Core77

Of the thousands of people streaming through Milan right now, I wonder how many of them have ever been to an American tailgating party. Actually, I just stopped wondering because I think I know the answer.

For you non-Americans, a tailgating party is a social event that takes place in the parking lot of a stadium before a sporting event, centered around the back of your vehicle (traditionally, a pickup truck). It involves beer, grilled meats, folding lawn chairs, bold predictions about how well your team will do and, if a fan of the opposing camp accidentally wanders into your perimeter, an occasional death. And believe it or not, there is a little cottage industry of products designed around these events, as evidenced by the American Tailgater Company.

They sell items like the Big Chill and Suction Coozies, which use insulating wraps combined with magnets or suction cups to keep your beers stuck to your car. They sell telescoping flagpoles that let you fly a self-made banner high so your friends can find you in the scrum. There are folding canopies that provide shade over the rear of your vehicle. And there are branding irons that let you sear your team's logo into your meat of choice.

So take that, Milan. Take that.

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