Do these things happen in the club where you play table tennis?

[NetProphet]

The club had a tournament, and I told them I'll pay the entrance fee tomorrow, and they agreed and my name was called to go play with some other player; I was 2-0 ahead of my opponent, and all of a sudden, the coach tells me, "Doctor is playing with that guy," meaning I have to get out of there, and then I came to the coach and told him, "Are you kidding me? Why is this happening? The match is almost finished!" Then he told me that I'm being bold and disrespectful, and I got closer to him and said, "What are you going to do if I disrespect you?" Then he didn't say anything, and I left the tournament. Once my opponent finished playing with the doctor, he told the owner (the owner was participating in the tournament too; so was the coach) that it was not fair that I was replaced with the doctor, and the owner's reaction was, "It's not a big deal." As if I'm garbage to be thrown from one table or opponent to the other one. Another guy was telling me that it was okay and I could still participate in the match and play with another guy, but I didn't want to. The doctor is one of those who fill coaches' and stronger players pockets with money to get more practice and special treatment.

This is just weird and I don't fully understand it as it's written.
But it does come across as the coach/owner not liking you very much, possibly because of your attitude?

I don't know you but from the way you describe both incidents you seem a bit confrontational and a bit ego driven, not a character assassination btw, just my rough take based on what I've read.
But I can't really tell if you were asked nicely or not, or if it's your perspective making the owner seem rude or if he was actually WAS rude.....

If your new in a club and you don't go out of your way to fit in and follow the etiquette then you quickly get labeled as a hassle. There's usually 15-50 people to try to keep happy and it doesn't work well unless everyone shows a club attitude and club mentality.

If you've done that from the start and someone starts messing with you then it's time to politely and respectfully ask questions so you can know exactly what it is that you've done wrong and what you're supposed to do.
That way you can move on peacefully and the issue is forgotten.

Someone new sticking their head in my face to ask what happens if they disrespect me isn't welcome at my club...🤷

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

The club had a tournament, and I told them I'll pay the entrance fee tomorrow, and they agreed and my name was called to go play with some other player; I was 2-0 ahead of my opponent, and all of a sudden, the coach tells me, "Doctor is playing with that guy," meaning I have to get out of there, and then I came to the coach and told him, "Are you kidding me? Why is this happening? The match is almost finished!" Then he told me that I'm being bold and disrespectful, and I got closer to him and said, "What are you going to do if I disrespect you?" Then he didn't say anything, and I left the tournament. Once my opponent finished playing with the doctor, he told the owner (the owner was participating in the tournament too; so was the coach) that it was not fair that I was replaced with the doctor, and the owner's reaction was, "It's not a big deal." As if I'm garbage to be thrown from one table or opponent to the other one. Another guy was telling me that it was okay and I could still participate in the match and play with another guy, but I didn't want to. The doctor is one of those who fill coaches' and stronger players pockets with money to get more practice and special treatment.

sue sue sue
abuse is never good,
this is like public humiliation

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

It's not unusual for a club organiser to ask for the match tables (best tables) for the league players or best players.

But it's all about good attitude from both sides and also knowing your place if your new or a few levels down in playing ability.

I'm wouldn't like having to relinquish the best table but if that's how it is then that's how it is.

My question is why are you making a big deal out of it? Are they rude when asking? Or does it just hurt your ego that you don't get to play on the best table?

this is normally the case, yes
but communication is key
after reading op's second remark, it does feel like the club leadership is a douchebag

 

[ThePongCommenter]

The club had a tournament, and I told them I'll pay the entrance fee tomorrow, and they agreed and my name was called to go play with some other player; I was 2-0 ahead of my opponent, and all of a sudden, the coach tells me, "Doctor is playing with that guy," meaning I have to get out of there, and then I came to the coach and told him, "Are you kidding me? Why is this happening? The match is almost finished!" Then he told me that I'm being bold and disrespectful, and I got closer to him and said, "What are you going to do if I disrespect you?" Then he didn't say anything, and I left the tournament. Once my opponent finished playing with the doctor, he told the owner (the owner was participating in the tournament too; so was the coach) that it was not fair that I was replaced with the doctor, and the owner's reaction was, "It's not a big deal." As if I'm garbage to be thrown from one table or opponent to the other one. Another guy was telling me that it was okay and I could still participate in the match and play with another guy, but I didn't want to. The doctor is one of those who fill coaches' and stronger players pockets with money to get more practice and special treatment.

You sound like a pain in the ass. And apparently one who can't pay for a tournament on or before the day of the tournament but rather after participating in it. Maybe if you were able to pay day of you would have not been deprioritized.

The reality of the situation is that any business is going to prioritize their long-time, frequent customers, and probably also the ones who don't get in peoples faces and openly say they will disrespect them and ignore their commands to move to another table in their business. I'm surprised you haven't been banned from this club yet.

The other reality is that you as a beginner don't really require the extra space or better bounce or better flooring, lighting, or whatever conditions there are that make one table better than another in the club. It won't be likely to hinder your game much or at all, while it will for advanced players.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

You sound like a pain in the ass. And apparently one who can't pay for a tournament on or before the day of the tournament but rather after participating in it. Maybe if you were able to pay day of you would have not been deprioritized.

