By Our Reporter
With the FIFA World Cup already capturing attention across the globe, it was no surprise that football became one of the most talked-about topics among revelers who gathered to unwind after a busy week on Friday evening as Gilbey’s Hangouts returned to Old Tymerz Ntinda.
The evening kicked off with first-time Gilbey’s tasters getting a chance to experience the brand in a relaxed and social setting. As conversations flowed, conversation quickly shifted to the FIFA World Cup opening day action, particularly South Africa’s opening match against Mexico.
Several revelers jokingly identified themselves as Mexico supporters. Others playfully claimed they could not support South Africa because of their anti-migrant sentiments. The football rivalry remained lighthearted throughout the evening, with many agreeing that such moments are part of what makes major tournaments enjoyable.
Speaking during the event, Gilbey’s Brand Manager Raymond Karama said football has a unique way of bringing people together regardless of where they come from.
”Football creates conversations that people naturally connect through. The banter, the predictions, the friendly rivalries and the shared emotions all create memorable social moments. It gives people a chance to relax, laugh and connect with others, which aligns perfectly with what Gilbey’s Hangouts is all about,” Karama said.
Host Ronnie McVex further fueled the football excitement by testing revelers’ World Cup knowledge through a series of trivia questions about the participating teams. The trivia sessions attracted participation from football lovers, with winners walking away with a variety of Gilbey’s branded merchandise.
As the football discussion continued, another relatable topic emerged among revelers: the timing of World Cup matches.
Many attendees noted that some of the late-night kickoffs can be difficult to balance with family responsibilities and relationships, especially for couples trying to spend quality time together. One football enthusiast humorously appealed to women to be patient with their partners during the tournament.
”We know some of these matches end very late and it can feel like football is taking all our attention. We are just asking the ladies to bear with us for a few weeks. The World Cup only comes around once in a while and after that we shall return to normal programming,” he joked.
Beyond football, the evening also explored another topic that many attendees found surprisingly relatable: friendships and other valuable possessions.
The discussion centered around a common scenario where a friend borrows a car and subsequently gets involved in an accident or causes damage to the vehicle. Some revelers argued that genuine friendships should survive material losses, while others insisted that accountability is important regardless of how close the friendship may be.
Several attendees shared personal experiences, with one reveler admitting that a long-standing friendship nearly collapsed after a borrowed vehicle was damaged and disagreements emerged over repair costs.
Another attendee observed that situations involving money, property and responsibility often reveal the true strength of friendships.
Throughout the evening, new faces were noticeable among the crowd, with many first-time attendees quickly embracing the relaxed and interactive atmosphere that has become synonymous with Gilbey’s Hangouts.
Gilbey’s Hangouts takes place every Friday at Old Tymerz Ntinda.