John gives a bit of a scoff, as if reputations are one thing he could honestly care less about. And isn't that just the truth? It's not as if he actually thinks Q has ruined it for everyone on the romantic British level. He'll blame the Americans for that all on their own.
"It's a social sort of sport, innit? Always more fun with a few players." Because let's be honest here, smoking was probably about as sporty as John got these days. He was already fishing his pack out from the pocket of his slacks, shiny zippo in tow.