How much football does your OH watch?

v638sg7k1a92bx · 18-11-2019 1:27pm #1

Back in Ireland 10 months after being away for several years. I'm working in a small accountancy office with about 15 staff and the majority of the conversation that the men have is about football or sport in general. First I thought ok it's summer and the All Ireland is on, then it was the Rugby World Cup but now it's the premiership and these fantasy football leagues. It seems they have nothing to talk about other than football.

Not only do they spend the week talking about football but they watch hours of football at the weekends. I never noticed this before I left Ireland (which was over 7 years ago) but when I was in NZ yes people liked rugby and it was the national sport etc etc but they didn't seem to be so preoccupied with rugby as people are here with football and not only that, they support teams English football teams which they have no affiliation with. It all seems totally bizarre.

For example, there is a woman in the office was telling me about one of her weekends recently where she has two young children, one of them still a baby and the other about 7. She was taking the two kids and her daughters friends out for the day. Her husband was nowhere to be seen because he was watching the match!

YFlyer · 18-11-2019 1:33pm

People have their interest.

afkasurfjunkie · 18-11-2019 7:02pm

Mine has zero interest in football. Might follow a bit of rugby but never goes to matches. Probably half the reason I married him

meeeeh · 18-11-2019 7:22pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

Back in Ireland 10 months after being away for several years. I'm working in a small accountancy office with about 15 staff and the majority of the conversation that the men have is about football or sport in general. First I thought ok it's summer and the All Ireland is on, then it was the Rugby World Cup but now it's the premiership and these fantasy football leagues. It seems they have nothing to talk about other than football.

Not only do they spend the week talking about football but they watch hours of football at the weekends. I never noticed this before I left Ireland (which was over 7 years ago) but when I was in NZ yes people liked rugby and it was the national sport etc etc but they didn't seem to be so preoccupied with rugby as people are here with football and not only that, they support teams English football teams which they have no affiliation with. It all seems totally bizarre.

For example, there is a woman in the office was telling me about one of her weekends recently where she has two young children, one of them still a baby and the other about 7. She was taking the two kids and her daughters friends out for the day. Her husband was nowhere to be seen because he was watching the match!

In other words you don't like your coworkers.

Anyway not that much. Premier League is watched (one teams matches) and F1. Maybe an odd rugby match. Brexit coverage would be watched more lately and both Andrew Marr and Sophie Ridge are watched. We don't watch soaps or stuff like Love Island. I have absolutely no issue with sport, I would find it painful if Coronation Street or Big Brother would be on in the background.

Stheno · 18-11-2019 7:31pm

I'm female and during the rugby world cup my entire weekend was arranged to allow me watch as many matches as possible.

Monday chat was how it went at the weekend with the rugby.

Heineken cup is on now so that's also most of the weekend

Some groups are just like that

Loveinapril · 18-11-2019 7:34pm

afkasurfjunkie wrote: »

Mine has zero interest in football. Might follow a bit of rugby but never goes to matches. Probably half the reason I married him

My husband doesn't know anything about sport and wouldn't know one end of a games console from the other. He is the dream!

mfceiling · 18-11-2019 7:36pm

Male POV here. I watch a fair bit of rugby. Ireland matches are usually non negotiable for me.... I don't like to miss them.
Soccer I can take or leave.

Now.... how much "celebrity" nonsense is consumed? By women? There is a whole industry now of "celebrities" and I use that term incredibly loosely who's every movement is documented, and this seems to be driven by women interested in it.

So I suppose there is a bit of balance on both sides!!

meeeeh · 18-11-2019 7:42pm

I think the OP is a man.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 18-11-2019 7:47pm

Sport would be fairly standard workplace smalltalk wouldn't it? Nice and uncontentious and accessible.

My OH follows the premier league and I dunno, other soccer things, not a rugby guy. I've surprised myself by how much I've enjoyed going to the pub for matches the odd time, though I'd be more watching the people watching it than anything else.

