'WCup widows' find ways to cope
Source: Xinhua |
July 8, 2010, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IN a month when headlines are dominated by the World Cup, some women have a reason to huddle together under one united front - the resentment they feel for the cold shoulder they received from their soccer-loving partner.
However, Chinese women don't want to turn into bitter and resentful girlfriends or wives. They want a happy ending after the one-month carnival ends. Thus they act smart and try to stay in tune with their partners.
Huang Qiao, 27, says the World Cup is a quadrennial event for her to cozy up to her husband, an avid soccer fan who has watched more than 80 percent of the 62 games at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa.
Women like Huang have been nicknamed "World Cup widows," which means the wives and partners of those planning to spend the whole month of the World Cup in front of a television and who themselves have no interest in soccer.
Some World Cup widows use the month to pursue their own interests, but many have chosen to stay in tune with their partner's hobby.
"I choose to stay with him if time allows, and that gives us more time to talk, even it's about soccer." Huang said.
To show her support for her husband's "obsession," she bought him a pair of slippers stamped with national team logos and rounded up friends to watch games at bars.
Calling herself a "pseudo-fan," Huang said she supported Germany. But when Argentina, her husband's favorite team next to Italy, was defeated by Germany in a 4-0 quarterfinal on Saturday, she gave up her stance and shared in her husband's disappointment.
Zhang Xudong, Huang's husband, said he appreciated all the time his wife had spent making arrangements so that he could enjoy his hobby.
Amanda, 28, a supervisor at Xi'an Tiandun Gylinder Gasket Co Ltd, said watching soccer with her husband was about respect and support.
"He taught me how to appreciate the matches and I felt like we are closer now than before," she said.
There are online posts dedicated to helping women cope with the World Cup.
One blog suggested planning dinners between games.
"Realize there will be times when dinner for your husband will be potato chips and a beer," it added.
However, Chinese women don't want to turn into bitter and resentful girlfriends or wives. They want a happy ending after the one-month carnival ends. Thus they act smart and try to stay in tune with their partners.
Huang Qiao, 27, says the World Cup is a quadrennial event for her to cozy up to her husband, an avid soccer fan who has watched more than 80 percent of the 62 games at the ongoing World Cup in South Africa.
Women like Huang have been nicknamed "World Cup widows," which means the wives and partners of those planning to spend the whole month of the World Cup in front of a television and who themselves have no interest in soccer.
Some World Cup widows use the month to pursue their own interests, but many have chosen to stay in tune with their partner's hobby.
"I choose to stay with him if time allows, and that gives us more time to talk, even it's about soccer." Huang said.
To show her support for her husband's "obsession," she bought him a pair of slippers stamped with national team logos and rounded up friends to watch games at bars.
Calling herself a "pseudo-fan," Huang said she supported Germany. But when Argentina, her husband's favorite team next to Italy, was defeated by Germany in a 4-0 quarterfinal on Saturday, she gave up her stance and shared in her husband's disappointment.
Zhang Xudong, Huang's husband, said he appreciated all the time his wife had spent making arrangements so that he could enjoy his hobby.
Amanda, 28, a supervisor at Xi'an Tiandun Gylinder Gasket Co Ltd, said watching soccer with her husband was about respect and support.
"He taught me how to appreciate the matches and I felt like we are closer now than before," she said.
There are online posts dedicated to helping women cope with the World Cup.
One blog suggested planning dinners between games.
"Realize there will be times when dinner for your husband will be potato chips and a beer," it added.
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