My favorite sectional is in Rockport, Texas on the gulf coast. It has lovely scenery, art galleries, great restaurants and we play bridge in a beach pavilion with big windows which are great for bird and dolphin watching while I am going down in yet another makeable no trump contract. I feel just as stupid but in better surroundings than usual.
However, while there, another bridgely pet peeve reared its clubbed head. While Rockport is full of RVs and is a great place for camping, some players seem to think that great camping places extend to their seat. The Swiss round had been called. While everyone else was finding assigned seats and shuffling boards, I was standing behind my assigned seat while the camper in it prepared to move (pick six or more of the following) drinks, scorecard, bridgemate, a huge purse, cell phone, backpack, tote bag, card holder, sweater, seat cushion, scarf, medications, jacket, blanket or sleeping bag. Okay, maybe a sleeping bag exaggerates the problem but not by much.
Swiss are the worst bridge camp out sites since pairs settle in for 12 boards a round. I get it that people like to be comfortable but really; enough already! I followed a woman in a pairs' game the other day and, each time she left the table, I had to hand her a sweater, drink or score card. EVERY ROUND! Practicing zero tolerance and restraint, I just continued to smile and hand her stuff. She must be one of the few people outside of Downton Abbey who still retain servants.
The worst, for me, is following messy campers who leave Kleenex strewn about and food particles all over the table and chair. This is good for Purell stock since, after picking up Kleenex and napkins, I immediately head for the antiseptic gel. The most sickening (literally) ick factor is the guy who licks his finger before picking up each card or taking one out of the bidding box. I try to sit in his opposite direction for health reasons.
Let's clean it up out there, folks. In return, I promise not to whine about bad cards and wretched games.
