No, really.
I don’t.
I don’t mean that in a sassy, hand on my hip “I don’t play games” way.
I mean that I *literally* don’t play games.
I have friends who ACTUALLY play Parcheesi with their husbands after the kids have gone to bed.
Parcheesi!
I don’t even know what that IS!
And frankly, I have ZERO intention of finding out.
Other friends tell tales of playing cards with their spouses.
Often.
I’d rather clean my toilets than play a game. For real.
In fact, it is a hard and fast rule that I will not, under any circumstances, play Monopoly with my husband.
We would be divorced.
Not kidding.
I played with him once. Once. Never again.
I believe there are two kinds of people in this world:
Game Players.
And the Rest of Us.
The thing I’ve learned about these two types of people is that they generally don’t understand each other’s camp.
Game Players don’t get why I don’t ENJOY playing games.
They think I must not have played a GOOD game.
They just ITCH to show me.
It stresses them out!!!
They can hardly sit still they are so anxious!
They know this FABULOUSLY FUN game.
They want to convert me.
They are CONVINCED they can do it.
Positive in fact, if I would just play with them!
I must have played with the “wrong” people.
You’re right I did play with the “wrong” people.
I played with Game Players.
As I continue to decline their offers, they move along to psychoanalyzing me.
They assume that I must not know the game.
Or that I’m bad at it.
Or maybe I’m not that smart. The rules are too hard?
And they give you a bad time about it.
“Come on Jeannett! Don’t sit over there reading a book! Don’t be a spoil sport!We’ll TEACH YOU HOW! It’ll be FUN!”
No.
Fun would be me sitting here quietly enjoying this celebrity trash magazine.
Playing Hearts or Checkers or Parcheesi is not, in fact, fun.
As for not being good at it…that might be true.
But I’m positively bored playing games.
To tears.
I’m not exactly going to spend a lot of energy on it.
Sorry.
Oh how offensive this can be to Game Players!
Appalled!
They don’t get it!
Annoyed!
I also hate mini golf and downright DESPISE bowling. Despise.
A few weeks back, I met a kindred spirit.
Another Non-Gamer.
Actually, I’ve known Joy for years, but while at a weekend away with her and a whole HOST of Game Players…
we bonded.
We would devise these little plans: she would sneak out of the room quietly…and I would follow a few minutes later.
Stealth.
Like little Ninjas.
And we would sit and happily chat.
Until one of Them would realize we were missing.
It was like a panic would take over.
“Come on you guys! Party Poopers!” they would yell.
Seriously, you have more than enough players. Just play your silly game you Game Players, you.
So, for the record, here and now:
I don’t like playing games.
I may, or may not, know the rules.
I may, or may not, be good at it.
But I certainly, positively know that you cannot convert me to your Game Playing ways.
It’s okay.
Breathe.
You’re gonna be alright.
Parcheesi awaits. Run along now.
Are you a Game Player? Do Non-Gamers stress you out?
* * *
P.S. if you haven’t already, please consider giving to Surfer Healing. Read Mique‘s story. Give. Even if you ARE a Game Player. I’ll forgive you.
(GiveForward is having technical issues with people trying to donate using Internet Explorer…so please, if you plan on giving…use Firefox or Safari instead! Thanks!)
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I’m working on invisibility cloaks for next time! Glad to find a kindred spirit:)
I loved playing games with my dad when I was growing up. I played games with the girls when they were little, but now I don’t play anymore. I might play a game of Sorry or something I used to play and remember, but that’s it. It’s been ages. But most of the time when people are getting together for games, I try to find someone to talk to or just watch. Glad you have a non-gamer partner.
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This post has me LAUGHING so hard!!! You crack me up.
I am a big time Game Player…LOVE games…WAY too competitive at games. Yes, my husband and I play cribbage, dominoes & other card games. We go on dates to coffee shops & play card games (like old people) But, I get your post because you are EXACTLY like my mom. She is the non game player in a family of Game Players. This post helped me understand her point of view. I will never ask her to play another game again :)
mel´s last blog post ..How Bout Them Apples
I am so with you on this. I have what you might kindly call a “limited attention span” and games like monopoly are pure torture. I can handle some shorter ones, but in general I go for the book/trashy magazine vs. family game time. I know, I’m a bad mom, but surely my kids will be stronger for it….
HA! Love it! Yes, I like playing games. Kevin and I will play in the evenings–cards, Parcheesi, whatever. We are competitive though and I get really angry when I lose. But it’s worth it because when KEVIN loses, HE gets really angry, and that makes me happy. :)
Growing up, my mom LOVED playing games, but my dad HATED it. Still does, actually. So I totally understand non-gamers.
And MINIATURE GOLF?! Oh goodness. I HATE mini golf. When we still lived in SM, people would ask me if we went to Boomer’s a lot, because we lived right nearby. Um…NO!!!!! :)
I have to say though that while I like games, I would choose chatting with you and Joy ANY time!
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You just haven’t played peanuts yet! Just Kidding. You made me laugh…hope that made you laugh! I am a GAME PLAYER.
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I love games but not necessarily board games. I am super competitive at word games. LOVE Catch Phrase and Apples to Apples or any game utilizing words.
I don’t really have a foot in either camp, but this did remind me of a New Years Eve party Ted and I went to a few years back. We only knew the one couple hosting the party, and then they sprung a game on us to play during the party- Cranium. We had to hum and play charades with total strangers. For HOURS. Longest night of my life.
