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Buckeye Etiquette

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Started 2 years ago by Columbuzz
Latest reply from jkostelac

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Columbuzz
Grandview
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I love watching all of college football, but I am not a buckeye fan. I will watch them, but I don't particularly care one way or the other so long as the game is good. I can't avoid buckeye football season and its fan and I, like several other like-minded Columbus citizens, do what we can and live within it.

Here's my question: how do I safely and politely respond to someone who finishes a conversation with - from their eyes - a friendly "Go Bucks!"?

Cases:
1) A server trying to establish a connection for a bigger tip
2) A stranger with whom you've shared a delightful conversation
3) A sales rep who completes his call with a lame attempt at establishing camaraderie

My friends don't do this, so I always feel caught off-guard and I'm speechless. I can't reply in the same because I'll be completely insincere and fake while also seething on the inside. Somehow I smile and stammer out a "talk to you later." I almost feel like they're gauging my response and if I don't respond in the right way to their probe of my buckeye-fandom, I'll be looked down upon and socially black listed.

I'm all for people enjoying things, getting excited, and rallying behind their team, but I really think that it's rude and obnoxious for so many people in the city to believe everyone they meet is a buckeyes fan and wants to respond to their "go bucks" or "o-h". I don't mind so much the collective chants in bars, but speaking one-on-one with me, it puts me into an incredibly awkward position and I never know truly how to respond.

Posted 2 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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Just punch 'em in the face & afterwards say "That's what Woody would have done"

Posted 2 years ago #
Columbuzz
Grandview
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blammo wrote >>
Just punch 'em in the face & afterwards say "That's what Woody would have done"

Now THAT'S funny...

Posted 2 years ago #
TaraK
probably at the coffee shop
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I never find this kind of thing to be a bid deal. I mean, the only football game I've ever seen was at a Superbowl party I was obligated to go to. It's kind of like when I mention Benjamin Button and someone responds, "Oh, that movie was awesome!" In my head I'm thinking, "But it ends with her holding a dead baby-lover." But I just nod and say, "Yeah."

Who cares if it's insincere? It's nicer than being a jerk and easier than starting a polite explanation of why I don't feel the same. This is just too big a non-issue for me to consider taking a stance. Of course, when someone pushes, I usually just say, "Eh, I'm not into sports." A true fanatic may dismiss me as a worthwhile acquaintance, but most people don't care.

Posted 2 years ago #
Nitsud Regnifloh
Valerio Heights
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i never know what to respond to the ever-present O-H...

not a fan, but dont root against them. i live closer to Capital, so, maybe that's my team...

Posted 2 years ago #
Columbuzz
Grandview
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Tara - I'll assume you're a woman. I don't mean this in any sort of offensive way, but a woman saying that they aren't into sports is "allowable" and people would go "okay, cool." I'm a guy, which is a bit different among other guys.

I don't want to be a jerk, I want to have a polite response. And I have a major problem being insincere - so it bothers me, personally. That's the hard part :)

Posted 2 years ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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von wrote >>
i never know what to respond to the ever-present O-H...

Ã¢â‚¬Â¦N-O! is always a good one if you're feeling confrontational

Posted 2 years ago #
Cookie
Flyntonville
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Columbuzz wrote >>
Tara - I'll assume you're a woman. I don't mean this in any sort of offensive way, but a woman saying that they aren't into sports is "allowable" and people would go "okay, cool." I'm a guy, which is a bit different among other guys.

Is there anything manlier than a punch in the face?

Posted 2 years ago #
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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I think your response of "see you later" is fine. No offense but...sounds like you're over thinking it a bit.

Posted 2 years ago #
Columbuzz
Grandview
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vestanpance wrote >>
I think your response of "see you later" is fine. No offense but...sounds like you're over thinking it a bit.

No offense taken and maybe this specific instance I am overthinking. Maybe the real question should be: is it wrong of me to think those superfans who say things like that to me are disrespectful and rude?

Posted 2 years ago #
vestanpance
Harrison West/at work OSU
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A nice calm Go Bucks to me is 100% fine... the yelling O-H I find very awkward. and I am a big fan.

