So, if you don't know, "Southies" is a nickname for people from South Boston. I made this sign for the Canes v. Bruins game on January 28, 2013. The Canes lost 3-5, which may have partly been my fault because I sat through the whole first period without realizing I was wearing the WRONG EARRINGS!!!! But also, it may be the camera guy's fault because none of my signs was shown on the Jumbotron - always a bad omen.
Anyway, the sign elicited comments from several strangers. First, some Southies sitting behind me wanted me to hold it up so they could get a picture. They were very polite and having a good time.
Another fan, local, didn't understand what it meant, so I had to explain. He said he was sitting next to a Bruins fan who also didn't get it. I thought that was odd.
Finally, a guy who had been sitting a few seats away on the same row as me got up during the game. As he passed me on the way out he said, "I'm a Southie. Lived here for 22 years. I hate the Bruins." That was amusing.
However, the best interaction with a stranger this night was with the door man. Over the years, I have had some interesting interactions with the folks at security. Usually it goes rather smoothly. Sometimes, not so much. I usually bring half a dozen to a dozen signs with me to each game. They are usually 22" by 14", which is about half the size of a regular piece of posterboard and also about half the size of the maximum allowed, according to the arena guidelines the last time I bothered to read them.
Although fans are not really allowed to bring large bags into the arena, I do put the signs inside a clear plastic, tall kitchen size garbage bag with handles. It's easier to carry that way, and it protects them from bad weather. I wanted to make sure I had clear bags to make it easier for the guys at Security. I had to order these bags online because I couldn't find them in stores.
So, most of the time, I'd say what happens is the security staffer briefly looks at one or two signs, but he doesn't want to hold up the line, so he usually says something like, "There aren't any bad words in there, right?" and I assure him everything is kosher and he let's me pass. Occasionally, like suddenly during the playoffs, there's a new staffer who doesn't know the protocol and gets uptight and hassles me. Like they have to ask somebody else if the sign is too big or
if the word "suck" is ok. So every time I enter the building, there is a moment of apprehension as I wonder what kind of treatment I'm going to get and whether someone will arbitrarily confiscate one of my signs.
At this game, I used the new Season Ticket Holder entrance for the first time. On the plus side, there was no waiting at this entrance. On the downside, that meant that the security staffer had plenty of time to look through each and every one of the signs I had brought with me, because no one was waiting in line behind me. But as I patiently waited, he started to chuckle. He read one sign and said, "Oh, that's good." Then, he read another and said, "Oh, that's funny." Then, "Oh, that's good too."
Pretty soon the other staff nearby started teasing him and me, saying he was never going to give me my signs. Finally, he returned my bag to me and said, "Those are so good, I'd probably let you in anyway even if they WERE inappropriate!"
I sure hope that guy works that door every game this season!
