I LIKE CHINESE
I was climbing under the stands retrieving something a spectator had dropped, when I got a radio call:

[click] This is (entrance to the Field of Play) for (my radio name). Over. [click]
[click] This is (me). Go ahead. Over. [click]
[click] Hi. We have, eh, the government of China here and they want to get up onto the ice. They don’t have the right accreditation to be down here, but I… can you advise? Over. [click]

Breath -- Why does the government of China want to go to center ice?

[click] If they’re not accredited to enter the Field of Play, then they can’t enter. Over. [click]
long pause
[click] OK. Can you come down here, please? Out.[click]

So, I walk down to the entrance door and come upon about 15 men and one woman in very nice suits, still trying to get onto center ice. I find the translator:

HER: Oh, Hello. This is [name], the Governor of [couldn’t tell you] Province. He would very much like to see the ice.

ME: OK. May I see your passes. (Only one coach had the right pass). OK, you see, only people with this pass may go up to the ice. I am very sorry, but I cannot let you go up.
[she translates] [they respond]

HER: We understand, but we are hosting a world championship, and it would be very helpful to see the ice. We don’t want to put you in a bad position, but if you could let us up for five minutes, the Governor would be very grateful.

ME: (Though I’m thinking, “What the hell are you talking about?”, I say,) I understand. But in my position, I don’t decide who gets the passes – that’s not a job I would want – I just stand guard here and check passes. I am so sorry I cannot help you more.
[she translates] [they respond]

HER: Thank you for your time.

And they all file past me, shake my hand, and smile very big at me. Very big and genuinely. I say no all day long -- nobody ever smiles about it.
I catch up with the translator as they leave and ask why they smiled.

HER: They respect rules, and also they think it’s funny the way Americans smile when they give you bad news.