Question:
I've been invited to a football match next week. What is one to do?
2009-04-22 10:15:40 UTC
My childhood chummy, Archibald Henderson Sidebottom telegraphed me today asking if I would accompany him to a blasted football match next week.
He's taken to supporting Chelsea, which I admit is far better than following the likes of Liverpool or Manchester United, as you do get a better class of football supporter at an upmarket venue in Chelsea but I'm still flummoxed as to what to do for the best.
Archie has become what he calls 'fashionably chavy' recently and has even started speaking in a ghastly cockney accent, and he wants to sit amongst the common types in the terraces rather than secure a corporate box.
What about these wretched 'soccer hooligans' we hear so much about? Do you think my life could be in danger if I attended?
What does one wear? Is it going a trifle overboard to wear a dinner suit?
And what does one shout when a goal is scored? When attending Eton we always shouted 'Ra ra ra' to give encouragement to our rugger team but how will that sort of thing go down at Stamford Bridge?

Please advise as one is feeling terribly confused.
Thirteen answers:
2009-04-22 11:40:24 UTC
My dear chap, you have got yourself into a rare old lather, what? Thankfully, I'm at hand to assist a fellow gentleman in his hour of need, so get your manservant to bring you a refreshing beverage (the sun's over the yardarm somewhere, old bean, and you sound in dire need of a medicinal tincture)

Now then, it sounds as if your old pal Sidebottom is a little out of touch. Slumming it with the hoi-polloi went out of fashion in the sixties and was ill-advised even then. Just look at St Tropez since those awful unwashed "rock and roll" types got in. As for Monaco, one can't move for nouveau riche eurotrash and racing car drivers, not to mention the gaggles of skinny peasant girls straight orf the steppes. Ghastly.

Of course, one can't turn down an invitation from a fellow chap so I'm afraid you'll simply have to attend this "soccer" match. However, blending in, lowering oneself to the level of the lower classes is unthinkable. The phoenix shall never parade as the common sparrow!

Our breeding, lineage, class and position has many responsibilities, onerous though they may be at times. This, I believe, is just such an occasion. You must not only attend as a shining example of the superiority of the upper classes, sprung from the loins of noble stock and forged in the hallowed halls of Eton and Oxford, but also to shame poor misguided Archie out of his grimy dalliance with the lower orders. It's one thing to let the great unwashed wallow in tribalism, but for a chap, it simply won't do.

So, get your man to lay out a well-cut suit, polish your brogues to a high gloss and dress you as befits a chap of breeding. Order a hamper from Fortnum & Mason (may I recommend the grey poupon, continental cheese and boujolais nouveau selection? Absolutely super and a snip at £120 guineas) and take the Bentley to whatever stadia is involved. I absolutely guarantee the sight of you will snap Sidebottom out of this beastly funk and reduce the soap-dodging masses to ranks of forelock-tugging toadys. The sight of a dapper gent comforts 'em see? Brings out the natural servitude. Restores proper order. With any luck, you'll be out of there before the cork's dry, mnah. Best of luck, old man and please, not a word of thanks. It's the duty of a chap to help a chap in need. Of course, if you were so inclined I'd relish a go on that smashing wife of yours. Her Laura Ashley twinset fair makes my blood boil, what?

Toodle-pip!



PS We'll see each other at Jonty's Hunt Ball, no doubt? Ta-ta.
Lady Felicity Pamper McFud
2009-04-22 10:48:54 UTC
I believe one is supposed to call out to the umpire chappy "I'm afraid you may require an appointment with the optician old chap!". Though one should wait until the second innings for this as there is nothing worse than a premature ejaculation. Apparently there is some kind of rule requiring players to keep their hands away from the ball. But anyone watching a free lob thing in front of the net will see a whole line of the chaps fumbling with their scrotums, so who knows? I must say it all seems very confusing, but do enjoy the strawberries and cream old chap. I believe they sell these in the foyer. Toodle pip.
2009-04-22 22:45:09 UTC
Gosh your friend Archie sounds like a frightful bounder - the Mockney accent is such poor form and probably a sign he's a raving homosexual. cf Damon Albarn.



There is no better advice than to simply BE YOURSELF, and others will naturally be drawn to you.



So if being yourself means wearing a dinner suit and shouting Ra ra ra, then you do that.



A warm smile and genuine kindness to the plebs is more important than what you wear or how you shout. In other words, buy them lots of booze and they really won't care - or will be too drunk to even notice.
?
2016-04-04 04:25:48 UTC
Stop living in a cyber relationship world. Facebook is nothing but random rants and playful *SAFE* flirting. You want to see if a guy is interested in you and wants more, you need to get where they are and talk to them. Your best bet is to forget the Facebook junk and try being the same in person. The longer you wait the more likely he will turn out attached or you will have missed your chance with another guy. Time to ante up and see where the chips may land.
Monty
2009-04-22 10:47:23 UTC
When slumming, dear sir, do as the rest of the ruffians do. Dress as one would when going out shooting. Minus the gun, of course.



A bit of ra ra ra may be the perfect touch. Sit near the aisle. Then if it gets too noisy and too physical, one can easily escape the carnage.
Morgan
2009-04-22 10:35:07 UTC
Yes, your life could be in danger if you attend a soccer game, especially if you sit with the commoners, don't you watch the news? Good luck.
?
2009-04-22 10:44:14 UTC
What to shout when a goal is scored? "Well played, sir!"



Naturally, in the interests of dashed good sportsmanship you must applaud the good play of either side scoring a goal.
ThatGuy
2009-04-22 10:53:49 UTC
If i saw you wearing a "dinner suit" to a "football match" I'd probably purposely spill my beer on you.



Good luck in whatever it is you're talking about.
2009-04-22 10:23:50 UTC
That's really funny... you're very entertaining... i really like your pic!!



Just make sure you're near an exit so you can dodge outta there if all hell breaks loose!



have fun!
KingRuud
2009-04-22 10:34:52 UTC
when i am dating a girl for more than about 3 weeks i really do get threatened if another man starts talking to her.



What shall i do ?
☯≈♥∞☼
2009-04-22 10:20:03 UTC
wow....you have to be taking some acting or writing class....hilarious.
+)
2009-04-22 10:37:49 UTC
I think I love you...
Aporia
2009-04-22 10:20:13 UTC
thanks for the 2 points



I dunno, your head will probably explode. Best of luck with it.


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