WWF

In this country, on any given Saturday, you can find a large group of men in the local coffee shop or restaurant, shouting and cheering while watching a boxing match and probably betting on the thing. Our host dad enjoys watching his boxing matches on the tube (he usually stays home to watch the events). But apparently boxing/kick boxing is a pretty popular ‘sport’ here.

Well not too long ago, I spent almost an entire hour….an Entire HOUR during one of my teaching breaks in the teacher’s lounge (which now has cable TV, don’t get me started on that topic, as teachers had a hard enough time getting to class on time prior to cable TV) explaining to ALL of the male teachers that WWF wrestling in the US was fake and only acting, and not actually real.

“But, I can hear the noise!?” they say. “Yes, I know they have a microphone, and sometimes add extra noises” I say. “But I can see the blood” they say. “Yes – it’s fake blood, not real blood. Like ketchup.” I say. “But look at them hit each other!” they say. “I know, I know… it looks pretty real, but I’m being totally honest and they are only acting” I say, and then throw fake punches at my co-teacher. A few of them laugh…. but continue to keep their eyes glued on the television, somewhat skeptical of the foreigner who tells them that this stuff is fake. I still think some of them believe it’s real, but at least I tried.