A poster named shades most definitely doesn't agree with it.

And I think it would apply to these parts of the conversation:

It's advice I've received from more experienced officials, assignors and have read on this forum in the past. And, it's served me VERY well over the years because the walls have ears. I've never had anything come back to me, which means I'm smart or incredibly lucky. Hopefully, both. ;)

So, run with it!

I hear you, Rut.

I'm very sensitive to how coaches, players and fans perceive me when I'm working. For instance, I was working a GV game a couple weeks ago in which the A1 was absolutely obliterating B1 in a mid season non game.

B1's first year head coach told me in pre game (in this game and in the first game I had with him earlier this season) that his team was basically going to play "shiddy" that night even though they had made some improvements the last month and a half.

I told him we officials would work hard as always and would be available to answer questions as always, then moved on.

During a late 4th qtr full TO, I'm chatting for a quick second with a partner about finishing the game strong - protecting shooters, rewarding the defense, reviewing team fouls, etc. - and partner says something hilarious. Probably ripping on me for something non game related, who knows.

I immediately thought "this coach or players may see us cutting up and assume we aren't taking the game seriously". So, I toned it down quick and we moved on.

Just have to do stuff with tact and be professional (not that we can't smile or even laugh occassionally). I believe it serves us well.

I do not care what coaches or players think of me honestly. I do things professionally so that no one can say anything I did out of bounds. That being said I like to laugh and have fun. Of course you do not have to go over board with anything, but if a coach says something to me I might laugh if he is being funny on purpose. I like to smile about a lot of things. After all this game is supposed to be fun.

Peace

No doubt.

I agree with this but the larger point I take from this particular thread is that you either address inappropriate comments with a T or a warning or you can choose to ignore it if you see fit.

What I would not do is ask a coach to repeat what they said or ask them what they said if I'm not sure.


Well said.

And being professional IMO does not include questions like, "what did you say," or "care to repeat that." That's unprofessional IMO and even if it isn't necessarily baiting it easily gives the appearance of baiting. And as we all know in this advocation, appearance matters.