little difference

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An average fan, i.e. someone who has more than a little knowledge of the game and follows the sporting scene would definitely prefer to watch in a social setting, because after or during the game they can share insights and observations. In the process he/she would actually learn more about the game.

Serious football fans might actually prefer to watch alone or with prefered audiences in order to avoid distraction from the "laymen" and noise.

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It makes a difference. As I've pointed out earlier, soccer brings out the tribal instinct in us. As with tribes, we like doing it with the gang. Watching the game alone is no fun.

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To me, it's not that big of a deal to watch games in a social setting. With technology nowadays, there are many, many venues for viewing games, getting information on games, and discussing games - primarily through the Internet. I think you can still obtain some of the psycho-social benefits even if you are not watching a game with other fans, because there are many venues to discuss and make your highs (and lows) be known to other like-minded fans who can relate to sports fandom. However, if one ever has the opportunity to watch a game live from the stadium itself, that is a great experience that I feel must and should be experienced in person.

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It would be more beneficial to be involved in a social setting, as the emotional flows are transient and thus may be lost over time (the following day). Although there are still benefits of the common topic of conversation and bonding, much of the emotional content would have ebbed by the subsequent day.

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It's the bonding that really matters. Not so fun watching alone

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I think it is very important to the average fan since post-mortem discussion is very unlikely to stir the same kind of enthusiasm and passion that on-the-spot cursing / cheers can invoke.

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Doesn't matter where. Hardcore fans just need to watch it. However, since you're talking about social benefits, you would have to be in a sizable group to actually have enough people to interact with, isn't it? So in that sense, a social setting in necessary.

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Little difference to the average fan. He just wants to catch the show.

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I think its much more fun watching in a group. In a group individuals are likely to be more immersed (few pple will yell "Goal!" when alone) so the emotional bond is stronger.

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Watching it together, and thus cursing the referee, the players and the results if it doesn’t go your way, definitely beats watching it alone. But of course, people can still find recourse in forums and message boards if they don’t watch it together, especially as some matches like those Champions League and World Cup are shown "live" in the middle of the night.

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Again, I have to bring up the idea of camraderie and "brotherhood" in that sense. I don't think there's a big difference between watching it alone or in a group but then again what do I know? Bars and pubs showing sports footage are pretty popular amongst males.

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social bonding, relaxation, fun

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unmeasurable societal energy? freedom to leave you regular life behind during a game?

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Rather important, I would think. Espeically when they're at ungodly hours - all the better to bond over supper.

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There is a certain espirit de corp when watching a game together I suppose. But real punters don't even bother to watch the games.

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it makes little difference unless the team competiting is your country or one of your favourites.

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No difference. As long as you know what you're talking about later.

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It does matter. Not so much to achieve the above, but there is also a heightened level of excitement and passion. Also a good avenue to talk loudly and drink in a politically correct setting.

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joy of sharing a goal? watching alone is not so fun, but still interesting whn the game is good.

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More and more people in Europe now watch soccer games, especially important ones like the World Cup, in groups, either in restaurants, pubs, clubs, etc. Even in the small town where I live, a giant screen has been set up in an open space where hundreds of people can watch the matches "live". (Reminds me of the "Tarzan" movies that the local community centre used to screen against the walls of our S.I.T. flat during my childhood days in Singapore in the sixties, an important social event on Sunday nights for my neighbourhood!) I know very few hard-core fans who will watch a match alone. I even know whole families that will watch their national team with their country’s flag spread across their living-room!

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Watching them in social settings might be beneficial or otherwise. One might resort to self-censorship if he is an Arsenal fan watching a Man U-Arsenal match in a pub crowded with raving, rowdy Red Devil supporters. If he is at home, he will feel less pressure to suppress his criticisms and views.

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It makes little difference thou it is viewed preferable that the average fan is up to date. Also the discussion of games only comes up after the game itself though I have to point out that watching the game in a social setting means you could discuss the game during half-time and immediately after the game and also most people do enjoy the company of friends while watching the game.

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watch in group get people who share the same passion. better still if they support your own team )

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to me, it doesn't really matter. i've got no interest in the world cup anyway. however, if my assumptions about the average fan is true, i.e. he's in it to fit in, then it doesn't really matter where he watches it.. or even if he watches it... so long as he knows what happened. as long as he knows that, he can fit in.

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Get-togethers, drinks around the television. It's not just Chinese or Indians getting together amongst their own races, it trancends the racial, religious and social boundaries. Football is truly something that binds people together. It's not just about watching your favorite team play, it's also about the other people around you, sharing your passion.

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No, one must really watch it in a group to have maximum *benefit*. A joy shared is joy doubled, a sorrow shared is sorrow halved!

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I would say it's important to a limited extent - watching the games in a social setting enhances the mood of the game because you can sense the feelings of your fellow viewers. However, discussing the games in the following days also forges a sense of shared experience and facilitates interaction with other people, albeit with less excitement since the games are already over.

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no dif, dep on individual

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for me, it doesnt matter where i watch it. in fact, i loath going to a crowded place to watch a match cos i may not be able to get a gd view. so for me it's more the post-match water-cooler talk, so to speak.

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I think watching in a social setting is more for those who like the big-match atmosphere and the camaraderie that develops among supporters. Those who watch it alone (like me) probably prefer focusing on the game. However, social benefits are probably best reaped in the first instance.

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Well, u can discuss the events happening in a football match during or after the game.

For watching football matches together, it provides that platform for friends to get together... through this, they can gather around for a chit-chat while watching the matches, and chill out.

