# My \[i\]entire\[/i\] country is not working today **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 13, 2004, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047 "2004-03-13T05:52:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/21 "2004-03-14T11:06:03Z")
I was on a train when the match ended. People were on their cell phones listening in to the score. When we won, the whole trainload of people erupted with cheers. The hawkers on the train, who make a measly living selling their snacks, started distributing their wares for free. Some people paid them more than double their usual price. Such is the joy of cricket in this country. ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/22 "2004-03-14T13:54:55Z")
IMO, India was very lucky to get away with a win. Although our batting performance was very good (too bad for Dravid - again!), our score would have been a lot less had the Pakistani bowlers not bowled a full 5 overs extra. Add to that our pretty lacklustre bowling. Pakistan too had their share of woes, but overall I think those 5 extra overs made the difference. Not that I’m complaining 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/23 "2004-03-14T15:22:18Z")
Aha. My sister’s husband is Indian. They live in New York. Apparently he stayed up til 4 a.m. the other night to watch a cricket game. Suddenly it all makes sense … ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/24 "2004-03-14T15:44:49Z")
> [@xash](#): > > I was on a train when the match ended. People were on their cell phones listening in to the score. When we won, the whole trainload of people erupted with cheers. The hawkers on the train, who make a measly living selling their snacks, started distributing their wares for free. Some people paid them more than double their usual price. Such is the joy of cricket in this country. This really makes me miss my daily commute on the Western line. Hot, crowded, dirty and sweaty it may have been, but with friends along, it was such fun. Squished in the ladies compartment, buying _neembu_ and hair knick-knacks from itinerant hawkers…such a different life from the one I lead now. I miss Bombay. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/25 "2004-03-14T16:47:51Z")
How did Sachin do? ---
**Author:** ![II\_Gyan\_II](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/bbe5ce/32.png) [@II\_Gyan\_II](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/II_Gyan_II)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/26 "2004-03-14T16:55:52Z")
Full scorecard [here](http://usa.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2003-04/IND_IN_PAK/SCORECARDS/IND_PAK_ODI1_13MAR2004.html). I’m kicking myself. It’s Spring break here and one of my friends has DISH and the package. He invited me over, to watch the match, starting at 11 PM. So, I decided to get some shuteye before the all-nighter and then overslept. Hopefully the remaining one-days are half as exciting. ---
**Author:** ![hawkeyejo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e19b73/32.png) [@hawkeyejo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hawkeyejo)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/27 "2004-03-14T17:13:03Z")
> [@gouda](#): > > The front page of all 4 newspapers I get at home have _nothing_ but reports on the match. You get 4 newspapers!!! Boy, talk about being up to date… By the way, for any of you Dravid fans out there, a friend of mine predicted two balls before Dravid got out that he would get out on 99. Those of you who want an address and name will be given so for a certain price 😛 . Of course, he has already paid the price for his indiscretion many times over. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/28 "2004-03-14T23:01:46Z")
> [@hawkeyejo](#): > > Those of you who want an address and name will be given so for a certain price 😛 . Of course, he has already paid the price for his indiscretion many times over. :mad: Ah yes, this reminds me of the Toilet Law. The Toilet Law states that everytime I am made to stand in the loo, the opposing team _will_ lose a wicket. I have spent many happy times not being allowed to leave the washroom just to help India’s cause. The team and all you fans owe me big time. A corollary to the Toilet Law is that I can never enter the TV room while India is batting. If I step inside it, we’ll lose a wicket. My standing at the door and watching, however, does not endanger India’s prospects. Oh the trials and tribulations of being me… Anyone else got something like this they do? ---
**Author:** ![Thaumaturge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@Thaumaturge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thaumaturge)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/29 "2004-03-15T00:03:16Z")
Sports-----the _other_ opiate of the masses. ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/30 "2004-03-15T01:47:13Z")
