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Rue’s Rants: Girls Playing Dumb
Written by Rue on May 27, 2008 – 9:18 amThe other night, I received some wonderful upgraded tickets (not that 435 is bad, it’s just that 221 is closer). I ended up sitting in front of a group of four who were seemingly on a double date. The following are phrases that I just couldn’t ignore:
“Is it four balls or four strikes that make an out?”
“Does that guy get fined if he steps outside of the three-sided box?” (in reference to Hubbard and the first base coach box)
“Why doesn’t the grass go all the way to the wall out there in the outfield?”
“I know what ERA stands for, but don’t ask me what that means!”
Alright, ladies, enough is enough. I suppose I can forgive at least 2 of those, and I’m only forgiving them because they might be legitimate questions if you’ve either never played the sport in your life, or you’ve never been to a baseball game. I think the part that really got me was that I’m fairly certain that these girls were only playing dumb to make their suitors feel a little more useful. I know that everyone likes to feel like the expert on a subject matter and likes to be the more knowledgeable one who can teach, but these guys had to feel like they should be employed by SportSouth and doing color commentary with the amount of information they had in relation to their dates. How in the world do you not know how many strikes there are in an out? There’s a song about it (and they sang the song during the 7th inning stretch)!
At the time, I was sitting with the most well-read and opinionated baseball fanatic that I know – and I know quite a few. He and I listened to the guys talk about baseball to these gals as if they knew it all, and a few times I think both my expert and I just looked at each other and knowingly shook our heads. I don’t think that at any point in time does a girl need to dumb herself down to make a guy feel better about himself. Why would you? I can understand not having an interest in the sport, but I cannot understand legitimately feigning unintelligence to make a man feel better about himself.
Then again, I’m the single one….
Come on, ladies, don’t make us all look bad. Be proud of what you know. And realize that once in a while, you can show your date that you’re the one who knows her stuff. Some of the biggest baseball fans that I know are women (Susan, for example, who yells at me every time I bash Kelly Johnson). I also met about 100 others at Baseball 101 who could out-talk me any day, and I do daily research. Don’t underestimate the baseball knowledge of a pretty little lady, guys.
Next time I’m sitting in front of extremely ignorant women, I’m either going to have to move before my last nerve is hit, or I’m going to do a little bit of education myself. And girls wonder why it’s so hard to get some respect in the sports world…
Tags: Rue's Rants
Posted in Rue's Rants | 40 Comments »
By Connie aka BravesFan on May 27, 2008 | Reply
Good ‘rant’ Rue! A female friend of mine, who obviously was just trying to talk baseball w/ her husband and myself, said “Chipper isn’t doing so good here lately…I saw him strike out the other night” WTF?! Still laughing here. I agree.. don’t act dumb to impress a guy nor say something stupid when you don’t have a clue.
By josh on May 27, 2008 | Reply
Ive got nothing…
Go Braves
By Shaun on May 27, 2008 | Reply
My girlfriend likes to correct the dumb people around us when they say dumb things. The only thing she ever has questions for me about are the esoteric minutia of baseball labor rules, and half the times she stumps me on those. I’ve had to do a lot of research on that stuff recently to be able to keep up.
By Colin on May 27, 2008 | Reply
I hate it when people try and dumb themselves down. I’ve brought people I’ve had to explain stuff to legitimately because they just didn’t know stuff as they’d never been around baseball much before, but people that dumb themselves down are ridiculous.
Shaun, you’re right – the labor laws not only are confusing, they make absolutely no sense, at all.
By Jonathan on May 27, 2008 | Reply
I don’t think the people that wrote them even understand the labor laws…….
Anyways, I fully and completely agree with this rant. I have absolutely no problem answering legitimate questions about baseball from anyone, no matter how simple they are. If someone genuinely wants to learn about the game, then I’m more than happy to help them understand it. Maybe they’ve never had the chance before, but some of the stuff that comes out of some peoples’ mouths at games is incredible. I think the most prime example that you gave is the 4 balls/4 strikes one. Seriously?
