Has not going to Super Bowl parties become the popular opinion? Why/When did the shift happen?

[BillsPride12]

 

Some interesting commentary/discourse in these X threads that I wanted to bring to our board.  I probably checked out of doing the Super Bowl party thing about 5 or 6 years ago now but from things I read online and convo's I have with people in real life it seems this is becoming the popular opinion.  I mean I know I am getting older and that is sightly part of it but I think there's more to it.  I remember when I was younger my adult family members and neighbors etc. still used to do Super Bowl parties on a regular basis but it seems like there has been a societal shift where they just aren't a big thing anymore

 

Is it just due to a society that has become more introverted and less social?

Is it the product of the NFL just not as entertaining as it once was?

Or maybe I'm way off base here and it's just because I am turning into an old fart

 

I tend to think it's a combination of all of those things but would be curious to hear other people's thoughts.  

[Draconator]

If I were to have a Superbowl party, I would invite my band mates. Our keyboardist/lead singer is originally from Boston. He's a Pats fan. I can't put myself through that misery (unless the Seahawks absolutely bury the Pats). 

[Tanoros]

My family has always got together for the Super Bowl, we also invite some of our friends too. I haven’t personally heard conversation about not wanting to attend Super Bowl parties, but I’m also not a social media user, so my experience is based off of those I interact with in day to day life. 

[uticaclub]

 

Those guys sound like losers

[T.E.]

My theory:

 

Super Bowl parties were, in large part, an avenue for people who don't like football to congregate and watch the new commercials. Once all the ads started getting leaked to social media prior to the big game, the novelty of the huge Super Bowl party simply wore off.

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, BillsPride12 said:

 

Some interesting commentary/discourse in these X threads that I wanted to bring to our board.  I probably checked out of doing the Super Bowl party thing about 5 or 6 years ago now but from things I read online and convo's I have with people in real life it seems this is becoming the popular opinion.  I mean I know I am getting older and that is sightly part of it but I think there's more to it.  I remember when I was younger my adult family members and neighbors etc. still used to do Super Bowl parties on a regular basis but it seems like there has been a societal shift where they just aren't a big thing anymore

 

Is it just due to a society that has become more introverted and less social?

Is it the product of the NFL just not as entertaining as it once was?

Or maybe I'm way off base here and it's just because I am turning into an old fart

 

I tend to think it's a combination of all of those things but would be curious to hear other people's thoughts.  

 

I absolutely think society has become less social since the pandemic. That isn't an invitation for a political debate about lockdowns btw. But my anecdotal experience is that those sorts of events have become less common. Which is a shame IMO.

[BillsPride12]

2 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I absolutely think society has become less social since the pandemic. That isn't an invitation for a political debate about lockdowns btw. But my anecdotal experience is that those sorts of events have become less common. Which is a shame IMO.

I completely agree with you, I do think that's a big part of it. We don't have to get into politics but you can't deny society is going through some major cultural shifts in the post pandemic world.

As a side note to that point, I have also noticed more and more people are giving up alcohol altogether which isn't a bad thing per say but I think it plays a role in people less willing to get together in a party atmosphere.

[RichStadiumGuy]

3 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I absolutely think society has become less social since the pandemic. That isn't an invitation for a political debate about lockdowns btw. But my anecdotal experience is that those sorts of events have become less common. Which is a shame IMO.

Nah... I disagree. At least around THIS neck of the woods the Super Bowl parties dwindled away long before COVID was a household word. I have several friends that used to have enormous parties starting at 9 am and ending just in time to get to work on Monday morning and not a single one of them do them anymore. I do think social media has a lot to do with it though. It's not proper to CALL anybody anymore... if you don't TEXT them instead it's like you're from another planet or something!

[MJS]

Our society has steadily moved away from collectivism to individualism over the years. Eventually, the pendulum always swings back the other way (there have been periods like this in the past as well). But we live in a time where people isolate themselves more and more. People live in the same house for years without knowing any of their neighbors, now. It used to be a much bigger priority to be a part of a community. So, things like parties and get-togethers happen a lot less. People prioritize other things.

