Rugby v. American Football

As the 6 Nations Rugby matches have descended in the last couple weeks, I can't help but compare the culture that follows with the American football way of life. It isn't surprising probably as both games involve lots of pushing people around, rules that don't make sense to me, and very similar playing equipment.

Rugby ball

American Football

As with all beloved sporting events, there are the fiercely loyal fans painted in team colours that fill the streets on gameday. This livened up our Sunday walk back from church yesterday, as it is usually one of the sleepiest times to be out in the city. In lieu of the burnt orange "hook 'em horns" baseball caps and giant foam fingers we normally see on a UT game day, were Scots kilted up and wearing St. Andrew's flags as capes and rugby shirts to boot. Since they played Ireland, there were also a handful of green felt Irish caps with the fake red hair underneath. It had all the vibes of a proper Texas tailgating party. The pubs were full and overflowing fans into the streets with their pints and ribald cheering. Instead of hitting up pizza or cheap Mexican restaurants at the end, fans filled up the kebab and curry places all over town. The energy was marvelous! And true to Texas football season form, I maintained no interest in the game intself (or even its outcome) but just fed off the excitement of all the enthusiasts. It turns out it is just as fun to be in Edinburgh on a Rugby match day as it is in Austin on Longhorn game day! Thank goodness for the forgiving weather, that really does help me love a proper sporting day.

Can anyone explain to me though, what this swarming in a circle business is about? Matt and I watch a piece of a game on our walk through Inverleith Park this Saturday and this kept happening. Neither of us knew the significance on the rules.

One thing remains to be said though. Rugby is way more bad-A than football. These guys are totally exposed to the hits they get with their unpadded uniforms. And the hits are pretty crazy hard too.

Uncle Sam's Stay-American Survival Kit

*Prepared by the U.S. Department of Not Hating America for Matthew and Catherine Sweeney, Edinburgh, UK*

CONTAINS:
(1) Small American Flag (with stand)
(1) Deck U.S. Presidents Flash Cards (now with President Obama)
(1) Stars and Stripes Glittery Pen
(1) Bag Marie Callender's® Cornbread Mix
(1) Copy of I Am America (And So Can You!) by Stephen Colbert
(1) Bar Waxy American Chocolate

DIRECTIONS: Read I Am America (And So Can You!) for ten minutes anytime you feel un-American. Use glittery pen for taking America-related notes. As needed, supplement reading with chocolate or cornbread consumption, study of U.S. Presidents, or recitation of The Pledge of Allegiance (using included flag).

WARNING: Use only as directed. Do not use in conjuction with Glenn Beck. Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, or other asshole.

A big thanks to T.R. for his insights on how to maintain my "American-ness" amid my U.K. loving lifestyle. A truly inspired (albeit belated) Christmas parcel.

and a happy late Valentine's Day from Edinburgh to you...

Some things transcend the cultural divide. Thanks Edinburgh YSA for giving Matt and I the awkward h.s. dance picture we never got to have.

Save My Holiday!

Before coming here, I knew that Americans had a reputation of working too many hours and not getting enough time off from work to enjoy life and...well...go on a proper "holiday". Indeed, after living here for a wee bit, I think that we do have a thing or two to learn from the British sense of priorities. Holidays are one important part of life.

Although there is a lot to say for a cross country road trip, the U.S. doesn't offer as exotic of holidays in as accessible of a way as the U.K. Afterall, if you live in the heart of Texas, just going somewhere like Las Vegas on a "holiday" would be more expensive and involved than taking an EasyJet from Edinburgh to Amsterdam or even Cyprus. Still, I do think that it comes down to cultural priorities. I am not sure what ours are on but they aren't nearly as keen on a decent holiday.

Exhibit A:
The basic rights of a UK full-time employee. Yep. That's right a MINIMUM of 28 days paid annual leave each year. I love how it is called an "entitlement". That is exactly how it is looked at.
In the U.S., what is the "entitlement" of annual leave? NONE. Yep. That's right. Apparently we are known as the "No Vacation Nation."

Example? I work 2-3 days a week as an hourly (minimum wage - at least the exchange rate is in my favour though) housekeeper. I get more paid days off as an employee than any job I have ever had. Ever. School district, the city, private employers.

Are you ready for Exhibit B?:
There are network telly programmes here dedicated to get the most (and what you deserve) out of your holiday. I present to you Save My Holiday (not sure if it will play for you overseas folk) from BBC 1 Scotland. Ironically, I discovered this programme whilst making beds and dusting furniture at the hotel where I work. How to describe this programme...?

It is a documentary with two hosts who follow different Brits that phone in with issues about their holiday. From the intro to the programme:
"We're going to coach you in the art of complaining...so you get what you paid for. Don't put up with second best."

Problems range from cleanliness or safety issues in hotel rooms, sub-par food at the hotel, misrepresented amenities at destinations, and what turns out to often be the most dramatic at times, bouts of food poisoning. Here is one story from "episode 7" (still available to watch for 6 more days on BBC 1 Scotland). Two friends are on holiday at a resort and they start to feel ill on the second day.

Host: "....that's when their holiday...hit the skids." <cue in super super dramatic music-kind of like "America's Most Wanted") On only their second day their paradise holiday had taken a depressing nose dive. Shortly afterwards, Sharon was also shot down with the same bug." ---- pans to a zooming view of a toilet (a la "CSI")

There are lots of other great moments "Save My Holiday" has to offer. And if you are ever in the market for tips on how to maximize your entitled holiday days, I would heartily recommend watching an episode or two before planning your trip. That way, you won't end up like Sharon and her friend - needing to phone into "Save My Holiday" for help. You will be a savey consumer that knows how to make the most of those 28 days a year you get.

And to think the Scots thought of it first...

While running up The Royal Mile in the last few weeks, I have noticed this sign outside of one of the touristy kilt gift shops...

It is a wonder that Deseret Book didn't think of it first. Such a reasonable price to clear the conscience of one who can't be bothered to fulfill their Mormon geneaology duty. If this marketing ploy leaks out though, I think that the post-General Conference adverts are going to be all over this as early as Spring session.