Is Shotgunning A Beer Such A Bad Thing?
By Anthony Longo 11 09 2008So…Is shotgunning a beer such a bad thing for a corporate executive (aka - founder of a startup or dot-com)? I mean …. cut me some slack. We just had a great month, we launched the Dallas Condo marketplace and we are gearing up to have a great last quarter. Not to mention, its not like I do this every weekend, or every year for that matter. Last shotgun I can remember was at least 6 years ago.
The Story: So earlier today I threw up a great photo of me (CEO) doing a shotgun with a fellow peer at the Patriots game last weekend. (NOTE: @ a tailgate party…not in the stadium).
Anyway, since posting this, not more than 1 hour ago I have gotten over 20 emails / facebook messages from peers, friends, buddies, collegues on Facebook stating that I was “nuts”.
So, I ask again. Is shotgunning a beer such a bad thing? If so someone please give me an explanation so I can accept my embarrassment & remove the photo or just deny it and claim Photoshop infringements! I mean, if Joe or Rudy were around or even Mr. Barton or Mr. Kelman were there…I bet they would all be doing shotgun’s, no?
What is Shotgunning? Check it out on wikipedia.
“Shotgunning is a means of consuming a canned beverage, especially beer, very quickly by a particular technique involving punching a hole in the side of the can. It is usually practiced as a form of drinking game and is especially popular among college students. The practice is known in parts of Australia as doing a “sub”, in parts of Western Canada as “springing a beer”, and in the eastern United States as “keying” (a beer).”
(I am going to categorize this post under “Real Estate & Technology”)
I really don’t see how this should be an issue at all. It’s a company leader, on his own time, at a tailgate, having fun. How in the world is this different than shots of presidential candidates at the local bar?
Keep on keeping on Tony.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink a beer Tony! This is great!
Ha. Thanks guys. Thanks so much for the support…I was starting to feel down on myself today
Friend and peer, Glenn Kelman (El Presidente of Redfin Corp) shotgun spotting: http://blog.redfin.com/blog/2007/03/pricing_advice_make_the_last_3_digits_-500.html
Ok…here we go. Send in your “shotgunning” photos to Erica (Erica(at)condDomain.com) and we make sure it gets added to the post.
Shotgunning? Isn’t that a term of art for having a beer?
First of all, who has the right to judge what is “nuts?” If you find that book or reference out there, be sure to let us all know…
Second of all, folks do far more nutty things than drink a beer in goofy ways! You were by no means bothering anyone else, so what’s the issue?
Third, it’s nice to see someone just be young, celebrate, enjoy some chill time on the weekend.
Fourth, let me see, so if you’re let’s sipping some champagne in a suit and tie (same action), do we pass judgment? Nope. Because that image fits the high faluting society types that identify with the CEO image - Geesh.
Fifth, I tell you, the Aussie have this down pat - they know exactly how to enjoy life and not get all tight in their underpants about dumb things, and I’m very much reminded of their spirit and candor - not to mention their ever “g’day mate” attitude …
Anyhow, I have to admit, I was super thrilled to hear about all the progress with the company even though I live far away.
Perhaps if folks cannot handle your profile on Facebook - they can ask themselves whether they see you as someone that is strictly a relationship of business or that someone that recognizes you as a human, colleague, friend.
If the former is the case, then it is ironic for Facebook to call individuals “friends,” and if the latter is more likely, then those folks need to think about their assumptions and judgments about good/bad.
As for social networking, it seems you had more fun with your friends tailgating than being online anyhow
Don’t sweat the heat you’re getting - you’re a sensitive guy who cares a lot about not only how these comments might be impacting you but your team - and the weight and pressure of CEO life must be hard at times…
I say grab another beer with a bloake, say “Good Day mate” to those that understand and “Good Night…” to those that don’t
Cheers to all your success!
Joe - I think you may be right.
