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WILKES-BARRE — It’s that time of year again — big crowds, rowdy, screaming fans and sometimes very bad behavior.

I’m talking about March Madness, when professional Irish people and those who choose to be “Irish for a day,” get way out of control and turn an otherwise fun day into a nightmare for innocent bystanders and law enforcement.

And you thought I was talking about the NCAA Tournament — the real March Madness event.

Many of us, Irish or not, have, at one time or another, acted immaturely on St. Patrick’s Day and, well, perhaps on other non-designated celebratory days. I know some people who have behaved poorly for days at a time — months and years even.

But there seems to be an increasingly alarming trend toward reaching new highs, or lows maybe, of stupidity when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This is especially noticeable on “parade days,” when thousands of people, young and not so young tend to drink way too much and act way out of control.

Disguised as fun, this behavior sometimes creates many problems for those over-imbibing and for those in the near vicinity. It really can get out of hand at times.

You would think, in 2017 and with so many DUI and drunken disorderly arrests over the years — and not just on parade days — that society would see more acceptable, more responsible behavior when it comes to these things, or to drinking in general. Not to get on a soapbox, but so much can be lost by a few moments of irresponsibility.

No matter what the occasion, whenever excessive drinking is to happen, a designated driver should always be part of the group. And to be fair, take turns in that role so that the same person doesn’t always have to be the grown-up. You will find that this will make for a much more fun time and will eliminate any chance of seeing people wearing badges driving cars with red and blue flashing lights.

Your group might also consider renting a limo service. They have drivers who are experienced in dealing with obnoxious people. Again, your chances of ending your night in handcuffs will diminish significantly.

On St. Patrick’s Day, which by the way is always on March 17, I usually get a ham and cabbage dinner with carrots and wash it down with a beer — just one beer. I find that’s more than enough to celebrate the day and my Irish/Welsh heritage on my dad’s side. I also celebrate St. Joseph’s Day on March 19 to honor my mom’s Polish side.

OK, enough pleading for responsible behavior during parades and all other drinking occasions. Just try to adapt safety precautions into your overall drinking game plans. You’ll be glad you did, as will those who care about you. And your future will be brighter.

Now on to that other March madness thing — the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. This year there really is no clear favorite. Not one team jumps out and tells you to fill out at least one bracket with that team because they will probably win the tournament. There are some very good teams, a lot of really good teams and several other decent teams. And in this tournament, anything can and usually does happen.

So I caution you when you fill out your brackets. Try to evaluate each match-up, the schedule they have played, what teams they have beaten, where the games are being played, and on and on. This year, “bracketology” will be a real challenge.

A lot will depend on seeding and what teams are sent where. But as Selection Sunday approaches, I can’t recall more anticipation about an NCAA tourney than this year. Every game could see an “upset,” which by the way is never really an upset. These rankings and favorites are chosen by “experts” who rarely get it right. The real experts are sitting in Las Vegas — they set the odds, and they are almost always right on, excuse the expression, the money.

And while watching these exciting games, adapt the same behavior standards previously discussed regarding parades and such. Root, root, root for your favorite team, but don’t be offended if the people across the sports bar are rooting for the other team. We all have a right to choose who we cheer for and that could change game to game, region to region.

Oh, and no green beer please.

Bill O’Boyle
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_Oboyle_Bill-2-1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgBill O’Boyle

By Bill O’Boyle

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Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at [email protected].