Quote:
Originally Posted by Divemaster
As I said earlier, I think Americans gain a better appreciation of international sport while living/working abroad.
There is a whole other world of sports out there, and speaking that international language can really help an 18 (or anyone) in cross cultural communication in lands where you don't speak the local language. During an international tournament, try showing up to a local bar wearing that country's national jersey. It works.
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So true. So completely true. Sports can definitely serve as more than something we do or watch. It works as an ice-breaker or an unspoken language, too. Back in '06 I worked in Monterrey, Mexico and the surrounding area for a few months. That was at the beginning of the American public's knowledge of the cartels. At that point, not much had been injected into the media regarding how bloody things were about to get (or had been getting up to that point). Anyway, I had been working all day and saw a group of kids kicking a badly worn ball around in the street. I stopped an errant pass and kicked it back to them. An hour later we were still playing and their families, who occupied the buildings adjacent to us, introduced themselves.
Each time I played soccer with them they would invite me in for dinner or bring some home cooking over to us. They also acted as tour guides and translators. My family sent me a few new balls and some shoes, jerseys and other items that kids over here take for granted. When I showed up with a huge box full of goodies those kids' faces lit up like the 4th of July! It made my stay down there a heck of a lot safer and more productive. Plus, it was a lot more fun, too. Glad I deviated from the norms of only playing basketball, football and baseball when I was growing up.