PerfectBowling.com

Have you ever had a time when you went bowling and came across someone who just had to come over to you and give you advice about your bowling? I had one of those experiences.

It was when my wife and I went early in the morning to get some practice in before our weekly league night. It was partly for practice and partly for us to spend together. So we weren’t really focusing on anything in particular but we were writing down some notes as we bowled.

The lanes were pretty empty at that time since it was right when they opened. But about 15 minutes into our session, a few lanes down, a person showed up for his own session. I could tell he was an avid bowler since he had decent equipment and seemed to be following a regular routine. He was pretty good too. Striking out probably about 80% of the time.

Then after a few games, he came over to us and made comments about how we should think about getting some lessons and hire a bowling coach. He noticed that we were taking notes and so that prompted him to come over to let us know that he was the bowling pro at this particular bowling alley. He said we didn’t have to go with him but it would be a good idea to go with a bowling pro somewhere.

So I politely thanked him and continued on with our games. But inside I was a bit insulted. Not because I feel like I don’t need the advice of a bowling pro or coach, I was insulted because he just assumed based on what he was seeing that we needed a coach. I mean, how does he know that we didn’t already have a coach and we were trying to apply his lessons? Or that we we came to bowl just to have some fun? Or we were just trying to make this practice session fun? He didn’t even take the time to develop a conversation and get to know us first or find out details about why we came to bowl.

So after our little conversation, I decided to just bowl. And what I mean by that is to bring my A game. So I ended up getting a 5 baggerto end the game. It was a good feeling and inside I was saying “You still think I need a bowling coach?”. I know my response wasn’t the best but it sure did feel good. I don’t hold a grudge against him and understand where he was coming from and what he was trying to do. It just would have been nice if he tried to gather some information from us first to see if we even wanted some advice.

I share this story not to toot my own horn or to vent about the incident. The moral of the story is advice is best received when it is asked for. Sometimes we can get a bit overzealous in enjoying the game that we want to share it with others and help them enjoy it just as much. But when we show courtesy and respect in regards to other people’s participation, that’s when the game becomes even more enjoyable.