How to Be Friends with Someone Who Likes a Rival Sports Team
So, you’re a Yankees fan, but your buddy likes the Red Sox. Or you’re a Cowboys fan, and your friend is partial to the Patriots. It can be tough to be friends with someone who is a fan of a rival sports team, especially when the season is in full swing and definitely when the two teams are playing against each other. But with a little hard work, you can find a way to make the friendship sustainable.
Remember that competition can be friendly.
For diehard fans, sports rivalries are serious business. But it’s important to remember that it really is just a game, and that all games are supposed to be fun and enjoyable. It’s perfectly okay to trash talk your friend’s team—as long as it’s done in a lighthearted way and as long as your friend is receptive to that sort of banter. If your friend takes things the wrong way, or if you have trouble being on the receiving end of trash talk, it’s best to avoid it entirely.
Set some ground rules.
To keep the peace in the friendship, it may be necessary to set some ground rules, especially if both of you are diehard fans who have strong feelings about the sports rivalry. You might need to agree to watch games separately, for example, or at least watch games separately when the two teams are playing each other.
Identify shared non-sports interests.
If you and your friend need to watch games separately in order to keep the peace, you’ll need to find other activities to enjoy with each other. Look for shared interests that do not pertain to sports. Keep the conversation focused on mutually agreeable topics.
You can catch all the games at Rumors Sports Bar—home of the famous beer tower! This sports bar offers fantastic food at great prices and an unbeatable ambience in Grand Forks, ND. If you have questions about their hours or menu options, you can call the restaurant at (701) 772-5222.
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