Hatey hate hate cards. Hate. My inlaws are crazy competitive card players. Fifteen years in they still try to convince me to play. NO!!!! But in a different situation, like a boring Christmas party, a little game such as Apples to Apples or Whoonu is way better than chit chatting nonsense for hours.
Julie´s last blog post ..Help a girl out
This post really struck a cord with me ! I absolutely hate any and all games. My mother-in-law has hounded me, mocked me, laughed at me and said in so many words that I am just not smart or am too competitive and afraid of losing.
I have been married for 26 years and this comes up EVERY time I see her. My husband plays bridge and scrabble with her and she is VERY competitive and unfortunately, can remember the scores for years (and, of course, recites them relentlessly).
I stated the fact that games are boring for me way back when we were first married and we have never gotten along since. I wasn’t being insulting…just honest. Didn’t mean to go on so long, but it’s refreshing to find out that there are others like me.
p.s.
thanks for justifying left in this post.
me likey.
Julie´s last blog post ..Help a girl out
Ha! This is too funny! I feel the same way =)
Stopping by from SITS to say happy SITS day!
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Happy SITS day!
eek! I am afraid to leave a comment for fear the other non-gamers may take me out. Yikes! So, yes, I am a gamer. . . it has been 3 days since I played my last game . . . and I am jonesing for a fix right now. :)
Stopping by from SITS and loving you and your blog!
Annie @ astonesthrowfrominsanity´s last blog post ..Honoring the Fallen
NOOOO! Say it ain’t so Jeannett!
I want you to play Words With Friends with me on my iPhone!
Dagnabbit.
I’m with you, very few games entice me. And, the one I do like — Scrabble — no one will play with me. My daughter said that once I spelled the word “whore” and it made her uncomfortable. Hey, that “W” is worth a lot of points and I had it on triple letter! Nice blog you have. Does a lot of good. Thanks!
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Happy SITS Day! Yes, I am a non-Game player and so glad to meet another one! I was the one reading a book. I hated winning as much as losing, so it really didn’t turn out well. I was born into a family of Canasta Fiends–maybe I’m an alien?
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I am a game player married to a non-game player. I blame our parents! My parents grew up playing dominoes, Rook, 42, and other games so they played games with me & my sister. I’m not very competitive though. I don’t care if I win or lose but just enjoy the time together with friends and family. Hubby’s family never played games. He humors me though so we have family game night with our 5 year old about once a month. Our son, on the other hand, is very competitive and hates to lose. Makes for interesting games of Candyland and Chutes N Laddders!
Happy SITS Day!
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I am a game player, I love to play games, but I don’t force other people to play them. If they don’t want to play, they don’t have to. Sometimes I don’t feel like playing. So I totally get that others don’t feel like it as well. I also like to sit and read books and magizines, or chat with friends. It all depends on the mood of the day.
Happy SITS day :D
I too, do not like to play games. My husband is a die hard game player. About the only thing I do enjoy is Triominoes, but only with my husband… no one else. Weird.
I don’t like those board games but I love “party” games. Like “Catch Phrase” and “Taboo.” Hate strategy games or games where you have to think hard and plan your moves. We used to play games at holidays with a big crowd and it was lots of fun, but I am competitive! Happy SITS day.
I love playing games with my kids. Great post. Stopping by from SITS hope you enjoy your feature!!
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ha ha, that is funny. I’ve never thought about it; there being non-game players. I’m def one. I don’t think i’d be married if i wasn’t-his WHOLE family are card players-and I come from a Looooong line of card players. It must be in our blood. But I promise to never force anyone to play a game again, now that i know the Non-gamers truley exist :)
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Can I be a semi-game player? There are only a few games I will play and the rest Im like you…NO thank you stop bugging me!! But I never bug people to play because I hate how it feels when I refuse to play cribbage or something.
Happy happy SITS day! Love the concept of using the blog for good!! Will be back to check out the charities and possibly donate when I have the funds!! :)
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I love games! My faves are pictionary, scrabble and trivia. We’ve even started purchasing games geared towards our little ones. It is a bonding experience:)
Stopping by from SITS-Happy SITS day! Your blog is cute!
I enjoy playing certain games when I’m in the mood, which is hardly ever. Trivial Pursuit (including the LOTR version) is my favorite. I also enjoy chess once in awhile and Bible Pictionary. I used to love video games, but I’ve mostly lost interest in them over the last year or so.
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I’m totally a game player! Hilarious! I won’t try to convert!
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You’re right. I don’t get you. I love playing games. Phillip also loves playing games but we never play two player games and Phillip practically doesn’t consider it a good evening with friends unless we pull out some cards or a board game. Sorry. Didn’t know a person could have such a strong response to something so fun!
If I have to choose between a game and a book, well, then the book rules out. Every time.
But I like to play games with my nephew, and my niece, because it reminds me of when my mom was alive and we played games. So, for me, I just do it for the memories.
But, I’d sneak out if there was a whole room full of those gamers, too.
having played monopoly with your husband – i don’t blame you for not wanting to play with him :)
This post is hilarious and yet oh so true about the difference between game players and non-game players. I, myself, am a game player. I will admit I’m even a little competitive. I don’t get the chance to play often but do enjoy it. Also right in the middle of the post when you started saying how it stresses non-game players out b/c they just don’t ‘get it’. I had to laugh b/c my skin was already crawling by that time. LOL Thanks for this chuckle b/c when I run into a non-gamer I’ll try harder to understand their views.
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I love games…but I have suffered through a few overly-long Monopoly games that have shaken my faith in my own game-loving ways. So I hear you. And I won’t judge. But I still love a good game of Monopoly…as long as it doesn’t go past 90 minutes.