Ref's talking with fans

[OverAndBack]

If someone comes up to me pregame, I'll be cordial and respond, but I'll make it clear I'm a little busy right now (unless it's someone in game administration or a coach, in which case they have my undivided attention). But the only person I'll initiate a conversation with (other than the traditional pregame meeting with a coach) is my partner. Usually we'll chat about things like a player's elbow brace or the clock having or not having tenths of a second on it or whatever we need to make sure we're clear on that we may not have covered before we came out on the floor.

If someone makes a quip or retrieves a ball or something I'll always be cordial and at least smile or say "thanks" or share a laugh. Like JRut says, we're not robots. We're authority figures (ostensibly) but I think people cut you more slack if they feel like you work hard and have fun at it.

But hey, I'm new and I don't mind having fun out there as long as I do my job. What do I know?