You don't often talk to them about soccer then, I take it :-)
actually the engineers at BMW Oxford told me football was for thugs - they'd enjoy golf (roll eyes) - but then there was an older senior technician who would sell his last shirt for an arsenal ticket and learned that they are all footballers (only some don't dare say)
These guys are tough as shit and stubborn bastards but they are of that kind that would say 'sorry' to the opponents fans as in a reflex while England (or Wales or Scottland) scores.
I am certainly aware that these are my personal prejudices
Ahh another story comes to my mind - please spend the time reading it:
There was this guy in the hotel where I was checked in. He introduced himself and I must say he had perfect manners - the type of guy you would trust to go out with your daughter. He was a very physical guy - so physical it nearly stood in contrast to his behaviour.
He asked me very politely where I was from and what I was doing in England. So I told him. During the started conversation he never interupted - never bragged with something.
He told me his job was to be a trainer of martial arts - Karate, Jui Jitzu - stuff like that and here (in Oxford) to accompany his pupils gaining the 8th or 9th dan (something high and black you have to travel for - I am not an expert)
After some questioning from my side - he seemed eager not to be to forward in his pride for his occupancy - he told me some details about his daily business:
The last day - he told me - he had to whitness (as he said with a bit of disgust) 'exaggerated physical force' in a preparation fight for the tests.
And he (beeing of quite a sun eclipsing statue) told that if (angry look) somebody (dramatic pause) dared (I started to feel a bit uncomfortable) to behave like that to one of his pupils !!!
Then !!!
He would personally and immediatly !!!!
...turn around and leave.
Britain.
Gotta love it.
And that's why I think it's a shame what the sun is doing.