Seriously - Wow. Thank you for your kind words and great response. I am now officially keeping the “Shotgunning” photo as my facebook profile picture!
No worries…Glad to bring in a sentiment of kindness, though kindness revealed through words hold less weight at times.
I also did some homework today and here’s the flip side…
Facebook and Business is a really crazy mix - On one hand people become your “friends,” many of whom perhaps have met you only once. But my guess is that as many people have more and more friends added to their profiles on Facebook, these are not friends, but …
Contacts - points of interaction. For those that use the very effective portal of Facebook and other social networking sites for business, etc. it becomes very much the scene of a meeting space rather than a social space. Thus, language and images are always political, no matter what. When I decided to support certain causes and groups on Facebook, I did so out of my conviction, but soon found out that since I wore my politics on my sleeve, so to speak, people would judge me. Now, had I at the time been manning a company, not sure I’d make the same choice - (just depends)…
In that case, imagine you CEO Tony are walking into a stadium and there are about 1000 people (the people on your friend list) in the audience.
What image are you likely to be and who are you representing? See, that’s where the personal and professional get dicey, no? Look, I’m not trying to say you should be judged, but the reality is in the business world, in the world where images are portrayed, we are judged.
If your primary purpose for using Facebook and other networking sites is not for downtime (i.e. chill time with friends) then perhaps those 1000 people care more about that image than you do -
but the fact that attention was drawn to it means the reactions were out there and we simply don’t live in a zen ful world …
What makes virtual places so strange is that you don’t literally feel their presence - (i.e. all those people looking) but they do happen to be there
Now like it or not, charismatic leadership types like yourself will have more people taking interest. So, that is part of your reality. (Unless you stop being you which would be far worse than changing your picture)…
I guess what I’m saying is that although I stand by my original analysis, it’s from the position of being one of those protective smart motherly types - you being called nutty for your picture sent an instant defensive reaction, one explained however with smart logic and honest feeling…
But I do know a huge huge part of business is knowing which battles to pick - Facebook as a site for business relationships seems to be more up your alley than a site for deep friendships, so perhaps even, yes, your picture, is a business decision rather than not (yes, sigh).
Why do I care so much? A wise person once told me to step back from the situation and just take a look - It was good advice.
This situation was actually a really great exercise for many folks like myself who traverse the boundaries between personal and professional all the time, who are stubborn about their authenticity to experiences and people, but also too smart to stay fixed on something that is more about the individual rather than the collective whole (i.e. vision, spirit, etc.)
I think many people can learn a lot from you bringing up this dicey but important topic and so it seemed worth the lengthy responses -
However, I could very much see someone accusing me of being too serious about this all, and I do agree…
But rather than keep writing, I’ll just say that’s a conversation over a nonjudgemental beer - Though I must admit my only experience with “shotgun” is sitting in the front seat - not driving, just sitting in the front seat.
Seriously - This is some really great advice and I do appreciate you taking the time to write such a great comment. Shoot me an email at anthony(at)condoDomain.com I would like to discuss this further as we are using social media much more often these days.
Thank you as always!
This is SO worth talking about, impacting real estate, civic work, education, etc
Shoot me an email when CD wants to chat more.
Social media is the dominant culture to the present and future, hands down.
Back to my writing!
Hope you and the team are having a gorgeous Fall weekend full of family, food, and fun!
-Seriously
Tony,
Keep on drinking! If people judge you because you are having fun outside of work, just think how boring their lives are? We are all human beings and we all know that business is business and personal is personal.
Is there a rule that says if you reach a certain age or a title, you can’t live the good old days? Besides, you are at a football party.
I can recall several names who are older and are successful that act foolish, but in a mature way. It’s all fun. If people judge you because you had fun in your own time, then “they” must be some bitter people.
There are so many people who wants to relive the good old days, but can’t or won’t because of their insecurity. That’s why we have friends who we can trust and have fun.
Keep the picture and shotgun more beer.