Just a few minutes ago a friend sent me a text message with an idea for a post. Here’s how the exchange went…
Friend: Why not talk about women and sports?
Friend: The type of women who likes them... And how to include your girlfriend in your viewing experiences at home
Friend: Because I have always wanted to get into it… But my boyfriends never included me.
Me: Idiots... You have dated some real idiots.
Friend: I know right?!
The quick convo got me to thinking about what dudes can do if their girlfriends and wives want to be included. Because if they do want to watch and you don’t make them feel welcome there’s a strong chance that resentment and anger and a real pain in your ass is on the way.
Now, the friend that I was talking to about the subject is also a great hostess and loves to do the game day meals and drinks and all of that good stuff. I’m talking about chili and nachos and fries and beer and EVERYTHING. That makes her the easiest type of woman to invite to watch the game. She’s willing to bring food and drinks and take care of pretty much everything but the remote control while you enjoy all of life’s wonders. If you have this chance gentlemen you are a fool not to take it.
The best way to get that type of girl included and involved in your sports watching traditions is to let it be her idea. Let her be the planner. Let the Type A takeover. In the end it’s all for the best. Do that thing that women do to us all the time and plant the seed and see what happens. The worst case scenario is that you watch the game on the couch alone with beer and pizza, just like you were going to in the first place.
It isn’t always this cut and dry though. There can be downsides to having your female companion accompany you in your viewing time. While she may be very enthusiastic about the opportunity to spend quality time with you or watch the game or just relax there is a possibility that you will be playing teacher. There are some of us that are a lot better at this than others. It can be hard. There’s no debating that at all. It can be a test of patience, love and will-power. But, if you can pull it off. If you can keep your cool and help her out I promise that there is a pot of gold waiting at the end of that rainbow. The questions will gradually become fewer. And as they become fewer they will also become less basic and more interesting. You will be able to explain things in more advanced terms and express your opinions with regards to the situations she’s asking about.
Note: I’m fully aware that there are many, many women out there who love and understand sports and can stat gab and wax poetic about the advantages of a 3-4 defense as opposed to a 4-3. This isn’t about you. Keep up the good work!
The best thing to do is set up some easy to follow ground rules. 1st and most important is that questions need to be held until commercial breaks or time outs. It’s a simple rule, there’s nothing complicated about it. It means that you don’t miss any live game action and she still gets her questions answered. There’s also a chance that by waiting the TV commentary will provide the answer for her and you don’t have to worry about the question at all.
Another ground rule may pertain to channel surfing. This can be incredibly important as during both the regular season and playoffs there’s a strong possibility of multiple games being on at the same time. It is vital that your S.O. knows that you will be changing channels. The sticky part here is that she may not understand why each game is important to you. This is your opportunity to talk about point spreads or fantasy players or even just more intense and entertaining match-ups. Or you can not explain anything and just watch and enjoy the game. If she doesn’t push for information there’s no need for you to volunteer it and make yourself look like a giant geek. It’s not always looked upon as favorably as we hope.
Lastly, I have a recommendation – bet with your girl. Keep it fun. Don’t bet money. And win as much as you can. If she is a novice in the sporting world you have every right to take advantage of that. Go for it. If she knows what she’s talking about you had better bring you’re A game. Because if she starts beating you I can promise that she will tell her friends and your friends and it will not be pretty.
In the end my friends the upside remains a much bigger payoff than the downside is a detriment. There is one last thing that you want to make sure that your lady understands… if game night or Sunday afternoon football or whatever is your decompress, alone, relax, let the world float away time you still deserve to have some of that. Don’t be bitchy about it, but have the conversation with her and explain your position and make sure that all of your sports watching time doesn’t become a couples event.
If you can find the line and make this work I can promise that you will have success. If you don’t we can all blame my friend. It was her idea.
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