Just thought I'd share this little bit of information that I heard being shared between one adult hockey skater and another after public skate:

Adult #1: You did pretty well out there, you new to skating?

Adult #2: Yeah, I've only been skating a little while. (I have to admit, he was skating really well and working on some great drills all throughout the session without fail... except when he was trying to catch my attention to ask random skating questions... usually by skating up while I was trying to set up a spin or jump... )

Adult #1: Good choice in hobby. Y'know, chicks really dig skaters.



And that's when I left to change, trying not to laugh at the entire exchange.

So, what's the most amusing thing you've overheard at the rink?

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When asked what his "secret" to success was, Wayne Gretsky said: "Skate to where the puck is going and not to where it has been."
Is the figure skating version of this: Skate as if you're doing an axel and not just learning how to hop?

This wasn't overheard, it was said directly to me, but is most definitely the strangest and funniest thing I've ever heard at a rink.

There was a school group at the public session, and while I was putting my skates on, one of the adults with them sat down next to me. As I put on my blade guards, he watched with interest, and then asked if they were "trainers." I just sat with a puzzled look on my face, until he said, "you know, to help learn to skate."

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Right. And as we've all confessed over in the blade guard thread, we skate so much better with them on!

-Liz

Also not overheard, but said directly to me. Here's the background: I had been at an empty public session during the day, around 10 am, and it was a school day. I was 19 at the time, and didn't have classes, so I went. Anyways, I get off the ice, and I'm getting my shoes on, getting my car keys out, etc. and I have this lovely exchange with another woman (AW)

AW: Hello dear.
me: Hi
AW: This may come across a bit strange, but are you looking to date somebody? Only I have a son about your age, and it would be great to introduce you.
me: How old is your son?
aw: Oh, he's 15.
me: I think it might be slightly illegal for me to date your son. I'm 19.

The look on that woman's face was priceless. She apologized and told me that I'll be so happy if when I'm 30, people will think I'm still in my early 20's. Now, nothing against this woman, but how would a 15 year old be at the rink in the middle of the day, driving her own car, especially because you can't get a permit until you're 16. Also, I am a bit more...developed than the average 15 year old. It's a fact that's kinda hard to hide.

Well, I was asked at the ticket counter at my old weekend rink if I was a "adult or child". I said "Did you just asked me if I was a kid or an adult?" She said "Yes." I said "Lady, you just made my day today!!! I'm in my mid-30's!!!"

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

some funny ones

1. from a little kid wide eyed looking up at me: "wow are you a famous skater??!!"

that kid really made my day, and that was w/o even doing any moves on the ice, it was right when I came on the ice that she said that

2. being accidently charged the child 13 and under rate! along those lines, I once came to an early am session and the security guard approached me and asked me if my mom/dad just dropped me off!

3. once a hockey dad approached me at the end of the session and started giving me tips about my posture! LOL

this reminds me of that site overheard in NYC, which I love btw

To me.

"wow I did know old people could skate so good. I hope when I am old I can skate like that"

he was about 8 and I am 28.

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Check out the sites I run
http://www.joelisi.net
http://www.charlieday.net

Said to me while I was removing my (very fluffy) fur soakers: "Are they to keep your blades warm?" (The enquirer was deadly serious... )

Probably related to the guy who asked about my "trainers."

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Being a male figure skater, you have to be secure in yourself. I've had people ask me if I'm gay, follow me into the bathroom, and leave phone numbers in my shoes. Skating moms leave me alone in the lobby. I don't know if it's because they think I'm gay or I intimidate them (I'm a big guy). Kids don't have the pre-conceptions and tend to come up to me and ask questions frequently.

Ever thought that it could be b/c they're watching their kid to make sure you don't snatch them or something. That's the first thing I would be thinking if I was a skating mom and I have a big guy who's a stranger and came alone to skate.

Blade guards as "trainers." LOL!!! Too funny!!!

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Cheers,
jazzpants

11-04-2006: Shredded "Pre-Bronze FS for Life" Club Membership card!!!
Silver Moves is the next "Mission Impossible"
(Dare I try for Championship Adult Gold someday???)