But it is not possible to meet everytime to watch football matches, due to time constraints, inconvenience of travel etc. Thus, for the hardcore fan will still watch the matches to satisfy his interest, and then discuss it with his peers.

It still provides that common topic for him to talk to his friends, no doubt.

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It only makes a difference in the enjoyment of the game - usually better with groups.

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If you're a genuine (or average) fan, it doesn't make a difference where you watch it. but i guess there's always that extra thrill watching with a bunch of friends over drinks.

However, I for one, don't enjoy watching soccer in a social setting for the sake of 'hanging out' at some pub with drinks and staring into that big tv screen pretending that I'm actually enjoying the company i'm having. I prefer to watch soccer matches at home (if i have to - ie. like watching the finals (and only the fiinals since they're always more exciting).

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I think it actually depends on what kind of person, or fan you are. If you are really a diehard supporter, you probably wouldn't mind watching it alone. Whereas if you're there for the benefits and to get intoxicated in all the excitement and beer, then you probably wouldn't want to take on the journey alone. But then again, I feel that, World Cup or not, fans generally prefer to watch matches with fellow supporters and get hyped up to scream against the opponents together. Stressbuster alert.

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It is an animal herd instinct best enjoyed in company of people with emotions running sometimes wild.

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Not important for me; but the average fan seems to enjoy watching the games with their buddies.

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The former is more thrilling as you get to see the players 'live', just like how it's more thrilling to watch a live concert as opposed to a video clip.

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Absolutely important for bonding in a social setting.

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I would think its highly important, otherwise why would a lot of pubs, clubs and coffeeshops pay for the licensing fees to have this in their premises? Obviously it draws the crowds, its a sucessful pull. A case in point is the Red Devil's Bar.

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When watching a game in a social setting has a different atmosphere and it can feel like you're in a stadium. Watching in the comfort of home is still more exciting watching the game with family members or friends, an excuse to have a party. Sharing a common focus has a bonding effect temporarily.

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Watching a match in a social setting will involve, inevitably as is the case with most social activities, selecting the dimension of our character which we feel comfortable displaying in front of others. So while one might feel hopelessly bored watching a particular match, he has little choice but to pretend to be interested, throwing up occasional remarks on the game etc to feel in place.

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Most people find it very important to have at least one companion to watch World Cup games, even if normally they never hang out with friends at all. It makes a difference for sure since they definitely want to give their feedback (in simple words or screams or yells or gestures) to what they experience when watching the games (or matches as they call it). They just want to be heard, that's all.

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Yes. Company do matter. Part of the social setting for watching games/match. the romans have their colosium.

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I think it does make a difference. According to my friend (who says he's interested in watching), there's no point in watching the game yourself but got to have that atmosphere, compre amigo? I think that's pretty understandable since, otherwise, all you're really doing is watching some people kicking a ball in a land far far away. Having other people join in probably imbues the experience with more meaning.

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I can't speak for other people, but I watch soccerball matches on my own. You'll need more enlightened readers to give their side of the story.

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Sex and masturbation...to some, not much different. to others, it's the bonding!

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can talk cock

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I can't speak for the 'average fan', but as someone who never watches soccer or sports, EXCEPT for the World Cup, the fun of watching in a group is of great importance. I probably wouldn't watch 80% of the soccer that i ordinarily watch during World Cup, if i was watching alone. I think a serious soccer fan would still watch the matches alone, but would derive less pleasure from it. The commentary and jokes and shouting really add a lot to the fun of group watching.

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tis a given every home has a telly so it's a home event...saying this, some will gather in a pub to yell their head off...and thereby enjoying a heightened feeling of gemuetlichkeit and camaraderie and for a moment in a day of stress healthy release of tensions.

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Definitely watching together is better. Watching soccer is different from watching movies, which is more isolated. In watching soccer, the audience shouts, screams and discusses the game while it is still playing, and watching soccer alone is as lonely as singing KTV alone or clubbing alone. Even to the average fan, as long as he has a tinge of interest in the game, he is more likely to prefer watching together with fans as a form of hanging out and strengthening relationships with his friends.

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don't know, never bothered

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yes.

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The difference in watching together is the spontanous response to the happenings in the match itself. Any opinion will become stale upon hearing it the third time. Watching it in a group and discussing there and than allow the opinions to be fresh and thus exciting. The adrenaline involve when watching a match in a big crowd as compared to alone is very different in the sense that the atmosphere in a crowd make the tension high and strong. When your sense are stimulated not just visually due to the match, but "audiolly", the experience will be more hair raising and exciting.

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I think the difference is minimal though many would prefer to watch the games.

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They seem to prefer watching en masse - an extension of the male bonding ritual?

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To most people I know, it's VERY important.

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Probably makes little difference where one watches the game or with whom. But with company and beer its always more fun. Maybe because it recreates the stadia atmosphere. Probably makes little difference to the average fan because one does have to consider that late night games might mean a quick nap before hitting work.

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Possibly for very simple reason that it's less fun watching it alone. Soccer is a social sport in the first place.

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not very impt, no

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watching with a bunch of friends makes a lot of difference... creates atmosphere and fun...

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it does make a difference. It's much more fun to watch them in a social setting, where everyone in the room catches their breath when an attaempt is made. It's very important that you let loose during that time. Letting loose the next day just isn't the same.

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Having others to cheer with you makes you look less foolish?

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I think to the average fan, the psycho social benefits from watching in a social setting would be more important as his expectations of watching the game most probably would be towards some form of social interaction during the game and after the game.

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I dun know but seeing the Korea/soccer fan people have more pride and joy in a social setting than alone at home. I guess is the surroundings and the similar mindset of cheering and support for "the team".

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