The "You don't need to baton" thread reminded me of a funny story...

[Fletcher Knives]

That's freeking funny!! I was waiting for you to say that you poured some of what was in your flask to use as a fuel to get the fire started...

Hell no! I get a little spendy with my alcohol. lol

And in relation to the OP, I can relate to being around fire-making incompetents...
Like the one where I had a nice little fire starting with the fire-steel and a bit of tinder, and the guy comes over and dumps a HUGE heap of branches on it, putting it out.
And he couldn't understand why I was annoyed...

Oh yeah dude. I have had to explain the "build it slow" technique several times. I feel your pain on that one. I had one camping party absolutely amazed when I built a HUGE fire out of some hot coals from the last dummies who didn't put their fire out all the way and all the sticks and branches I could gather from the ground. Everyone kept saying, "you need a lighter?" and I'd say, "nope. The #ssholes who were here yesterday already lit my the fire for us." lol

 

[stewey1]

good story mate, Ive been there to, I have to say the old flares do the job well on a wet day, beats stuffing round when you want fire now