By Susan on May 27, 2008 | Reply
I can’t even count how many times this has happened to me. I seem to always find the lucky seat in front of the girl who will ask a million questions to the guy who enjoys the ego boost. It is the best way to ruin my day. Sure, there was a time when I was learning the game and I’m sure I asked plenty of questions. That’s how we learn. And I always try to pay it forward if someone asks me a question about the game. I admire anyone who has an interest in something and wants to learn more. But this little “trick” of playing dumb is completely transparent. Here’s the key – are they actually putting in any effort to figure it out for themselves? Anyone who actually wants to know something will at least try.
And in my defense, I don’t yell
Great rant….I love it!
By Jonathan on May 27, 2008 | Reply
It’s not just you, Susan. I think we all end up sitting in front of them which leads me to believe that there are a lot of them. Anyone that knows me knows that I don’t respond well to people, guys or girls, that try to dumb themselves down about an issue…..it’s not how the world should work.
And guys, if you have somehow created a culture in your relationship where your girl is playing dumb to make you feel better about yourself, then I blame you completely. I’m sure there are a lot of cases however, where the girls just do it because they think the guy wants to feel superior in the situation.
By josh on May 27, 2008 | Reply
i can just tune them out. I also like to look at the pretty ones, but that got me in trouble a couple of times yesterday!!!
By JB in ATL on May 27, 2008 | Reply
I’m not going to complain if a girl ever played dumb around me to make me feel useful or like an expert….
Gee… now I wonder if HB has done that to me lately. After all, the Democratic Primary is very confusing but still….
Anyway, great post as usual, Rue. I hope you had fun at your girls day out at the field and I love the pic of you and Ruben.
By the way I’ll give you a free cup of Dippin’ Dots at the next game if you can spot the shout out I left for you on my latest post.
JB in ATL
PS I thought I was the most knowledgeable and well read Braves fan you knew…. oh that’s right you said most obnoxious.
By Rue Grant on May 27, 2008 | Reply
ha, thanks jaq. i will go read your blog now.
actually, at the last two games, i witnessed one girl in a braves outfit cheering for the diamondbacks thinking they were the braves, and another girl leaving the stadium asking if the braves won. those are two more to put up on that list. i’m sure it could be added to all season long.
i don’t have an issue asking if i don’t legitimately know. and i’m sure i’m guilty of asking stupid questions. however, one thing i’m not guilty of is inflicting my stupidity on everyone around me. i think legitimate questions can be asked at “indoor voice” levels.
By Rue Grant on May 27, 2008 | Reply
i was sitting with Grant, JB. i honestly don’t know anyone who rivals him. my jaw drops when i talk to him and i feel like a complete moron, so i usually just sit there and listen.
By Jonathan on May 27, 2008 | Reply
He cheats! He’s an insider!
Hehe, sorry, I had to. Don’t worry, JB. I still love you.
By JBinAtl on May 27, 2008 | Reply
and I love you because I’ve learned that platonic love can exist between two grown men.
sorry that was another Wayne’s World quote. I couldn’t resist.
By Colin on May 28, 2008 | Reply
This Grant fellow should write for us.
I’m just sayin’.
By Jonathan on May 28, 2008 | Reply
Pretty sure that would never work out.
By Ryan Gee on May 28, 2008 | Reply
Rue knows her baseball. She stumps me all the time. It’s good to be able to actually talk baseball with a woman who knows the game.
By Smitty on May 28, 2008 | Reply
Having been married to a Master’s educated professional educator for 14+ years, I haven’t had the “Playing dumb” experience in the last decade or two. And fortunately I haven’t had to bear sitting near any “dumb bunnies” any time lately.
But I think it is reprehensible to leave a game and ask who won. How freakin’ frackin’ frickin’ ridiculous!
Anyway, a year or two ago when I took a fleeting interest in hockey, I happened to sit near some very knowledgable fans one night. (Since I hadn’t grown up with hockey, I had zero knowledge-base.) And occasionaly, throughout the game, I would lean over and discreetly ask a legitimate question. “Was that an icing call?” or “Did he call a hi stick penalty on him.” Stuff like that. And they were cool to answer my questions respectfully.