We do sometimes have a rather one sided conversation about points on aggregate, relegation, transfer windows etc that's mostly just me listening and nodding but sure look, I have harmless interests that make me happy and that he politely feigns interest in too.

lozenges · 18-11-2019 8:30pm

None, thank god, as I find it deadeningly boring. He is really into rugby though but I enjoy rugby so it's all good!

We do have a playstation..which I bought after we moved in together and I use almost exclusively (I bought him some games but he doesn't play nearly as much as I do!)

v638sg7k1a92bx · 18-11-2019 8:43pm

meeeeh wrote: »

I think the OP is a man.

Thank you for misgendering me.

meeeeh · 18-11-2019 8:48pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

Thank you for misgendering me.

Yeah right...

GRACKEA · 18-11-2019 8:53pm

Oh god I remember an ex of mine used to stare over my head transfixed at TVs in pubs, at any sport, but soccer was his main favourite. And betting on it too on his phone. It really consumed him more than he realised. So boring and a bit toxic when the gambling habits are thrown in the mix.

Now it's a deal breaker for me that I'll never date another guy who's mad about sports. Casual fans fine but any rabid supporters or someone who would prioritise watching match over most other things-- absolutely not.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 18-11-2019 8:54pm

lozenges wrote: »

None, thank god, as I find it deadeningly boring. He is really into rugby though but I enjoy rugby so it's all good!

We do have a playstation..which I bought after we moved in together and I use almost exclusively (I bought him some games but he doesn't play nearly as much as I do!)

I love how everyone on here is so pretentious as if rugby is any better than football other than it’s played by allegedly new monied posh people.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 18-11-2019 9:00pm

GRACKEA wrote: »

Oh god I remember an ex of mine used to stare over my head at TVs in pubs, at any sport, but soccer was his main favourite. And betting on it too on his phone. It really consumed him more than he realised. So boring and a bit toxic when the gambling habits are thrown in the mix.

Now it's a deal breaker for me that I'll never date another guy who's mad about sports. Casual fans fine but any rabid supporters or someone who would prioritise watching match over most other things-- absolutely not.

I know, prioritising games over other things is a real insight to the type of person you’re dealing with. I understand if it’s a World Cup final and people are meeting up as a social event but this idea of no I can’t go out because Liverpool are playing Huddersfield on Sunday afternoon is something I can’t get my head around. Why would you devote so much time and energy into watching people kick a ball around in Huddersfield on a Sunday afternoon when you’ve never been to either Liverpool or Huddersfield.

bee06 · 18-11-2019 9:02pm

He’d watch one to two matches a week. Currently watching the ireland match. Doesn’t bother me. It used to be more before kids.

In terms of sports conversation at work. It’s handy small talk. There are a few lads who I would discuss it with I met them in the canteen even though I don’t have much time to watch any more.

bee06 · 18-11-2019 9:03pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

I know, prioritising games over other things is a real insight to the type of person you’re dealing with. I understand if it’s a World Cup final and people are meeting up as a social event but this idea of no I can’t go out because Liverpool are playing Huddersfield on Sunday afternoon is something I can’t get my head around. Why would you devote so much time and energy into watching people kick a ball around in Huddersfield on a Sunday afternoon when you’ve never been to either Liverpool or Huddersfield.

What hobbies do you have out of interest?

lozenges · 18-11-2019 9:04pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

I love how everyone on here is so pretentious as if rugby is any better than football other than it’s played by allegedly new monied posh people.

I don't think it's better. I enjoy watching rugby. I don't enjoy watching football. Each to their own.

Perhaps if you don't want people's opinions you shouldn't have started the thread.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 18-11-2019 9:05pm

bee06 wrote: »

What hobbies do you have out of interest?

I like to go balls deep into a good book. What difference does it make?

GRACKEA · 18-11-2019 9:06pm

The only sport worth watching imo is gymnastics. Beautiful and exciting!

v638sg7k1a92bx · 18-11-2019 9:07pm

lozenges wrote: »

I don't think it's better. I enjoy watching rugby. I don't enjoy watching football. Each to their own.

Perhaps if you don't want people's opinions you shouldn't have started the thread.

