When 'Patriotism' Means Turning Up the TV: A Hilarious Hotel Bar Showdown in Ireland
There are few places as delightfully unpredictable as a hotel bar on game night. Add a pinch of sports rivalry, a dash of misplaced patriotism, and a generous pour of cultural misunderstanding, and you’ve got the recipe for a story that’s equal parts comedy and cautionary tale. Recently, the r/TalesFromTheFrontDesk subreddit served up exactly that, with a post titled “That isn’t really Patriotic.” If you’ve ever worked in hospitality—or just enjoyed people-watching over a quiet pint—you’re in for a treat.
The Scene: When Sports Fans and Hotel Bars Collide
Picture it: a bustling Saturday evening in a cozy Irish hotel bar. The TVs are tuned to a match (two out of three, anyway, because hotel AV setups are always a gamble), the locals are relaxed, and the drinks are flowing. Enter our main character: a lone Englishman, late 50s or early 60s, eyes fixed on the screen, quietly nursing his drink. The assistant manager is present, but this particular guest insists on speaking to the Duty Manager—because, of course, it’s important.
What did he want? Not a special cocktail. Not a room upgrade. No, he wanted the TV volume turned up so he (and, apparently, “the others”) could hear the game—because, as he argued, not doing so would be unpatriotic. Never mind that he’s in Ireland, not England. Never mind that this isn’t a sports bar. Never mind the hotel’s policy to keep things peaceful and low-key.
“That’s Not Very Patriotic of You!”: Entitlement Meets Irony
This is where the story hits its comedic stride. The OP, u/Beneficial-Hornet_, recounts: “I politely explain to him that this is not really a sports bar and that we’re trying to keep a certain atmosphere.” The Englishman, undeterred, counters, “There is no atmosphere here. I would expect that while I’m in this country watching the country play a match you would have the sound on. This isn’t really Patriotic of you.”
Cue the collective facepalm.
As u/ValleyOakPaper (and many others) pointed out, “Oof, given the history between the two countries, that is a major provocation. I’m surprised you didn’t escort him out of the bar.” Others, like u/FunkyPete, chimed in with, “Yeah, asking for a display of Patriotism to England while in Ireland is... a choice.” To say the least.
But the comedy didn’t stop there. When another guest questioned the OP’s supposed lack of sporting spirit—“You wouldn’t understand, you don’t seem like you’re from a country that plays the game”—the OP coolly replied that they simply didn’t care about sports. The look of disbelief was, apparently, priceless.
Community Wisdom: “Go to a Sports Bar, Mate!”
The comments section quickly became a masterclass in how to deal with entitled fans. The top suggestion? If you want a raucous, full-volume sports experience, find a pub that’s built for it. As u/honey_badger010 noted, “Pretty sure there would be a pub just down the road with the match on as loud as he'd like.” The OP replied, “One about 10 min walk, another 12 and I believe next one maybe 15. So you're on point.” Problem solved, right?
Not for everyone. Some guests, as u/colliedad quipped, “Or, just maybe, go back to your room and watch the match?” The OP mockingly replied, “But what about the atmosphere. /s”—to which another user deadpanned, “What atmosphere? ;)”
Several commenters, like u/Shr3kk_Wpg, questioned why sound was needed at all: “Why does anyone need the sound on to watch football/soccer? I really dislike these entitled people who want the sound on so everyone has to listen to the sport they want to watch.” Others suggested tech-savvy solutions, like the app Tunity, highlighted by u/Way2trivial: “It works great—hear live audio from muted televisions directly on your mobile device.”
“Important” Matches and the Art of Calm Hospitality
As the story (and the bar) simmered, the Englishman pressed his case, claiming the match was “important.” The OP’s internal monologue captured the mood: “Of course buddy, it always is.” One commenter, u/Minflick, nailed it: “Important TO YOU, not to corporate/management, or the rest of us. Go to a sports bar if that's your goal...”
What’s remarkable is the OP’s patience—never escalating, never stooping to the guest’s level of entitlement. As u/NotEasilyConfused wisely said, “You said far too much. Your reason will never be a good reason, and it gives them something they think they can negotiate with... ‘Sorry, we don't do that. If you would prefer to see the match with sound and other people, there is XYZ bar down the street.’” Sometimes, less is more—especially with difficult guests.
And, as u/T_Thriller_T shared, many people actually appreciate a calm bar environment: “Higher class restaurants, hotel bars and such are little havens of calm to me.” Not every guest wants to be drowned out by commentary and crowd noise.
The Takeaway: Know Your Venue, Know Your Audience
Whether you’re a sports fanatic, a weary traveler, or just in search of a peaceful pint, there’s a place for everyone. But as this story hilariously demonstrates, a little self-awareness (and a dash of humility) goes a long way. The next time you’re tempted to demand “patriotism” via TV volume in a foreign country, maybe—just maybe—check if there’s a sports pub nearby. As the Reddit community concluded, “It’s a weirdly antisocial quirk with sports fans regardless of country or interest.” Or, as u/gramma59 cheekily put it, “I might’ve been petty enough to just turn it off.”
So, what’s your take? Have you witnessed (or survived) similar hotel bar shenanigans? Do you relish the quiet, or crave the crowd? Share your own stories in the comments—just remember, keep it civil (and maybe, keep the volume down).
Original Reddit Post: That isn't really Patriotic.