Stanley Cup Incivility
Shocking post-series disrespect
What has happened to our society? How on earth can the loss of a hockey game lead to rambunctious riots?
I watched in horror this evening as a small group of sore losers in Vancouver grew in size, negativity and violence. The same group who joined together hours earlier to proudly sing our national anthem.
I can hardly believe what I’ve seen. Police cars on fire, stores being looted, and portable toilets overturned. All this ugliness in one of the most beautiful cities on earth; the same city whose citizens beamed with pride when they showed the world what hospitality really means during the Olympics.
I stumbled upon the riot when I landed on a Boston television station while channel surfing after the game. The news team was showing footage of the YVR brouhaha, and as much as the images caught my attention, it was the commentary that broke my heart. The anchors simultaneously highlighted the lack of sportsmanship and mocked the level of sophistication of Canadian hockey fans.
This event is not representative of the Vancouver that we know and love. The despicable behavior of few is taking a huge toll on the stellar reputation of many. That’s the thing about incivility. It creeps up, gains momentum and leaves deep scars. And frankly, I think we’re all fed up with it.
We expect hockey players to get black eyes as part of the game, not hockey cities. Vancouver lost more than a hockey game today, they lost face. But, as Lord Stanley knows, even when incivility rains, respect ultimately reigns. The game is over, let’s end the games.
Sue Jacques is The Civility CEO™, a corporate civility and executive etiquette consultant who helps individuals & businesses gain confidence, earn respect and create courteous corporate cultures.
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©Copyright 2011 Sue Jacques. All rights reserved. You are welcome to copy, quote or share as long as the content is intact and the writer is credited. Thank you.
Sue – I believe it was not so much sore losers – although that may have added to it. The type of people that do that may have done the damage whether they won or lost.
Thanks for your comment, JZ. I agree that the action was initiated by a handful of people with bad attitudes. The mob mentality was like a magnet.