OTish - How to deal with coworkers/friends after a rivalry game.

If you really want to piss them off, then be extra nice to them... 

I would treat them like they treat me.  I would let the loudmouths have it, but allow any classy Spartans (I think I have known about three in my life) to retain their dignity.

 

A game like yesterday, I say "great game" and move on. A game like the football one from a decade ago that was 49-3, then I do a little bit of gloating.

humor and grace in virtually all of them.  I never say a word when we win, not a peep.   if we lose i might say something like 'nice game'.   have one friend who's a sparty and a good egg, complimented him on the game 3 weeks ago when sparty handed us our heads in EL and he was gracious about it too.  not a couch burner, apparently uncommon?   

work with some ND folks who used be very proud of their football team too, and they'd leave the  front page of the sport section out when they won (an old one).   i think it was in '06 that we sodomized them by about 35 (and again in 07, 08,...) and i didn't say a peep.   that old sport section they used to be proud of went away and not a word beyond 'nice game' has been said since.

If Michigan wins, I say, "Exciting game. Fun to watch." If M loses, I say, "Your guys played really well!"

Guys who gloat remind me of running into my friend who went to Harvard during winter break my freshman year at Michigan. When I saw him, he said, "How's the party school?"

I just laughed, and said, "Great." 

I'm not one to gloat and put it in people's faces. As a fan, I've experienced humility far too much and know what it's like to be on both sides. Honestly, I act like I've been there. I actually act like there wasn't a game. Just sort of don't ackowledge it either way. Can be effective at throwing the person off a little.

I enjoy making a grand entrance, similar to Hulk Hogan's walk-in, but in full Maize and Blue regalia complete with feather boa, carrying a boombox on my shoulder blaring "The Victors Fanfare." I then climb onto the nearest $prayTan Dawg's cubicle wall, point at him, and swan dive from the corner, farting upon all his Staee memorabilia and citing Michigan's latest standings in both sport and international university academic rankings as I make my descent. Once I am satisfied that he has been reminded of his inferior ways, I return to my superior MICH man corner office and gaze upon my framed diplomas, golf trophies, and pictures of my hot wife decorating the walls.

Don't be a jerk.  At some point the shoe will be on the other foot.