2.17: Game Room Rules - Rule #4

 Ptbbbbbbbbt!  Frrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrb!  Plblblblblblbblblblbllbbblblb!  Plt!  Brrrrrrrrrpbggt.  Vrrrreeeeessssst!  Pblllbrct!  --A message from my intestine.

Let's just say that I've had better weeks.  


Rule #1:  Have fun.
Rule #2:  Let your opponent(s) have fun.
Rule #3:  Play appropriately.

Rule #4:  Remember, it's just a game.

"Oh, you M----- F---er's, this game is stupid!  I can't believe you did that, you ruined the game!  I'm going to beat your a--!"

One, if you are a boardgamer, chances are you can not beat my anything, what with your pasty eternal indoors-ness and all.  (Okay, that's not a fair assessment of boardgamers, most actually do stuff outside the house, not like those computer gamers...)

Two, apparently you couldn't even beat me in the boardgame.  So bleh (that's the sound I make when I stick out my tongue mockingly).


Three, it's just a game.  I don't remember putting any money on it, and I definitely don't remember putting any personal property or lives on the game. 

Four, eat some fiber and chill out.

It is just a game.  I appreciate that you get involved enough, invested enough, into a game that it evokes any kind of emotion from you.  On the other hand, there's no need to act like an ass.  I understand that some games are set up such that it's difficult not to feel betrayed.  I'll cite Diplomacy--there are a thousand references on BGG (Boardgamegeek.com) of friendships, and even marriages, being ruined by this game.  But it's a game, and you should understand that when you sat down to play this game, you agreed to be a part of the shennanigans.

This is the kind of thing I would remove someone from my house for, forcefully if need be.  It's never happened, I don't want it to happen.  The people I play with I've known for years, long enough that I doubt anything like this will ever happen.  I have had people get upset during a game, I've even had someone throw pieces at me (I love you, Jackie), and certain low-level degrees of this are, if not acceptable, at least understandable.  Part of really enjoying a game is putting yourself into a game, and that involvement brings with it emotion, and a sense of victory or loss--but this should all be enjoyable (see the previous three rules).  Crossing into an area where feelings or worse can be injured is unnecessary.

And if you throw my game and lose or damage pieces, I'll be pissed.  Okay, not really, but I won't be happy with you.

***

Hopefully something good coming up at the end of the month.   I've gotten a little gaming in this past week, but hope to have a lot more time this Sunday.   

Congratulations, Jackie!  Graduation ceremony completed, and only 8 more weeks until you are actually done with your degree.  You're almost there, Hon!