What would you do?

[wreckchick]

The super high road is almost as much fun as the low road...

If you know this instructor's name (or not) you can always say something like... "Hey, Dude(tte)!! Great to see you! How's the class going folks? (to the students) Fantastic! I gotta finish setting my stuff up, but it's nice to see you all out here. We're doing fun dives in a couple weeks, maybe we'll see you here? Have a fabulous day!"

That kind of over the top, uber-friendliness will put most jackholes at a loss since they don't know how to respond.

Rachel

 

[surfsidedav]

With no students around I would have probably have bit my tongue and just gave one of those looks, you know the one that says you're being an @#$hole without actually saying it. With students, probably would have had a little huddle explaining what you said, that viz is usually good, not worry and put some humor into the situation, that the other di must have been practicing for his @#$hole specialty cert. No need to get into a pizzing match in front of everyone, they can see that he was being a butt too.

 

[BDSC]

Get yourself a high powered speargun and the next time he does that, shoot him in the chest. Then drag his ass out to the reef and maybe your students can get in on a shark feeding dive.

 

[mpez0]

Ignore the dip. If students are present, you may want to remind them to "dive their own dive." One persons frigid, high-current, low-vis, horror is someone else's relaxing delight. Each diver must be responsible for exercising their own judgment, since they are the only one who can measure their comfort/discomfort level.

 

[capt. dave]

Sounds like you are a great DI. I work in the legal arena and have seen many "bait" situations ( ) such as this. You did not take the bait-well done!

 

[msg]

Sometimes when we feel like giving the other guy a piece of or mind, we find that we really cannot afford to do it. I try to remember Proverbs 25:21-22 "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat. And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you."

It certainly isn't easy, but it is worth the effort. In a paraphrase, take the high road.

Good luck!

 

[Joe-Diver]

I'm with Rachel on this one....the uber friendly response, without appearing disingenuous, really puts the offender at a disadvantage. It works anytime you encounter one of these folks, and is very satisfying personally.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Or put one index finger in each ear and loudly say la'la'la I can't hear you!
Seriously though i've run into similar stuff and not reacting is the best thing. Although the speargun thing makes sense. But is a catfish feeding frenzy as exciting?

 

[Teamcasa]

Julie, Times are tough. Some people are jerks. As times get tougher the jerks seem to multiply.

I may just be his way to bait you into a confrontation where he perceives he will be the victor. He may be thinking that if he can make you or your operation (a fine dive operation BTW) look bad, his company will be there to scavenge some of your customers.

Imagine this scenario.
Jerk DI: "Hey, the vis sucks."
You: "Going crazy, smack him around a little and making a spectacle of yourself."

Or

Jerk DI: "Hey, the vis sucks."
"You, addressing your customers who seem concerned by his comments: Don't worry folks, he just jealous, he wanted to dive with me and I told him he's not my type. Customers nod and smile in approval."

 

[DMJulie]

Thanks everyone for the great replies. I really appreciate it.

I really did want to say something great that would put him in his place, but being the bigger person I just concentrated on the dive I was about to do.

Teamcasa- he is NOT my type at all =)

Thanks again everyone. If you are ever on our little island come look me up at Aquatic Adventures, would love to take any of you diving.

Aloha