My comments were directed as a response to Theo’s about tv commentary, and I absolutely agree that they are too soft here.
Because Americans LOVE them some good vibes, hand holding, unicorns, rainbows, pocket dogs wearing baby clothes, You Go Girls, etc.
On average they need to hear how wonderful they are all the time and if they do screw something up 100 times in a row the correct comment would be, “Oh that’s okay, don’t worry and you look mahvelous in those britches!” Otherwise you may be “inhibiting their happiness” and heaven knows enough of us are in therapy for something or another already anyways. Because we’re so self oriented that we pay people to listen to us talk about ourselves…or post endlessly on the internet to talk about ourselves.
Personally I’d pay to see more dressage (and hunters and reining and whatever) where the judges had microphones and could call out, “Hey dumbass, you screwed up!” Then I might actually pay to start showing dressage, make it fun and an actual challenge…who can get back out of the arena without getting mocked…yay! 
Well, Theo…I think that European commentators are missing as many glaring faults as the U.S. commentators. Also, the riders, themselves, are greatly in denial. I believe that the responsibility of this lies in the rediculously high scores being given in the show ring for some really poor rides. As specators who aspire to higher levels watch before them, these sorry rides that are given high scores, these specators believe that what they are watching is what should be. Judging from many of the comments I have seen made, the spectators, or commentators just haven’t a clue any more.:no:
MistyBlue, you have been posting some good stuff! You go girl–lol!
anyone quotes ozzy proves right there they’re a genius.
Who is “you”? All Americans?
I think I missed the posts here where 90% of the comments were oohs and aahhs. Someone ALWAYS finds fault with posted videos. One can be diplomatic and correct and one can be an ass and correct. I’d much rather deal with someone who is diplomatic and correct because the ass would just make me want to smack them. What’s wrong with being diplomatic?
Also, who was the American commentator? Who was the German commentator? Might their individual personalities (or level on knowledge) have something to do with their style of commentating? Richard Davison does TONS of commentary, he’s british, and I’ve never heard him be anything but diplomatic.
Motivation for praise in America fits with the bottom line…people are much more productive if they aren’t verbally abused. And as you all know, America is all about the bottom line, not making people feel good. If the later was true, we’d have universal health care, a 35-40 hour work weeks, and 6 week vacation plans, like many European countries do. America = soft? Hahahahahaha!!! :lol:
It’s just not polite to call a spade a spade. The Americans accentuate the positive and give hope, that’s why we’re an ascending society. The German’s excel in being accurate and precise. That’s why so many of them do so well coming to drill the Americans, and it’s a nice living for many of them. That’s just the way it is.
It is a cultural thing. A European will tell it like it is to your face and walk off. An American will smile, spew sycophantic goo, and then turn round and tell another story to their mates. It makes it very hard to trust anybody!
Its cultural diversity… idiots … (walks off) :winkgrin:
It’s past your bedtime!
I find the European way a lot more cathartic.
Yes but it’s my birthday so I’ve been allowed to stay up late
You’ve been in the single malt?
Many Happies.
Germans are as different from other Europeans as Americans are different from other Europeans. A European generalization doesn’t work.
When the ‘other’ Europeans can start winning individual and team gold medals at the Olympics on a consistent basis, then I might think of trading in my German dressage instructor on just any old Euro. Not until then.
Yes but it’s my birthday so I’ve been allowed to stay up late
Ah…it’s my birthday in 3.5 hours! A very happy birthday to you Thomas…may your next year be filled with good health and my your internet friends have mental health.
Lol and thanks and happy birthday to you too MistyBlue. We share a birthday.
I’ve had to write to Admin to say mine’s wrong because it says there it’s the 31st and that’s definitely not me!! Must have been drunk when I first registered!
Yup, same here.:yes:
Yeah, my birthday is wrong in my profile too. Says mine’s on March 1st but it’s January 3rd.
I don’t drink so I’ll have to plead being blonde I guess. :winkgrin:
Personally I’d pay to see more dressage (and hunters and reining and whatever) where the judges had microphones and could call out, “Hey dumbass, you screwed up!”
But that’s what we pay those European instructors for!
I have this coach, an S judge from America, who has the nicest, sweetest voice. She never says anything bad. She has the patience of Job. But that nice, sweet voice and those kind words keep echoing in my ear until I am working harder, and harder and harder, until I’ve pushed myself and my horse far past what I thought we could do.
I’ve ridden with Germans, Austrians, French, Irish, Australian, Danish, you name it trainers. I’ve suffered abuse from the best. But NOBODY is a better instructor for me than she is. I think individual learning styles make a difference.
[QUOTE=MistyBlue;3773014]
Yeah, my birthday is wrong in my profile too. Says mine’s on March 1st but it’s January 3rd.
I don’t drink so I’ll have to plead being blonde I guess. :winkgrin:[/QUOTE] I’ll stick to pleading drunk. Somehow being bald doesn’t have the same ring about it
Misty and Thomas, a few glasses of bubbles for both of you!
