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birdbrain

SnowJapan Member
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Posts posted by birdbrain

  1. Read this, it's funny:

     

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    'You might feel frightened by their big bodies...'

     

    Alarmed by television reports of hooliganism, the Japanese are dreading the arrival of English football fans for the World Cup. So the British embassy in Tokyo has issued a leaflet to local shopkeepers to avoid 'misunderstandings'. Jonathan Watts translates a few sections

     

    Tuesday May 28, 2002

    The Guardian

     

    For starters: Many England fans will have saved up for months to pay for their trip to Japan. We feel sure that everyone in Japan will give them a warm welcome. To help everyone ensure that the supporters leave with good memories of Japan, we are offering some simple advice on how to treat them.

    What is an England supporter? The behaviour of England supporters is different from that of football fans in Japan. They tend to move in groups. Before the start of the game they gather in bars, parks and open spaces, where they display their flags. While drinking beer and singing, they raise their expectations for the match. By wearing their England shirts, they express their pride in their mother country.

     

    During the game, they are focused only on the events on the pitch. You could say that they feel 100% at one with the players and their fellow fans.

     

    After the match, supporters lose a little of their enthusiasm for the game. Celebrating a win or commiserating a loss, they will analyse the match in detail over a final beer. After that they'll just go back to their hotel to sleep. That doesn't change whether they win or lose.

     

    It should be understood that the majority of England supporters are quiet and friendly, and only interested in enjoying the game. There are a small number who go to games only to cause trouble, but they are hated by real fans.

     

    Some supporters are very noisy. You might feel frightened by their big bodies and their large numbers. But please don't view them only as a threat. Be generous and try to understand how mad they are about football. Share that understanding with them.

     

    The mistake of thinking that "England fan" equals "hooligan": Most of the hooligan scenes shown on television took place several years ago. In recent years there have been hardly any problems at club matches or international games.

     

    Trying to communicate: Memorising just a few phrases of English such as "Welcome", "Can I help you?" and "England are a great team" can make quite a difference.

     

    Have writing implements, paper and dictionaries to hand. When you come across someone with a strong accent, you can sometimes get by through writing things down.

     

    Overcoming cultural differences: The British government and supporters' organisations are doing their best to help England fans cope with cultural differences. We must all help fans to get used to Japanese customs as quickly as possible.

     

    In British pubs, you pay for drinks when you buy them. Bar owners might like to think about adopting this system for the duration of the World Cup, or letting people know from time to time how much they have spent.

     

    Some people will travel with large rucksacks on their backs. It would be very helpful to them if you could offer them a place to store their bags.

     

    British people might try to tip taxi drivers, waiters and hotel staff. To refuse politely, say: "You are very kind, but tipping is not necessary in Japan."

     

    Even if your bar is full, that won't stop supporters trying to come in. They might buy alcohol to take outside and drink in the street or in parks, so it's a good idea to think about serving drinks in plastic cups.

     

    England supporters won't be used to the heat and humidity of the Japanese summer. So please be tolerant towards their behaviour and clothing.

     

    When British people throw away their rubbish, they don't separate it into different categories. It might be useful to put an English sign on each bin indicating what to put where.

     

    The world cup is a festival of football: Our last word is that England fans will be spending a long holiday in Japan to enjoy the festival of football. As at all Japanese festivals, people will drink, dance, eat and drink. They will also, of course, watch top-level football.

     

    This will be the first trip to Japan for most fans. Many will find Japan mysterious, but with everyone's help they will feel comfortable. Even if you cannot speak English, a simple "hello" or a smile will help them to feel that your town has a friendly atmosphere and that this World Cup is a once-in-a-lifetime festival.

  2. Here's another one from the Atlas F1 board

     

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    I think Schumacher miscalculated how bad the PR would be for going by Rubens. When he finished the race, he pumped his fist in the air, and looked pleased! That is until he noticed the crowd was boooing him. That is how arrogant the guy is, he actually believed people would be happy for him winning, EVEN if it was gifted.

  3. Check this out. Says it all really.

     

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    Q: Michael, what is this championship worth now?

     

    MS: I didn't know I am champion yet.

     

    Q: If you win this championship, Michael, what is this championship worth now?

     

    MS: I don't think that is a very nice question to ask now.

     

    Q: Isn't this a sport? Isn't this about motor racing?

     

    MS: (No comment)

     

    [...]

     

    Q: Michael. You said if you could reverse it you would. Are you then saying that if the FIA excluded both of you for bringing the sport into disrepute, you would not appeal?

     

    MS: Thank you.

     

    [...]

     

    Q: Michael do you want to win the world championship because you are the best racer or because you have got the best contract?

     

    MS: (No comment)

     

    Q: All three of you are talking about this as a team sport. Why do we have an individual world championship for drivers?

     

    All drivers: (No comment)

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