What's with all these foreigners? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Barnes · 09-01-2009, 05:04 PM

Walking downtown. I saw 3 groups of people waving flags. Norway, France and Finland. I also saw Sweden at the airport.

What's the deal?

Bring_Back_Shantz · 09-01-2009, 05:06 PM

World Skills is in town.
I'm not 100% sure what it is all about, but as I understand it, it is a huge expo/competition for a wide variety of trades from around the world.

Apparently it's a pretty big deal.

You Need a Thneed · 09-01-2009, 05:06 PM

http://www.worldskills2009.com/

Puppet Guy · 09-01-2009, 05:06 PM

World Skills Competition in town. Cheer your nation's bakers on to victory.

HotHotHeat · 09-01-2009, 05:09 PM

Is there weed whipping?

Bertuzzied · 09-01-2009, 05:11 PM

Wow i'm pretty impressed with how many competitors there are from around the world. They are all staying at res here at SAIT.

4X4 · 09-01-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

Wow i'm pretty impressed with how many competitors there are from around the world. They are all staying at res here at SAIT.

That explains the group of ~30 Brazilians I saw crossing 16th in front of SAIT yesterday...

Displaced Flames fan · 09-01-2009, 05:28 PM

BlackArcher101 · 09-01-2009, 05:30 PM

Shouldn't SAIT students be moved into Rez already? Damn that sucks.

I love these kind of competitions. Ones that truly matter.

maverickstruth · 09-01-2009, 05:36 PM

Apparently, this is the 40th year that WorldSkills has been held. I believe it's only the second time it's been held in Canada. SAIT was a founding sponsor of the event, and is represented by 7 students.

It really is basically the 'olympics' of skilled trades -- a very big deal. There are dozens of competitions being held at the Stampede grounds over the next few days. Events/competitions include everything from cabinetmaking to machining to culinary arts to stonemasonry to robotics.

Even if you're not 'into' trades, it's worth going down to check out the events. The opening ceremonies are tonight, and then the competitions start tomorrow. Admission to all the competitions is free and open to the public. They don't seem to be on a set schedule, but if you go to the various venues (map here) there will be something going on pretty much all the time.

(Yes, I'm a SAIT employee. But more than anything, this is just a really neat event that you don't get to see all that often).

SteveToms · 09-01-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Shouldn't SAIT students be moved into Rez already? Damn that sucks.

I love these kind of competitions. Ones that truly matter.

SAIT is starting late this year due to WorldSkills.

4X4 · 09-01-2009, 05:45 PM

I'm pretty badass on a forklift. I wonder if I can win anything?

GreenTeaFrapp · 09-01-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

I'm pretty badass on a forklift. I wonder if I can win anything?

If you play your cards right, maybe a roll in the hay with a strapping Norwegian dude.

4X4 · 09-01-2009, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

If you play your cards right, maybe a roll in the hay with a strapping Norwegian dude.

Hopefully it's Blackeleven and he takes me to that wicked cabin up on the cliffs of the fjords...

RougeUnderoos · 09-01-2009, 07:24 PM

There are people from all over hell's half acre here. On Monday in the span of about 5 minutes I saw groups of people from Spain, Finland, Korea, Australia and Austria. They have nifty outfits and t-shirts identifying where they are from.

I saw one guy whose laminated pass identified him as a waiter. As in "competing in the waiter competition". Now this is obviously a big deal and all and I don't mean to poo-poo it, but who would want to watch a waitering competition? How do you get your name in the hat to be in the waiter competition? And who pays for the good waiter from some far-flung place to come all the way to Canada to demonstrate waitering skills?

rubecube · 09-01-2009, 08:17 PM

There better be a topless waitressing contest for the Swedes or this thing is bunk.

Hemi-Cuda · 09-01-2009, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

That explains the group of ~30 Brazilians I saw crossing 16th in front of SAIT yesterday...

if they were female, then i shame you for not taking any pictures

Finny61 · 09-01-2009, 08:47 PM

I thought this was going to be a complaint thread regarding how many immigrants come to Calgary or something. Geez.

BlackArcher101 · 09-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Finny61

I thought this was going to be a complaint thread regarding how many immigrants come to Calgary or something. Geez.

Wait a while... there will be a thread saying "What's with all these foreign World Skills competitors claiming refugee status?"

Hack&Lube · 09-01-2009, 09:22 PM

Team Austria was on the C-Train.

One of them seriously said: "Da Bomb has been plaaanted!"