The older I get, the less I like crowds. But then again, I also try to follow that inspirational slogan about our aging bodies and minds: “Don’t let the old man in.” So when my wife and I found ourselves near Palm Springs last Friday, we decided to attend the day session of the BNP Paribas Open, a two-week long professional tennis tournament for both men and women that is considered the “fifth major,” along with the French, Australian, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
As an octogenarian who had Warriors and Cal basketball/football season tickets for many years, I completely agree. Not only for the reasons you outline, but also the loud, constant noise, music, and games throughout the game when there is a pause in the action. I only watch games on TV now, which have been recorded with about an hour's delay to avoid the commercials and talking heads.
I retired about 9 yrs ago. When people ask me why I tell them in simple terms, "As you get older your bullshit meter gets very sensitive." I detected too much BS while at work. Everyone my age agrees with me. To much BS in life, esp. when dealing with millennials.
Nick, l've been to the Tournament many times, BEFORE everyone got wind of it! Went last year and experience the same as you. Go earlier in the week, you'll have better luck. That is if the "old man" hasn't settled in 😄😄😄 Stephanie Newhall
I didn't want to read this. Grumpy Old Lady (no grandkids, happy about that). But it made me smile a lot. I don't do events, period. I do have one I need to go to, a Saturday night at Yerba Buena Center; an amazing woman I take ballet classes with and whom I adore has a piece being performed by ODC. It would really really really mean a lot to her if people went, and if I went. And the director of YBCA has just resigned because the venue is...unsafe. Sheesh! Grumpy indeed. Thanks for the morning smiles!
Threes a simple plan to survive Indian Wells. First arrange for the group going to the tourney to drop you off at a restaurant the serves a variety of beers. Sip your beer slowly and chew your sandwich thoroughly (tennis takes a long time). Get picked up by your sun burnt grumpy companions and go out to dinner (they will be in no mood to cook). There is an excellent sea food restaurant nearby. Between the beer, the sandwich and the fish, you should be able to enjoy the tourney.
I just talked to my tennis-playing daughter, and she said that she and her friend had a wonderful day. There was no one sitting anywhere near them. It was just like being at a private home with a tennis match going on! She didn't say anything about getting lunch, so I don't know about this feature of the day. She can pronounce the names of all the players.
I agree with you that these big events are no place for people over 70--too much hassle.
The story of the ungracious man who wouldn't let you sit next to him temporarily, reminded me of our going to the water polo at the Barcelona Olympics, The stadium was small, and our seats were high up. The match hadn't started, but the players were practicing. I said to my husband "If we sat in the next row up, (where there were two empty seats), we could see better, and maybe the people won't come, or will be late." So we sat there for part of the match, and then an American couple came along and claimed their seats, so we apologized and went back to our own seats in the row in front of them. After a while, the lady tapped me on the shoulder and said "Aren''t you the Andersons?" and we said "Yes, we are Andersons." So she said "We met you last year at that cocktail oarty that your daughter and her husband gave for you, when you were visiting them." So, huggy-bear and kissy-face!
Can you imagine how embarrassing it would have been later, if we had gotten into an altercation about these seats, and later ran into them when we visited our daughter again, and realized we had had an argument at the Olympics?
It would be a laugh if you happened to encounter this man later at some business or social occasion. It shows that you should be as polite to a stranger as you would be to a friend or acquaintance.
good one Nick... we had tickets *(thru Vet-Tix, almost Free) for Red Hot Chili Peppers here in Las Vegas, Parking close (Susanne has a minor Hip Injury so can't Wall too far...) was $50, we mumbled
UP Yours and left, grabbed dinner n then went Home and saw a Video of RHCP which was fine, a bit loud, but we enjoyed it... Gil has been in the hospital for 2 months, dosnt look good, Stroke, Covid, Phnephonia(?) U name it... visited yesterday, hope he makes the recovery, keep U posted, getting Old is a Bummer. . . although WE Fine... write @ how F....D th City is, Many will Praise U . . .
I let the old woman in years ago and have no regrets. Thanks for reminding me of how happy I am.
Mary
Watching the event on TV with pizza delivery would be more fun, and cheaper.
