• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

I hate losing.

Ray Holt

Ray Holt

Mar 7, 2006
1,446
1
39
Fort Montgomery, NY
#1
Well, I'm pretty sure no one likes losing... but I hate it. I've always been very competitive, and I think that's a good thing... but sometimes I just hate how worked up I get over stupid stuff.

It doesn't really matter what it is. For example, playing pool the other night with my buddy. I kept losing games because of stupid mistakes, and I started getting pretty worked up. I was just playing pool, something I enjoy VERY much... but I don't enjoy it as much when I'm pissed about losing.

And it's like the classic good and bad conscience on my shoulders... one part of me is thinking "Man, you're just playing pool, chill out! Why don't you work on being a more graceful loser?" but the other part is thinking "Man why don't you practice more and stop making stupid mistakes so you just DON'T LOSE!!!"

I'm not a prick... and I know that I shouldn't start getting mad about losing, but I just do. It's that competitive nature.


I know this is silly, it's just one of those things that I need to work on. Anybody else not so good at losing?
 
#3
Ray Holt said:
Well, I'm pretty sure no one likes losing... but I hate it. I've always been very competitive, and I think that's a good thing... but sometimes I just hate how worked up I get over stupid stuff.

It doesn't really matter what it is. For example, playing pool the other night with my buddy. I kept losing games because of stupid mistakes, and I started getting pretty worked up. I was just playing pool, something I enjoy VERY much... but I don't enjoy it as much when I'm pissed about losing.

And it's like the classic good and bad conscience on my shoulders... one part of me is thinking "Man, you're just playing pool, chill out! Why don't you work on being a more graceful loser?" but the other part is thinking "Man why don't you practice more and stop making stupid mistakes so you just DON'T LOSE!!!"

I'm not a prick... and I know that I shouldn't start getting mad about losing, but I just do. It's that competitive nature.


I know this is silly, it's just one of those things that I need to work on. Anybody else not so good at losing?
Click to expand...

You know what pissed me off more than losing in pool...not getting to play! I'm not a super great player, i'm decent (especially at jump shots! :D ) but i refuse to play someone i know won't let me get a chance to shoot, i play for fun, and what fun is it if I just get to watch them play? People think i get pissed cause i loose (which is only part of the reason), but they are wrong. I swear a lot anyways...thats my story anyways :smug:


-Jon
 
#7
Because if that was the reason of him getting all worked up he would have said so instead of saying its his competitive nature taking over.

Do you actually bother to read the first post before you reply to a thread? :)
 
#9
Yeah, I'm the same way. I don't take it out on people or anything but...

I especially hate when I'm on a team sport and someone else is there just to make everyone else laugh. Ya know the type... the ones that laugh at themselves and make a scene when they mess up multiple times and blow the game for everyone else. Drives me nuts.
 
#10
Bernie Connors said:
Yeah, I'm the same way. I don't take it out on people or anything but...

I especially hate when I'm on a team sport and someone else is there just to make everyone else laugh. Ya know the type... the ones that laugh at themselves and make a scene when they mess up multiple times and blow the game for everyone else. Drives me nuts.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm like you, I don't take it out on anyone else, not at all... I just tend to get more competitive. I just get aggravated with myself, especially when I'm losing because of making stupid mistakes.

I know I have a great life, and I'm very happy with what I have... this is just something very specific to competitions. And like I said, I know it's silly... but it's the truth and it's something I need to work on.

I didn't know if anyone else here was the same way and might have some good tips.
 
#12
My brother is exceedingly competitive at sports, although perfectly calm, rational and reasonable in every other way. He's been that way from childhood. I was at his house yesterday with other family members, and we were playing croquet in the back yard. He's so good, and trounces everyone so thoroughly, that his wife imposed a rule that he had to skip a turn every other turn. He grumbled a bit, but overall I was impressed that he put up with it. He only snapped at people a couple of times. That's pretty good for him!
His competitive nature is largely my doing. For the first dozen years of his life, I was bigger, stronger, faster and better at everything (I'm 2 years older). He spent most of his waking hours trying to keep up with me. By the time he was 10, he was Mr. Competitive. He still plays softball, with 2 different teams, even though he popped a hamstring a few years back, & coaches his son's basketball & baseball teams. He'll probably be playing shortstop in the over-70 league in 20 years!

Yesterday's croquet results? He took 2nd. His wife beat him by an eyelash. I was a distant 4th.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back