J
JohnAin
Guest
I run the risk of incurring your wrath for laughing boy icon use but what the hell...
To reiterate. There is more verbal sparring to be had when rivals meet than there is when those with a common purpose do - simple as that. I think you are analysing the situation a bit too much Riv. Forum posting is a way to pass time that's all - just like reading a book or knocking one out before MotD comes on. You DO?
Just to prove what an old git I am, I will confess that as a 16 to 25 year old my work took me to Exchange Buildings under the Tyne Bridge for five or six winter /summer months of each year. Working at a shipping management company called Common Brothers. I used to go to SJP regularly with some of the lads who worked there, and they came to RP with me. The repartee was always great - but never cruel or contemptuous like it is now. This vile Newcastle habit of regarding Sunderland people as inbred, and the Sunderland one of regarding Newcastle people as brainless, violent oafs saddens me - even more because I have sometimes allowed myself to join in.
No segregation, loads of beer, a good laugh and back to work together on Monday for the post match triumphalism. Again, never cruel and normally fun.
A lot more enjoyable that the horrible atmosphere between the two cities today. I bought a house in Newcastle about 20 years ago, and on the day we moved in I was beaten up by a new neighbour for being a Mackem. No words, just a punch in the face. No doubt the reverse is sometimes true as well.