As an octogenarian who had Warriors and Cal basketball/football season tickets for many years, I completely agree. Not only for the reasons you outline, but also the loud, constant noise, music, and games throughout the game when there is a pause in the action. I only watch games on TV now, which have been recorded with about an hour's delay to avoid the commercials and talking heads.
I retired about 9 yrs ago. When people ask me why I tell them in simple terms, "As you get older your bullshit meter gets very sensitive." I detected too much BS while at work. Everyone my age agrees with me. To much BS in life, esp. when dealing with millennials.
Nick, l've been to the Tournament many times, BEFORE everyone got wind of it! Went last year and experience the same as you. Go earlier in the week, you'll have better luck. That is if the "old man" hasn't settled in 😄😄😄 Stephanie Newhall
Very funny for a BAD day!
I didn't want to read this. Grumpy Old Lady (no grandkids, happy about that). But it made me smile a lot. I don't do events, period. I do have one I need to go to, a Saturday night at Yerba Buena Center; an amazing woman I take ballet classes with and whom I adore has a piece being performed by ODC. It would really really really mean a lot to her if people went, and if I went. And the director of YBCA has just resigned because the venue is...unsafe. Sheesh! Grumpy indeed. Thanks for the morning smiles!
Rafa is gone anyway so you didn’t miss anything 😛🤣
Better watch Women's basketball at Stanford or Cal. There are seats available, and my curmudgeonly tendencies don't appear. Also no sun!
Ever since Ellison bought it, we quit going. Prices way up too crowded. Sorry for you unpleasant experience. Ted
Threes a simple plan to survive Indian Wells. First arrange for the group going to the tourney to drop you off at a restaurant the serves a variety of beers. Sip your beer slowly and chew your sandwich thoroughly (tennis takes a long time). Get picked up by your sun burnt grumpy companions and go out to dinner (they will be in no mood to cook). There is an excellent sea food restaurant nearby. Between the beer, the sandwich and the fish, you should be able to enjoy the tourney.
Love your column. Daughter down there. Went Thursday. Much easier
I totally agree with you, This old man really does not like people. I can tolerate five (or less) at a time. lol Wayne
I just talked to my tennis-playing daughter, and she said that she and her friend had a wonderful day. There was no one sitting anywhere near them. It was just like being at a private home with a tennis match going on! She didn't say anything about getting lunch, so I don't know about this feature of the day. She can pronounce the names of all the players.
I agree with you that these big events are no place for people over 70--too much hassle.
The story of the ungracious man who wouldn't let you sit next to him temporarily, reminded me of our going to the water polo at the Barcelona Olympics, The stadium was small, and our seats were high up. The match hadn't started, but the players were practicing. I said to my husband "If we sat in the next row up, (where there were two empty seats), we could see better, and maybe the people won't come, or will be late." So we sat there for part of the match, and then an American couple came along and claimed their seats, so we apologized and went back to our own seats in the row in front of them. After a while, the lady tapped me on the shoulder and said "Aren''t you the Andersons?" and we said "Yes, we are Andersons." So she said "We met you last year at that cocktail oarty that your daughter and her husband gave for you, when you were visiting them." So, huggy-bear and kissy-face!
Can you imagine how embarrassing it would have been later, if we had gotten into an altercation about these seats, and later ran into them when we visited our daughter again, and realized we had had an argument at the Olympics?
It would be a laugh if you happened to encounter this man later at some business or social occasion. It shows that you should be as polite to a stranger as you would be to a friend or acquaintance.
Hilarious, though not for you two, who were gouged, fleeced, soaked and insulted by a callous youth.
good one Nick... we had tickets *(thru Vet-Tix, almost Free) for Red Hot Chili Peppers here in Las Vegas, Parking close (Susanne has a minor Hip Injury so can't Wall too far...) was $50, we mumbled
UP Yours and left, grabbed dinner n then went Home and saw a Video of RHCP which was fine, a bit loud, but we enjoyed it... Gil has been in the hospital for 2 months, dosnt look good, Stroke, Covid, Phnephonia(?) U name it... visited yesterday, hope he makes the recovery, keep U posted, getting Old is a Bummer. . . although WE Fine... write @ how F....D th City is, Many will Praise U . . .