I’d hazard a guess you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if it wasn’t for the fact that they use their hands in rugby.

Stheno · 18-11-2019 9:11pm

lozenges wrote: »

I don't think it's better. I enjoy watching rugby. I don't enjoy watching football. Each to their own.

.

Same here.

lozenges · 18-11-2019 9:17pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

I’d hazard a guess you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if it wasn’t for the fact that they use their hands in rugby.

Wait, which one is rugby again? Maybe its actually Gaelic football I like. Or hurling. Gosh, I just can't be sure!

Idiot.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 18-11-2019 9:24pm

Golf, now that can go fcuk itself

meeeeh · 18-11-2019 10:18pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

I’d hazard a guess you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference if it wasn’t for the fact that they use their hands in rugby.

I bet you get a kick out of starting arguments in threads.

I find arguments about which sport is better tedious. I also have no issues if someone considers a match unmissable. Family time can be scheduled around a match. Kids can be kicked out of house for an hour or two to pick weeds.

pwurple · 19-11-2019 12:12pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

I love how everyone on here is so pretentious as if rugby is any better than football other than it’s played by allegedly new monied posh people.

Ah now, reverse snobbery is it? can you not see that rugby is a more inclusive sport than soccer. All the soccer players are almost the same build, with the odd outlier. On a rugby pitch, there's a mix of shapes and sizes. A spot for the tall lanky people for catching, the short stumpy people to get under legs, the heavy people to block and the gazelles to run the ball in. Both the speedy and the non-speedy have a role to play. I played it a bit myself, both contact and the tag version, it's good craic.

Watching sport, meh... if it results in more interest, encouraging people to keep healthy, fit mentally and physically by playing, all great. If it encourages them to go down paddy power and spend 8 hours drinking in a pub, I'm less enthused.

Moderation in all things.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 19-11-2019 12:18pm

pwurple wrote: »

Ah now, reverse snobbery is it? can you not see that rugby is a more inclusive sport than soccer. All the soccer players are almost the same build, with the odd outlier. On a rugby pitch, there's a mix of shapes and sizes. A spot for the tall lanky people for catching, the short stumpy people to get under legs, the heavy people to block and the gazelles to run the ball in. Both the speedy and the non-speedy have a role to play. I played it a bit myself, both contact and the tag version, it's good craic.

I fail to see how a sport that is played overwhelmingly in private fee paying schools is considered more inclusive.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 12:56pm

pwurple wrote: »

Ah now, reverse snobbery is it? can you not see that rugby is a more inclusive sport than soccer. All the soccer players are almost the same build, with the odd outlier. On a rugby pitch, there's a mix of shapes and sizes. A spot for the tall lanky people for catching, the short stumpy people to get under legs, the heavy people to block and the gazelles to run the ball in. Both the speedy and the non-speedy have a role to play. I played it a bit myself, both contact and the tag version, it's good craic.

Sorry but this is a complete bs. You either like certain sport or you don't but rugby is no more inclusive than soccer or any other ball sport. No ball sport suited me (I'm rubbish at all of them) so I could claim that running is more inclusive because everyone can run.

SusanC10 · 19-11-2019 1:08pm

We watch a lot of sport in our house. GAA (both Hurling & Football) and Rugby in particular. Tour de France, Sailing, Olympics etc. Kids play GAA. Husband involved in another sport.

Soccer is probably down the list. The International games Hubby and the Kids would watch. Don't follow any particular Club. Might put on later stages of the Champions League.

Don't prioritize or plan around any of them bar an All-Ireland final maybe.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 19-11-2019 1:11pm

meeeeh wrote: »

Sorry but this is a complete bs. You either like certain sport or you don't but rugby is no more inclusive than soccer or any other ball sport. No ball sport suited me (I'm rubbish at all of them) so I could claim that running is more inclusive because everyone can run.

Exactly. Rugby is the exact opposite of inclusive it's the most exclusive sport out of all of them.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 1:26pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

Exactly. Rugby is the exact opposite of inclusive it's the most exclusive sport out of all of them.

