"We" or "They" - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

SofaProfessor · 03-23-2015, 03:47 PM

I will usually say "they." The times I find myself saying "we" is when I'm talking with a fan of another team.

I'm not bothered when someone says "we." I get it. I say it sometimes. I just try to avoid it because other than sitting on my ass and watching the game, I'm not involved with the team in any way. I could drop dead tomorrow and the only effect that would have on the Flames is the loss of a jersey sale every couple years.

undercoverbrother · 03-23-2015, 03:47 PM

Pronoun Snobbery

Textcritic · 03-23-2015, 03:48 PM

I haven't lived in Calgary for over 10 years. It is difficult to refer to the team in the first person.

JiriHrdina · 03-23-2015, 03:49 PM

We is fine for fans to use and not worth getting one's knickers in a knot over.
But the media should NEVER EVER use it.

And they do. Not all of them - but some do for sure. I think that is unacceptable.

troutman · 03-23-2015, 03:49 PM

"We" is generally bad form IMO. We are not on the team.

But I'm using it lately.

GioforPM · 03-23-2015, 03:49 PM

I'd never call someone out for it. And for me it's more nuanced that we or they. "We are a comeback team" or "we played really well on the PK" - I don't think I'd ever say. "We have drafted really well over the years", I could see that, though I probably wouldn't do that either.

I don't know if that makes sense. It's how I personally do it.

polak · 03-23-2015, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I haven't lived in Calgary for over 10 years. It is difficult to refer to the team in the first person.

I honestly think that is the biggest factor.

I support the German soccer team pretty much as passionately as I support Canada and Poland's respective teams (and the Flames for that matter) but I would never say "we" when speaking about them.

It was "Germany won the world cup!!" all summer. Not once did I say "we". If Poland or Canada (hah) ever won it, I'd definitely be saying we. Just like "we" won gold in Ice Hockey in 2014... and 2010... and 2002.

They are representing us. Calgarains.

Incogneto · 03-23-2015, 03:52 PM

I'm a STH, therefore I help pay salaries. That allows me to say WE.

Igster · 03-23-2015, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

"We" is generally bad form IMO. We are not on the team.

But I'm using it lately.

Yeah, I try to not use "we" because I'm not a player. I think that should be reserved for actual players. Then again, doesn't really bother me if someone says it. I just choose not to.

calf · 03-23-2015, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InCoGnEtO

I'm a STH, therefore I help pay salaries. That allows me to say WE.

I go to the same coffee shop every day, but don't say "we made a great latte".

(devil's advocating)

Textcritic · 03-23-2015, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

I honestly think that is the biggest factor.

I support the German soccer team pretty much as passionately as I support Canada and Poland's respective teams (and the Flames for that matter) but I would never say "we" when speaking about them.

It was "Germany won the world cup!!" all summer. Not once did I say "we". If Poland or Canada (hah) ever won it, I'd definitely be saying we. Just like "we" won gold in Ice Hockey in 2014... and 2010... and 2002.

It's a strange social dynamic that is largely affected by personal preferences, but even if I never returned to live in Canada again for the rest of my life, I will always be Canadian, and refer to my country in the first person.

It's different with a professional sports team. Different in a similar sense (for me) to how it was when my best friend was still on the pro boardercross circuit. He was my "favourite team," and when he won, it made my day. I was personally, heavily, emotionally invested in his successes and failures, but they were never mine. "I" never won or lost a race.

corporatejay · 03-23-2015, 03:56 PM

I try and use "they" or the flames but sometimes catch myself using "we". As mentioned, Sports Fandom is pretty ridiculous in a totally objective way. Grown men getting children (world junior, rookies) names on their back is totally absurd, in fact getting any player's name is kind of absurd, but whatever. As Chuck Klosterman says, we are basically cheering for laundry so it's pretty silly to get upset over anything.

And yes Jiri, if the media uses "We" that's totally unprofessional.

N-E-B · 03-23-2015, 03:58 PM

"We" may not be on the team, but "we" are the ones paying for tickets, food, and merchandise, so "we" have every right to include ourselves as part of the team.

To me, the team is much more than just the players. The team is the players, the coaches, management, ownership, other employees, and the fans. If even one of these parts of the team is taken away, the team does not exist. Maybe some members of the team play more important roles, but each part of the team needs the other parts.

I hate the "we're not on the team" attitude. Yes we are, we just play a different role than the players.

polak · 03-23-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Textcritic

It's a strange social dynamic that is largely affected by personal preferences, but even if I never returned to live in Canada again for the rest of my life, I will always be Canadian, and refer to my country in the first person.

It's different with a professional sports team. Different in a similar sense (for me) to how it was when my best friend was still on the pro boardercross circuit. He was my "favourite team," and when he won, it made my day. I was personally, heavily, emotionally invested in his successes and failures, but they were never mine. "I" never won or lost a race.

I think it's cause a) he wasn't representing you specifically and b) It's different when talking about an individual.

I love Tennis but I don't ever say "We/I won" when Roanic or Bouchard win a match.

GioforPM · 03-23-2015, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

"We" for sure, I've been called out for it on this board in the past and I don't care.

I hope we play well tonight.

I will do my part.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 03-23-2015, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by N-E-B

I hate the "we're not on the team" attitude. Yes we are, we just play a different role than the players.

I dunno man I don't really feel like I have a role. Unless it's that I'm a consumer, and the team is the product. I don't contribute to who wins and loses on the ice.

Enoch Root · 03-23-2015, 04:00 PM

I try and avoid it for the most part (but sometimes say 'we'), but I think it's pretty silly that some people get their knickers in a knot over it.

When fans say 'we', it is obvious that they mean it in an 'our team' kind of way and not we as in "I am part of the team".

So seriously, who cares?

However, I agree with JiriHrdina that it is a major faux pas for media to use 'we'

polak · 03-23-2015, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I dunno man I don't really feel like I have a role. Unless it's that I'm a consumer, and the team is the product. I don't contribute to who wins and loses on the ice.

But the fans are the only reason there is a team to put on the ice or even that there is ice at all.

This is a fun topic to discuss cause like everyone has said, it's such a strange concept.

polak · 03-23-2015, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

However, I agree with JiriHrdina that it is a major faux pas for media to use 'we'

or when they use "fortunately" as well. That always bugged me.

CorsiHockeyLeague · 03-23-2015, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polak

or when they use "fortunately" as well. That always bugged me.

Same here! If you're going to do that, at least say, "if you're a Flames fan" afterwards.

That said I love hearing Jack Edwards call a game so who am I to complain about media members being homers.