It all started out so well......What can I tell you about the curiously named "Black Eye Friday" that you can't actually surmise from the title. Don't let the costumes (though this one inside was an angel) pic fool you. After a beer or several the residents of the town usually end up brawling. So what's it all about then?
Once a year this strange phenomenon happens, the last main pay day for most folks before Christmas a little earlier than usual. Now most of us are used to being relatively civilised and seem capable of going on a Friday night, let your hair down pub crawl, end of the working week type of thing we normally do. Costumes, hats whatever maybe worn week in week out. So no change there. Black Eye Friday though all hell breaks lose, and the younger folks tend not to be the idiots involved. Oh no, it's those middle aged men who go out once a year, can't hold their beer, miffed at their lives who are fully intent on causing a brawl....ending up with mass punch ups, a few smashed windows, pubs barring people and probably more arrests than for the last six months. Also the next day you will pass these shame faced idiots sporting the badge of dubious honour....the black eye.... hence the name "Black Eye Friday." Thankfully this idiotic behaviour occurs once yearly but does make me wonder is this sort or event unique to our island?
For more dips into other peoples lives around the world see here after 8pm.
19 comments:
Oh, what a fun post for the day, Babooshka! I guess we all need a totally crazy day at least once a year in this crazy world that we live in! Have to admit I'm not surprised that the men seem to get a particular kick! Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!
Sylvia
I will Sylvia you too. You'd be surprised to hear though a lot of the women end up with a black eye too. I swear this island is weird, but fun.
Black Friday or its equivalent may not be unique to Ramsey but, as far as I'm aware, it doesn't happen here on a regular basis. :) We DO have our public brawls, mind you, but not so easily predicted as an official Black Friday.
I stay in and leave the men to it. You should write for Manx Tails. You make me giggle.
You're a born narrator, Babooshka! The more you tell about your island, the more I'd like to see it.
This is a new one on me. Here, I think it could happen any night of the week at the right place.
Goodness - a strange tradition!
I can see this as the basis of a movie. It made me laugh so I guess a comedy of sorts. Then again, I wouldn't be laughing if I had a black eye. My guess is I'd avoid the pubs on that day but then again I'm a woman and you specified middle aged men. Old women like me would probably be too sensible to brawl no matter where we found ourselves, LOL.
PS Looks like I'm wrong. I just noticed your comment to Sylvia about women ending up with black eyes. That could definitely be worked into the movie I'm picturing.
What a crazy tradition!! I've not heard of this, but that doesn't mean it's not here. Those black eyes , of course, would be a dead give-away.
I think it is that cabin fever mentality of a small island....sometimes people let rip. It does sound a bit like roadhouse. Yes women get caught us in this too. Crazy.
It seems like a mighty odd tradition. Cabin fever (my Aunt called it Island fever when she lived in Hawii) is as good an explanation as any.
Sounds like the tradition they have in UK. I guess it is a crazy night.
Happens here occasionally too, usually after sporting events! Years ago, I saw a bloke take on a pine tree after he staggered into it. Tree was still standing as the cops escorted the the guy away.
I'd love to be there when this happens :)
Seems like really a fun spectator sport.
Good to see you back. I have missed you more than you know.
What a n event. Fun for all.
You write such visual images. Like Reader Wil I'm keen to see your Ramsey.
Kinky Friedman sums this up best: “Friday night was the night most people thought they were supposed to have fun. Trouble was most people didn't know what fun was or how to have it, so things usually ended up pretty ugly.”
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