> [@gouda](#): > > The entire frickin’ nation is not working today… because of the India-Pakistan cricket match. > > The front page of all 4 newspapers I get at home have _nothing_ but reports on the match. > > The roads are traffic free - a 10 minute ride to work today took less than half the time. The parking lots are empty. Most shops are closed. > > Labour hasn’t shown up at my construction site. Material supply came in at 8 a.m. for the first time in ages - the match started at 10 a.m. > > Everyone I know is at home, bottles of beer in the fridge, air-conditioner on, watching the match. > > And I’m sitting in the office. At least I have a TV here! Gee! What happens when the commercials come on and everyone goes to the bathroom? With that large volume of people, I’ll bet the effect of all those toilets flushing at once is responsible for tsunamis on the other side of the country! (just joking) ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/31 "2004-03-15T05:29:03Z")
> [@aankh](#): > > I miss Bombay. So do I! So what you’re saying is that you watch India batting while standing outside the TV room, and that you watch the opposing team batting while standing inside the toilet… Does it make a difference if you _sit_ outside the TV room and _sit_ in the toilet? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/32 "2004-03-15T05:32:03Z")
> [@aankh](#): > > This really makes me miss my daily commute on the Western line Actually, he was on a train back from Surat. How happy must he have been? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/33 "2004-03-15T09:09:38Z")
Bugger, I’m late. That was perhaps one of the best one-days I’ve ever seen (in my short history of being a cricket fan). Here’s hoping the five remaining ODI’s are just as impressive (with India winning every one, of course 😉 ) ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/34 "2004-03-15T10:39:52Z")
No Pakistanis on this board? Anyone supporting Pakistan at all? It’s more fun gloating when there’s someone to gloat at 😃 ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/35 "2004-03-15T10:55:34Z")
Interesting point. I don’t think there are any Pakistanis on this board. Too bad, I guess someone has to switch sides 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/36 "2004-03-15T10:59:38Z")
> [@gouda](#): > > So what you’re saying is that you watch India batting while standing outside the TV room, and that you watch the opposing team batting while standing inside the toilet… > > Does it make a difference if you _sit_ outside the TV room and _sit_ in the toilet? 😃 Oh shush. Don’t make fun of The One. You have no idea how many matches I’ve won for India by standing in the loo. > [@green\_bladder](#): > > Bugger, I’m late. That was perhaps one of the best one-days I’ve ever seen (in my short history of being a cricket fan). Here’s hoping the five remaining ODI’s are just as impressive (with India winning every one, of course ) I have my reservations. Our bowlers are young, and they did not do a very good job in the first one-day. And then there’s the matter of all the extras we got courtesy of the Pakistan bowlers: 30 extra runs and 30 extra balls (I think). That’s _five_ extra overs right there. So, I don’t know… _shakes head_ ---
**Author:** ![green\_bladder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@green\_bladder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/green_bladder)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 11:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/37 "2004-03-15T11:08:59Z")
Well, I guess we shouldn’t be too worried **aankh** , we’ll have you locked in the toilet 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2004, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/38 "2004-03-15T11:50:24Z")
> [@aankh](#): > > Oh shush. Don’t make fun of The One. You have no idea how many matches I’ve won for India by standing in the loo. We is just concerned for your well being and comfort, that’s all! No need to get nasty with us 😉 ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/39 "2004-03-16T06:00:24Z")
And it starts all over again today! The scene is a little better on the roads, with traffic at normal levels, parking lots full up, etc. Hopefully **aankh** is not already in the toilet 🙂 Another 2 hours though, and it will be like it was most of last Saturday. This is a day-nigh match, so at least some work will be got done! Incidentally, I read in yesterday’s paper that a man actually died of a heart attck while watching Saturday’s match. How can anyone get that involved in a sport? ---
**Author:** ![Aankh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2004, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047/40 "2004-03-16T06:03:55Z")
[QUOTE=gouda] And it starts all over again today! [QUOTE] Today? Isn’t the match tomorrow night? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-i-entire-i-country-is-not-working-today/234047.md?page=3)