World Cup vs. Work. Do The Math.
In America, The World Series is not really a world anything–although some could argue that teams are made up of players from all over the world, but that would be lame…and teams from Canada do not exactly spell global. Only in the U.S. would we be brash enough to call it a WORLD Series, as opposed to The National League vs. The American League Match-Up.
Nope, the real world deal is the Soccer World Cup Finals…or Football in most countries. However, I’m not sure why, but “as American as soccer and mom’s apple pie” doesn’t have the same ring as baseball and apple pie, in terms of patriotic kitsch. Maybe that’s why the sport hasn’t really ever gotten to fanatic status in the U.S.
It seems that while many of us in America roll our eyes when we hear World Cup, the rest of the planet is so wildly into it…that, from what I understand, not much work gets done during this time. Unless consuming large quantities of beer while screaming is considered work.
Since I’m in the eye-rolling section of the American population…I know zip (or is it nil?) about Soccer and don’t really have anything meaningful to say, except don’t lie to your boss about why you’re late…he or she could be a big Czech fan.
But, for those who do take it seriously, please visit Squib Kick or Soccerati where Aaron (who covers American football as well)and Milo, really know the score and the forwards, and the blood and the beer.
Goooaaallll!
Would you believe that here in Germany, many offices (including mine) actually allow their employees to watch the match during office hours? And that taking a vacation (citing the WM as reason) is also okay.
Yes, it is crazy. I think each country root for a certain kind of sport. I have witnessed all the hoopla for the NFL but, no one actually gets it here. So… to each his own
It still is nice though that US is represented in the World Cup.
Hi Melissa…danke for your comments.
It probably makes sense to allow employees to watch the matches at work…otherwise they would just end up in a pub…lol
exactly!
I hope you are not in a pub! lol
at Procter & Gamble where my hubby works, they’ve got plasma TVs on the hallway walls, and the World Cup is on. maybe the US is not that fanatic about soccer as a whole, but there are a bunch of (silent, perhaps?) fans that keep track of what’s going on.
I think there’s more than a bunch…and I think the next generation of U.S. kids are growing up learning a lot more about Soccer than previous generations.
Can you imagine the testosterone factor here in the U.S. this weekend? Father’s Day, U.S. Open, World Cup, Baseball…??? lol