No it's not. Ball sports in general are fairly cheap and inclusive (if you are not complete klutz). My son does rugby and it's no more exclusive or harder to participate in it than GAA. I grew up among kids training skiing for example and the sports where you need expensive equipment are a lot more exclusive.

As for watching I find Giro, Tour or Vuelta great background to cooking and housework.:D

v638sg7k1a92bx · 19-11-2019 1:35pm

meeeeh wrote: »

No it's not. Ball sports in general are fairly cheap and inclusive (if you are not complete klutz). My son does rugby and it's no more exclusive or harder to participate in it than GAA. I grew up among kids training skiing for example and the sports where you need expensive equipment are a lot more exclusive.

As for watching I find Giro, Tour or Vuelta great background to cooking and housework.:D

What private school does your son go to? The expensive school is the the expensive equipment when it comes to rugby, either way, how can you that GAA, a sport played at grass roots level in every single community in Ireland from the Kerry peninsula to the Giants causeway, is less inclusive than Rugby which is played in a handful of private fee paying schools in Dublin? Aren't you embarrassed to make a statement like that without actually thinking it through for more than 5 seconds?

Btw you don't say my son "does" rugby, he plays rugby.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 2:06pm

He is in national school and is in his local Rugby club as are other kids from the area. The same goes for older age groups. as a parent who is not Irish and knows nothing about gaa or rugby I find rugby easier to get information for than gaa.

I think you just have an awful lot of prejudices about people who are not interested in the same stuff as you are or don't live the same way as you do. When I was a child my dad would take me to see rally, ski jumping, skiing, ice hockey (I love ice hockey), handball, basketball, football and those are some of my fondest memories. A year younger brother would join us sometimes but he was less interested in sport. Sport did not interfere on our family time, it made me closer to dad.

pwurple · 19-11-2019 2:35pm

meeeeh wrote: »

Sorry but this is a complete bs. You either like certain sport or you don't but rugby is no more inclusive than soccer or any other ball sport. No ball sport suited me (I'm rubbish at all of them) so I could claim that running is more inclusive because everyone can run.

That's a fairly sweeping statement. I've given my lived experience, did you play rugby or is your point that a ball is a ball is a ball... ?

Running isn't inclusive of people without any legs. Can I now say your opinion is BS?

pwurple · 19-11-2019 2:38pm

Jazlyn Mango Watercress wrote: »

What private school does your son go to? The expensive school is the the expensive equipment when it comes to rugby, either way, how can you that GAA, a sport played at grass roots level in every single community in Ireland from the Kerry peninsula to the Giants causeway, is less inclusive than Rugby which is played in a handful of private fee paying schools in Dublin? Aren't you embarrassed to make a statement like that without actually thinking it through for more than 5 seconds?

Btw you don't say my son "does" rugby, he plays rugby.

What a chip on shoulder! Someone piss in your cornflakes? My girls play at carrigaline rugby club. So far from a private school... :pac::pac:. it's a country town.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 2:43pm

pwurple wrote: »

That's a fairly sweeping statement. I've given my lived experience, did you play rugby or is your point that a ball is a ball is a ball... ?

Running isn't inclusive of people without any legs. Can I now say your opinion is BS?

I played football (soccer), basketball and volleyball I never found them exclusive, I was just not good at them. I said I find my sport is better than yours nonsense tedious and yes it is ridiculous to claim rugby is more inclusive. And no I didn't play rugby. There are many countries where rugby is not played.

Martina1991 · 19-11-2019 2:44pm

I follow the premier league. I'd try and watch every Liverpool game, and most of the other big games. I'd also be fairly invested in GAA, not just the summer but club games too.

But I work in a mostly female profession and have no one to chat about these things.

I don't know how many tea time chats I've sat in silence just because I didn't watch Game of Thrones.

Everyone has their own interests.

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 19-11-2019 2:56pm

pwurple wrote: »

What a nasty chip on the shoulder! You should have that looked at. Someone piss in your cornflakes? My girls play at <snip> rugby club. So far from a private school... :pac::pac:. it's a country town.

And a relatively affluent one, many kids at it from Blackpool or Churchfield? Or are they playing at their own inclusive rugby clubs?

