Here's a suggestion: lighten up and show a little more faith in your fellow citizens.Yes, lots of New Zealanders are rugby mad. Around every corner you'll find another fan happy to join in passionate discussion of the national game.
In what other country could you so easily find a checkout operator worried about the Wallabies' line speed, a barista with an educated take on midfield combinations or a commuter beside you on the bus who understands the breakdown?
Okay, that's an exaggeration. Nobody understands the breakdown. But most of us know enough to debate what "through the gate" means.
And, yes, we care deeply about the fortunes of the All Blacks. While New Zealanders usually steer clear of nationalistic fervour, on the inside we're as patriotic as anyone.
That affection most easily finds expression when the All Blacks are playing so it's hardly surprising that defeats hurt, or that some idiots vent their disappointment in an unpleasant way, wailing and gnashing or, as in 1999, being mean to John Hart's horse.
But every country has idiots and none should be judged by them. Are the Canadians in cringe-mode about their recent hockey riots? Rather than hope everyone is on their "best" behaviour, let's just encourage people to be themselves and have fun.
This year we've seen plenty of New Zealanders show their true colours in response to a real disaster. On that evidence, we're okay. We'll be fine as hosts, too.
Some of us might not be in the finest fettle for an hour or two after an All Blacks defeat. Across the nation, heads would rest heavily in hands. That's what we're like.
But, don't worry, we'd get over it, look after our visitors and make the most of the rest of the tournament. And the finger-wagging wouldn't have a thing to do with it.
