Beers & Boob

Even though I still do not quite understand the rules of rugby and how the game works, I still enjoy watching the game as a substitute for typical fall football. A couple of weekends ago, Kate and I decided to go to a bar we had never been to, to watch the ASM rugby game (Clermont’s team). We chose this particular bar because one day we passed and saw in the window people drinking liters of beer out of the big glasses you find in German beer gardens. We wanted to have a (large) drink to celebrate KU’s homecoming because we could not be there (or watch the game). We ended up sharing a table with two guys because it enabled us to better see the television. When the server came by, I ordered deux grand bieres (2 big beers), to which he replied, “ok pints,” and I said, “No, no, I mean BIG beers” (hand motion showing size requested). He then replied, “Ah yes, les masses!” (Who cares that it was only 3:00pm—it was a Saturday, why not?!) So the server lugs over these two very large beers to Kate and I, meanwhile everyone in the bar gawking at the size, and the two guys sitting with us drinking half-pints of beer. They thought we were crazy. Then again, the French aren’t known for their beer drinking, reinforced by the fact that they actually offer a half-pint size…

Anyway, we happily drank our beers as we tried to understand why large men wearing very short shorts, were grabbing each other in odd places and running into each other. Clermont ended up losing the match, but we stayed long enough to see the beginning of the next one, which was Stade Français (Paris team) vs. Toulon.

The owner of Stade Français is apparently gay (not that there is anything wrong with that) but very into theatrics. The team’s uniforms are pink, with exotic flowers on them. They also wear coordinating socks. You definitely will make a double-take when you see giant grunting rugbymen wearing PINK. As if the uniforms were not bizarre enough, this particular day there was a leopard theme, so the uniforms were not only bright pink with flowers on them, but also with blue leopard spots. This particular match also had a sort of “opening ceremony” that was televised: There were 4 very large men only wearing tarzan-esque loincloths (pink with blue leopard spots) pulling this big “iceberg.” When they got to the middle of the stadium, the crate was unveiled to reveal a real leopard in a cage. On top of the crate was a young, attractive woman, also wearing a tarzan-esque pink with leopard spots dress, except that she had one boob exposed. (on purpose!). When they showed her on the T.V., Kate and I were both shocked, and looked around the room to see if everyone else thought it bizarre as well, but it seemed to be just normal T.V. to everyone else. The woman preceded to hold a golden rugby ball in the air and parade around the middle of the field, still full boob exposed, and then it was over and the match commenced. I was still in shock—first of all, what was the purpose of the exposed boob? Second of all, I couldn’t help but compare this same situation to the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake super bowl boob exposure that was an absolute scandal in the U.S. Only in France.

I have included a link to the British broadcast with the opening ceremony:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFwHm4R7IkQ