Sean Neill wrote:

> Seriously, I do feel that if you know what risks people are running you should
> warn them in a way which makes clear you are not crying wolf.

But some people seem to genuinely believe that they are invincible. I 
once tried to warn a woman in the well deck of a hire boat against 
trying to deflect it from fast-approaching stonework with her hands, 
only to be told to f*** off for my troubles.
-- 
Martin Clark

I've had a thought about this, as I seldom get this reaction if I'm watching 
and warning, usually while working on the boat - I don't think it's the boat 
and the fact I'm wearing 'technical' clothes as if, for example, I have a 
problem with the boiler, as last week at Shardlow, the reaction of others tends 
to be amusement rather than a more sensible wariness.

My conclusion is that many boaters tend to react in terms of saving face - if 
you get agitated because you're aware of the danger they're in, they react 
adversely, whereas if you appear amused at the prospect of watching their 
misfortune, they're more likely to take notice to avoid making fools of 
themselves in front of you.

Sean

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