After a recent college basketball game, I happened to run into one of the refs and I gave him (and his partners) a verbal pat on the back for doing such an outstanding job. Then later, the people I attended the game with told me that I had committed a major faux pas. They said that fans are not supposed to talk to refs at any time for any reason. Is this correct? If I was out of line, I won't do it again. Please advise!

I have had fans approach me as we passed in the hallway or parking lot to either say "ggod job" or "lousy job". In either case I personally have no objection as long as the interaction is polite, brief, and, most importantly, non-threatening.

Too often people forget that basketball (or other sports) is just a game. They feel that the participants are not just regular humanoids. Well, we are, and I think it's great that you gave someone a compliment for a job well done.
We do that at other jobs, don't we?

JustAFan,
Nice goin'!
All of us need a pat on the head from time to time.
mick

Yes we do.
 

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Peace