# What would your haka response be? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2015, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065 "2015-07-13T16:42:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/41 "2015-07-15T11:30:53Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > “Because we’ve always done it” isn’t blanket justification for anything. I look at those videos and all I see is a bunch of self-absorbed, grandstanding assholes. Who is being victimized exactly, and in what specific way? ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/42 "2015-07-15T11:38:10Z")
I would subject the All-Blacks to a withering dose of Canadian scorn. Which is operationally indistinguishable from standing there with a small smile as if to say ‘Are you quite done yet? Can we get on with the game?’ ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/43 "2015-07-15T11:48:22Z")
Read a book, check your iPhone, or maybe do a crossword puzzle. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/44 "2015-07-15T12:21:04Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Who is being victimized exactly, and in what specific way? what an odd question. I’m not sure why there has to be some specific harm before I can find something distasteful. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/45 "2015-07-15T13:00:17Z")
Frankly, I don’t seen how the haka is any more or less intimidating, silly, imposed upon others, etc. than any other sports custom. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/46 "2015-07-15T13:23:35Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > what an odd question. I’m not sure why there has to be some specific harm before I can find something distasteful. Based on your previous post, I assume that you’d prefer they didn’t continue doing the haka because ‘tradition’ is poor justification. I’m saying that unless there is actual harm being done, ‘tradition’ is pretty reasonable justification in this particular instance. It’s important to keep in mind that this is entertainment for spectators. It’s expected in the same way that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are expected at a Cowboys football game. Is it necessary? No. Is it slightly silly? Yes. But as with most traditions, you continue to repeat it because that’s the expectation. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/47 "2015-07-15T19:07:15Z")
Once, just once, I’d like the Springboks to respond with a Zulu war chant. Specifically [this one.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hxYOuTCCwE)… ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/48 "2015-07-16T01:03:20Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > OK, I’ll try just one last time to get a response from you on my question, which is central to whether they are asking for “special treatment” or not Quite simply because the Haka is a challenge - if you’re doing it in the dressing room, who are you challenging? the Towel boy? On top of that - it is part of the entertainment of the match, so it would be a shame to see it discontinued. As mentioned many many times already - if there is any sort of tradition, challenge or whatever that the other side does - then bring it! This is not something unique to the All Blacks. But the “noise” is continuously targeted at them - Almost all of it we now view as simply silly gamesmanship to try and upset the best team in the world. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/49 "2015-07-16T03:08:58Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Well, now I know what the hell a “Haka” is. > > I think. 😕 > > Has anyone ever done _The Macarena?_ 😃 For a less than serious response, see posts #19 and 20 in [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=271478) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/50 "2015-07-16T03:10:54Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > One other thing…The Haka is more than “just” a pre match routine… …it is part of one of the oldest traditions of our species, right up with pouring one out for your homies. In the US we have our women–the cheerleaders–issue the challenge, but that’s ancient, too. > [@bump](#): > > Personally, I think it would be hysterical if the Kiwis would be in the midst of their haka, and the other team would in unison, turn, drop trou and moon them, while shaking their asses at them. Yeah, another antique! Probably tens of thousands of years old, invented the day after the haka. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/51 "2015-07-16T08:43:55Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Quite simply because the Haka is a challenge - > if you’re doing it in the dressing room, who are you challenging? the Towel boy? > > On top of that - it is part of the entertainment of the match, so it would be a shame to see it discontinued. you are still avoiding the question. I’ve never said do it in the dressing room. what would be the problem with the all-blacks doing it as part of their warm-up? i.e. the anthems are the very last thing before kick-off. No-one gets any psychological advantage, no-one is forced to stand around waiting for kick-off to allow another team to do their thing. The crowd aren’t sort-changed, the opposition team can simply ignore it if they like, then both teams observe equal and neutral official niceties and off we go…what could possibly be the problem with that? It is surely the best of all possible scenarios and the all-blacks can’t possible be missing out unless…_unless_ they really _are_ seeking to gain advantage from demanding it be done immediately prior to kick off and as part of the official ceremonials. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/52 "2015-07-16T09:21:30Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > you are still avoiding the question. I’ve never said do it in the dressing room. > > what would be the problem with the all-blacks doing it as part of their warm-up? > i.e. the anthems are the very last thing before kick-off. > > No-one gets any psychological advantage, no-one is forced to stand around waiting for kick-off to allow another team to do their thing. The crowd aren’t sort-changed, the opposition team can simply ignore it if they like, then both teams observe equal and neutral official niceties and off we go…what could possibly be the problem with that? It is surely the best of all possible scenarios and the all-blacks can’t possible be missing out unless…_unless_ they really _are_ seeking to gain advantage from demanding it be done immediately prior to kick off and as part of the official ceremonials. Or unless unless… It really does scare you? