physical assault at the bridge club

[h2osmom]

Zero tolerance is a difficult thing for directors. The people who are likely to commit these offenses are the same people who will not take kindly to receiving a penalty for their behaviour. People who will accept the penalty without fussing (or worse) at the director, generally won't commit these offenses, and are not the people ZT policies were ever intended for. Directors tend to want to smooth things out and get the game back moving, rather than possibly exacerbating an already bad situation.

 

I don't agree that this reaction from directors is optimal; I think they should enforce ALL ZT actions. Of course occasionally a person who said something with no malice intended, or taken, will be penalized, but overall, if this policy is actually enforced to that level, behaviour will improve. But initially, it will be difficult for directors to confront aggressive people.

[ladydoc]

An ironical update:

 

This in almost exactly one week since the 'incident' at the club.

 

As expected, the acbl has no executive function in this matter, and it all came down to the club to deal with it.

 

Last week was a horrendous week. I was in shock at the way people were behaving, and appalled there was no phone call to apologise from the perpetrator.

That director of last monday night went off on holidays. The club president is still investigating, but I think that is only of interest to the club at this point.

 

I did report to the police and had the photos taken, and I skipped bridge on Friday night. Usually there are barely enough people on a friday night to have three tables. .... but Friday, there were 4 full even without us ... strange... what could this mean?

 

On Monday, I decided to go back to bridge...

And believe me, it was difficult..

 

I was met at the door by my friend, the director of the night, and I played with her, instead of my husband, who then played with her regular partner. I felt like I had a wonderful bodyguard by my side.

The club president welcomed me back to the club, and gave me a helpful head's up, while out in the hall, that the perpetrator was inside, and did I feel strong enough emotionally to play at the same table? I said, no, I didn't think so. He said, well, if it came to be a problem, he would somehow arrange something, but I was not to be pressured, just come and tell him.

 

When we sat down... I was amazed! There were almost twice the number of people there as usual! What an good assault does to raise attendance!!!! The perpetrator and his partner left then, before the game started, thank god!

 

My partner and I had a 62.5 % game to come second in the night in the Howell movement and it was a pleasant evening. The couple who won were from out of town and new to the community. I do hope that things change in the club, and they are welcomed to a friendly non violent atmosphere.

[jikl]

I am really pleased things are looking up.

 

Sean

[GeeGee]

Yes, stick with it.

 

People like this should be thrown out of the game, perhaps not for good, but until they show true repentance.

 

Geoff

[1stpanda]

Many years ago a friend of mine was barred from his local bridge club because he broke another player's fist with his jaw. (Yes, that's right. My friend is 6'-4" and the other party to the altercation was considerably smaller and older.) Needless to say, the other party to the altercation was also a friend of the director.

 

So this is not the worst ruling with regard to physical assault in the history of the ACBL. But it has to be in the top 5.

[ladydoc]

You know, 1st Panda, now I can believe that utterly!

 

I wonder if there is any bridge club in the world without its intrigues and jealousies.

I think the emotions run higher at team games too, because it may come down to who asks you to play first, or if the team you form seems to be unequally stacked.

 

My husband says that when he played in Edmonton, the wise owner of the bridge club sent all the best players off to play rubber bridge, and that solution satisfied most people, because then other people got to win in the other section of the club.

 

I was also realizing that if the perpetrator of the assault on me at the table had lifted his fist and pounded my arm, it would not have cause more damage than what he did do (wringing it forcibly) , but it would have been more visible, and perhaps have elicited a more negative result on him at the time.

He attacked like a sulky angry cowardly person.