[This page first appeared on the Cinque Ports Model Yacht Club site. The
content is pure Larry Robinson.]
Sailors compliment each other in strange ways. The novice may easily be
mislead and not understand the true meaning of the apparent praise. As an aid to
those new to R/C sailing, we have put together a list of common verbal responses
to your doing well in a race or a series, and the true meaning of these
comments.
| Compliment |
True meaning |
| "Good race!!" (with a pat on the back.) |
"You are not a threat, so I can afford to be magnanimous." |
| "Good job" (said without emotion.) |
"I am a better sailor, but you beat me because I screwed up, so I
guess I have to be a good loser." |
| No comment at all. |
"You have arrived. I expect you to do fairly well." |
| "I question your changing ballast between regattas (or
whatever)." |
"You are advancing more rapidly than I think is appropriate and I
don’t like it." |
| "By the way, I don’t like the way you use two different jibs with
one main (or whatever)." |
"You are getting close to the top. I've got my eye on you, and I am
just letting you know." |
| "And while we're at it, I think your sails are illegal." |
Bingo!! These sailors are sure that you could not possibly be a better
sailor. They think you are winning because you are using methods that must
be illegal. These sailors have paid you the highest complement in sailing! |
| ©1999 Larry Robinson |
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