The reality of the situation is that any business is going to prioritize their long-time, frequent customers, and probably also the ones who don't get in peoples faces and openly say they will disrespect them and ignore their commands to move to another table in their business. I'm surprised you haven't been banned from this club yet.

The other reality is that you as a beginner don't really require the extra space or better bounce or better flooring, lighting, or whatever conditions there are that make one table better than another in the club. It won't be likely to hinder your game much or at all, while it will for advanced players.

but if paying next day is a problem, the business should not allow OP to play.
so that shouldn't be an de-prioritizing issue.
changing tables for an unfinished match, is really sour to be honest

better communication could probably be more appropriate, ie, "we have an VIP and he really helps the club a lot, we would really appreciate it, if you don't mind and to help us by moving over to table no x, so we can show our gratitude to Mr or Ms xxx and allow them to play on the main table" etc.

the club could even say, we will offer you, x amount as courtesy, or even like waive 1 month membership or 1 tournament fee.

its business, the management should operate it like one.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

but if paying next day is a problem, the business should not allow OP to play.
so that shouldn't be an de-prioritizing issue.
changing tables for an unfinished match, is really sour to be honest

better communication could probably be more appropriate, ie, "we have an VIP and he really helps the club a lot, we would really appreciate it, if you don't mind and to help us by moving over to table no x, so we can show our gratitude to Mr or Ms xxx and allow them to play on the main table" etc.

the club could even say, we will offer you, x amount as courtesy, or even like waive 1 month membership or 1 tournament fee.

its business, the management should operate it like one.

Didn't say it was a problem for the business but it is one of many things that makes this guy look like a nuisance. I agree that moving a match once it has already started is a bit much, but given OPs description of prior events it almost feels like this club owner is being petty. Everyone kind of sucks here but the club owner should've just kicked him out at this point or made it clear what the rules about tables are if OP wants to keep coming to the club and being confrontational about it.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Didn't say it was a problem for the business but it is one of many things that makes this guy look like a nuisance. I agree that moving a match once it has already started is a bit much, but given OPs description of prior events it almost feels like this club owner is being petty. Everyone kind of sucks here but the club owner should've just kicked him out at this point or made it clear what the rules about tables are if OP wants to keep coming to the club and being confrontational about it.

well, it is clear the club owner doesn't want OP there
so someone is a douchebag here

if more than 1 club member gets treated like this, then it is clear that it is how this business operates.
the club is a business, that is why I say sue the business, if the consumer feels there is discrimination or unfairness going on.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

well, it is clear the club owner doesn't want OP there
so someone is a douchebag here

if more than 1 club member gets treated like this, then it is clear that it is how this business operates.
the club is a business, that is why I say sue the business, if the consumer feels there is discrimination or unfairness going on.

I wouldn't want a newcomer who comes into the club and says "what if I ignore what you tell me to do" and admits he was trying to provoke a fight to be there either. The club owner probably should have provided an explanation as to why OP is being asked to move to a lower table, maybe he did and OP didn't mention it or accept the explanation, or maybe not.

Either way, the point is, a newcomer and beginner player at a club shouldn't really expect a priority table for himself. Sure it feels unfair but it is common sense that when tables are limited the priority is going to go to the players who are hindered by worse conditions, and the ones who are longtime members of the club and presumably don't try to provoke the club owner into a fight by their own admission.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I wouldn't want a newcomer who comes into the club and says "what if I ignore what you tell me to do" and admits he was trying to provoke a fight to be there either. The club owner probably should have provided an explanation as to why OP is being asked to move to a lower table, maybe he did and OP didn't mention it or accept the explanation, or maybe not.

Either way, the point is, a newcomer and beginner player at a club shouldn't really expect a priority table for himself. Sure it feels unfair but it is common sense that when tables are limited the priority is going to go to the players who are hindered by worse conditions, and the ones who are longtime members of the club and presumably don't try to provoke the club owner into a fight by their own admission.

yep, but then again, if it is a business, then the table should have "reserved" sign on, or something, to justify its policy
if not, the policy needs to be addressed and training needs to be arranged by the club owner to all the club staff, including himself. Its not the first time I have seen or heard these kind of behavior.

you don't go into a business, find your spot, and then get asked to leave, because someone else wants to sit there, that is mafia approach and could be a sign of discrimination (yes, noob table tennis player who needs to be play in the crap tables is discrimination and a business needs to be clever on how they handle things) .

either way, OP has a problem - so sue
if club owner has merit, he will provide evidence and the court can view the evidence and decide.

we don't have both sides of the story, but from my side, clubs need to think like a business and stop thinking like an athlete. and then they wonder, why club can't grow, or can't get support from the communities.

