Great match ! They deserved to win. What an immense crowd of supporters.
Thanks for the link Stella.
Phew - for a nasty moment there I thought you were a Tottenham Hotspur supporter… 
We were out to lunch with car-club pals Sunday.
38 French v us 2 Brits meant we were (slightly) outnumbered and I reckon almost everyone one of 'em chuckled … at some time during the 6 hours of munching/slurping… about how sad we must feel that Northampton lost… 
I got my own back by innocently asking which part of UBB stands for Rugby ??
and that led to all sorts of conversations and chatter. 
As always, a wonderful gathering and I managed to teach some of them to pronounce Northampton properly and that led onto other English words which they find difficult to pronounce…
and as for American…
Shock-horror time was when one lady told me that she understands Trump when he talks… but very few other Americans… she reckons he speaks slowly/clearly (even if what he is saying is utter rubbish… 
)
Definitely THE topic at work yesterday (I live in 33)
6 hours over lunch?!! I did a double take when I saw that. I admire your stamina.
Each to their own, but the thought of spending 6 hours over lunch would terrify me, as a mild introvert. I would run out of conversation and small talk after the first hour or two, at most. Perhaps I am simply incompatible with this aspect of French life…!
Totally agree, I found that element of my last job utterly exhausting.
We were sitting by a peaceful lake under some huge/shady trees… a wonderful setting.
Each course was cooked as we waited… meanwhile everyone sat dozing, wandered, pottered, chatted… some fished, played with the dogs and/or the kids … inspected/discussed one another’s cars… that sort of thing.
An ancient bicycle (held together with some odd bits and bobs) kept many of us enthralled as we watched various brave souls try to ride it… I was convinced someone would end up in the lake… and/or break a bone… but all was well… just a few bruises and lots of laughter.
We are like one big family and it is always a great pleasure to catch-up with those we might not have seen for a while.
Sunday’s lunch was by invitation only… (as a thankyou to us volunteers for our recent efforts at a very tiring public event) .
As in any family… there are noisy, boisterous individuals and those who are somewhat quieter… and everything in between .
Whether the quieter ones are mildly introverted, I have no idea, but everyone seemed to be enjoying the day. 
Of course, the difference between “work” and “play” is vast…
When it’s “play” we can choose for ourselves just how/in what manner … we wish to “play”. and we can step-aside as and when… if that is our choice
If only! I’ve lost track of the number of times I’ve felt obliged to attend social events that never seem to end, out of (usually family) duty, and wished I was almost anywhere else.
I obviously can’t speak for your event, but those of us who are introverted/shy etc might put a brave face on that we’re enjoying an event, when the reality is far from that. I have a very sociable, extrovert family who find it very hard to put themselves in the shoes of those that really don’t enjoy mass social engagements. I’m delighted they enjoy themselves but I can’t help thinking of all the things I’d much rather be doing…
Can’t speak for UK but, here in France, people are allowed to choose how they wish to spend their leisure time …
If someone (outgoing/introverted/shy) joins a Club or Association it is up to them to give it as much (or as little) time as they wish.
No-one is forced to do anything they don’t want to… or to behave in any way which makes them feel uncomfortable.
If you find yourself somewhere/anywhere, in a situation which you are not enjoying… then I reckon you should be able to leave… to feel yourself forced to stay “and endure” is awful in my opinion.
As a child, I endured things… as an Adult, I don’t !!!