# How do I fake my way through a super bowl party? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [February 3, 2011, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957 "2011-02-03T00:06:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/21 "2011-02-03T01:51:06Z")
Christ, I haven’t much followed pro football since that ignorant slut Georgia Frontiere took over the Rams, but I’ve been to a Superbowl party every year that I can remember. I’m a half-assed Chargers fan these days and everybody knows I’m a football idiot. The Superbowl is about drinking, overeating, choosing squares on the gambling sheet, watching commercials and bagging on the halftime musical act. I’ve also been to Vegas for the the past 12 years for the second round of football playoffs and everyone knows I don’t really give a shit about football. Nevertheless, I always have a load of fun hanging out with friends and partying. I don’t celebrate my ignorance, and nobody cares. I still like watching the game though. Maybe if LA ever gets a franchise, I might get interested again. Don’t worry about, don’t fake it, but don’t be an ass about it and you’ll do fine. ---
**Author:** ![pancakes3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ba9def/32.png) [@pancakes3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pancakes3)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/22 "2011-02-03T01:54:27Z")
> [@standingwave](#): > > ProTip: … Wait for a time-out or a commercial to make that run to the bathroom. normally, solid advice for football watching but not for the super bowl. ---
**Author:** ![Horatius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/horatius/32/3572_2.png) [@Horatius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatius)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/23 "2011-02-03T02:02:53Z")
Wear a CFL jersey, and every few minutes say, “What kind of a wuss needs _four_ downs?” ---
**Author:** ![not\_alice](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_alice/32/7283_2.png) [@not\_alice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_alice)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/24 "2011-02-03T02:06:43Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Christ, I haven’t much followed pro football since that ignorant slut Georgia Frontiere took over the Rams, That was the beginning of the end of my Colts too, btw. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/25 "2011-02-03T02:55:46Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > Any time someone drops the ball say “Oh shit!” It works no matter which team you arbitrarily chose to cheer for (if any). If your team drops the ball it’s a bad thing. If the other team drops it, it’s a good thing for your team and so your “Oh shit!” should sound more positive and hopeful. Other good moments for this: Someone starts running a really long distance without anyone around him. A deep pass to the endzone with players on both team at the receiving end. Another easy out is “I think it’ll be a good game, but it’s hard to get excited because (insert NFL team here) isn’t in it.” ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/26 "2011-02-03T02:59:23Z")
Get so drunk that you can’t do anything but hoot and howl. ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/27 "2011-02-03T03:11:11Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Please elaborate on why you’re going to a Super Bowl party, and why you feel that the way you comport yourself is going to be evaluated by the other attendees. > > BTW, some basic etiquette: Don’t sneak off and bang the hostess in the kitchen. It’s considered bad form. > > Unless you’re the host, of course. And even then, the bedroom (or the garage) would probably be a better choice. “Oh shit!” Well, back to other Super Bowl festivities it is, then… ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/28 "2011-02-03T03:16:16Z")
Don’t fake it. Go for the company, enjoy the game and maybe learn some of it if that interests you, if it doesn’t just be sociable, and above all don’t try to act like you’re above it all by saying things like “it’s just a football game” or “who cares?”. Oh, and if you have friends that are vested in one of the two teams, don’t be a jerk and taunt them if things start going badly for their team. That is a cardinal sin anywhere but a public bar, and even there it’s a dick move. ---
**Author:** ![JerseyFrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bcef8e/32.png) [@JerseyFrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerseyFrank)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/29 "2011-02-03T03:21:32Z")
> [@brocks](#): > > For one thing, you don’t often hear of a cunning blitz. _slow clap_ Bravo, Brav-Oh. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/30 "2011-02-03T03:54:49Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > Just say “Oh, the ads are the best part” and eat some dip. This. But replace dip with beer. Seriously..if you’re not into the game..that’s fine at all the parties I’ve gone to. Just enjoy the party. People watch. Chat. Laugh at the ads. Don’t talk to people who are intent on the game..but that won’t be most of the people. > [@kaylasdad99](#): > > BTW, some basic etiquette: Don’t sneak off and bang the hostess in the kitchen. It’s considered bad form. > . \What if it’s a birthday party? I’m just asking..no reason..\ -D/a ---
**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/31 "2011-02-03T04:06:30Z")
> [@qazwart](#): > > The other thing you can do is find a cute girl, and confess to her you really don’t understand football. Either she’ll start to tutor you in how great football is, or she’ll agree with you and you can both poke fun at everyone else. If you play your cards right, you might even poke the girl. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/32 "2011-02-03T04:20:04Z")