 

[ThePongCommenter]

yep, but then again, if it is a business, then the table should have "reserved" sign on, or something, to justify its policy
if not, the policy needs to be addressed and training needs to be arranged by the club owner to all the club staff, including himself. Its not the first time I have seen or heard these kind of behavior.

you don't go into a business, find your spot, and then get asked to leave, because someone else wants to sit there, that is mafia approach and could be a sign of discrimination (yes, noob table tennis player who needs to be play in the crap tables is discrimination and a business needs to be clever on how they handle things) .

either way, OP has a problem - so sue
if club owner has merit, he will provide evidence and the court can view the evidence and decide.

we don't have both sides of the story, but from my side, clubs need to think like a business and stop thinking like an athlete. and then they wonder, why club can't grow, or can't get support from the communities.

I see your point. But how do you run your club like a business if your regulars now can't play on a satisfactory table and then they find another club to play at? And what if you alienated those regulars just for a newcomer who might never come back after a month?

 

[ThePongCommenter]

Unwritten rule in open sessions at our club that the home 'A' team players get the 'best' table to knock up on.

This is a good reminder of how some British and American English slang don't translate too well

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

Peak hours tables no stroking; come in max five minutes warm up and you start the game. You stay longer than that without playing; you get called out and challengers will appear spontaneously and serendipitously. This is the way.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

I see your point. But how do you run your club like a business if your regulars now can't play on a satisfactory table and then they find another club to play at? And what if you alienated those regulars just for a newcomer who might never come back after a month?

certain tables reserved for A team
or certain tables reserved for training only
or certain tables reserved for matches only
or simply make use of bookings

there are lots of ways to communicate and avoid misunderstandings
this should be easy for business owner's or they shouldn't be running businesses in the first place or face the consequences of they actions

 

[d3nium]

This is a good reminder of how some British and American English slang don't translate too well

🤣🤣

 

[yoass]

do the "really hot players" pay a higher club fee ??? If not, why should they get preferential treatment ?

Our club has got 5 tables and even when doubles are played on all tables some people have to sit-out. More people have to sit-out when some of the hot players want to have one of their boring FH slap ups.
I don't get it 😕

I find this idea that people with more money somehow deserve preferential privileges truly abhorrent.

First come, first serve; play and let play is what the "rules" ought to be.

 

[joesan-tt]

Move to another club!

 

[Nakira]

I think the question is not really the table itself - indeed, when we are beginner, the table quality is not that important -, but how beginners are seen and welcomed in the club.
In my club, performance is more important than social skills and team spirit. The percentage of selfish players, refusing to play with beginners and only interested by going to a table, play and leave, is getting higher every year.
Without newbies and nice people to organize stuff, the club will eventually die.

 

[NetProphet]

I think the question is not really the table itself - indeed, when we are beginner, the table quality is not that important -, but how beginners are seen and welcomed in the club.
In my club, performance is more important than social skills and team spirit. The percentage of selfish players, refusing to play with beginners and only interested by going to a table, play and leave, is getting higher every year.
Without newbies and nice people to organize stuff, the club will eventually die.

Sure. But you can't rock up to a club as a beginner and expect the experienced league players to take time to play against you. They have limited time and are likely serious about preparing for league matches and doing drills/matches etc.
Better to have eyes open to the way the club IS.
Acceptance and awareness of your surroundings is key.
If everyone expects the club to change according to their wishes you have nothing.
As a new player find players of a similar level to play with and as the wks and months tick by you will learn what advanced players are there to help and answer questions from time to time and in the off season play some games with you.
Turning up as a newbie and expecting everyone to give you time is not very realistic...

 

[Nakira]

@Sims: it's a balance. As a beginner I don't want all advanced players to spend their time with me continuously - also because each has it's way of playing, and you get mixed up with opposite advices-. But if you have 30 people who decently know how to play, with 3 or 5 beginners, you can ask each of the advanced players to spend 20 min once in a while, like once every month or two.
Fact is, those who refuse to help beginners are those who never help to clear the room after training, never help organizing tournaments, and so on.

 

[NetProphet]

@Sims: it's a balance. As a beginner I don't want all advanced players to spend their time with me continuously - also because each has it's way of playing, and you get mixed up with opposite advices-. But if you have 30 people who decently know how to play, with 3 or 5 beginners, you can ask each of the advanced players to spend 20 min once in a while, like once every month or two.
Fact is, those who refuse to help beginners are those who never help to clear the room after training, never help organizing tournaments, and so on.

I agree with you for the most part but not about the advanced players not clearing the room. At my clubs they will do a bit of everything (most of them at least) and there are lazy people at every level of gameplay. Many players who 'dont help beginners' as you say have limited time like all of us and they go in with a warm up routine and training plan as part of their development strategy. Mostly they are an example of how to improve rather than arrogant or rude people.
Remember, they've seen 1000 newbies come and go so they're not gonna waste their time with someone who'll give the game up in 3 months! Stick around and get to know them and then you can pick their brains when they have time.
All of my writing is coming from the perspective of trying to help the OP to fit in and become a valued member at his club. Many comments in here are about the negatives and issues people have with such situations and behavior but I disregard all that because I can't see how it helps the OP to improve his situation.