The thing about the World Cup is that it gets everywhere. Even into the office. Now, I'm not a killjoy, but I hate football. The day I moved out of my parents house was one of the happiest days of my life, because I knew that I would never have to suffer a football match again.

I hate the noise, the crowd cheering and chanting, it's just annoying. Added to that the unexpected noise that people watching the television make. I don't mind idle comments, but here I am, happily typing away, and suddenly I'm jumping out of my skin as a great roar erupts from various places all over this floor. I can see three televisions from my desk, and there is also one a few desks away behind me. There is also one in the canteen - in addition to the two already there - but this is widescreen. It's hard to find anywhere to sit and eat at lunchtime, because the canteen is full of people staring at the screen, and woe betide me if I dare to walk between the telly and the viewers.

I resent being forced to put up with everybody else's hobby. I come into the office to work, not to be disturbed by a sport that is, after all, only a game. Do people have to watch every single step of each footballer? Every single kick of the ball? Can't they be happy with simply looking up the results after it has finished? People are trying to work around here! Any England matches that are played during the day mean that I automatically
take a long lunch hour.

I'm don't mean to insult football fans, although I don't understand why the World Cup makes everyone suddenly patriotic (can anyone name St George's Day?), I do understand that they are people too. But please, be more considerate. I can't keep leaving the office every time a match is on. Please keep the sound down or wear headphones, and less of the
roaring!

Linda

20.06.02 Front Page

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