Thank you for the support, you guys!!!

maybe to teach you to fall... cuz if you're scared to fall on purpose, you just put the guards on, step out, and BOOM you're over!

anyway, said to me: (by 2 7/8 yr olds)

"wow, are you professional?"

and by one of my friends:

"oh wow, you're so good... you can do that backward skating thingy..."

lol...

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I've had the "Are you a professional ska'aah?" (I live in London - there are certain ways the kids have to talk . . . ). I was only taking my skates off at the time

And my favourite, from a similar person, "Are they designaah skates miss?"

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Amanda

"If you are going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance . . . "

My Skating Journal

At a public session, one mom told me that her daughter said that I must be a professional skater since I had the "white skates."

I have big feet, wear size 12 boots.

One little girl, about 6 years old, skated up to me and said, "Those are the biggest figure skates I have ever seen....are you a giant?"

I'm only 6 feet tall......

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Keeping School Figures Alive!!

A few years back a little girl came up to me & exclaimed, "I saw you skating on tv yesterday!" I told her she was mistaken, but she insisted it was me. Ha! If only!

While not at the rink, but in the lobby when a bunch of us saw Stars on Ice - an older gentleman who was selling soft drinks asked me & my friend if we skate. (She pointed out her skating club jacket.) When we said yes, he asked if we could skate backwards - I tell you, that man was so impressed I thought he was going to ask for our autographs! For just skating backwards!

I didn't personally hear this one, DH told me about it.

My son was on Freestyle ice at an out-of-state rink and the observant skate director says to DH . . . "HEY!! He's a figure skater??"

(what gave it away?? the . . .umm . . figure skates??? the fact that he is on . . . freestyle ice??? the fact that he is landing loops and flips? LOLOLOL . . . )


Although to give her credit, she was really nice and showed a lot of interest (and talked dh's ear off, to boot) . . . just seems that they don't have any boy skaters "in those parts!!"

I also liked this one . . .

(said shyly to me by one of my tiny classmates when I had to take Freestyle group lessons with the kids)

. . . "what level are you??"

awwwww! that is so cute

yeah... there's something about backward skating that really impresses non-skaters... it's like, i tell my friends, "i landed a salchow jump... I'm learning a sitspin" and it's silent, but then they see a video of me going backwards (setting up for a jump or w/e) and it's like WOW YOU'RE AMAZING!!! pff.

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You know, I'd forgotten till it came up in this thread, but learning to skate backwards was a huge "I'm a real skater now" thing for me, when I was 27. I never had lessons till I up and decided to sign myself up one day that year. My dad used to show me backwards 2-foot 'S' style swizzles when I was a kid, and I just couldn't do it. I thought it was magic. He died that same year I started skating, but I was so proud that I could tell him I could skate backwards!

-Liz

Maybe, but I figure when they see me skate they realize I belong out there. I'm ALWAYS very aware of acting appropriately around children when I skate. By that I mean I completely ignore them. I may come off looking like a snob, but better that than a creep. When kids come up to me and make comments or ask questions, I'm polite but extract myself as fast as possible. Not too long ago a girl came up to me and wanted me to hold her hand and take her around the ice. Can you imagine what a parent would have done if they saw that?! I had to explain to her that I couldn't do it because it wasn't appropriate. I don't like being mean, but that's the sad reality of the situation.

Back in the days when I used to skate on public sessions, a coach once came over, laughing hysterically, pointing out a man who had picked up a pair of blade guards from the side of the rink (not realising that they were someone's private property), had put them on, and was "skating" round, clinging on to the barrier. Apparently she had spoken to him to try to explain that this was not how things are done - and his reply had been "Oh, these are much safer!"

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Mrs Redboots
~~~~~~~~
I love my computer because my friends live in it!
Ice dancers have lovely big curves!

Funny and sad at the same time:

Little girl: How old are you?

RB: 56

Little girl: Hoooooley! You're older than my Dad!!!

RB: (Thinking "Gee, thanks a lot kid!")


Isn't that a sad commentary on modern life!

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Dianne
(A.O.S.S.? Got it BAD! )

I switched colors from my old tan boots to my new white boots. Several of my students gawked and one remarked "Boy, you really cleaned those skates!" Imagine their suprise when I started wearing black boot covers.

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The darling little 12 year old who said to me and Coach "I'm one of the adults now, I just have to paste on some wrinkles!".

Hey, I've EARNED every one of my wrinkles!