UK Today - OK Today

Don’t worry about the future. Everything’s fine today.

As most of you know from watching the news the UK had a big Tax Raise passed yesterday – the VAT (aka National Sales Tax) was raised from 17.5% to 20% (that would be a 14% tax hike to you) and various government benefits were decreased. But, not a problem. Today was about beating Slovenia (ok, $1 to the first person that correctly identifies the bordering countries of Slovenia – oh hell, just name the Continent it’s on) and moving on to the Knockout Round of the World Cup.

On the newscasts this morning, the first 15 minutes was spent covering the futbol game. And then, “in other news…the VAT was raised…” But, the image of England was at stake in the soccer game, damnit! The coverage was about “fear of losing, being disgraced, etc, etc.” France had been sent home yesterday and the team was labeled as “2nd-class citizens.” Such was the importance of today’s game.

When we had Audit Opening Conference on Monday, the fellow in charge proudly announced he would not be here on Wednesday afternoon. Not only did the company I was at unofficially shutdown this afternoon but I think all of England were either in Pubs or standing on the sidewalk hoping to get in. My guy had a room reserved at the pub across the street and I boldly asked if I could tag along. Oh yes. But the next sentence was, “I suppose you’re rooting against England because of the US?” I assured him, when in Rome…plus, I wasn’t about to be the Lone Ranger rooting for the opposite team of all these folks. Luckily if both England and the US won then both would advance, so that’s how we had to hope it turned out. (The game was at 3; he said we’d leave at "half past two" - that's "two-thirty" to you - and we did.)

It was close, but that is how it did turn out. Surprisingly (though I guess in true English no-frills tv form), there was no score of the US-Algeria game ever given, though they occasionally would flash the “current standings” on the screen and we surmised that the US was in a tie (that would be a “draw” to you, which combined with an English win would eliminate the US). But, at the very end of the game they flashed up the standings and the US was 1st with 5 points! We couldn’t believe it actually. And it’s bizarre in that it seemed as if nobody had internet – I guess these are throwback times where people are truly engrossed in the moment of their game and nothing else at all is of interest. Very different these English folks. Not that vocal or passionate. Calm exterior. Conservative in dress and style.

James told me later that the US scored just as the England game was completed – imagine that, they got to watch both games – and “that’s why you play the full 93 minutes.” Good line! That must have been dramatic. England scored its only goal in the first half and held on to the very end. The US scored at the very, very end.

The experience of watching the England game was one that I won’t forget, but in an unusual way. The people were obviously very interested and focused. And there was this pervading fear of losing, even though they were the favorite. With soccer being such a low scoring game a tricky bounce here or there can certainly change the outcome of the game. All you have to do is look at the 1-1 tie/draw between USA–England when their keeper fumbled the ball into the net. (One of the guys today pointed out to me that he has not played since. Poor guy will probably have to leave the country.) The only goal scored today obviously brought huge cheers. I was ready to fist-bump and high-five but they don’t do that. They just sorta shake their head and cheer. I kinda wanted to show them how to let loose! If this had been a Cowboys game and they just scored the only touchdown of the game, we would have all been running up to the screen and acting nuts…well, some of us might, hrrmph, be inclined to do that.

The only time I’ve been to Chicago I went to Wrigleyville and watched a Cubs playoff game in a bar. Those folks were jazzed and cheering on every pitch. I don’t think the English could take that sort of adrenaline rush.

In the end I was very glad that England won. I did not want to be around for a meltdown. No telling what would have happened. They would have probably put their heads down and headed home to begin their new life with a 20% VAT.

As it was, everyone was in a good mood and the beer continued to flow, one pint at a time.

And now as a bonus they play again this weekend, as will the US, so there will be more opportunities to be disgraced. Just on a bigger stage.