The fact that it was Thursday, and it was after 6pm was enough of an excuse for a post-work beer with Mr B in our lovely local pub. My sparkly g&t and his beer were also laced with the taste of a mini-celebration thanks to a fab new job offer, and we were enjoying slurping both immensly, when the innocuous looking man next to us leaned over and asked
"are you here just for the football?"
No, we weren't here for the football at all really, Mr B mumbled in reply, but had to admit that more than half an ear and eye had been following the muddy game as we were slurping and chatting. A full flowing football conversation then ensued as I gazed deeply into the bottom of my gin glass.
It struck me that it is only ever men who strike up these random, football based conversations with strangers in the pub. I suppose in a way you must take your hat off to them, men that is.
I don't think Mr B has ever been in a situation where he's had to watch a game in the pub on his own, thanks to the cheery banter of other lone football souls around him.
They'll be close as custard for the duration of the game; eyes focused sharply on the screen but ears pricked up keenly, listening intently for the cheer from the other side that means a giant blow to team pride.
But can you imagine the reaction if I leant across to a lone woman and asked if she was just here for the gin? Or the attractive barman? Or the pie and pint deal? Perhaps not a technique I'll adopt for making new friends, but you never know; if you hear of a mad old woman talking to randoms in pub about gin, it might just be me!
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