We sometimes have a problem with bad language at our bridge tables.
We've all experienced times when the gentle hum of social chat is too loud - it's hard to hear our own table's chat, and sometimes we play badly due to distraction.
I am not talking about that problem.
I am talking about bad language at the table. Language that discloses information that should stay private. Like a board that improbably makes a game or a slam. Or an opening lead that sinks it.
Most of us enjoy talking about the board we just played. But there are good and bad ways to do it. I heard the following from other tables over the past few weeks:
Bad language
"Three bid 6H going off, the rest stayed in game."
"Most are in 4S."
"No trumps would have been better."
"Bad sacrifice, they don't make game."
"Bad result though, others were in NT."
"Wouldn't make on a heart lead."
Good language
"80% to you, well done."
"Can you show me the other results?"
"Look at the other results."
"Well done on the overtrick!"
"I didn't think we'd make."
Those who hear "bad language" may face a difficult situation with unauthorized information about a board they are soon to play.
So what can we all try to do?
- Enjoy post-mortems but talk quietly and generically - about %s, overtricks or undertricks
- Avoid specific information about contracts, leads, and number of tricks won
- Show the past results on the Bridgemate display to those interested (rather than read them out loud)
- Gently remind those of us who forget to use good rather than bad language!
