Comment by Marinetta on July 27, 2012 at 3:29am

I enjoyed the part about nationality, the article also showed on a lot of similarities between swedes and whatever they/you want to be called in the UK (:P) We're a big fan of queueing and the tradition of buying rounds, but I guess there are a lot of differenses as well. So a do's and don'ts might not be that bad. I would like to think that in the end we are more alike than we think, even if we can't always communicate. Here on AW we have something in common and I think/hope it is easier to forgive and understand culturar differences and misunderstandings than in the "real world".

Comment by Tallgirl on July 27, 2012 at 2:18pm

Thanks, Cheryl, for making the link appear above in blue. I also found that on BBC News page it shows on the right under the heading Rules Britannia or Rule(s) Britannia...two different ways.

Comment by alamogirl/ aka Judy on July 28, 2012 at 2:19pm

London rocked my world last fall when we visited the UK. Bloody fabulous....or something! Those opening ceremonies put Beijing to shame! So creative, funny, lovely, touching, warm, delightfully "chaotic" with the fantastic Mr. Branaugh starting it off with the Bard's words from, "The Tempest"! OK, so I am an Anglophile and speak with a Brit. accent in all my dreams, but WOW, London, you were amazing, I forgot I was wearing a wig for nearly 6 hours. (Tears of joy!).

Comment by Tallgirl on July 28, 2012 at 2:59pm

Yes, I loved it, too. I read up on the historical and literary references as blogged before I finally found a Chinese restaurant with a TV playing, then could see all but the parade and finale before the restaurant closed. Still looking for a very-late online site for those so I can comment (to myself) on uniforms and sing along with Sir Paul.

Comment by Norm on July 28, 2012 at 3:10pm

I say, Judy, steady on!
But on behalf of all Brits.... thank you, Ma'am - glad you enjoyed it! :)

Comment by Mary on July 28, 2012 at 6:04pm

LOVED the Rowan Atkinson bit!

I found myself wondering today whether there's ever been an Alopecian Olympian? Must have been.

Comment by Tallgirl on July 28, 2012 at 6:14pm

At least two: In Men's Volleyball in Barcelona games (the rest of the U.S. Men's Volleyball Team shaved their heads to support him...I don't have his name), and Olympic swimmer for the U. S., Staciana Stits, who was at the NAAF Convention (Oaklnd, 2001..I was there) teaching the adoring little alopecian girls to swim in the hotel pool.

Comment by Tallgirl on July 28, 2012 at 6:26pm

Following the win, the Japanese team filed a formal complaint and upon immediate review, the international volleyball federation jury voted unanimously to reverse the game’s result, giving the game to Japan. Team USA was outraged, yet used the disappointment to their advantage. To show their support for their teammate [Bob] Samuelson and avoid any further discouragement, Timmons gathered the team together and proposed a radical idea: Let’s shave our heads.

So on July 28, when the team emerged on to the court for the second game of the Olympics against Canada, Samuelson was no longer the lone bald eagle, but was instead one of twelve men with a shiny head off of which the stadium’s lights reflected. The gesture not only made everyone do a double-take, but was inspiration to Olympic and volleyball fans worldwide.

(Photo from a July 1992 issue of USA Today shows Samuelson, who has AU, and shaved players.)

Certainly, if the behavior of Samuelson during the game violated the rules of conduct, then he should have been issued his second yellow card. Whether or not the jury’s post-match decision to reverse the score was a correct one is quite debatable, however. There is a fine line which judges, officials, and governing bodies must walk when making decisions which affect scores and most importantly, final standings. This decision was not catastrophic in that it hindered USA’s chance at gold. The team still came away with a bronze; and perhaps this third place finish was a signal of the oncoming drought in the sport which lasted for USA until 2008 when it finally won another gold medal.

Was Samuelson’s behavior (reminiscent of players such as John McEnroe and Bill Laimbeer) appropriate—especially for that of an Olympian? I’ll leave that up to each individual. What was ideal and appropriate for behavior by Olympians was the true sign of team unity exhibited by those young men. Their actions, giving up the locks of hair many of them probably adored, was a truly selfless act and acknowledgment of the “all for one and one for all” attitude that many teams these days fail to possess. Now, when so many players are focused on their own individual aspirations and accomplishments, The Bald Eagles of Barcelona serve as a reminder to what team spirit is all about, fully embodying the ‘stronger’ in the Olympic motto.

(Article lifted from the internet. -- TG)

Comment by alamogirl/ aka Judy on July 28, 2012 at 7:55pm

Yeah, sorry, Norm. Got a little carried away, didn't I? But really, I just LOVE the UK. Sometimes wonder what I would have done in 1776....rats! there I go again. I am a blessed and proud Yank, but really, who does ceremony better than the Brits. That. is. all. J.

Comment by Tallgirl on July 29, 2012 at 11:05am

Don't let the clouds in life keep you from communicating and playing well with others!
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