The World Cup, Singles and Reaching Out

World Cup fever is truly upon us and, whether we like it or not, it’s all we’ll be hearing about for a month or so!

I’m no expert on the tournament, but what I like about these kinds of world events – be it the Olympics, Commonwealth Games or even the US Open – is that they’re the kind of shared experience that make friends of strangers and dissolve boundaries. And when boundaries are broken down, new and perhaps unlikely friendships can be forged.

I watched part of the opening ceremony wondering how many others, like me, were tuning in chiefly, whether psychologically or otherwise, because the occasion kind of demands it. We’re expected to be a part of something outside of ourselves, so we feel drawn in, as though strangers invited into a shared activity.

It’s just this kind of relaxed international mood that allows for greater diplomacy, but crucially for a single individual, it offers a chance to engage in an activity that will be shared by so many other people. It’s an easy talking point, and when mentioned, it draws enthusiasm even from people who usually couldn’t care less about the game.

I wouldn’t suggest readers who previously never watched a match suddenly run out to buy a top and try and snare an England fan. That’s far from what I mean. What I’m talking about is a cultural experience that can be used as conversational dynamite. When we mention a current world event, we open the conversation to absolutely anyone. On a first date, it would immediately offer common ground, even if one party hates the whole thing! There’s a conversation right there… ‘so what exactly is it that you like about 22 men kicking a ball around?’…

When a shared experience like this comes along, use it to your advantage. Instead of keeping our thoughts to ourselves, thinking nobody would be interested in our own passions, we can talk about current affairs – the world cup and beyond – and have it as a great tool to access the minds of interesting people. It’s a real opportunity to get out there, get talking, and engage with the world around you.

Bear in mind, World Cups only come around every four years,  and there’s only a month of it left to run. If you want to get out there and enjoy the buzz of conversation, you’d better get to it!