Football fan-dom, part 2

"Bonding between individuals" wrote expiringpoet, is an "unavoidable phenomenon." The reason should be obvious: "Humans need to ... find a common interest to fuel their existence."

Sports and the sharing of experience around that, even as spectators, serve this need particularly well, as the replies to questions #4 and #5 of my survey showed.

The survey was conducted on this site between 31 May 2006 and 15 June 2006. A total of 72 persons responded, whose profile you can see on the right.

Part 1 discussed the replies to the first 3 questions. Part 3 will discuss the open-ended sixth question.

 
Question no. 4

There are probably some psycho-social benefits in being part of a mass following, especially of a worldwide event like the World Cup. What are those benefits, in your opinion?

The respondents were nearly unanimous that being part of a mass following was great for social bonding, especially during a season such as the FIFA World Cup. There is a sense of being part of a shared passion. Moreover, it's a handy topic as a conversation starter too -- as fi5h said, "it is like THE pickup line for a guy to talk to another", though I don't think he meant it in any sexual way.

It could be the start of new friendships, or just the reason for having great fun while the games last.

Others pointed to the fact that sports constitute an absorbing distraction from our "miserable lives". It's something to talk about, said catatonic, "other than the usual crap about work, life and family."

At a coffee-shop in Clementi 

What was particularly interesting was that some readers had their own special insights.

"Adrenaline rushes during the course of a match," said one, "and sense of euphoria when their team wins, contributes to the sense of emotional well being." 

Even if the team should lose, you don't feel alone. Your despondency is shared too.

"When a team you support wins, you know there are others who rejoice with you. When a team you support loses, you know there are others who feel as dejected as you do," said enigmaticcynic.

Interestingly, a few persons highlighted the fact that this emotional sharing tends to transcend the usual social divisions, be they age, class or job status. There are few other interests that can do likewise.

When national teams play against each other, as in the World Cup, this shared experience fosters "cohesion... as a community, as a nation."

Flanker7 saw this a little negatively. In his view, it's a "nationalistic feeling in supporting an Asian team or European team." He added, "partly due to herd mentality."

Yet at the same time, sports reminds everyone that we're all fundamentally the same. There's a "realisation that Iranians, North Koreans are also humans," according to background26, i.e. the world peace argument.

But generally, people like to feel that they are "part of something bigger", though once again, the cynical version of the same observation is there: "there's nothing like being part of a mob to make one feel powerful."

More cynicism came from those who pointed out that the World Cup season will most surely benefit those who sell beer. But "the biggest winner will be Singapore Pools," Sneering Tree added.

I didn't quite expect two other  observations: Firstly that watching a game allows one to "laugh at friends" when their side falters. Men generally like to laugh at each other, but also know that it mustn't get too personal. Teasing others via the proxy of sports is an acceptable way.

Secondly -- and this was spoken from a female point of view --  staying plugged in, following the games, had one big reason: "because your boyfriend watches soccer."

Question no. 5

How important is it, in obtaining the psycho-social benefits, to watch World Cup games in a social setting, as opposed to watching them alone at home followed by discussing the games the following days? Or do you think it makes little difference to the average fan where he watches the games; if so, why?

Approximately 40% of the respondents felt that it made a lot of difference to watch World Cup games with friends. Another 40% felt it would be somewhat more enjoyable that way, but the difference isn't all that much, or that social watching only works for some people. About 20% felt there was really no difference between watching a game alone and with friends.

Watching Argentina vs Serbia & Monte Negro at Chijmes. Argentina would win this match 6:0 with some excellent, fluid teamplay, but throughout, the crowd here watched the game quite passively.

 
Recruit Ong made an interesting observation. He said that while the average fan might like to watch in the company of friends, "serious football fans might actually prefer to watch alone or with preferred audiences in order to avoid distraction from the 'laymen' and noise."

But many others wrote that for most, there is "a heightened level of excitement and passion" when watching in a group, not to mention being able to "talk loudly and drink in a politically correct setting."

Another reader put it this way: "fans generally prefer to watch matches with fellow supporters and get hyped up to scream against the opponents together."

"It's not just about watching your favorite team play, it's also about the other people around you, sharing your passion." wrote another reader.

"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"

"A joy shared is joy doubled, a sorrow shared is sorrow halved!"

On the other hand, some argued that sharing and bonding can take place after the game too, e.g. at the office water-cooler. Nowadays, there are message boards and online forums where one can discuss the game with like-minded fans. Hence, there are also similar "tribal" and bonding benefits without having to travel around to watch a game in a group.

Two persons brought up some drawbacks about watching in a pub or other public place. Aussiegreen pointed out that if the space is dominated by fans of a competing team, then there is a tendency to "resort to self-censorship", which takes away the fun.

Another reader observed that "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."

But I would think that's part and parcel of socialisation, isn't it? And football is, after all a social sport.

© Yawning Bread 

Footnotes

1. The appendix contains verbatim replies to
   Question 4 and Question 5.

Addenda

None