Do you like to play party games?

[Curly Wurly Doggie Breath]

NO I have never liked party games and aviod them like the plague

[Bethalize]

Do you feel the same way about party games? Do you enjoy playing them, or like me, would you rather not have the party so structured and prefer to just socialize with friends and not have to think or concentrate too hard on anything else?

Whilst I don't mind a couple of nostalgia games, like cutting the moulded flour until the edifice crumbles and you have to pick the sweet out with your teeth, I only want that sort of thing with good friends. The sort of game you describe, where you can only win if you have prior knowledge, is obnoxious when forced upon people. I don't mind games where you can win starting from zero - things like person bingo when you have to talk to people to find out the answers. Find a person who is a Libra, find a person who was at school with the hostess, and so on. That's worth playing because anyone can win.

[SweetTinkerbelle]

I like all games...even silly shower games.

I answered "neutral" because I love a good Pictionary or Tripoli (aka Michigan Rummy) party but can't stand "shower games."

I LOVE Tripoli!! My mom had a Tripoli set from the seventies, but over Christmas the plastic mat started to crack.  My dad had to order a replacement one for her birthday.   

[mlogica]

Yes, generally I enjoy party games, board games and card games.  Even when I don't know about them in advance, or they happen spontaneously.  But then again I'm not very competitive and not easily embarassed if a game revolves around something I don't know much about (say, movies) and I don't do very well.  In that situation I might get a little bored, but there's generally enough back conversation and other stuff going on that it's okay.

My one true exception to the above:  the inclusion of children who are really too young for the game.  It ends up getting "dumbed down" and being a lot less fun.

[Hawkwatcher]

I hate all party games including board games.  The reason why I hate these games is that I have seen them become too competitive.  Several years ago, I attended a Thanksgiving party with a group of friends.  Our host and hostess recommended that we play "Trivial Persuit" and they also divided us up into teams based on gender.  The problem was that the women were very good at this game and we were easily defeating the men.  Now, we were not rude about it and most of the men did not care.  Unfortunately, the host did care and he started getting very upset every time we got a question correct.  It made me extremely uncomfortable.  That was the last time I visited his home.

[kingsrings]

At this party I mentioned, upon our arrival we had a piece of paper pinned to our backs. On the paper was the name of a Biblical person, and we couldn't remove the paper until we guessed what person it was. The other guests saw our papers and supplied us with clues. Because I don't have a big grasp on Biblical knowledge yet, I couldn't get mine, and finally it had to be told to me. It was very embarrassing and people were amazed at my lack of knowledge. I think that game was a very obnoxious way to put people on the spot, although the host said it was an ice-breaker. And you had to participate.

[Venus193]

I'm all for Monopoly, Mille Bournes, Clue, or anything similar, but no Charades or any so-called "ice breakers."  Those are too embarrassing.

[blarg314]

I don't mind board or card games when they show up later in the party, after people have snacked and had something to drink, and the party is mellowing, and people with little kids have headed off. I also don't mind a party that is designed around something like a murder mystery and is advertised as such.

I really hate those icebreaker games though. You've just gotten something to drink and are chatting with people and having a nice, relaxing time, and then some well meaning but officious person bustles up and insists that you just just *have* to play guess that smell, or pin the pointy stick on the weather girl. I find that they actually make it harder to socialise with people, partly because you keep getting interrupted, and partly because a lot of people dislike the games, and are getting grumpy and wondering when they can go home.

[Sharnita]

I kinda like them but maybe that is because in school so much was geared toward who won athletic games - where I never had a chance.

I might team people in the bible games you seem to describe so if one person was limited they could have some help from a partner.

[Ondine]

I think it really depends on the group of people at the party. My friends and I would play charades and truth or dare, but we all are comfortable around each other and do not cross personal boundaries.

At a party I had recently, we played the game "Scene It" movie version" and we had a blast. We just shouted out answers and whoever said it first got a point. I also like board games or trivia games.


I hate the disgusting or humiliating shower games though.

[Saki_Fiz]

Shall I be the uncouth one and mention drinking games?  Because those tend to be fun...

I generally don't mind party games, but only if the "crowd" is into it?  If no one has interest, then it needs to be left alone.  You can't really force enthusiasm. 

[blarg314]

I also avoid drinking games completely - engaging in a speed or volume drinking contest with guys who out mass me and can out drink me without breaking a sweat isn't a particularly wise or safe thing to do.    I can outlast those same guys over an evening, but that's because I'm very good at judging my limits.

[FoxPaws]

Offered as an activity - yes.
Mandatory for all attendees - no.

kingsrings, in your situation I think I would've developed a blinding migraine and had to go home. You are a much better sport than I am.

We often have board or card games at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but participation is optional - sometimes it's actually more fun to watch everyone else play. My grandnephew got a wii for Christmas last year (I think that's what you call it) and had a blast teaching/watching his great aunties attempt to "bowl".

[Wordgeek]

I love Trivial Pursuit and have played it at parties many times.

However, my rules are strict: We play for fun.  That means no mockery, beratement, chastisement, insults, or even teasing, not even as a joke.  I haven't kicked anyone out, but I've spoken to people I thought were getting out of line.  I just can't stand comments like, "I can't believe you didn't know that!" I find them demeaning, and won't tolerate anything of the sort.

It's a game, people.  Take it calmly.

[kingsrings]

Offered as an activity - yes.
Mandatory for all attendees - no.

kingsrings, in your situation I think I would've developed a blinding migraine and had to go home. You are a much better sport than I am.

Well, that would of caused a scene and it would of been obvious why I was leaving. Didn't want to look like a jerk, plus I had driven across town for the party and was riding with someone else. In retrospect, I should of just politely declined and explained that I just wasn't into party games. If that was met with protestation, later, rinse, repeat. The host put a lot of time, generosity, and money into this party and I feel bad for saying this, but it just didn't jive with me. Too many rules, structure, and games.