At a bowling ally I think your fine. there is a pizza joint near me that i do feel awkward not getting something...

I thought this post would be about players etiquette. (not complaining) For example I was at a place with close to 100 pins, with probably less than 10 people there and having a great 1st ball. Guy walks up to the game right next to me and starts jumping up and down flailing around, generally acting like a crazy person. I lost my 3 balls rather quickly after he shows up because this Wako was going nuts. By the time my 4 ball came up (extra ball) dudes game was already over so his aerobics didn't help him at all...... But he managed to ruin my game.

I move around a bit when i play, but this was ridiculous, way over the top. What do you all think? Just part of the experience or was this guy a flake?

Fair enough, left out the part of him stepping on my foot. And there were 80 other machines open........

Playing next to me is fine, been at a crowed expo, bars, etc with people on both sides no issues. Playing next to me while acting like a gorrilla jacked up on red bull and pixie Stix was my issue.

I was on a space shuttle, crazy dude was on a gorgar.

that's a good point. The arcade at a bowling ally is usually in the back / out of the way. No one probably notices, or cares. The buy something or leave policy would be dumb. I used to go to a bowling ally and play. Sometimes I just had a bit of time and would stop in, play a few games and leave, other times I would make a night of it, a couple of beers, dinner. If they had told me to leave they wouldn't get that beer and food sale every other visit.

Also, I am guessing they don't really make much off bowling alone. So if you come in an bowl without buying anything else is it much different?