h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I am still trying to understand the barman's comments to Arthur and Ford. He say's "Going to the match this afternoon?" He then goes on to state that Arsenal don't stand a chance. Now given that this a 'Particular Thursday' why are The Gunners playing an afternoon match?

Hmmm, maybe because it's fiction, not real life?

Good point. I'm struggling to think of when Arsenal would have played on a Thursday. If it was a bank holiday, the council wouldn't have turned up to knock Arthur's house down.

There have been midweek league programs, although it's a comparatively recent development. Usually, it's due to matches being re-arranged that clash with FA/League Cup ties. Moreover, if Arsenal are playing one of the stronger teams (remember, they "don't stand a chance"), it is likely that such a team would get to the later stages of the Cup competitions.
Alternatively, European ties are played midweek, with Campions League on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and UEFA/Europa Cup on Thursday. A weak Arsenal side against, say, AS Roma or Valencia would find ti very tough. However, I gather there was a period when English sides didn't enter European competitions due to a UEFA ban. I don't know how long/when exactly that was.

But they're evening, not afternoon fixtures.

As a former barman I can confirm that very often no thought at all is given to conversations with patrons, you usually just say the first thing that comes into your head*. Maybe the barman had worked 14 double shifts that week, and geniunely thought it was Saturday.


*A bit like hairdressers, but without the witty repartee.

Or maybe DNA wrote that bit, and then later decided that it would all happen on a Thursday, but didn't think to go back and change what the barman said to make it fit, or couldn't think of anything else to put in its place?

I'm just sayin'.


Geggs

I too was a barman (with no knowledge or interest in football) and can confirm I would utter complete 'fitba-ese' when talking to the patrons de maison.

How about United then? being a good starter as you had a 50/50 chance of getting it right.

What about the match last night? Allowed them to go off in any direction or sport.

Who do you reckon will win the big match today then? (See above)

However, if I was feeling particularly devilish, and the last question were fired at me, I would parry with either;

Harlequins pack should always edge it if it can dig in and drive upwards.

or

Kent. But they have to hope the middle order don't collapse and leave it to a wagging tail.

Depending on season. This would usually result in a knowing nod of agreement. The type you give the odd man on the bus when he tells you Haddock can read Braille. Then off they would wander, to pester me no more.

Yep. Arthur's barman was chancing his arm, and had obviously run out of weather related drivel.

Some of the UEFA Cup matches have very early kickoffs - Fulham kicked off at 5pm a couple of weeks ago. That could be construed as an afternoon match.

Phew, that was a game of two halves, weren't it? Thought they were a bit dodgy at the back. At the end of the day, though, got to be proud of the boys. Got a result, didn't they? Wot, they lost? Must have been thinking of the Mallets, er.. I mean the 'Ammers...... so, what about that transcendental meditation then? Another pint? Coming right up....

Yes, if it's held in GMT +3, maybe. I can't see Arthur flying to Baku to watch the Arsenal game.

(or is that GMT -3? I can never work it out)

okay but...

wasn't that the day the earth exploded?
could that have had an effect on the barman's time thingie?

I haven't read it in a while, so I might be completely and utterly wrong, but do we know for sure that it does actually happen on a Thursday?
All I seem to remember is Arthur *thinking* it must be Thursday.
But maybe his perception of time is distorted because of his hangover?

But doesn't the Guide then go on to say "On this particular Thursday something something something*...", so it must be a Thursday 'cus the Guide says it


Geggs

*okay, the memory is a bit vague on the rest of ythe sentence

Ah, well, time for me to get reading, then...

I'm liking your explanation the best because this would have been the early Thatcher years when bars were taking on more corporate training (make eye contact, greet with a smile, share small talk about the weather and impending Vogon invasion etc) and making the customer feel special. So the Arsenal line is from the book of opening conversational gambits for barmen.(Or DNA knew sod all about footie!)

He was an Arsenal fan, wasn't he? So my guess is the latter.

Arsenal are my team...and in my youth went on many occasions to Highbury on a saturday with my Dad.

I'm going to give this a bit of thought.

Did you ever go on a Thursday afternoon?

I'm gooner make a guess you didn't