I have nice tables that usually balance out the bad ones, the bad ones just have tendency to stick out more. I don't think people think about how long they take up a table when they are watching a game. Someone sitting there for several hours and leaving a 10% (or worse) tip is going to upset the server more than usual. Normally that table would have been turned 3-4 times during that same time span.
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- Thread starter cstrunk
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I have nice tables that usually balance out the bad ones, the bad ones just have tendency to stick out more. I don't think people think about how long they take up a table when they are watching a game. Someone sitting there for several hours and leaving a 10% (or worse) tip is going to upset the server more than usual. Normally that table would have been turned 3-4 times during that same time span.
Big Arsenal fan. Their style of play is the Iowa State basketball of soccer. That and their guaranteed let downs are also similar.
As far as there only being 2-4 teams that realistically have a shot at winning the title, I agree. But the league is so competitive top to bottom that if one of the top teams isn't on their game that day, they will be beaten by the lesser team. I really appreciate that aspect of the EPL.
I was certified to ref it in the state of Iowa. I don't know a ton about it, but probably enough to make a decision. My biggest issues are:
1. Any game where a game can end in a tie in a tournament designed to get a champion is a sport that's hard for me to take seriously.
2. The amount of theatrics is ridiculous. I hate how bad they are in football and basketball, and soccer makes those two look amateur in that department.
3. Extra time is a joke. The corruption in soccer is already second to none, how can you legitimately have timed play that the players and coaches (and fans) are completely unaware of how much remains?
4. I also hate the offsides rule, but that's at least understandable to me.
One plus is how teams can get promoted/relegated depending on performance in the EPL. I think it helps the fans because it prevents teams from tanking games. But it also tends to create massive fan bases for the top performers because most people want to be fans of teams that will always stay on the top league.
I kinda think people tend to remember bad servers over good ones, unfortunately.
I try to give any server the benefit of the doubt. I usually plan for a 20% tip and go from there. It usually takes a lot more to make that number go down versus up.
Definitely enough to make a decision on it. Your points are all fair. Its not for everyone.
Btw sorry for all the soccer talk :wink:
It's was probably disrespectful for me just to say it sucks, but I think the rest of the conversation was reasonable.
I certainly don't question the passion world wide for soccer. I just dislike when people try to act like it's this huge thing in America and everyone that's not on board must be some unintelligent Neanderthal that only likes sports where you can knock each other senseless (that didn't happen here, but it does happen). It won't ever be a major sport on the USA. At least not until it becomes much cheaper and less elitist. Which is ironic because it's partially so popular worldwide because it's so cheap elsewhere to play. Impoverished countries in Africa kids can play it and all they need is something kickable.
There really should be a soccer forum and it should be an "opt in" forum like the cave. There are very few people that are truly in the middle when it comes to soccer.
I have been debating getting re-certified as a USSL referee. Can't decide if I want to get back into soccer or try a different sport.
1. Tournament games don't end in ties. They will be settled with extra time or (if needed) penalty kicks. Pool play can end in ties. That's where the point system comes into play.
2. I understand this. This is something most fans don't approve of. However, basketball can be nearly as bad (Marcus Smart). I don't envy soccer refs having to sort it all out. It is a really physical sport.
3. Since the clock runs, it would be detrimental to let game time tick away when there is an injury. No other sport does that either. You could argue that instead of extra time that you could just stop the clock, but then you're really just arguing semantics. The extra time is announced as soon as the normal time reaches the end. Fans and players and coaches know it immediately and usually have a good idea of the amount of time before seeing it posted anyway.
4. It's completely necessary. The game would be un-watchable without offsides. Quick personal example: My daughter's team handled an older, bigger team twice during league play this fall. They met the same team in a tournament where offsides wasn't called and lost. The other team just parked two girls in front of our goal and they launched the ball anytime it went into their side of the field. It removed any strategy whatsoever.
It was actually a class I took in college. They taught you everything for football, soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, wrestling and hockey. The tests were the actual tests you take to get certified, but you still had to go in and get certified on your own. I did it for soccer, football and basketball (pretty much every season covered) but ended up only doing one middle school football game. I got paid more at my part time job and just didn't have the time between that, school and a girlfriend.
I think his issue comes in with that you can be offsides so long as you are not in a position to make a play on the ball. For instance you could park someone in one corner and they never move and kick the ball to the other side of the field and be completely legal.
Like an Iowa fan?
Was kidding on the soccer argument comment, generally we can get along in here.
I think you're kind of where I am. I honestly am neutral on soccer personally, but have noticed that while a baseball fan or football fan won't spend much time trying to convince you how awesome it is, soccer fans a lot of times will....sometimes to an annoying level.
Like jcyclonee said, there's not much middle ground. I have a hard time with the people that just bash it to bash it. At the same time, I dislike people that can't get it in their heads that it's not for everyone and want to force it down their throats with the "the whole world likes it" argument.
From my standpoint, I was surprised at how much I've really gotten into it considering I had zero soccer background. I try to encourage someone to go to a really good game to give it a try before discounting it. It's not me trying to prove I'm right, I'd just like to have others experience that same excitement.
That makes more sense. I have a little issue with that, too. Any good defender is going to keep an eye on that player, so it does affect play, IMO.
Which is why a good defense should immediately be pushing up when the ball goes up. This along with a diamond defense also helps to keep the ambiguity low as to who is the last defender.
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