[UK-CONTEST] Progressing in Contesting

[G3SJJ]

Further to the speed etc debate, I've been pondering this one recently. 
I enjoy listening to the ex Eastern Bloc contests or some of the States 
guys operating CQWW from States or other contest sites, or some of the 
top Eu guys. The common theme is slick, quick operating. Sometimes I am 
not so happy, as I still think you should observe good practice and 
recent innovations like speeding up certain parts of an exchange or 
sending Dit Dit instead of TU Callsign don't sit comfortably with me. I 
am however someone who enjoys change and challenge. Indeed I encompassed 
a technique I had observed into my AFS exchanges, and note that no one 
has grumbled, yet! 591, 5927 etc, instead of 5NNTT1 or T27. It really is 
gratifying to plan a change and carry it through. Indeed I got a real 
buzz sending 5NNN to my mate G4IIY. I just knew he would copy OK. 
Actually I wanted to send ENNN but forgot!

Anyway, the point of this is, are we the only country that wants to look 
backwards and encourage slower sending rather than faster sending? I 
understand Dave G3UEG's frustration and G0VQR's memories but I don't 
think those are the answers. Just listening to the VU7RG pile-up on 40m 
now, he is sending around 30wpm. 5A7A were regularly up around 40wpm. 
What are we saying? DXpeds should slow down!? Most of my general 
chatting these days is minimum 27 to around 35 or whatever I can take 
before losing concentration, or fingers lock up on the paddle. That's 
not meant to be bragging, just an observation.

My observation is that life has moved on, maybe to the detriment of 
lesser experienced operators, but generally speeds of 25 to 35 wpm are 
commonplace, except, it would appear in UK contests. I will, and did 
slow down a few WPM (whenever Win Test would let me!) to indicate to the 
other operator that I recognised they might need something not as fast 
as I had been sending, and to give some deserved encouragement because 
at least they were trying, but really the message needs to be that this 
is life as we know it now, and it won't get slower!

Since this is going out to the UK Contest Reflector, well known for its 
negativity,  I'll just "Sit back and take the Flack!!"

Chris G3SJJ