Yes, that is correct and you heard it here first.
For those that play hockey (or have played) you know very well that a fight in the game is a term of endearment, call it mutual respect if you will. The agreed covenant is to engage in gladiator like battle, with no ill will after the battle has subsided. It's all in fun. Those that have played the game know this.
It's no hard feelings...it's just the way to "hammer" things out. Nothing personal.
Life however, is not exactly so cut and dried. Confrontation in life is not quite so easily dismissed, or engaged.
Let us take for example..traffic. A truly wonderful experience, loaded with good times, cheer and random acts of goodwill. (insert sarcasm anywhere)
Today, for fun, I decided to count how many times I was going to get cut off driving into downtown Toronto. For anyone that drives into Toronto, you know you ARE going to get cut off. Whether it is "rush hour" (which is from 3:30AM to 11:00PM) or 11:01PM..you ARE going to get cut off.
The answer? 8 (eight times) Eight times, I was cut off.
Twice, I was given the finger. I am not an agressive driver..quite the contrary as anyone who has driven with me will attest. When I get the finger now, I just smile and waive. I used to do it back, but I got carpal tunnel syndrome from the amount of "fingering".
Now, if that was a hockey fight...we could have punched on eachother, had bystanders (pretending they were Linesmen) break it up. Then, we would have laughed, patted eachother on the behind and offered to buy eachother a beer.
By the time we got to the bar, we would have forgotten about the fight and laughed over some hockey scores on TSN...while drinking beer. You see it's not personal.
Now, I am not advocating road rage, or violence. But what is the distinction to be drawn?
2 people engage in battle in hockey?Outcome-everyone laughs, combatants laugh afterwards.
2 people engage in battle over road rage?Police, lawsuits...all very messy, uncivilized stuff. No honour. Nobody laughs. (well, except the onlookers with a sense of humour)
Why is this? Is it because hockey players (unlike society) live by an unwritten code of honour? Society no longers lives by an unwritten code of honour and all dictates of right reason must be recorded and enforced. People no longer know (en masse) how to interact with mutual respect. Everything, from good taste to good behaviour must be legislated. Which is sad.
I watch men, (ALWAYS in Toronto...nowhere else) jump in front of senior citizens and ladies in line ups for transit, elevators...you name it.
You know what? A hockey fight would solve that crap. A gentleman would look at the line budder (God, the line budders are always such complete total nerds and geeks), shake his glove in a "you wanna go" motion. The "budder" accepts and the battle is on. After it's over, no hard feelings. Let's grab a beer!
If the "budder" doesn't accept the subsequent sting to his male pride (from cowardice) would hopefully inhibit such acts in the future.
You see? I think it can work!
Bin Laden and Bush? Strap on the skates...have a go on the ice. Duke it out. Doesn't matter who wins, go for a beer after and stop all the killing.
Yup, hockey fights. It can work.
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