But I assure you, I never left Philips asking who had won.
Regardless, it feels me with pride when I am watching the Braves with Mrs. Smitty and she notices some player on the Braves is missing and she asks if they are on “the DL.” Or “Where’s Francoeur tonight?”
Well written, Rue.
(By the way, if you want to go deeper into your own baseball knowledge, or help a newbie, I heartily suggest one read “Watching Baseball Smarter” by Zack Hample.”)
By Ashley on May 29, 2008 | Reply
Here’s my question, as a girl that openly flaunts her baseball knowledge, do girls really think it a) makes guys feel good to be the knowledgable one, or b) make them attractive, seem more feminine to act like they know nothing about sports.
In my experience far more boys want to talk to me, or listen to me rather when I’m talking about what I know rather than asking questions. I love it when girls (who aren’t in to sports) make an effort to be at the ballpark, but I hate when they ruin my time at the game blabbing the whole time behind me.
By Jonathan on May 29, 2008 | Reply
I agree with you, Ashley. I’d much rather want to talk to a girl that really knows her sports and I can carry on a conversation with her about that. And like I said, I’m fine with girls that don’t know better asking questions and wanting to learn, that’s what it’s all about.
It’s those ones that make no effort that really bother me. I think that’s true for all walks of life though, not just with baseball.
By Rue on May 29, 2008 | Reply
there is a huge difference between legitimate questions and just not knowing, and SCREAMING your questions and giggling hysterically. to me, that’s trying to get attention, not trying to learn. i think that is the big big difference.
By Connie aka BravesFan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Good 'rant' Rue! A female friend of mine, who obviously was just trying to talk baseball w/ her husband and myself, said "Chipper isn't doing so good here lately…I saw him strike out the other night" WTF?! Still laughing here. I agree.. don't act dumb to impress a guy nor say something stupid when you don't have a clue.
By Shaun on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
My girlfriend likes to correct the dumb people around us when they say dumb things. The only thing she ever has questions for me about are the esoteric minutia of baseball labor rules, and half the times she stumps me on those. I've had to do a lot of research on that stuff recently to be able to keep up.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I hate it when people try and dumb themselves down. I've brought people I've had to explain stuff to legitimately because they just didn't know stuff as they'd never been around baseball much before, but people that dumb themselves down are ridiculous.
Shaun, you're right – the labor laws not only are confusing, they make absolutely no sense, at all.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I don't think the people that wrote them even understand the labor laws…….
Anyways, I fully and completely agree with this rant. I have absolutely no problem answering legitimate questions about baseball from anyone, no matter how simple they are. If someone genuinely wants to learn about the game, then I'm more than happy to help them understand it. Maybe they've never had the chance before, but some of the stuff that comes out of some peoples' mouths at games is incredible. I think the most prime example that you gave is the 4 balls/4 strikes one. Seriously?
By Susan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I cant even count how many times this has happened to me. I seem to always find the lucky seat in front of the girl who will ask a million questions to the guy who enjoys the ego boost. It is the best way to ruin my day. Sure, there was a time when I was learning the game and Im sure I asked plenty of questions. Thats how we learn. And I always try to pay it forward if someone asks me a question about the game. I admire anyone who has an interest in something and wants to learn more. But this little trick of playing dumb is completely transparent. Heres the key are they actually putting in any effort to figure it out for themselves? Anyone who actually wants to know something will at least try.
And in my defense, I dont yell
Great rant.I love it!
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
It's not just you, Susan. I think we all end up sitting in front of them which leads me to believe that there are a lot of them. Anyone that knows me knows that I don't respond well to people, guys or girls, that try to dumb themselves down about an issue…..it's not how the world should work.
And guys, if you have somehow created a culture in your relationship where your girl is playing dumb to make you feel better about yourself, then I blame you completely. I'm sure there are a lot of cases however, where the girls just do it because they think the guy wants to feel superior in the situation.
By JB in ATL on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I'm not going to complain if a girl ever played dumb around me to make me feel useful or like an expert….
Gee… now I wonder if HB has done that to me lately. After all, the Democratic Primary is very confusing but still….
