THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: We want you to weigh in — on Seahawks, Mariners, or whatever

Mornin,' all ...

When I lived in Scotland, I learned to greet people this way: "Fit like?"

The usual reply, unless this luckless person was suffering from the plague or some such, would be: "Nae bad."

There must be people in Scotland who are sweating out results of a blood test, waiting to find out if they contracted some mysterious disease on that African safari.

I wonder if they respond with the opposite of "Nae bad," whatever it might be.

I only saw happy faces, and locals who would be happy to forget where they were going, and stick around for a "chin-wag."

Anyway, I was thinking about those Scots while watching the NFL, college football or the World Series.

Fans create a ruckus during and after events all over Britain, (in between creating brief little songs). Yep there's always a few thousand punters (look it up) ready with some insult aimed at the opponent.

The first match I saw in person carried an amazing connection.

Arsenal, the club to whom I've pledged my soul, was off to face Celtic of Glasgow (where two of my uncles once played).

I expected some roughhousing in the parking lot after the game, but no, several Celtic fans came over to say hello — and carry on about the wonderful club Arsenal had fielded in a 2-0 victory. 

"Aye, now THAT'S a proper team, it is. So much skill, I'm chuffed (look that up, too) that we got to see them in Scotland."

NOW, YOU may be thinking: What the hell does this time abroad have to do with sports in the Northwest?

Fair question.

Actually, it's not the sports themselves.

It's the folks who come to see them.

The first difference is the service of alcohol.

Drain three or four pints inside (or outside) Seattle's glamorous stadiums — or over at Climate Pledge Arena — and someone will take issue with your opinion on any point whatsoever.

Next thing, a guy who just walked in will want to throw left hooks.

The place will go crazy, until the bouncer called Bubba decides to sort things out.

The lad's final words, before Bubba turns out his lights, will probably have something to with Jerry Dipoto hugging desert animals.

Now, then.

Same situation in Scotland, and Bubba will tell you to wait until he's off, so he can go sing with ya.

Scottish spectators are smart enough not to wear the other team's jersey (what most people call "Colours" in the UK).

TODAY, I decided to do my part for society.

I'm not going to blather all my opinions — about the Seahawks special teams, for instance.

Nope.

It's time that YOU stood up at the bar and told us what YOU think.

Readers who disagree should do so in print.

In fact, I'll probably disagree on a few points myself.

Got it?

Doesn't matter what sport.

National writers think that young Grey Zabel had an awful game at guard against the 49ers.

Yes?

No?

The big topic now is whether the Mariners should trade one of the starting pitchers.

You up for it?

Email me and we'll take it from there. I'm hoping to find some humored fans who disagree on a particular subject.

Oh, lordy, we can have some fun!

See you in the email box, ja?

EMAIL: [email protected]

Longtime journalist Steve Cameron writes "The Cheap Seats" for The Press three times each week.