I've no particular problem with rugby but soccer and GAA are sports which seem to have far fewer barriers to entry when it comes to social class for whatever reason.

Sardonicat · 19-11-2019 2:59pm

My OH has no interest in any sport whatsoever. He's an only child and his Dad was only ever interested in horse racing. I would have more basic knowledge of sports than he would and that's because of my Dad and brothers . I never played any sport. I have dyspraxia and can't throw, kick catch or run so no one would want me on their team and quite frankly I never wanted to be on one. I will say I think Rugby is an awful, violent game. I can't fathom any parent allowing their kids to play it. What possible value can be gained from a game where it's OK to hurl yourself st someone's legs to trip them up while they're running full speed or have several people throw themselves on top of you when you're on the ground? How is that kind of thughisness acceptable because it's in the context of a game? Awful. Glorified thuggery for rich boys and social climbing parents.

SusieBlue · 19-11-2019 3:04pm

Currently single but my ex watched about as much sport as I watched Love Island/Kardashians etc. so it was horses for courses.
Once he wasn't expecting me to watch it with him every week I wouldn't be complaining. Its good and healthy to have different hobbies/interests.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 3:05pm

Sardonicat wrote: »

My OH has no interest in any sport whatsoever. He's an only child and his Dad was only ever interested in horse racing. I would have more basic knowledge of sports than he would and that's because of my Dad and brothers . I never played any sport. I have dyspraxia and can't throw, kick catch or run so no one would want me on their team and quite frankly I never wanted to be on one. I will say I think Rugby is an awful, violent game. I can't fathom any parent allowing their kids to play it. What possible value can be gained from a game where it's OK to hurl yourself st someone's legs to trip them up while they're running full speed or have several people throw themselves on top of you when you're on the ground? How is that kind of thughisness acceptable because it's in the context of a game? Awful. Glorified thuggery for rich boys and social climbing parents.

I'm guessing ice hockey wouldn't be among your favorite team sports either.

pwurple · 19-11-2019 3:08pm

Sofia Echoing Tongue wrote: »

And a relatively affluent one, many kids at it from Blackpool or Churchfield? Or are they playing at their own inclusive rugby clubs?

I've no particular problem with rugby but soccer and GAA are sports which seem to have far fewer barriers to entry when it comes to social class for whatever reason.

Carrigaline is a farming town. Is that what we call affluent now?

What barriers to setting up a rugby club are there? It's a minority sport. That's the main barrier, there isn't a club in every village, because the participation numbers are low. Lack of volunteers.

Churchfield has a decent public swimming pool doesn't it? The best one in the city actually, water slides and all. Swimming is another minority sport here, but a hell of a lot more expensive to get up and running, given the facilities required. That's the choice they made.

pwurple · 19-11-2019 3:10pm

Sardonicat wrote: »

My OH has no interest in any sport whatsoever. He's an only child and his Dad was only ever interested in horse racing. I would have more basic knowledge of sports than he would and that's because of my Dad and brothers . I never played any sport. I have dyspraxia and can't throw, kick catch or run so no one would want me on their team and quite frankly I never wanted to be on one. I will say I think Rugby is an awful, violent game. I can't fathom any parent allowing their kids to play it. What possible value can be gained from a game where it's OK to hurl yourself st someone's legs to trip them up while they're running full speed or have several people throw themselves on top of you when you're on the ground? How is that kind of thughisness acceptable because it's in the context of a game? Awful. Glorified thuggery for rich boys and social climbing parents.

Thuggery? Really? It's a contact sport. I would rather all the running around and bashing into eachother than locked in a darkened room.

This is why playgrounds can't get insurance. Parents want padded cells instead of active kids.

Here are some rich boys:
Lionel Messi - Soccer. 80 million per year
Cristiano Ronaldo - Soccer 64 million per year

Dan Carter - highest paid rugby player in the world, 1.2 million per year
Matt Giteau - Second highest. 1.1 million per year.

They are on around one sixtieth of the pay...

