Why isn’t it socially acceptable to sit out of board games?

[Anonymous]

If there are several people who are sitting out, it’s no big deal. But if someone is the only person sitting out, everyone else feels really rude for doing something that excludes one person, and feels they have to keep checking on you. But I also think you’re uptight. I hate certain games (I’m looking at you, Monopoly) but there are so many games out there that are really just ways to keep people interacting (and in some cases off the topic of politics), that it’s really not a big deal. Are you worried about being “embarrassed” or saying something “wrong”? No one cares. It’s charades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No reason to not host your own events.

I would love attending philosophical salons if the people aren’t pompous jerks. In grad school, it was roughly 50/50 smart people who love exchanging ideas and people who thought they were smarter than everyone else so they came to lecture.

The latter group has morphed into the group of people who demand everyone play board games. They are insufferable. God forbid you say you think Catan is tedious.

[Anonymous]

My SIL loves to play board games with all our combined kids every summer at the beach house vacation. Hours of board games. They have a ton of fun! I sit them out, and I don't feel guilty at all. SIL is a working mom who works more than full time and rarely sees her kids, so she's connecting with her kids and making some good memories. I'm a SAHM and have more time for board games at home. I'm glad they have fun! I can sit nearby and read.

[Anonymous]

I only think it is rude to sit out of a board game if there are not enough players to participate and one person refuses to play.

Thus the other people lose the opportunity to play altogether. 😕

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've never known a smart, intellectually curious person who didn't like board games. I can see not liking a particular board game, but when I think to all of our family on both sides, friends, neighborhoods, etc. the smart, interesting ones all like board games.

NP - I'm very smart and intellectually curious, but I don't like sitting still for hours. So, sure, in theory it would be fun to play a game and chat with friends, the reality isn't physically comfortable for me. I have other smart friends who feel the same way.

So you like board games but not for extended periods of time? And you have multiple friends with the same physical limitations?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't trust people who don't like games. Or dogs. Or the beach.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hate, no, *loathe*, board games. To me, they are mind numbing. At family or friend events, I’m more than happy to sit amongst the group playing and spectate, and to contribute to any ancillary conversation that may be happening. But no! I’m expected to “take one for the team” and join in. It’s just a game, after all. It won’t kill me to play a hand of Uno.

Why can’t I just sit it out? Why don’t we allow people this grace without giving them a browbeating and all but insisting? Why can’t the others “take one for the team”and just gather around and socialize? Pick a topic and get philosophical. That’s what I’d want to do. Or put on some music and dance! It’s totally fine when people don’t want to have deep conversation, or if they don’t want dance. But say you don’t want to play the game and everything goes to hell.

Why?

Are you aging and single, by chance? Sounds like you should at least try projecting some bubbly happiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never known a smart, intellectually curious person who didn't like board games. I can see not liking a particular board game, but when I think to all of our family on both sides, friends, neighborhoods, etc. the smart, interesting ones all like board games.

+1

There is only one person in our family who never wants to play anything and this person is totally humorless, incurious, and pious.

[Anonymous]

I've only known a few people who didn't like games and they were soooo boring in general no real hobbies but liked to complain about others hobbies.