Small wins

[treibeis]

she said they all stood for the anthem, took off their hats

You fucking what?

[treibeis]

she said they all stood for the anthem, took off their hats

You fucking what?

Having said that, I'm going to become a German in two weeks. I passed the test - one wrong answer; "How many Verfassungsinstanzen are there?" Er, don't understand the question -, so I can now swear my allegiance.

And if they say, "Sing the national anthem or fuck off", then I'll do it.

[WOM]

she said they all stood for the anthem, took off their hats

You fucking what?

Well, you don't have to sing it. You just have to stand for it. I can stomach that much.

[ursus arctos]

Is this some kind of weird opening day ritual?

[treibeis]

Well, you don't have to sing it. You just have to stand for it. I can stomach that much.

What, you were actually there?

[WOM]

What, you were actually there?

No, but I went to a major league baseball game last week. They pull the same routine there.

[ursus arctos]

Which is also idiotic, but is not mandatory for children under 16 nor funded by taxpayers, while also being widely ignored by latecomers and people in the concourses.

[San Bernardhinault]

I don't know about Canada, but pretty much nobody ever sings the US national anthem. Almost nobody is capable of singing it. That's why you have overtrained warbling teenagers doing it at sporting events while everyone "respectfully" listens, rather than having a big old singalong.

[treibeis]

No, but I went to a major league baseball game last week. They pull the same routine there.

Yes, but aren't Canadians shit at baseball? Standing up for a load of shit baseballists? Nah.

[treibeis]

Or is your national anthem good, i.e. as good as the French one? If so: You can still ram it, only slightly less hard.

[treibeis]

I don't know about Canada, but pretty much nobody ever sings the US national anthem.

I'm not having that. I've seen the films. They ALL sing it, or at least put their right hand on their chest.

[San Bernardhinault]

Yeah, they all put their hands on their chest, take their hat off, maybe mumble or mouth a couple of the words about torn flags. But very few people actually sing it because it's really hard to sing.

[San Bernardhinault]

When they finally change it from that ridiculous thing about tatty flags during a silly war against a tin-pot island off the north coast of Europe to This Land Is Your Land, then everyone will be able to sing along.

[Eggchaser]

They are made to the same specifications as those in the New York City Subway

There's nothing wrong with the speakers. It's the person making the announcement. They are required to shove a styrofoam cup in their mouth before speaking.

[treibeis]

Yeah, they all put their hands on their chest, take their hat off, maybe mumble or mouth a couple of the words about torn flags. But very few people actually sing it because it's really hard to sing.

Yes, all right, I just looked up the lyrics. They're more than a bit shit.

Can't it be changed to something by Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel? Or, seeing as Gretha Thunberg is over there at the moment, something written by a Swede? My stepsister-in-law knows Gretha's dad, my stepmama-in-law know somebody who knows Agnetha Faltskög.

I'll have a word.

[elguapo4]

Gaelic games always play the anthem, at the final, you have 82,000, a large proportion of whom are pissed, sing along with gusto. However, at the start of the season,in half empty stadiums, you have what sounds like a group of people, who feel like they have to sing the anthem, but they're holding a baby that they've just got to sleep.

[Bored Of Education]

Firstly, I am trying to imagine getting my kids to stand for the national anthem every day and then I am trying to imagine them singing "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"

[Patrick Thistle]

Firstly, I am trying to imagine getting my kids to stand for the national anthem every day and then I am trying to imagine them singing "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau"

You should start this tradition. Teach them the old, true ways of the Britons.

[Vicarious Thrillseeker]

Long time lurker; first time poster (on 'Small wins').

I was given a brand new bank note - and a whole raft of clean, shiny, brand new coins for my change yesterday. I felt like crying, it was so beautiful. Tanzanian currency (paper and coinage) is usually most unsavoury.

[Gangster Octopus]

Gaelic games always play the anthem

And when that comes on the telly in Irish pubs round Harrow, certain folk will stand and glare at anyone not standing...

[WOM]

I don't know about Canada, but pretty much nobody ever sings the US national anthem. Almost nobody is capable of singing it.

I'd hazard that 25% to 35% of the crowd sings along. It's noticeable, that's for sure. And of course, we get both the US and Canadian anthems at all our events, because we're never playing another Canadian team and / or we're playing in an American league.

[WOM]

Yes, but aren't Canadians shit at baseball? Standing up for a load of shit baseballists? Nah.

Our Domincans and Cubans are as good as anyone else's Dominicans and Cubans. Maybe better. In '93/'94 they were better than everyone. And there's often one Canadian-born player on the team. A few years back we had two.

[ursus arctos]

There are still seven Canadian teams in the NHL, WOM. And they don't play the US anthem if there isn't a US team on the ice.

None in the CFL, either, even though most of the players are US citizens.

[WOM]

There are still seven Canadian teams in the NHL, WOM. And they don't play the US anthem if there isn't a US team on the ice.

Hockey? Do I look like I'm 55+ and from Oshawa?

[WOM]

Wait...maybe don't answer that....