# Tell us an interesting random fact you stumbled across (Part 1) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 13, 2020, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674 "2020-04-13T03:19:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 375
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7491 "2023-09-07T16:02:27Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > I recently learned about a traditional Mexican game called _pasárutakua_, or “[fire hockey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fq8rbImc4Y)”, played with sticks and a flaming ball. That means that we have fire hockey, water (ice) hockey, earth (field) hockey and, of course, air hockey. I await the coming of the Hockey Avatar. That is absolutely awesome! I was extremely dismayed that there’s something referred to as a sport called Ultimate Frisbee that doesn’t involve fire. This is definitely ultimate hockey. ---
**Author:** ![alovem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@alovem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alovem)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2023, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7492 "2023-09-07T16:48:07Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > This is definitely ultimate hockey. Played on a floating platform in shark-infested waters. 😀 ---
**Author:** ![tofor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tofor/32/13727_2.png) [@tofor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tofor)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7493 "2023-09-08T12:53:21Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > That means that we have fire hockey, water (ice) hockey, earth (field) hockey and, of course, air hockey. There is actually underwater hockey as well, so you can get your water hockey in two ways. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7494 "2023-09-08T13:11:07Z")
And since ice is classified as a mineral we also have earth hockey in two ways. Neither of them anywhere near as awesome as fire hockey. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7495 "2023-09-08T16:31:36Z")
[Underwater ice hockey](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underwater_ice_hockey) rivals fire hockey. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7496 "2023-09-08T18:10:36Z")
TIL that in Japan there are [precision walking competitions](https://youtu.be/jINuX_Hort8?si=G9GvZnwjqf5diywO), in which teams of women walk around a large stadium creating various formations. At first I thought, “That’s rather silly,” and I was about to go to another video. But it became oddly compelling, especially when the huge audience in the arena applauded or laughed for reasons I couldn’t quite figure out. If you don’t want to watch the whole thing, at least jump to the finale, starting around 13:00. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7497 "2023-09-08T19:01:22Z")
I’m pretty sure I will never really understand Japan. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7498 "2023-09-08T19:10:12Z")
I will say, the ability of two sizeable groups of people to walk backwards on an intersecting course without looking or adjusting their speed or path and not have one bump, that’s pretty impressive. I mean, they practiced that a LOT, and did whatever you want to call it, flawlessly. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7499 "2023-09-08T19:47:03Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I’m pretty sure I will never really understand Japan. It’s not sillier than Western military marching in parades. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7500 "2023-09-08T20:28:35Z")
[A mysterious golden egg has been found in the deep sea.](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mystery-golden-egg-ocean-floor-alaska-scientists-dont-know-what-it-is/) I thought the spawn of a Deep One would be larger…. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7501 "2023-09-08T20:50:06Z")
I’ve heard people from Japan say the same thing. One said something along the lines of “I understand Japan and I still don’t understand Japan”. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7502 "2023-09-08T21:34:47Z")
Didn’t watch the video (shame) but how is that different than large scale halftime college football band entertainment carrying tubas, drums, and mascots? Or elaborate cheerleader competitions? And Olympic opening and closing ceremonies? If they fill a stadium, sell advertisement, it will make profit and show up on TV/YouTube. And it’s Japan. I’ve lived there and returned numerous times for business and vacation - some things on TV or shows are not meant to be understood by mere mortals. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7503 "2023-09-08T22:06:34Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > It’s not sillier than Western military marching in parades. I never said it was silly, at all. I agree with @Cheesesteak that’s it’s impressive, and must have taken a lot of practice and discipline. And it is similar to military drill and marching bands, but not exactly the same. The walkers would count off in sequence, or form columns of different sizes, or strike certain poses; I’m not sure why those moments drew so much applause. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7504 "2023-09-08T22:42:06Z")
> [@smithsb](#): > > Didn’t watch the video (shame) but how is that different than large scale halftime college football band entertainment carrying tubas, drums, and mascots? Or elaborate cheerleader competitions? And Olympic opening and closing ceremonies? No music, and at times they move faster than most marching band I’ve seen, not that I’ve seen many. But I think marching bands and Olympic ceremonies are a bit silly, too. I recognize the immense skill and training that must go into all of these performances, but they just seem a bit _weird_. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7505 "2023-09-08T22:46:31Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > I never said it was silly, at all. Sorry, I didn’t intend to put words in your mouth. _I_ find both activities (orchestrated walking and military marching) quite silly, but I find a lot of customs in my own culture silly too. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7506 "2023-09-08T22:56:26Z")
Time to mention [schunkeln](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlyHDNhV3KE). Germans do that: when music is played, they swing their bodies from one side to the other in unison. Like dancing sideways. Horrible. Awful. I know of no other nation where this is perpetrated. The two worst words in German: _Schunkeln_ and _Arbeitsfrühstück_. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7507 "2023-09-08T23:01:47Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Time to mention [schunkeln](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlyHDNhV3KE). Germans do that: when music is played, they swing their bodies from one side to the other in unison. Like dancing sideways. Horrible. Awful. I live in a Catholic region where Carnival is celebrated, and I’ve been in situations where I was amidst hundreds of people _schunkeling_ and had to play nice and go along. I hated it. HATED IT! I might as well shot myself in these moments. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7508 "2023-09-08T23:06:57Z")
I knew you would agree. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7509 "2023-09-08T23:08:33Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Like dancing sideways. Horrible. Awful. > I know of no other nation where this is perpetrated. We have it…just worse and we don’t have a cool word for it. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ZVpcCnwyEGM/maxresdefault.jpg "Fans sway, play saxophone to walk-up song") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVpcCnwyEGM) ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2023, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674/7510 "2023-09-08T23:11:17Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > I knew you would agree. 😃 You have it better. There’s no _schunkeln_ in Berlin. Or is there? 😱 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=374) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tell-us-an-interesting-random-fact-you-stumbled-across-part-1/851674.md?page=376)