On Thursday, one of the companies from which my company buys research hosted a pub quiz night, and I was lucky enough to attend and represent on a four-person team from our group. First things first, I didn’t really even know what a quiz night would be, having never come across one in the past. I was picturing something similar to the computerized trivia games they have in some bars and restaurants in the States. Second things second, I figured this event would surround a general theme of British television, about which I know devastatingly little, so I knew from the start that I might not be the strongest of competitors.

So I learned at this quiz night that pubs quite often have quiz nights or afternoons and that they are at their best in the winter on a rainy, cold, lazy Sunday afternoon. (With no football to watch, I can see how that might be appealing) I also learned that quiz nights are MUCH more involved than table trivia. First, everyone has a team name. Stand-outs at this event were Quiz Team Aguilera and The Hairy Geoffreys. There are several rounds of questioning, with scores reported at various intervals. This event featured eight rounds, all of which were modeled after television game shows. Each team writes down their answers for the entire round and hands them in before the start of the next round. VERY fun.

Highlights:
- We had to think of the next line to a song lyric, and not knowing what came after, “Every time I walk down the street with you. . . ,” we decided on, “I accidentally step in poo.” No points for that, but we did get a mention and a good laugh. I can’t take credit - that was all Luke.
- We had to think of captions to given pictures. One of the images featured George Bush, Condoleeza Rice, Tony Blair, and I think Dick Cheney (can’t remember). All four of them appear to be looking at Bush’s shoes, but with limited stretch of the imagination, at his lap. We didn’t have the opportunity to hear all of the responses, and bearing in mind the lack of restraint (for the sake of taste) in British humoUr, I’m sure they were entertaining, but the winner for the night? “They’re right, George - You ARE the biggest cock in the world.”

Sorry if that’s a bit profane, but I decided it was funny enough to warrant inclusion.

We came in 5th out of nine teams and we did so in abominable fashion. Terribly. Ah well - we really went for the free food, so mission accomplished.