A controversial post but I can't think of anywhere better to discuss such topics than on ST!
I am a member of a local triathlon club and, like many, belong to the club what'sapp chatroom and follow some other "friends" on social media. I have actually now stopped completely using social media as, after a few years, I concluded it's a waste of time and I need no validation other than enjoying the sport. I can't leave the what's app chat room as they also post useful event info, but I find some of the half truths and deceptions people post every day absolutely unbearable. Anybody shares the same feelings, or is it just me? Shouldn't there be some basic etiquette about this, like not blowing your nose when you are leading a group of cyclists?
- "I came second in my age group today, I am elated!" (translation: there were three people in the age group). I would always post 10/245 etc etc to avoid misleading people
- "I am the 5th triathlete in the world on the full distance!" - says the guy who came 5th out of 7th in his AG at the ITU World Championship in Pontevedra. I would always state the event name and let people decide (ITU Worlds? Really? Who the heck cares? The ETU races are hilarious, basically 80% of people usually are from British Triathlon and they still call it "European championships")
- "I was finally selected to represent Team GB at the xx championship next year" (no you were not selected, you qualified via completing a local tri within 120% of the time of the winner of your AG)
- "Well done XX on bagging a spot for 70.3 worlds today! You are inspiring!" - "thanks, I am over the moon!" (says the BOP lady who sat through 3 hours of roll downs and finally got a slot when they were at the "who wants to go? stage"). I would answer "thanks, although anybody could have qualified today as the slots rolled down very far"
- My favorite: "congratulations so and so on stamping your ticket top Kona! you are an inspiration to all of us here at the club", to which the answer is "thanks!" by the guy who just completed his 12th Ironman in 5 years, always at the middle of the pack with no improvement shown whatsoever. How inspirational can it be to just shell out USD 6,000 to go to Kona?
- And the final one on the what's app chat typing "Amazing swim by xx today at IM 70.3 Staffordshire, so fast!!" about the guy in the 30-35 AG who just swam 42 mins, came out of the water in the last quarter of athletes, has been swimming for years and has no major work/family commitments to prevent him from putting in the required training hours.
I would just avoid useless praise, as it detracts from when one really sees exceptional performance. Which is not an absolute concept - it's all relative to people's situation and potential!
I am a member of a local triathlon club and, like many, belong to the club what'sapp chatroom and follow some other "friends" on social media. I have actually now stopped completely using social media as, after a few years, I concluded it's a waste of time and I need no validation other than enjoying the sport. I can't leave the what's app chat room as they also post useful event info, but I find some of the half truths and deceptions people post every day absolutely unbearable. Anybody shares the same feelings, or is it just me? Shouldn't there be some basic etiquette about this, like not blowing your nose when you are leading a group of cyclists?
- "I came second in my age group today, I am elated!" (translation: there were three people in the age group). I would always post 10/245 etc etc to avoid misleading people
- "I am the 5th triathlete in the world on the full distance!" - says the guy who came 5th out of 7th in his AG at the ITU World Championship in Pontevedra. I would always state the event name and let people decide (ITU Worlds? Really? Who the heck cares? The ETU races are hilarious, basically 80% of people usually are from British Triathlon and they still call it "European championships")
- "I was finally selected to represent Team GB at the xx championship next year" (no you were not selected, you qualified via completing a local tri within 120% of the time of the winner of your AG)
- "Well done XX on bagging a spot for 70.3 worlds today! You are inspiring!" - "thanks, I am over the moon!" (says the BOP lady who sat through 3 hours of roll downs and finally got a slot when they were at the "who wants to go? stage"). I would answer "thanks, although anybody could have qualified today as the slots rolled down very far"
- My favorite: "congratulations so and so on stamping your ticket top Kona! you are an inspiration to all of us here at the club", to which the answer is "thanks!" by the guy who just completed his 12th Ironman in 5 years, always at the middle of the pack with no improvement shown whatsoever. How inspirational can it be to just shell out USD 6,000 to go to Kona?
- And the final one on the what's app chat typing "Amazing swim by xx today at IM 70.3 Staffordshire, so fast!!" about the guy in the 30-35 AG who just swam 42 mins, came out of the water in the last quarter of athletes, has been swimming for years and has no major work/family commitments to prevent him from putting in the required training hours.
I would just avoid useless praise, as it detracts from when one really sees exceptional performance. Which is not an absolute concept - it's all relative to people's situation and potential!