Posted 2 years ago #
somertimeoh
Harrison West
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Do you also get offended when people say "Merry Christmas" to you around the holidays? If saying things like Go Bucks to you is disrespectful and rude, then I'd really like to walk a day in your shoes :)

Posted 2 years ago #
adrock
Grandview Heights
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maybe something like this

Posted 2 years ago #
HeySquare
German Village
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Columbuzz wrote >>
Tara - I'll assume you're a woman. I don't mean this in any sort of offensive way, but a woman saying that they aren't into sports is "allowable" and people would go "okay, cool." I'm a guy, which is a bit different among other guys.
I don't want to be a jerk, I want to have a polite response. And I have a major problem being insincere - so it bothers me, personally. That's the hard part :)

If you hadn't said it, I would've. A girl not being a buckeye fan in Columbus is not the same.

I think the different scenarios can call for different responses. In situations where you don't want to end the conversation awkwardly, you may want to provide an enthusiastic "Football is great" or "I love football season." You verbalize support for the sport, and the listener will interpret it as support for the team, without you actually having to lie and/or drum up any fake enthusiasm for the Bucks. And since you do actually like football... it could be easy to switch the conversation into games that you actually watched and enjoyed... "and hey... did you see that Cincinatti game?"

Personally I think that any wait staff that appends a "Go Bucks" to a meal when you are not overtly wearing any Ohio State schwag is gambling their tip a bit. However, I think the best response to that would be to pick a really obscure team... Northeastern New Mexico State or Rippling Water College of New Hampshire... it would be especially good if they have some really goofy mascot...and respond with that... "Go Bucks" "Go Blue Hens". If it is a small team from an obscure school, it won't be threatening to a Buckeye fan (as opposed to responding with "Go Wolverines"). If they don't actually know sports, they may back off because they don't know the team. If they do know sports, they will (hopefully) think it is absurd and funny.

Anyway... that would be my strategy: to deflect the conversation into a more general direction.

Posted 2 years ago #
Hael

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Disclaimer: I gradumacated from OSU and love OSU football BUT...

I don't like the O-H, I-O shit and think some people take it all too far.

Back to the question of what to do in awkward situations? Just nod and say "Yeah"

OR, reply with "Go Blue" (just kidding)

Posted 2 years ago #
Tenzo
Chicago Lakeshore
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Hael wrote >>
Disclaimer: I gradumacated from OSU and love OSU football BUT...
I don't like the O-H, I-O shit and think some people take it all too far.
Back to the question of what to do in awkward situations? Just nod and say "Yeah"
OR, reply with "Go Blue" (just kidding)

I find my sweatshirt with a large block M stops these comments.

+1 for the woody comment

von wrote >>
i never know what to respond to the ever-present O-H...

wait,
you mean you are supposed to respond with " I O "?
wow, that's lame.
..and I just now figured it out. Always wondered WTF people were say O H to me for.

I thought it was strange when I saw people in Walmart on south High wearing Muck Fichigan hats. (some with the M and F switched)

I swear, a lot of people seem to just froth at the mouth during football season.

Posted 2 years ago #
LeePaul
Southeast Burbs
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Insincere, bull-shit chit chat is a part of life, but I can't hide it in my eyes when it happens to me for to long. I get this kind-of blank stare, that says nobody is home, and the conversation ends pretty quickly. However, that doesn't work well on the phone.

I'm a college football fan, but your question pertains to many topics/scenarios really.

Jesus, you people are hilarious!

Posted 2 years ago #
Brant
Gahanna
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As a Pavlovian social experiment, I once gave the O-H shout in a fairly crowded restroom. At least two people gave the I-O reply.

Posted 2 years ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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I like football, I like college football and I like Buckeye football. That said, "Buckeye Fever" is a huge impediment to growth in Columbus.

Especially when trying to "attract and retain" those who have no connection to the university and "Buckeye Fever" takes over the entire fall. If you have no connection you really could care less.

And don't even try throwing a fall event in this town on a game day. Unless you like sitting around by yourself.

I'm not hating and I've been spotted tailgating, but it would be nice to make more room for other "fevers" that had a little more national/ international draw in addition to this rabid regional focus.

Posted 2 years ago #
foxforcefive
CBus
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Maybe you should just move away, maybe to Michigan. You don't belong here.

Posted 2 years ago #