 

People leave their homes a lot less. Meanwhile, access to everything from your home has skyrocketed. You don't even need to leave to buy groceries anymore. Kids don't play outside with friends anymore. They stay in and are glued to devices and have virtual friends instead.

 

None of this is ideal, of course, but society at large eventually gets sick of it and starts rediscovering community, church, gatherings, clubs, sports, and all those things that bring people together. It has already started, actually.

[QCity]

14 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I absolutely think society has become less social since the pandemic. That isn't an invitation for a political debate about lockdowns btw. But my anecdotal experience is that those sorts of events have become less common. Which is a shame IMO.

 

This. I used to have multiple parties thrown by family/friends to choose from and sometimes had to tread carefully on which to attend without offending anyone. There was always less interest in the game than the crazy amount of excessive food, but it was always a blast. Haven't been to one since Covid. Even the bar scene seems muted.

[BuffaloBillyG]

24 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I absolutely think society has become less social since the pandemic. That isn't an invitation for a political debate about lockdowns btw. But my anecdotal experience is that those sorts of events have become less common. Which is a shame IMO.

I agree with this. 

 

I think one thing that whole era of time showed people is that life goes on without the big gatherings. And frankly, things like Super Bowl parties, Oscar viewing parties and things of that nature were things nobody really wanted to attend, would  brainstorm all week on how to get out of, but would end up going out of social obligation and fear of missing out. 

 

I think a lot of people find it somewhat liberating to be able to just stay home and avoid interacting with people that really in the grander scheme of things, aren't as important to them as those people think they are. 

[dave mcbride]

28 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I absolutely think society has become less social since the pandemic. That isn't an invitation for a political debate about lockdowns btw. But my anecdotal experience is that those sorts of events have become less common. Which is a shame IMO.

You are 100 percent correct and there is a ton of social science evidence that supports this.

[Sweats]

My brother-in-law has a SB party every year and it's actually embarrassing......the whole house has no idea who's even playing in any SB (they have to come and ask me) and they are constantly asking me how to play Football (none of them ever follow sports).

 

I went 3 times and have never gone ever again.........it's just not fun when only one person in a house full of 55 is the only one who knows what the hell is going on.

[MrEpsYtown]

Not a Super Bowl party guy because it's noisy and crazy, and no one watches the game. Also, I am a football snob and don't like listening to people yell about things they know nothing about. 

[paulmm3]

I've always preferred watching the Bills pretty much alone/with my wife but with a massive text thread of high school friends I send 20-30 messages on a game. Been to many Super Bowl parties, Bills bars, etc. and I don't hate it but it distracts me and I like being able to focus on each play more. And then I can discuss the plays here or on X or via text as needed. 

[f0neguy]

My GF and I get together with two other couples and WATCH the game.  All of us are actual football fans.  Not much talking, good food, and an open bar. 🥳

[MiltonWaddams]

The key to a good Super Bowl party is not caring about either team in the game. I’m going to one this year, mainly to support my friend who is hosting and is a big Seahawks fan. But, if Buffalo is in it, I’m not watching with anybody. Nobody. I will be alone with my tears at the end of the game, no matter the outcome.  That being said, my neighbours will be well aware when Buffalo wins the big one.

[Buffalo ill]

I think the last superbowl I watched was about 4 years ago.  I got tired of hate watching the Chiefs.  That and with rotating shift work it's not uncommon for me to work on sundays. 

 

I work Superbowl night this year and will likely not watch any of it.

[SoCal Deek]

I hear the NFL is just trying to sell food! 😂

[Lagoon Blues]

I think you have seen a generational shift.  Younger people don't feel the need to force conversation that is meaningless.  Lets face it, a majority of extroverted older people are intolerable in large doses. Societal norms don't force people to endure that ***** any longer.

Edited February 5 by Lagoon Blues