Sociology- a lesson in human behavior

Wikipedia's definition of Sociology is "a branch of the social sciences that uses systematic methods of empirical investigation and critical analysis to develop and refine a body of knowledge about human social structure and activity, sometimes with the goal of applying such knowledge to the pursuit of social welfare. Its subject matter ranges from the micro level of face-to-face interaction to the macro level of societies at large." The simple definition, "the study of social human behavior." Yes, you can get your Doctorate degree in Sociology, but I'm not going there. There must, however, be hundreds of lessons learned on this trip and one of the greatest will have been simply learned observing the interaction of others. Of course one of our first is our parents, and I'm convinced it was as hard or harder for the parents than the boys as many experienced their first separation anxiety from home. There's the foundation of 'trust and validate' that the players put in their Coach as they left the US, and the same if not greater that the Coach put in a tested and proven relationship on the other side of the world to provide the essentials of life, like a place of rest and food...and that could not have gone any smoother! Thank you Sven-Erik!! There's the culmination of 50,000 people from 62 nations in one stadium with things they cannot change like their birth place and color; along with things they can, like where they live, the language they choose to speak and how they choose to interact. Of course we saw some who chose to live a little different, and those whose job it was to be a little different (Stephan new best friend). But the single thing that brought us all together on this journey was the love and passion for 'futbol', or as we call it in the US, 'soccer'. Another one of the lessons learned was how 'interactive' football is at a world-class level. Our lack of aggressiveness was pointed out by the referee in our last game of the Dana Cup as a lesson we had yet to learn; or more appropriately, yet to apply. Yes, this was evidenced on its own when fighting for all you're worth because of a distinct advantage one must overcome, like height, when playing a team like Norway's Teie (Yes, that's a player between Diamond and Saul and no, the Teie player between Cian and Jon is not on anyone's back). But there's also the communication/ interaction required of any sport between the Coach and its players to convey that message, and in a way that builds up the players without breaking their spirit.

But even with two games a day, that's only 4-6 hours a day of 'soccer'. There's almost 20 additional hours of social interaction after the games and with those from other teams. Take for instance the evening when we were wrapping up ice cream on a grassy hill and some Swedish girls were going back to their dorm. Swedish girls would all appear to be natural blondes, have a particular fetish for American boys and as we quickly learned, LOVE Ben & Jerry's ice cream. We also learned how our boys have yet to master our national anthem while they could almost sing theirs in perfect harmony?! But that didn't stop them from exchanging their 'good nights' and even the distribution of an LISC business card so they could keep in touch (I have yet to link the video of them singing). Just like there were pictures after every game with the two boy's teams mixed together, there were as many interactions with boys and girls. Of course not all interactions were in groups. Joey, for instance, had a pair of Swedish girls, Belle & Moah, that took a liking to him. If you're looking ahead faster than you're reading, you're likely asking where the Chaperones were on this one. Well I assure you it was all controlled and in the open and yes, there's a reason why there were so many photos. Stephan's camera was acting up and he insisted they repose for another take. You counted right, there were three takes after it was all said and done and the best I can tell, Stephan and Joey were not in kahootz.

A neat encouragement of social interaction in Gothenburg, Sweden was designated zones, maybe 6' x 6' square, with a sign posted promoting a particular behavior. As an example, there was a 'byte-zone' or swap zone intended to encourage the trading of an iPod for a chicken. Ya, it took me a little bit to figure it all out, but you get the idea :-). Here's another, a 'kram zon' or hug-zone; and how better to demonstrate than a mother and her son. Okay, you're right...you're still thinking about Joey. One of my favorite interactions had to be between Denise, a blonde, and the cutest little girl named Gabrielle while at Alvsborg Fortress. Gabrielle's cute laughter at herself is seen here after asking Denise if she spoke English. The only problem, as her father brought to her attention, was she was asking it in Swedish?!

Of course there were several other language barriers and cultural differences that just disappeared. Take for instance the interaction among our team alone representing the nations of Bosnia, Greece, Hong Kong, Zambia and the Ivory Coast. Then add the close quarters of a classroom with cots lined up next to one another like Sardines, different metabolism rates and maturity levels and what could have been a recipe for disaster, became a huge team building experience. The language barrier sure didn't create any problems as our boys were racing arcade games with the girls from Norway?! Nor did it affect the interaction between the Swedish girls and our boys on the ferry ride from Gothenburg to Fredricksburg. Or even greater, the apparel swapped among Saul and Wiley and the Zambian Eagles who went on to win the Gothia Cup B14 class. Or bigger yet, the relocation of a family of Italians from Italy who opened a WONDERFUL Pizzeria in Hirtshals, Denmark. Not only did they experience a huge cultural change, but the Chef even gave up his personal dinner that night so Mac could have his appetizer.

Not all interactions were international. Many were with other American teams like the 365 Teams that only came together a couple weeks before the tournament, yet from all different States of the Union. Which really is summarized and memorialized on our US coinage with the latin phrase "e pluribus unum" meaning out of many comes one. We experienced this during the Opening Ceremony at the Gothia Cup, the Opening Parade at the Dana Cup and probably really 'hit me' while walking through the bunkers of Hirtshal and talking with one of the volunteers. He shared with us how thankful he was for his freedom because of what the Allies did for him and his people in World War II. He summarized it as 'taking a stand for freedom and what is right, and then being willing to fight for it, even to death' as he reminded us that there are still Danes fighting in Afghanistan for people we don't even know just so they can have what we have. So as we wrap up two weeks of World-class Football, I'm disappointed that we didn't win a Cup, but full of the greatest appreciation for those who have given their 'all' to make this trip happen...the founders of the tournaments, the organizers, the volunteers, the parents, the players, the coaches, the referees and citizens. But, I also go to bed tonight with a much deeper and greater appreciation for our soldiers because they not only have given their 'all', but too many have given the ultimate sacrifice so we could be here today competing. To have won a Cup and not learned this lessen would have been worthless. However, to have not earned a Cup, but learned this lesson I deem 'priceless'. Take this to heart and live it to the fullest and you will not be returning home empty handed, but instead still return home champions!!

TEK