Reverse Culture Shock

During a barbecue viewing party for the England-US World Cup match on Saturday, a frustrated American viewer yelled when she saw the final score: “What kind of sport has games that end in ties?!”

I felt for her, because she was obviously new to non-American football, and the startling prevalence of draws — especially in this World Cup so far.

I have grown accustomed to tie games, after six years of marriage to an Englishman whose team doesn’t always do what its supporters hope. A draw, after all, is better than a loss — even if the scoreboard reads: “0-0.”

As an American with a British passport, I wasn’t heartbroken with the result — at least nobody lost.