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 10:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/53 "2015-07-16T10:09:36Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > One other thing…The Haka is more than “just” a pre match routine… > Which is which I mentioned it’s performance in the Boer War… > It is very much an integral part of New Zealand culture…just see when and where it is performed. > Please don’t dismiss it as just a spectacle. > > Also…as has been mentioned, opposing teams are free to huddle behind the goal line if they like. > > I have also yet to hear any complaints about other Pacific Island nations performing the Haka, I guess that’s got nothing at all to do with the ABs’ domination of the sport and the jealousy of the detractors. Now try and come up with a reason why that isn’t an appeal to tradition. Not that it really bothers me. By all means do it, just don’t try and pretend that you aren’t being indulged. You are. I saw England should follow the “spectacle” with ironic morris dancing. I mean, that goes back to the fifteenth century, it is our history blah blah blah. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 10:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/54 "2015-07-16T10:16:21Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Or unless unless… > It really does scare you? > **[BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | No WRU apology over haka dispute](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6187320.stm)** > > The Welsh Rugby Union refuses to say sorry after a row saw the All Blacks do the haka in the dressing room. > [@](#): > > The haka - a ceremonial war dance - is traditionally performed by New Zealand directly before kick off in matches. > > But it was held in private on Saturday in protest at Wales’ plan to “respond” with their own national anthem. > > WRU group chief executive Roger Lewis said the issue should have been sorted out long before the match. > > The haka is believed to have been performed on the field before matches by teams representing New Zealand since the 1880s. > > The first game between Wales and New Zealand in 1905 saw the haka followed by the Welsh crowd singing their national anthem, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau. > > This was repeated last year in a game to celebrate the centenary of tests between the two countries. > > But Wales’ wish to follow the haka with their anthem before Saturday’s match saw New Zealand refuse to stage the haka on the field. So, Wales tries to, AT THEIR OWN GROUND, directly reference the tradition from the very first meeting of the teams and the result is … the All Blacks have a hissy fit and refuse to do it in public. How is that not an example of their sense of entitlement and how they have been indulged? I mean, seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/55 "2015-07-16T13:26:03Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Or unless unless… > It really does scare you? Avoidance duly noted. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/56 "2015-07-16T13:26:08Z")
Doing what you want, performing in private is a “hissy fit”? No making you happy is there ? ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/57 "2015-07-16T13:40:29Z")
> [@bengangmo](#): > > Doing what you want, performing in private is a “hissy fit”? > > No making you happy is there ? “Not that it really bothers me. By all means do it, just don’t try and pretend that you aren’t being indulged. You are.” Learn to read, fella. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/58 "2015-07-16T13:41:53Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > I saw England should follow the “spectacle” with ironic morris dancing. That was meant to be “I say”, in case anyone was wondering. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/59 "2015-07-16T13:59:14Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > How is that not an example of their sense of entitlement and how they have been indulged? I mean, seriously. You anti-haka folks need to get your stories straight. **Novelty Bobble** argued that NZ are being indulged because they get to do the haka _on the pitch_. Now they’re being indulged because they _didn’t_ do it on the pitch? I agree, for the record, that not doing the haka properly was childish. But it’s a great tradition and I hope they (and Tonga, et al.) keep doing it in perpetuity. As a kid who grew up brown in a white country, it was pretty much the only time I saw white people tipping their hat to the culture of a brown people. ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065/60 "2015-07-16T13:59:18Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > [BBC NEWS | UK | Wales | No WRU apology over haka dispute](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/6187320.stm) > > So, Wales tries to, AT THEIR OWN GROUND, directly reference the tradition from the very first meeting of the teams and the result is … the All Blacks have a hissy fit and refuse to do it in public. > > How is that not an example of their sense of entitlement and how they have been indulged? I mean, seriously. I’ve been following this thread with some interest but no particularly strong opinion. I do think though that this example shows a certain amount of churlishness and unsporting behaviour by the All Blacks. They’d been informed well in advance what the order of events was going to be, and going against the wishes of the Welsh on their home turf at the last minute does strike me as a little petulant and designed to cause a fuss. A great shame, because the haka is an awesome spectacle, as is the Welsh national anthem. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-would-your-haka-response-be/725065.md?page=4)