Curling

a lot of people don't understand curling.  To others, it's an absolute passion.

Curling is a long-beloved relatively unknown sport in which heavy, rounded rocks are spun down a lane of ice in an attempt to land them as close as possible to the center of a target circle.  It's like a combination of bowling and "marbles."  On ice!

Who ever thought up such a thing?  Well, as usual, it was Scotland.  Scottish people invented golf, handball, throwing hammers and other objects, cycling, and also curling.  They get bored easily there, so they are always thinking up sports.  In this case the original idea was to slide river stones across a frozen pond and see who could do it most accurately.  Winner received bragging rights.

"Och!  Braw skelping!  Dinnae greet, eejit."

(That is what Scottish trash-talk sounds like.)


Since then, the game has emigrated to Canada and become much more orderly and civilized.  In fact it is the politest sport on earth.  You aren't even allowed to enjoy winning.  and if you're losing, quitting is considered a point of honor.  You can opt to shake hands with your opponents at any time and concede defeat.  "I concede, this is hopeless."  "Well sir, I assure you, there is great honor in quitting."  "Yeah I don't even know what I was thinkin."  "Your tact and sportsmanship are only exceeded by your lack of skill."  "Thanks."

You are supposed to neither taunt nor celebrate, no matter what happens.  But, in the name of strategy, you are allowed to yell at the members of your own team.  a LOT.

It seems like it's usually game-oriented instruction, but there is also a lot of foreign language being used, especially in international play.  They could be yelling anything.  Would anyone recognize a Swedish curse word?

Curling is the only sport I can think of that incorporates brooms.  I wonder how they learn that part?  It's easy to imagine someone wanting to practice sliding the stones, but how do you find the time to learn how to sweep ice really fast and accurately too?  Those are totally different skills!

Even if you're great at curling you can't exactly do it for a LIVING so sooner or later you are going to have to apply for a job.  Doesn't hurt to have extra talents on your resume, I suppose.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

* Sweeping (including ice)
* Yelling
* Politeness
* Teamwork

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