Spectators blowing the Vuvuzela in Soweto / Photo by Chris Botes
There has been, and will still be much debate about the blowing of the Vuvuzela!! For many this will be an important ingredient to building atmosphere at World Cup Fooball Stadiums, whilst for others this might be the source of much agitation. Fifa President Sepp Blatter said they are as characteristic of South African football as bongo drums or singing in other countries and would not be banned.
There have been safety concerns about the effect that the Vuvuzela might have on the sense of hearing and health of spectators. South African scientists have warned fans to take ear plugs to World Cup matches to avoid damaging their hearing.
World Cup authorities have undertaken to do tests to check whether the ear-splitting din from South Africa’s vuvuzela fan trumpets could pose a security risk during the tournament. Security risks would arise if stadium operations require the attention of the people in the stadium… for example, if there is an order to evacuate that stadium and an announcement is made…
Perhaps it is important not only to consider the effect that the noise might have on your ear drums, but also the risks of a slap against your ear from the guy sitting in front of you! We need to ask ourselves – what is the right way to blow the Vuvuzela – and what is the wrong way?
Correct blowing of Vuvuzela / Photo by Chris Botes
Vuvuzela Etiquette
I have come across a nice Blog posts titled Vuvuzela Etiquette for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, by Nikolai Viedge. Nikolai compiled 8 Rules we should all now about Vuvuzela Etiquette and I would like to share these Rules with all our football specators:
1. Never blow a vuvuzela in an enclosed space. A properly blown vuvuzela has the same effect on the ears as a car bomb exploding next to you. While the noise adds to the primal energy vital to football stadiums everywhere, blowing a vuvuzela in a bus, car, your office, your home, a restaurant, the hospital waiting room and the local pub is not nice for everyone else.
a. Remember, the sound comes out of the end that is pointing away from you, but which is aimed at everyone else. So while your ears may not ache in protest at your strident display of patriotism, everyone else’s will.
2. Blowing a vuvuzela requires a lot of effort. Given the nature of the instrument – wind – quite a lot of sputum accumulates in it after a particularly exciting match; worth bearing in mind if you are:
a. Going to lend your vuvuzela to someone else;
b. Borrowing someone else’s vuvuzela;
c. Planning to perform an emergency tracheotomy.
3. Point 3 follows on closely from Point 2. Unlike Antonio Stradivari’s violin, which should only be used as a violin, the vuvuzela doubles as a drinking funnel – Stradivari must be kicking himself for that oversight. Given Point 2, it is wise to rinse out your vuvuzela before putting it to use in this capacity. Furthermore, as a courtesy to other people, please wash out your vuvuzela before you take it to the next game. Sitting next to someone who not only makes the noise of an inebriated yak, but also smells like one is not anyone’s idea of a good day out.
4. Much like a Stradivari, the vuvuzela is a musical instrument and not a traditional weapon. When tempers fray during a football game, remember; blow the vuvuzela and let the security marshals resolve the fracas.
5. You are not a drum majorette, and even if you are, the vuvuzela is a not a baton.
6. While vuvuzelas will be a dime-a-dozen during the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, do not throw yours in a fit of pique. The unfortunate on who your vuvu lands is unlikely to take kindly to a clout on the head and may well ignore Point 4. Having now provided him/her with a weapon, you could struggle to explain the finer points of care for musical instruments while he/she vents his/her displeasure at being brained by yours. .
7. The atmosphere is a vast open space filled with 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen, neither of which objects to the sound of your frantic blowing. The Earth is also vast, but in and around football stadiums during the World Cup the Earth is likely to be populated with football fans who may object to having their carefully coiffed hair being blown back by your enthusiasm. In short; blow up, not down.
8. A minimum of 90 minutes of football can be tiring at the best of times, but when coupled with the lung-busting efforts of playing your vuvu, it can be downright exhausting. However, no matter how tired you are and how inviting the shoulder of the person in front of you looks, never, I repeat, never give in to the temptation to rest your vuvuzela on some unsuspecting’s shoulder and then blow vigorously. The sensation doesn’t demand a repeat performance and genuinely feels like someone is trying to hammer a large aubergine into your ear hole.
With these 8 Rules you might be able to enjoy the Football World Cup in Safety and avoid physical confrontation!
Be courteous to other spectators and be sensitive to their safety and physical health as well! Also remember to adhere to the calls from stadium announcers and to respect the playing of the National Anthems of both teams. It shows respect to listen to the National Anthems and not to blow your Vuvuzela at this time!!
Remember that Hearing is also important for Safety on the Road!!
Also view:
Road Safety during the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa