Monday Manners: Celebrate Good Times

Wednesday was a great night for Philly sports fans. After a fifteen year drought, we'd made it to the World Series. Hurray!

But geez, folks. It was still a Wednesday. The game ended at around 11:30. There was really no need to stage an impromptu parade down Girard, horns honking, stereos blasting, and yelling yourselves hoarse, at two in the morning. Midnight, I could've given you. Even 12:30. But if you weren't on the street until last call... well, you probably shouldn't've been driving.

There's a right way and a wrong way to celebrate your favorite team's victory. In 1992, when the Chicago Bulls won their second consecutive NBA championship, 1,000 people were arrested for celebrating by looting stores throughout Chicago, overturning vehicles, and setting fires.

Needless to say, this is the wrong way to celebrate.

To clarify, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being excited for the Phils. There's nothing wrong with wanting to celebrate. But when you're celebrating at the expense of others—whether it's their personal property or just their sleeping schedules—then you are, in fact, doing something wrong.

So, in the event that the Phils do win the Series (and boy, we hope they do), please take a minute and think before you burst out onto the streets to celebrate. Sure, the entire City should be out celebrating with you, but some of us just can't. If you're not sure that you'll be able to keep your exuberance contained once you join the masses, consider having friends over to your place to watch the game and celebrate. Or hang out at the bar where you were watching the game. Wanna go really crazy? Buy a round for everyone. Spill out onto the streets if you must, but bear in mind that a game whose first pitch is thrown around 8:30PM might not be over until after midnight, and that some people are in bed by then. Be safe, be courteous, and don't be like the 1992 Chicago Bulls fans. You don't want that on your record, or on your conscience.

Go Phils! Beat Tampa Bay!