Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Other things that tech people shouldn't wear to bars

There's a lot of controversy in the tech world today because of a comment that a Baltimore bar owner made on his Facebook page. Perhaps you've missed this little bit of news, but I'll catch you up on the story that YOU WON'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE. (Hint, hint.)

The Babe Ruth Bar is a very popular bar in downtown Baltimore, and on Monday, bar co-owner Tom Lauper wrote the following:

Last night around 9:45 two people walked into the bar. Looked me square in the eye, and acting as if everything was normal they ordered beers.. Oh did I mention they wear wearing San Francisco 49ers jerseys! In public! In A Baltimore BAR!

This prompted a long-ish article in The Verge (known as the Beatles of tech journalism). New Verge columnist Greg Sandoval wrote the following:

Two people wearing San Francisco 49ers jerseys walk into a bar.

...

Nope, that's the whole joke.

Don't get me wrong: I'm as excited about the 49ers as the next Silicon Valley nerd, but I'm not so sure the rest of the world is going to love their arrival.


Sandoval interviewed Lauper, who not only spoke about the jersey incident, but also spoke about three people in a corner of the bar (and one person participating from another location) who were arguing whether Jerry Rice or Randy Moss was the greatest wide receiver of all time.

Needless to say, some Silicon Valley residents were not pleased with the Babe Ruth Bar or with The Verge. One in particular said:

Where do you get off deriding customers for the clothing that they choose to wear in your establishment? Don't forget that there are a lot of influential people, especially in the tech world, who admire the San Francisco 49ers. If you're going to ridicule 49ers fans - and what would prompt you to do this? - then I am going to use my influence to inform my followers of your backward policies. Don't be surprised if 49ers fans choose to visit other bars when they are in Baltimore.

Local football player Joe Flacco, sporting an "I am Elite, Just Like Johnny Unitas" t-shirt, had no comment. Randy Moss had a comment, but he always has a comment; go find it on CNET if you're really interested.
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