During a stop a few months ago, there was a guy there I hadn't seen in about 20 years I think. As SOON as I saw him, my anxiety increased and my mind, thoughts, and even body language went back to my mid 20s when he would berate me in the pool room. He wasn't a very nice man, but mostly he simply didn't really know how to give positive or constructive criticism. He was very abrasive to all the players he tried to help with his crappy ego lol.
Even though I felt uncomfortable, I decided that I should say hello instead of ignoring him like I would have in the past. He seemed genuinely happy to see me and asked me about a couple friends from back from San Antonio when I used to live there. Then I went back to the tournament desk and continued my work.
About 30 minutes later he comes over to the tournament table to check out the brackets. And then for some reason he starts talking to one of the players who had just lost his match. He tells the player (who was still seething from his loss) in front of everyone, “You have no one to blame but yourself for that loss.”
I don't know why people think they need to say such negative things. Even if that was obvious or true, give a player some time to get over the emotions of the loss, damn! I don't even know why he thought it was proper or helpful to give his crappy opinion.
Of course, I'm also of the strong opinion that one shouldn't say anything to a player right after a tough loss match until they are ready to hear it. And for this guy to do it right after he lost, in front of his peers, and from someone he probably didn't really know…..just showed me this guy hasn't changed one bit in the last 20 years.
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