BOB - what's your take?

deadsquirrel · 4 Nov 2005, 14:10 (Ref:1452096)

The subject of BOB's was raised in another thread, and rather than hijack that thread, I've started this one.

To me, BOB is an insulting term used to describe Silverstone marshals, and I don't like it.
To others, it seem's BOB is an ok term, meant in jest.

What do you say?

EvilPumpkin · 4 Nov 2005, 14:16 (Ref:1452099)

Well if it's any consolation, some of the methods that have been used to refer to myself and my colleagues are:

Tango
Pumpkin
Oompa Loompa
"WTF is THAT"

The BoB question actually came up a while ago - http://tentenths.com/forum/showthrea...1&page=1&pp=15

There seemed to be a sense of humour about it then - I guess it depends who says it and how it's meant - and you could apply that to just about anything

**Stephen Green** · 4 Nov 2005, 15:25 (Ref:1452127)

To be honest deadsquirrel I feel you are taking the expression a little too seriously. My understanding is that it goes back many years and was partly done when the GP used to alternate between Silverstone and Brands Hatch. However, all the guys I know at Silverstone, and who I get on extremely well with, don't have a problem with the expression. In fact, I have seen many Silverstone marshals with badges saying "I'm a BOB and proud of it" so I guess that tells you just how seriously they treat it?

I have to admit that I use the term quite often, but never in a nasty or demeaning manner. As I have said above, I have many friends who are 'bobs'.

The STIG · 4 Nov 2005, 15:43 (Ref:1452133)

My non marshalling friends have nicknamed me "Road Cone" owing to my resmblence whilst wearing my big orange coat to a giant walking traffic cone!

However me and my mate have recently become the MiO as a parody of the Will Smith Film. Neither of these bother me, and I don't understand the dislike of the BoB monkier

By the way, can anyone tell me where to get MiO badges made? I've got the logo, just need someone to make one for me now!

racerkeke · 4 Nov 2005, 15:54 (Ref:1452138)

Okay, for us folks from the colonies, what's BOB mean? I'm thinking "beast of burden", "boys on (the) bank", "black on black"... none of which could ever be thought of as demeaning. Well, maybe the "beast of burden" one, which is what I always think of when I see my colleagues getting into the trucks to go out to the stations every morning, with coolers, track bags, folding chairs, flags, headsets, corner binders, etc. etc.

Usually when I overhear people talking about us it's usually "workers", but said drawn out like woooorkers, with that peculiar grimace that means "they're not like us, you know". A Penske mechanic in Rio once told me (after looking back at the knot of course observers enjoying an after-race beverage on the crew bus back to the hotel) "You people, you're just not right." I've been laughing at that one ever since.

So tell us. Inquiring minds want to know.

keke

deadsquirrel · 4 Nov 2005, 15:55 (Ref:1452139)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

To be honest deadsquirrel I feel you are taking the expression a little too seriously. My understanding is that it goes back many years and was partly done when the GP used to alternate between Silverstone and Brands Hatch. However, all the guys I know at Silverstone, and who I get on extremely well with, don't have a problem with the expression. In fact, I have seen many Silverstone marshals with badges saying "I'm a BOB and proud of it" so I guess that tells you just how seriously they treat it?

I have to admit that I use the term quite often, but never in a nasty or demeaning manner. As I have said above, I have many friends who are 'bobs'.

Then I'm happy to be wrong. My recollection of the BOB badges is obviously tarnished as well - that they were worn as a 'two fingered salute'. I too have many friends called BOB!

Bodysnatcher · 4 Nov 2005, 15:56 (Ref:1452141)

for Keke..BoB used to mean
very dark shade of charcoal gray overalled person of dubious parentage
Demeaning term applied to Silverstone's marshals by other circuit marshals, I always saw it as a response to the Grand Prix allocation inequalities. I can remember a line up at a GP where I was on copse inside - everybody in orange. Copse outside - everybody in black.

Met some in my time, but then I've met plenty of OoBs as well.

**Stephen Green** · 4 Nov 2005, 16:02 (Ref:1452147)

So nicely put BS

racerkeke · 4 Nov 2005, 16:04 (Ref:1452148)

Sounds like a badge of honour to me.
keke

Grandslammer · 4 Nov 2005, 16:05 (Ref:1452149)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

So nicely put BS

Yea...I was struggling

Stoowert · 4 Nov 2005, 17:19 (Ref:1452210)

When I lived in Sydney I was called all kinds of things, I'm sure you can imagine. They were used as a term of effection! Trust me, I'm a marshal! BTW the only time I marshalled a GP at Silverstone, we had one Brands, one Donningto, one Oulton and a Bob. It was a most enjoyable weekend, each one of us has plenty to ***** about, so we ended up agreeing with that Penske mechanic, We're just not normal! Long may it be maintained!

