Arcade Ettiquite

[Flarone]

Hey, I went to the arcade for one of the first times today with a group of friends. We're used to home play, and there was this guy, and he really pissed me off. He was, in my opinion, like the guy who talks loudly on his cell phone during movies. He would, when I played verses with my friends, mimic the steps behind us. But the real killer was that he would, while playing single, do the same but on the pad. He wouldn't pay, he would just play on the other pad to my arrows. It was roughly as destracting as a complete stranger dancing next to me without asking or paying (not that I get destracted easily from DDR). I wanted to punch the guy. Then, he even made a song request (while still not paying), which I ignored. My rage built, but as I thought, I figured it may have been a sort of code that maybe that's like non-console DDR training on a budget or something and not frowned upon. Is there a code I should've known about, or should've I made him stop right there?

Also, I'm new and this is my first post. I play DDR, as i mentioned, almost exclusively at home, and hope that arcade-goers could answer this question.

[Net400]

Ya lost me at the end. But if you're saying what i think you're saying, there will always be onlookers who watch you and shadow you when you play, one of the best things to do is ignore them as best as you can.

[[GA] Gunslinger Jetz]

What the guy was doing is called "Shadowing" which means he mimics your step patturns without actually playing. Proper ettiquite is not to shadow people when they play because like you said its distracting. Tell the dude next time to cut that crap out or at least do it behind me so I can't see it. Next time you go to the arcades to play...go in with your game face on and people won't screw with you as much if you look serious about playing DDR.

[Prizm]

I'm gonna have to show some of the younger players what common courtesy is. I was at an arcade the other day for about two hours, and playing against a few other guys who were around 15 years old. Anyway, on the last song, the guy jumps off the pad as the score comes up and they all walk out. It's like, "yeah, you're welcome..". I at least acknowledge the person I've been playing against if they're leaving. Heh, and in typical teen style, I would ask one of the guys a question about the next song and I'd just get this sort of mumble while putting his head down. He must be too cool to talk to people he doesn't know
I'm 23 and could pass for 18, so it's not like I was some old weirdo who hangs out at the arcade all day
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[Junior Asparagus]

I usually never mind when people shadow, but yeah, it's common courtesy to ask first.
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[slik]

I really don't like people shadowing me if I'm going for a AA and stuff. It messes me up, especially when there doing on the pad and gets me off beat because of there stomping.
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[EndlessWaltz]

i dont mind shadowind because its kind of like practice and i got good by shadowing other people.

[tsugaru_man]

i have never really played in the arcades for a while, but this one little kid was behind the bar and when i was'nt looking he would stomp on the down arrow. what i usually do with the ppl that step on my arrows on purpose is "accidentaly" stomp on their foot when they step on it.
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[Cha0sAnGeL]

If we was going to mimic your steps and not paid, he should of done it on the floor. Definetly not right next to you.

[dreamdancer]

I posted on this in the Arcade forum, where this thread would be more appropriate.

http://www.ddrfreak.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=67126&highlight=ettiquette
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[Apocolypse Weapon]

Im new to DDR also... I've never played in an arcade but thats what got me started, So I wouldnt know
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[Flarone]

Yeah, I wouldn't mind him just shadowing behind, people have done it every time i've gone to the arcade. It was really how he used the opposite pad. Also, I have had some fun verses with strangers; it's a cool way to make friends and test your skill. It's really irritating that he didn't pay.

[FuzionCracker]

I shadow with my mind since I am more of a visual learner. I play better when I think of the arrows upcoming and stuff like that.
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[Mook]

No, what he did was rude and in no way normal. It is common courtesy to ask first. If he wasn't going to ask, he should have done it behind you out of your zone of awareness. Even still, this is looked down upon as rude (without asking).

[YmkFX]

Just play pies, usually that discourages them enough to make them go away.
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[YoShiQtee69]

Well bud, if ur gonna play in an arcade u should know that you'll encounter strangers in the public. It happens to everyone, even me. Don't take it too much in the head cuz their just shadowing...its not like they want u to mess up, they juss want alittle more practice. I know that he should have asked before doing so but maybe he's just brought up that way, but either way ur used to playing at home like u said...if ur gonna go play ddr in an arcade and unless ur playing double....anyone has the right to step onto that other pad. I know its unfair cuz sometimes I don't like it...but I put up with it and deal with it in my ways. So just tell them nicely that u don't wanna be shadowed...they should understand if they're a real ddr player.

[DJ sephi spin those discs]

don't be afraid to tell anyone that is shadowing you to cut that out, because they shouldn't even be doing it in the first place, ESPECIALLY not on the pad next to you.

and for him to ask you to play a song when he isn't even playing? that's just wrong and stupid.
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[Phrekwenci]