Mike,
There are plenty of things in life that aren't "illegal", but still very douche-baggy.
Weren't you the one who said, you can learn everything you need to know about a guy based on whether he returns his shopping cart to the appropriate place or leaves it in the parking stall next to his?
Kalen,
That's exactly why I read this site...
And I thought you were here to pick up design tips from the favored architects and their acolytes!
Good advice from Ian M, lowering your expectations of others makes life less stressful. Whatever chill pills he and Erik are taking, please send a sampler.
During my two-year exile in CA I used to practice couple of times a week at Costa Mesa CC, a very cheap, high-volume Billy Bell Jr. 36-hole muni. It was close by, though I only played each course once during that time because the glacial pace of play. The range and practice areas were generally full and it wouldn't be unusual to have a dozen people chipping to one of the small greens. You'd get whacked on occasion, often I would come home with a half-dozen crappy balls replacing a dozen or so decent ProV1s. No big deal. Everyone found a way to get along.
To Rick's point, I would never have intruded on his practice session, but neither would I have been sufficiently bothered to pen a Dear Abby letter to the DG. Are we not repeatedly told that the fuddy dudy rules of golf must give with the customs and desires of the newer generations? Just yesterday we saw Ian's 20-something golfer with his duck-billed hat on backwards driving up on the sides of the greens and into the natives. We can lament the brave new world, or just do what we can to slow the incivility. Me, I would have enjoyed watching Rick backhand the putts to the offender and see his reaction. He may have apologized.