Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington? | Golden Skate

Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

L

Ladskater

Guest
Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

I am just wondering with all the angst the US has against France right now because of their refusal to back the US in the war how will the French skaters be treated while they are at the Worlds in Washington? I hope they are treated with respect and made to feel welcome.


Ladskater
 
R

rgirl181

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

I second that emotion, Lad. The athletes are representing their country, not their government's views--no matter what your view is on the French position. If I hear any negative catcalling of the French skaters in DC, I will be extremely disappointed in my fellow Americans.
Rgirl
 
D

DORISPULASKI

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

rgirl and Lad, I totally agree. I don't want to hear anyone giving the French skaters a bad reception. In general, even in the height of the cold war, I don't recall Russians getting boos and catcalls, so I hope that we Americans will have the manners to give the French skaters a good reception.

I am most worried about the exhibition, since that is when more casual fans usually show up.

Perhaps the French will not know they are being dissed when someone introduces them as being from 'Freedom' (you know, where the Freedom Fries come from.

dpp
 
L

lottafs

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

They should be.
 
J

Joesitz

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

The thought that Americans would be so crude to the French skaters never crossed my mind. It's thoughts like that that create problems.

Joe
 
L

Ladskater

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

It does happen though. Hopefully not. The Dixie Chicks are being boycotted for saying something out of turn.


Ladskater
 
L

ladybug

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

I have always thought of figure skating fans as one step above other sport fans. Skating fans have too much class to be rude to any skaters from any country including France. I just have to believe that.
 
L

Ladskater

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

ladybug:

Usually, that is the case. Probably will hold true here.


Ladskater
 
J

Jules Asner

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

ITA Joe. Such a negative thing to think and would never have entered my mind.
 
S

sk8cynic

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

They will be received just fine in DC, for a couple of reasons:

DC is an international city. Though VA is, outside of the DC area, a Republican state, there's generally a respect for different politcal beliefs. Given all the anti-war rallies going on in the capitol, I don't think they're going to be met with catcalls, boos or the like.

Secondly, the tickets to Worlds are rather, ahem, pricey, especially if you bought one to all events. People that shell out the bucks to go will be there to watch skating, not to promote their political agenda.

If there are any boos at MCI center, shouldn't they be reserved for Speedy and the ISU? IMO that's where they should be.

I'm more concerned about the judges allowing political feelings to affect their objectivity, or what little objectivity some of them have. If FRA, GER, RUS, and CHN 's votes actually count, it could be interesting. Is there a "Skating Scandal 2, Electric Boogaloo" in the making?

Just one of those thoughts when I've had too much caffeine.....
 
K

kwansong999

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

Instead of tomatoes maybe the audience will throw 'freedom fries' at the French? <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/intl/aenglish/images/emoticons/ohwell.gif ALT=":\">

All kidding aside, I think that the audience will be very respectful. ive heard how at other International events in other countries the audience has hissed and booed but i dont think ive ever heard Americans doing it. Anyone at this board go to SLC?

Official practices start this friday!! YAY! :D :D :D
 
L

Lucy25

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

I never even considered anyone treating the French athletes poorly until I read iton the internet. I don't think the American audience has any offense to the French people, and won't treat the French athletes any differently than any of the other athletes.
 
L

Lcp88

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

Interesting topic. I hope they will all be treated equal, but who knows. I know last year at SLC there were some concerns about the Middle Eastern countries being discriminated against, but I think that turned out OK. (I remember reading something about a Pakistan or Indian skier saying that "Americans are the Best!!".)
I really hope A&B and Brian Joubert can medal here.
Laura
 
J

Joesitz

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

Lad - The Dixie Chicks said something for Peace, I believe. Have the French skaters said anything about Peace?

If they didn't I don't see why Americans interested in war, would put them down.

If you've heard Joubert or any of the French skaters say something than let us know who.

Joe
 
C

carlantz

Guest
Most of Americans are chauvinists

I wont be surprised if French skaters will be bashed by chauvinist Americans.
 
W

WindSpirit5

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

I think the French skaters have nothing to worry about. Even if there're a few crazy folks out there who would like to take out their frustration on French skaters, I know there are quite a few Americans (and people of other nationalities) who'll gladly serve as human shields (read the thread at FSU). :rollin:

And just for the record, Joe, I think that The Dixie Chicks said they're ashamed of their president (for what he's doing now). Personally I don't have a problem with that. It's really great when you <strong>can</strong> say that.

Carlantz, if you told us what country you came from, maybe someone would be as "kind" as to write a few blanket statements about it, just like you did about Americans.
 
T

thvudragon

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

Before I start, I am American.

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the audience starts to "boo" when a French skater takes the ice, this is, after all, America, the land of intolerance. I see it everyday, people going out of their way to make someone feel different or to be callous towards someone. To be honest, I expect boos. Oh well, that's enough of my cynicism.

TV
 
J

Jules Asner

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

Lad, the Dixie Chick said she was ashamed to come from the same state as the president (Texas). Texans were not amused with her statement, nor was Nashville. The south is known for being manyl things -- two of which are patriotic and polite - the statement was seen as being rude. If she had said "I hope for peace" I don't think anyone would have been offended.
 
J

JillLaQ

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

As far as the chixi dicks, whoops, I mean dixie chicks, what they say at home, at the bar, at their friends house, etc, is one thing. When they go on stage in a foriegn country and slam the President, then people have the tendency to get pissed off. That's probably why some people are boycotting them. They never did much for me anyway, but I digress.

As far as Team France goes, since the figure skating community at large will be in DC, and will be there to watch the skating, I don't think they'll have any problems. I will assume that they have a little more smarts than the dixie chicks and not slam my President, at least where the press can hear about it.
 
J

Joesitz

Guest
Re: Will the French Skaters Be Welcome in Washington?

Jill - And let's hope the Americans don't blast the French while they are visiting us. America, the land of intolerance as one poster put it.

WindSpirit. Thanks for the info on exactly what the Dixie Chicks said. I know lots of people who said worse.

Joe
 
Top