As long as you behave like a civilized human and respect other people and their property, there’s not a lot you shouldn’t do at Rock and Bowl. It’s an event designed for fun with friends, and that means being loud (even obnoxious) and not letting anything hold back your fun. Still, there are a few things you might want to consider not doing when it comes to Rock and Bowl.

1. Don’t wear stained clothes. Rock and Bowl is the perfect place to realize that white shirt you thought was perfectly clean actually has a pair of matching stains under the arms. Or the dark shirt on which you spilled toothpaste a month ago still has hints of it in the fabric. Paranoid yet? Don’t worry—everyone’s in the same situation. Wear clean clothes (or embrace your stains) and you’ll look fantastic under the black lights.

1. Don’t expect to become a better bowler. There’s a theory that says if you practice amid all the chaos and noise of Rock and Bowl, you’ll be able to better manage distractions under more normal conditions. There may be something to that, but Rock and Bowl is so different from normal bowling, it might as well be curling. Yes, there are still 10 pins you’re trying to knock down with a single ball. However, the lanes are purple, the pins appear to be glowing, your friends are screaming behind you, other people are lined up on the adjacent lane with their legs spread apart so someone can bowl through them (or right into their ankles), and the oil has been decimated by open bowling all day. It is possible to get better at bowling, but if you really want some serious practice, go during the day.
2. Don’t go if you’re not interested. Even if your friends all go, don’t be the one who tags along and complains every second of the night. Rock and Bowl can be extremely irritating to those who don’t enjoy the environment, and people who are irritated (and relay that irritation) can be extremely annoying to those who are otherwise having a good time. Go and enjoy it or stay home.

1. Don’t let your lack of ability squash your enjoyment. Rock and Bowl is not the place to showcase your incredible bowling skills. So, if you don’t have any, this place is perfect for you. Throw a gutter ball? Who cares? Miss a spare? Doesn’t matter. Just get up and throw the ball when it’s your turn. Try to knock down the pins, and if you don’t, don’t worry about it. Try again on your next turn. Observe the lanes around you and see how many people turn around laughing. They’re struggling with bowling, too, but they’re making the best of it.
2. Don’t let your abundance of ability squash your enjoyment. Are you a top-of-the-line, amazing bowler? Great—but keep it to yourself. Don’t try to give pointers to your friends (unless they ask), and don’t try to explain how you’re usually better, but the oil is scattered everywhere, and the lights are different, and whatever other excuse you can come up with. If being perceived as a good bowler is important to you, don’t worry—it will happen. If you normally throw a 250 but have to settle for a 220, everyone is going to think you’re amazing anyway. Just like the people with no bowling ability, simply throw the ball when it’s your turn and have fun with it.

Looking for ideas on what to do? Five Things to Do During Rock and Bowl.