand how this is lack of manners.

[DrOcktagon]

If you're already waiting then why does it matter? If i'm standing on deck and the person to my left is on the approach and a person to my right walks up i expect them to go because there is no reason for them to wait for me, while i'm already waiting on someone else. I definitely agree with you about some people having bad etiquette and that can be very aggravating. I just don't understand how this is lack of manners.

Have you ever bowled in a tournament using two-lane courtesy? If everyone follows the same "rules" about how to do this, a rhythm usually develops which would be easily broken by one person not following the agreed upon etiquette.

Maybe "lack of manners" isn't the right verbage, but it can be very frustrating and distracting if someone is not using proper etiquette.

Example: You're waiting for the person on your immediate left to bowl and you're standing with your ball in hand and one foot on the approach. Someone two lanes to your right sees this but continues onto the approach regardless; you then have to wait for that person. While you're waiting for that person someone two lanes to your left gets up on the approach; now you have to wait for that person as well. This completely breaks the rhythm of two-lane etiquette.

In the above example, the person two lanes to the right should have seen that you were waiting for the bowler to your left to bowl and patiently waited for you to get through your approach before beginning theirs.

[DrOcktagon]

If you're already waiting then why does it matter? If i'm standing on deck and the person to my left is on the approach and a person to my right walks up i expect them to go because there is no reason for them to wait for me, while i'm already waiting on someone else. I definitely agree with you about some people having bad etiquette and that can be very aggravating. I just don't understand how this is lack of manners.

It's completely different with single-lane courtesy, though. In the situation you describe, using single-lane courtesy, there would be nothing wrong with the bowler to your right going while you are waiting for the bowler to your left; you would be 100% clear to begin your approach after they both go. It's only when you add another lane to the etiquette that this could become a problem.

[Greenday]

As I've mentioned, I prefer one lane courtesy because it lets things flow faster. But it's two lane at tournaments. And the woman who was doing it in the tournament was only doing it while two lanes away. She was doing it while standing on the lane next to me.

[billf]

The lane courtesy thing I get.
The guy talking during a six=pack...big deal.

The fourth bowler on my Fall men's league always wants to bowl anchor. I won't put him there. I bowled him last night. I was in his head from the start (he walked in and said he was going to crush me and show why he should be anchor). I didn't let up either and beat him handily 751-493. Then I explained how it's his mental game that's holding him back. Every noise, comment or criticism distracts him. I don't hear a thing when I'm on the approach and I love going against trash talkers.

[Greenday]

I'm fine with some trash talk. I do it from time to time. But some things aren't right. Eight strikes in, you shouldn't be trying to psyche them out of a 300. Eight innings done, you shouldn't mess with the pitcher. Etc. etc.

[RoccoRock]

if you let someone get to you and mess up your game...you do not have concentration
if you let someone hurt your feelings you must be wearing them on your sleeve
if you let some one use you...you have not mastered the English word of no!!!

I didn't say it was your FAULT...
I said I was going to BLAME you!!!

I learned the hard way to have total concentration in my stance and on my approach
someone on the boards said tell your self it is just me, my ball, my target and follow through...


nobody can hurt your feelings...unless you let them

nobody can use you either...unless you let them


okay there are GRANNY GRUNT'S LECTURES for the day...

suggest taking with a grain of salt

It's not about hurting feelings, or comments throwing you off your game, it's about people being A holes for no reason other than they're cry babies. I've had people make comments to me, and I bowled terrible afterward, and I've had people make comments and I proceeded to lay the smack down. I can't blame other people when I bowl like garbage, I almost always put it on me.

As far as being distracted, like I described before, that's a totally different story. Call me mentally fragile or whatever, but when someone nearly runs into me while I'm on the downswing of my delivery, that's going to effect my throw. Maybe sometime when your bowling someone will run up from behind and come within inches of you. Then you can tell me if you had such great concentration that it didn't effect you.

Guys like Sean Rash, and Wes Malott, and Mike Machuga, and Brad Angelo, and Tom Daughrety and Pete Weber, and Randy Pederson have all been distracted by one thing or another and it effected their game. In case you don't know who any of those guys are, they are some of the best bowler in the world, and in some cases, some of the best in the history of the game.

[classygranny]

It's not about hurting feelings, or comments throwing you off your game, it's about people being A holes for no reason other than they're cry babies. I've had people make comments to me, and I bowled terrible afterward, and I've had people make comments and I proceeded to lay the smack down. I can't blame other people when I bowl like garbage, I almost always put it on me.

As far as being distracted, like I described before, that's a totally different story. Call me mentally fragile or whatever, but when someone nearly runs into me while I'm on the downswing of my delivery, that's going to effect my throw. Maybe sometime when your bowling someone will run up from behind and come within inches of you. Then you can tell me if you had such great concentration that it didn't effect you.

Guys like Sean Rash, and Wes Malott, and Mike Machuga, and Brad Angelo, and Tom Daughrety and Pete Weber, and Randy Pederson have all been distracted by one thing or another and it effected their game. In case you don't know who any of those guys are, they are some of the best bowler in the world, and in some cases, some of the best in the history of the game.

Wow, lighten up some. I would think most of us on these boards know who these guys are number 1. And, these guys know how to deal with the distractions - learn to confront the distractor (ie Pete Weber), learn how to stop in your approach (Sean is really good at this). If you want to bowl with the BIG BOYS, then deal with distractions - they do. And further more, if your game is "mentally fragile" - may I suggest a mental coach. Doesn't seem like you would enjoy the sport being this fragile. Learn control, only you can control your game.

And for the record, life is full of those "A holes" for no reason - bowling, movies, work, driving, etc - how do you deal with them?

That's my rant for the day...sorry, just having a Granny day I guess - since I can't blame it on PMS.

[DLP]

Love how you are saying things granny!!!!
What is funny is that sometimes on the lanes, our enemy, the a**hole that is bashing us, the guy or gal questioning your every throw turns out to be yourself.
Every other distraction I've experienced at the lanes is second to my own internal dialogue.

We talk about the expectation of courtesy and respect from our fellow bowlers, but how many of us give ourselves and our own game that level of respect and courtesy?

[Greenday]

Wow, lighten up some. I would think most of us on these boards know who these guys are number 1. And, these guys know how to deal with the distractions - learn to confront the distractor (ie Pete Weber), learn how to stop in your approach (Sean is really good at this). If you want to bowl with the BIG BOYS, then deal with distractions - they do. And further more, if your game is "mentally fragile" - may I suggest a mental coach. Doesn't seem like you would enjoy the sport being this fragile. Learn control, only you can control your game.

I'm pretty sure that if someone does what I've mentioned during a PBA event, there are actual rules against it. For instance, if you continually ignore lane courtesy rules, you will be fined. You cannot mess with other people while they bowl. If you are friends with someone and it's mutual and accept between the two of you, go for it. But when it's with someone you don't know, trash talk and stuff is technically against USBC rules. Just because it's not generally enforced (Or called out on as being against the rules) doesn't make it acceptable.