Anyway, great post as usual, Rue. I hope you had fun at your girls day out at the field and I love the pic of you and Ruben.
By the way I'll give you a free cup of Dippin' Dots at the next game if you can spot the shout out I left for you on my latest post.
JB in ATL
PS I thought I was the most knowledgeable and well read Braves fan you knew…. oh that's right you said most obnoxious.
By Rue Grant on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
ha, thanks jaq. i will go read your blog now.
actually, at the last two games, i witnessed one girl in a braves outfit cheering for the diamondbacks thinking they were the braves, and another girl leaving the stadium asking if the braves won. those are two more to put up on that list. i'm sure it could be added to all season long.
i don't have an issue asking if i don't legitimately know. and i'm sure i'm guilty of asking stupid questions. however, one thing i'm not guilty of is inflicting my stupidity on everyone around me. i think legitimate questions can be asked at "indoor voice" levels.
By Rue Grant on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
i was sitting with Grant, JB. i honestly don't know anyone who rivals him. my jaw drops when i talk to him and i feel like a complete moron, so i usually just sit there and listen.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
He cheats! He's an insider!
Hehe, sorry, I had to. Don't worry, JB. I still love you.
By JBinAtl on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
and I love you because I've learned that platonic love can exist between two grown men.
sorry that was another Wayne's World quote. I couldn't resist.
By Colin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
This Grant fellow should write for us.
I'm just sayin'.
By Ryan Gee on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Rue knows her baseball. She stumps me all the time. It's good to be able to actually talk baseball with a woman who knows the game.
By Smitty on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Having been married to a Master's educated professional educator for 14 years, I haven't had the "Playing dumb" experience in the last decade or two. And fortunately I haven't had to bear sitting near any "dumb bunnies" any time lately.
But I think it is reprehensible to leave a game and ask who won. How freakin' frackin' frickin' ridiculous!
Anyway, a year or two ago when I took a fleeting interest in hockey, I happened to sit near some very knowledgable fans one night. (Since I hadn't grown up with hockey, I had zero knowledge-base.) And occasionaly, throughout the game, I would lean over and discreetly ask a legitimate question. "Was that an icing call?" or "Did he call a hi stick penalty on him." Stuff like that. And they were cool to answer my questions respectfully.
But I assure you, I never left Philips asking who had won.
Regardless, it feels me with pride when I am watching the Braves with Mrs. Smitty and she notices some player on the Braves is missing and she asks if they are on "the DL." Or "Where's Francoeur tonight?"
Well written, Rue.
(By the way, if you want to go deeper into your own baseball knowledge, or help a newbie, I heartily suggest one read "Watching Baseball Smarter" by Zack Hample.")
By Ashley on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
Here's my question, as a girl that openly flaunts her baseball knowledge, do girls really think it a) makes guys feel good to be the knowledgable one, or b) make them attractive, seem more feminine to act like they know nothing about sports.
In my experience far more boys want to talk to me, or listen to me rather when I'm talking about what I know rather than asking questions. I love it when girls (who aren't in to sports) make an effort to be at the ballpark, but I hate when they ruin my time at the game blabbing the whole time behind me.
By Jonathan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
I agree with you, Ashley. I'd much rather want to talk to a girl that really knows her sports and I can carry on a conversation with her about that. And like I said, I'm fine with girls that don't know better asking questions and wanting to learn, that's what it's all about.
It's those ones that make no effort that really bother me. I think that's true for all walks of life though, not just with baseball.
By Rue on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply
there is a huge difference between legitimate questions and just not knowing, and SCREAMING your questions and giggling hysterically. to me, that's trying to get attention, not trying to learn. i think that is the big big difference.
By Davey Crockett on Feb 18, 2009 | Reply
Women get plenty of respect in sports. Take Erin Andrews for example, she is SOO hot!
By Desi on Jun 18, 2009 | Reply
HOLY CRAP!! I COMPLETELY AGREE!! Its about time someone said it!
By Desi on Jun 19, 2009 | Reply
well that looks weird but I agree with the main article not Davey Crockett up there I have NO idea who he is even talking about! LOL