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 19-11-2019 3:21pm

pwurple wrote: »

Carrigaline is a farming town. Is that what we call affluent now?

I'm familiar with it, compared to other parts of Cork and other "farming towns" in other parts of the country, it is relatively affluent.

What barriers to setting up a rugby club are there? It's a minority sport. That's the main barrier, there isn't a club in every village, because the participation numbers are low. Lack of volunteers.

As I said, whatever the barriers are they're clearly there, just go listen to the national rugby and soccer teams, go watch a rugby or a premier league match and tell me there's not a stark and consistent difference in the social backgrounds of the players and supporters (though the latter is changing recently with the success of the national team). Denying the blatantly obvious issue isn't going to change it like. You've said it yourself there, participation in certain communities is low, why?

Churchfield has a decent public swimming pool doesn't it? The best one in the city actually, water slides and all. Swimming is another minority sport here, but a hell of a lot more expensive to get up and running, given the facilities required. That's the choice they made.

I'm not disagreeing with any of this, I'm just saying that arguing that rugby is wonderfully inclusive because short fat people can play it is pretty stupid. I don't think there's anything inherently exclusive in the mechanics of the sport itself like.

Anyways not going to get into an argument about it because I don't really care and because we were all doing so well evading OPs machinations until they changed tack from "sport is stupid" to "rugby is stupid"

Sardonicat · 19-11-2019 3:27pm

meeeeh wrote: »

I'm guessing ice hockey wouldn't be among your favorite team sports either.

Probably not! I've never seen a game but my understanding is its pretty violent. The players are pretty well padded though, unlike in Rugby. But yeah, any 'sport' that involves deliberately inflicting violence on players horrifies me. I get that view is coloured by my condition. Obviously, I'd be toast in seconds in any kind of contact sport but I just don't like violence in any set up
and I don't think violent games have anything positive to teach children.

baby and crumble · 19-11-2019 3:52pm

I think the issue is that people who don't share an interest find it difficult to understand.

I am a big American Football fan. Once the season starts, Sunday evenings are generally spent watching games, and i will often make plans around being at home to do so. I'm not a soccer fan, bit of a rugby fan, and I like watching tennis too. Myself and my wife share those interests, almost in that order and have had great fun travelling to Wimbledon and the US Open, and over to London for NFL games.

Now, I don't watch Game of Thrones, or any of the reality shows that most of my office watch like Love Island or I'm a Celebrity. In all honesty the drudgery of having to sit through those conversations are worse that the lads talking about soccer.

So long as there's give and take in a relationship I don't see the problem.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 3:54pm

@Sardonicat

Except resistance, support, respect, friendship, discipline and many other benefits sports offer.

v638sg7k1a92bx · 19-11-2019 4:05pm

pwurple wrote: »

Like they don't 'do' irish dancing, they perform it, or they don't "do" swimming, they what, swim it? Get over yourself.

You would say that they dance and they swim. So much for the posh education. Seriously like.

meeeeh · 19-11-2019 4:29pm

Chip and shoulder come to mind.

Sardonicat · 19-11-2019 4:30pm

meeeeh wrote: »

@Sardonicat

Except resistance, support, respect, friendship, discipline and many other benefits sports offer.

Yes; sports do offer these things. I'm not denying that. But Rugby teaches precisely the values that the elite British schools wanted to instil in the future leaders of empire. We're bigger, we're stronger, we play by dirty rules and we're gonna take what we want by brute force. It's a filthy, nasty, violent game.

Sardonicat · 19-11-2019 4:31pm

pwurple wrote: »

Thuggery? Really? It's a contact sport. I would rather all the running around and bashing into eachother than locked in a darkened room.

This is why playgrounds can't get insurance. Parents want padded cells instead of active kids.

Here are some rich boys:
Lionel Messi - Soccer. 80 million per year
Cristiano Ronaldo - Soccer 64 million per year

Dan Carter - highest paid rugby player in the world, 1.2 million per year
Matt Giteau - Second highest. 1.1 million per year.

They are on around one sixtieth of the pay...

Yes, thuggery.

How much football does your OH watch?

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