You’re the one who wants to go to a Super Bowl party. There’s obviously something you want to do there-- Socialize, eat nachos and chili, drink beer, watch the commercials, whatever. So go to the party and do whatever it was that you wanted to do there. Now, I personally can’t enjoy watching a game unless I pick one side to root for, but I don’t know about you. And often, the way I’ll pick a side is just to ask whom everyone else is rooting for, and then go with the consensus. Nobody minds someone rooting for the same team as them, even if it’s not all that enthusiastically. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/33 "2011-02-03T04:23:19Z")
Just say, “My mother died today but I’m such a football fan, I came here instead of her funeral.” That way people will think your such a HUGE fan, you chose football over your mum. And everyone will avoid talking to you because it will be socially ackward to bring up your mother’s death. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/34 "2011-02-03T04:35:40Z")
Certainlynot a General Question. Moved to The Game Room. **samclem** Moderator ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/35 "2011-02-03T04:47:16Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > Get so drunk that you can’t do anything but hoot and howl. Although getting so drunk that when you try to high-five someone you miss and face-plant into a coffee table is overdoing it. Or so I hear. It’s not like I know from personal experience and you can’t prove a thing and it was way back in '89 and people are allowed to do stupid things as college students so stop badgering me already. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/36 "2011-02-03T05:00:08Z")
Place a bet on one side or the other (but not both!). This should perk up your interest. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/37 "2011-02-03T05:39:02Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > You don’t need to say much about the game other than knowing who is playing and picking a side. Use a coin if you need to. Use commentary like the actual commentators do but sparingly. > > Start of the game: > > “I think the running game is going to be important in this one. The throwing game could be a game decider though.” > > “If the Packers can catch an early lead, I think it would help put them in position to win it.” > …[etc.]. I shall call this the, “Horoscope Approach” Zing. Seriously, though, you pick a side and follow that team’s direction. (This applies to any sport, by the way.) It will change from left to right, depending on the quarter, but you can tell by the way your team’s players are facing. That’s the way you want the play to go. Look for feats of athleticism, and you’ll soon find out what a touchdown is. And party as you would at any party. ---
**Author:** ![Quintas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@Quintas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quintas)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/38 "2011-02-03T06:33:19Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > If its a Packers party when anyone asks what you think of the Packers just say “They got rid of Farve at the right time”. Pronounced “Fov-Ray” ---
**Author:** ![Jules\_Andre](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jules_andre/32/9334_2.png) [@Jules\_Andre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jules_Andre)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/39 "2011-02-03T07:21:41Z")
At some point, nod your head admiringly, read the name on the back of the jersey most recently shown on close up, and say, “You know what’s best about \_\_\_\_\_\_? He’s just a FOOTBALL player.” This works in every sport btw (with obvious adjustments). And you’re guaranteed to hear it at least once sometime during the game. Maybe not say it after that, though. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957/40 "2011-02-03T07:51:59Z")
Just nod and look interested. If the conversation turns to a discussion about how this guy or that guy played in college then excuse yourself and go get something to drink. If anyone asks you a specific question, just say that you don’t like to talk about religion or politics and are only there for the food, then mention something about the average rodent population on a 17th century man of war and see what happens. Me, I enjoy discussing the commercials, but all my friends know I’m militantly uninterested in the actual game, know nothing about the players and don’t follow the teams at all either during the regular season or during the play-offs. We will be having a Superbowl party at my house as usual, and I’m not even sure who is playing. What I DO know is that I’ll be making my southern style dry rub ribs, 6 different kind of homemade chicken wings, home made chips and salsa, and my mom is bringing over tamales and refried beans (and good Arizona style tortillas…not this crap they have in New Mexico by god!), plus some red and green chili and assorted other goodies. I’ll also have the guys fire going (assuming the weather isn’t as crappy as it it this week) with cigars and various intoxicants. My advice is don’t try and fake it…just play it like you would someone who wants to talk religion or debate politics when you aren’t interested. Let the sports guys discuss to their little hearts content, and if they try and pull you in just let them know you aren’t into the discussion, don’t know much about the subject, but if they want to talk about the latest Mythbusters show and what Kerri was wearing on the last episode you are all over that. Otherwise, just tell em you are going to get a beer and some snacks… -XT [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-i-fake-my-way-through-a-super-bowl-party/569957.md?page=3)