I have to admit to being quite astounded when I heard about pep rallies that get held in American schools and saw a youtube clip of one. Looks like my idea of Hell. It's like that and pledging allegiance to their flag every day, the whole system is geared up to condition people to have a shared sense of identity and conformity. Add to this the worshipping of college sports and flashy spectacle you can see it as part of some larger conditioning. Personally I find it all rather creepy.

(January 20, 2018 at 12:26 pm)Mathilda Wrote:

(January 20, 2018 at 12:12 pm)alpha male Wrote: American way is better - sports are entertainment after all.

But, the UK way makes sense for soccer. You don't want to get people pumped up and ready for action right before a sport that's about as exciting as watching paint dry.

Surely if the sport is entertaining enough you don't need all the pre-show crap?

Correct. I don't need it. Neither do I need to eat a big juicy steak while I'm watching. But I'm American, so why the hell not?

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(January 20, 2018 at 12:26 pm)Cod Wrote:

(January 20, 2018 at 12:12 pm)alpha male Wrote: American way is better - sports are entertainment after all.

But, the UK way makes sense for soccer. You don't want to get people pumped up and ready for action right before a sport that's about as exciting as watching paint dry.

As opposed to the ultra exciting baseball, the riveting basketball and what's the one where they just run around aimlessly wearing crash helmets. LOL

You mean sports where 2 - 1 is a low score?

(January 20, 2018 at 2:28 pm)Mathilda Wrote: I have to admit to being quite astounded when I heard about pep rallies that get held in American schools and saw a youtube clip of one. Looks like my idea of Hell.  ..  Personally I find it all rather creepy.

I lived through that hell here and you are exactly right.  Same with the forced loyalty oath.  Fortunately when I started teaching it was in the city where the Free Speech movement either began or had its heyday.  Never had the responsibility of indoctrinating others, thank gawd.

(January 20, 2018 at 4:03 pm)Whateverist Wrote:

(January 20, 2018 at 2:28 pm)Mathilda Wrote: I have to admit to being quite astounded when I heard about pep rallies that get held in American schools and saw a youtube clip of one. Looks like my idea of Hell.  ..  Personally I find it all rather creepy.

I lived through that hell here and you are exactly right.  Same with the forced loyalty oath.  Fortunately when I started teaching it was in the city where the Free Speech movement either began or had its heyday.  Never had the responsibility of indoctrinating others, thank gawd.

Apparently neither one of you had an adolescent thing for cheerleaders with skirts flying. It could have been a rally for water polo for all I cared.

(January 20, 2018 at 4:11 pm)mh.brewer Wrote:

(January 20, 2018 at 4:03 pm)Whateverist Wrote: I lived through that hell here and you are exactly right.  Same with the forced loyalty oath.  Fortunately when I started teaching it was in the city where the Free Speech movement either began or had its heyday.  Never had the responsibility of indoctrinating others, thank gawd.

Apparently neither one of you had an adolescent thing for cheerleaders with skirts flying. It could have been a rally for water polo for all I cared.

Oh no, not until years and years later.  

(January 20, 2018 at 4:20 pm)Whateverist Wrote:

(January 20, 2018 at 4:11 pm)mh.brewer Wrote: Apparently neither one of you had an adolescent thing for cheerleaders with skirts flying. It could have been a rally for water polo for all I cared.

Oh no, not until years and years later.  

Funnily enough, me too.

Pep rallies in school were super fun! Plus we got out of class for it.

(January 20, 2018 at 7:37 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Pep rallies in school were super fun! Plus we got out of class for it.

As I recall, you are half right.

Just from your description I'll go with UK.

'Murricans hype everything. I suspect they are trying to cover up the fact that football is boring as all fuck.  Whereas everyone knows soccer is boring so why try to hide it behind loud music.

(January 20, 2018 at 7:37 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Pep rallies in school were super fun! Plus we got out of class for it.

I don't understand the point of them. If you're planning out what you are going to teach the kids throughout the school year and what they need to know, what does a pep rally achieve?