There was an article in the BBC today called “How Much Football Can You Talk About to a Non-Fan.”
It’s one of the first articles Dave has ever sent that I actually decided to read. I have my ideas about the answer to that question (2 minutes or until they fall asleep, whichever comes first), but I was curious to hear from the experts.
I already know Dave’s opinion on the subject: talk about soccer as much as possible to as many people as possible, regardless of whether or not that care, despite the fact that they’re sleeping, cursing or no longer in the room. It’s his personal mission in life to convince all non soccer-lovers that they are mistaken.
If this sounds like an exaggeration, check out this convo we had tonight:
Me: Dave, come here for a sec.
Dave: What?
Me: It’s about soccer.
Dave: Yeeeeesssssssss? (how did he get in here so fast? it was like a bolt of lightening.)
Me: Is it ok to talk soccer to people who aren’t interested?
Dave: I think it’s fine to talk to non-fans as much as I want, because if they don’t know what’s going on- they should. How else are they going to learn?
Me: Ok fine, but when should you stop talking?
Dave: I guess when they roll their eyes and zone out I know they’re not interested. But you’re a special case. It’s going to take years to wear you down, but you’ll like it eventually. It’s already working! Remember how much fun you had at the last DC United game?
Me: No, I don’t remember.
Dave: Remember when I took you to see Beckham? That was pretty cool, wasn’t it?
Me: I guess. Can you go away and stop talking to me about soccer now?
Dave: You’re the one who called me over here!
According to the BBC article, there’s an assumption (in Britain) that people who don’t care about “football” are a bunch of unpatriotic “ninnies.” Obviously soccer is a much bigger deal overseas than in the U.S. but, even in England, a new poll shows that less than half the population is interested in the sport. But never fear, soccer lovers— Dave is, single-handedly making up for that on this side of the pond.
He strategically found our current home just 5 blocks from DC United’s stadium, he’s been a front-row season ticket holder for years, doesn’t miss a game, subscribes to Fox Soccer channel so he can record and re-watch games, writes letters to the MLS commissioner about mistakes he thinks are being made in the league, has bought every one in our family (not just the immediate one) a soccer jersey, and… well, you get the picture. Sometimes I feel like Drew Barrymore in movie, Fever Pitch… which I just found out was actually a remake of a British film about how a fan’s obsession with Arsenal got in the way of his relationship.
I have tried for years to curb the soccer talk at our house. I mean, what is there to discuss when you’ve just had a 90 minute conversation with the television? But he is persistent… even learning random tidbits about players’ wives, hoping to peak my interest in any way possible.
“Dave, I’m not listening. Dave, I stopped caring 5 minutes ago. Dave, that’s enough!” Nothing works.
The BBC article quotes an etiquette expert who says it’s rude to discuss “football” with people who don’t want to hear about it… but then it quotes football fans who don’t care whether it’s rude or not. They say they can’t help themselves, and the rest of us should just get on board. So what’s a girl like me to do? Whether it’s American football, baseball, or golf (yuck), a man’s love affair with his sport-of-choice is here to stay. In the meantime, I’m trying to come up with a topic that’s as uninteresting to him as soccer is to me… so that I can torture him with it, of course. Any ideas?
What are you talking about Besa? You know you’re digging Euro 2012…what’s that? Albania didn’t qualify? Too bad, watch the games to see guys like Cristiano Ronaldo come up BIG when it counts most! Yeah that just happened from your American friend…don’t pretend like you weren’t jumping on the Astros bandwagon when they made the World Series in 2005…remember that 20 bucks you lost to me? I should have bet 20 per game! See, you care about sports when it involves something you grew up with….so respect!
I’m not against sports, my sports-obsessed friend. I just think you people (yep, I said it) need to take a hint. If someone’s snoring while you’re talking to them, they probably don’t want to hear what you’re saying.
This post makes no sense to me at all. What I really don’t get is while Dave will talk your ear off about soccer, he gets just as bored as you are if you try to talk to him about real football.
Apparently it’s fine for you to talk to him about football, even if he doesn’t care and wants to chop off his ears and not hear you. You’re supposed to just do it anyway.
Yes, I remember a conversation with Dave about football vs. soccer. He did concede that my opinion about football doesn’t count since I am from Texas. I am still laughing about that.
I do get the same reaction from Lucas when I start talking about furniture or tile or something….I can see his eyes glaze over and then he’ll say “what? I didn’t hear what you said”. Maybe you should try talking about clothes or fashion
Done. Clothes,fashion… with a touch of make-up. That might just do the trick.
I agree on the fashion. I always make Nolan watch me model new stuff, then I’ll ask his opinion about accessorizing … deer in the headlights! However, he managed not to tune me out when I said you had a few beauty products that I now have to have. That warranted an “uh-oh …” 🙂
Their ears perk up when it’s about spending money.
As you know, I can be a bit of a sports nut, but at least Dave did not go into his war metaphor for Soccer and Football and how you have to user your mind for soccer etc… You really would have an earful then.
Honestly, it all sounds the same at this point. He may have gone into the war metaphor and I didn’t even notice.