The Fat Clerk · 4 Nov 2005, 19:18 (Ref:1452288)

We looked on it as a term of enderment, not only did we wear the I'm a BOB & proud of it badge, we also had an I'm a F B and proud of it one, meaning we were of portly stature.

Hepatic · 5 Nov 2005, 17:42 (Ref:1452905)

the Phat "people with no father" still waer their shirts with pride at Oulton

I hadn't heard the term BOB until i met one at Snetterton last year, and it was he who used the term!!!

Mark Mitchell · 5 Nov 2005, 22:03 (Ref:1453046)

I am a member of the Phat B******s Club and have the badge to prove it!
I believe that the co-founder - and catering manager - is also a tenth member!

g7hkq · 6 Nov 2005, 19:02 (Ref:1453500)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Mitchell

I am a member of the Phat B******s Club and have the badge to prove it!
I believe that the co-founder - and catering manager - is also a tenth member!

Thats correct the logistics manager (the other co-founder)and myself marshal to have fun and it certainly breaks the ice when meeting people.

We have rules though anyone loosing weight must go to McD's and have a super sized Big Mac three nights a week. Those poor thin people can also join so long as they can laugh and poke fun at themselves.
The next date on the Phat Bstrds world tour will be the track day at Oulton followed by Trac Mon in Dec (sounds so much more glam than Anglesey Circuit) where the official hospitality suit and Costco mince pies will be available.

Have a nice day.

jcbsrule · 6 Nov 2005, 19:20 (Ref:1453516)

Im a BOB but I wear orange coz they were free at a grand prix a few years ago

Dont care what we are called so long as bobs and oranges work together when the

hits the fan

The Fat Clerk · 6 Nov 2005, 19:36 (Ref:1453529)

Spot on Nick.

thepits! · 6 Nov 2005, 20:59 (Ref:1453596)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen Green

I have many friends who are 'bobs'.

So have I -

but I also have the T-shirt that says

"Brands Hatch, the HOME of the British Grand Prix"!

Robin_D · 6 Nov 2005, 21:22 (Ref:1453630)

Quote:

Originally Posted by thepits!

"Brands Hatch, the HOME of the British Grand Prix"!

Bloody 'ell a vintage T-shirt! lol.

I suppose I am a B.O.B. but again like Mr JCB I wear the same orangee one's but they have recently suffered a bout of bikers bum and I look a bit of a tramp so the blacks are on order.

I may be on tour next year so look out for blacks and a 10/10s badge!

Clive · 6 Nov 2005, 21:49 (Ref:1453671)

Just out of interest and having heard many differing accounts, why do the Silverstone ES team wear black overalls anyway. To me you'd want to be as visible as possible, so orange would seem to be the more logical colour, (which was why I never went for black). Watching the guys on the outside at Beckets yesterday, while it wasn't raining you could see them, but when it rained and they put their orange waterproofs on,they were so much more visible

The STIG · 6 Nov 2005, 21:52 (Ref:1453677)

It is proven that the human eye can pick out a black moving object better than any other colour...

this is why the RAF's training aircraft are jet black.

Could this be the reasoning behind the black overalls?

Stone Man · 6 Nov 2005, 22:53 (Ref:1453732)

For MANY years I have walked the path of the BOB .... going back to the 80's when our team overalls were not highlighted with Orange Highlights.....or even Fire resistant.
but I do know that I speak for the most of the team when I say, Pork Pies, signed Overalls, Silly Hats, Loud Opinions, Sarf London accents and "Nornirelald" brogue are all welcome if they can walk the walk. like they can talk the talk.

They usually can..in Spades..!!!!!

Ty Nicholson · 7 Nov 2005, 07:42 (Ref:1453901)

In response to Bodysnatchers remark re: Copse. Not the case this year. 3 "BOB"'s on Copse Outside up towards Maggots, the IO and Snatch Crew at the Cut-Out and myself and two other "Tango's" on Copse Outside just past the flag post waiting for the s*** to hit the fan. Which it didn't.

Always found the Silverstone marshals approachable, knowledgable and good for a laugh even when refered to as BOB's.

**Stephen Green** · 7 Nov 2005, 09:19 (Ref:1453949)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The STIG

It is proven that the human eye can pick out a black moving object better than any other colour...

this is why the RAF's training aircraft are jet black.

Could this be the reasoning behind the black overalls?

The RAF training aircraft also have luminous orange sections to denote they ARE training aircraft!

scorch · 7 Nov 2005, 09:38 (Ref:1453969)

I always thought the term BOB name and the badges were due to circuit rivalry back when the GP used to alternate.
Personally I have always disliked the term, because it seems to promote a "them and us" attitude between marshalls that I believe has no place in 21st century marshalling.

But of course don't forget the GAY overalls that are worn by the rockingham safety team, for those that don't know the overalls are Green And Yellow.