First let me say that I’m a hardcore Red Sox fan. This has never caused much trouble (besides the pre-2004 torture). Until now.
My buddy Stew is from Connecticut, and for reasons he has never been able to adaquately explain, he is a Yankee fan. This has led to some arguements and some good-natured ribbing, but never anything bad. I don’t take it that seriously.
So a few weeks ago, I get a call from Stewie and he tells me that I am going to want to call in sick to work the next day. (This was a monday.) He says, my girl Kim from upstate NY is down here picking me up. We’re about to drive up to Maine to go to her aunt’s beach house. Her sister is already up there, and she wants me to bring a friend. My boy Stew!
So of course, I go. We get there and it is right on the beach. It was great. We start drinking, having a good time. I’m hitting it off with Jess, the sister. We’re talking and playing cards and stuff. I was avoiding the Yankee topic, seeing as how I was outnumbered 3-1. But Jess starts in on me. Why don’t you take off that hat. I think you’re sporting the wrong colors. Stuff like that.
Later on she busts out the #1 left-handed compliment I’ve ever received. She says, “You’re cute for a Red Sox fan.” What am I supposed to say to that? I couldn’t think of a response so I leaned in and kissed her. I figured it was better than screaming YANKEES SUCK!
Anyway, we had a great night and I see her occasionally. Its tough since we live far apart. But that Sox/Yankee tension is always there. It makes it feel kinda dirty. I’ve ragged on my sister for dating a Yankee fan before. Has anybody else been in a situation like this? Dating someone on the other side of a huge rivalry? How did you handle it? I feel like she knows exactly how to push my buttons and that drives me nuts.
Mistake #2. It is not anything more than a game. In fact, it’s less than a game, because the actual playing of the sport seems to be less important that the image that surrounds it. It’s played by people who have no relation to you, whose actions reflect nothing about you. You don’t play on the team, you make no impact on the team. Get a hobby. Read a book.
Um, don’t make a big deal about it, something that insignificant is great to have as a way for you and her to “taunt” each other good naturedly. Enjoy games together, make silly jokes about it, and have fun. Don’t take it so seriously.
You guys are all nerds. This wasn’t about “What do you think of baseball and sports? hurhur” this is “Have you ever dated a chick who affiliated herself with something you were pitted up against?” Furthermore, excersizing my authority, don’t come in here all trolling and shit just cos y’all don’t like the coolest sport ever. But seriously, don’t be trolling.
Anyways, Dave. Congrats. I once dated a chick from my old High School’s rival school. WE never cared, cos we were part of our respective schools’ school bands, and there was no school band rivalry; all the school bands in the area liked and respected each other. On the other hand, we both got a ton of flak about it from our friends. It was funny.
Don’t worry about her ‘knowing how to press your buttons’ btw; if anything, you know how to, also, and relationships are more fun when you AND your partner can both poke fun at each other well. I think you’ll have a good time.
…OR, you guys could just like a whole new team, like the Astros. I mean shit, the 'Stros have Clemens AND Petite; we punked the goods from BOTH of your teams, lol.
