Games people play.....

Why, oh why do people play games?  No, I do not mean board games or video games....  what I am talking about is the mind games people take such pride in playing.  While most of these games that people play is really a desire for drama to ensue.... I see it as a ploy for attention.  Let me explain a few findings that I see ending up with the same conclusion.....  getting attention.

Lets start off with the players of the game.  Nobody is immune to the destruction.  Here are the ones I have managed to give names to.  Well, some of it is just common knowledge, you know....

The back stabber:  The sliest of creatures.  They are your friend to your face, but will shoot you in the back once your back is turned.

The drama queen:  The most tightly wound person you will ever come across.  No small situations to get upset about here....  everything is cause for overreaction and assumption.  They are capable of creating drama and eluding blame.

The toxic commentator:  As the drama queen makes the smallest grain of sand into a mountain, this person just oozes negativity.  Nothing is ever good enough, they have plenty of opinion, but no ability to try to change the situation for the better.

The nitpicker:  This special breed of personality is one that grates on any level-headed person's nerves.  While the toxic commentator oozes the negativity, the nitpicker is one to dissect a situation and claim that regardless where others are wrong..... only they know what is right and is not afraid of telling people their faults.

The worry-wart:  This person lacks focus on the big picture and only is short-sighted.  Their concern is getting the 4-1-1 on when (and who) the next shoe is going to drop.  Never focusing on trying to avoid the other shoe from dropping....  just wanting fair warning to what is going to happen next.

The drama duck:  This person does everything in their power to avoid drama at all costs and in fact lets drama roll off their back like water to a duck's backside.  This person is not completely immune to the drama that unfolds around them, but does their best to not get wrapped up in the hype.

The ostrich:  This person is so non-confrontational that they would rather bury their head in the sand than taking a stand.  The moment that tempers flare.... they are running far and fast.

The prince/princess:  This is probably one of the most annoying of the bunch.  Demands to be the center of attention at all times and when this person is not getting what they want or demand.... they stomp, pout, and complain.  They feel that they are entitled to be given everything and does not care who they step on to get what they want.  Some people can see them as being the squeakiest wheel in any situation.  Sometimes seen as a social climber with cleats.

The sponge:  This person really does not need too much explanation, but to highlight this person's ability to absorb commentary from all sides and does nothing until that fateful day they get squeezed.  When that happens.....  Whoa Nelly!!

and finally.....

The bi-polar express:  This person plays a very erratic game.  They are a balanced mix of all of the above and can sling stones to glass houses without getting the blame.  Depending on the situation, they can flip from tattle-tale to secret keeper.  It is in how it benefits them.  An obviously short-term or selective memory for this special person.  They have a really good bead on playing a game to benefit just themselves while creating havoc in their wake.  Has potential to be accused, but finds the ultimate loophole to weasel out of any sticky situation.  They always win and you always lose.....  The ultimate in drawing the line in the sand and then blurring it to their benefit.

Now, in any situation where there are a large group of people, you will find one or more than one of those people in the mix.  All it takes is for one person to throw the gossip or complaint bone and most people attack it with the fervor of a pack of rabid dogs.  All they need is a victim to attach the gossip to and it is.... game on!  What can start off as a small annoyance or minor injustice and all hell breaks loose.  What starts off looking like a feast on a victim turns into a fight to the death for getting to the coveted top of the food chain.

While some games are short run situations, it is the long game that tests the will of everyone involved.  Resentment and lack of respect take center stage.  Not one person will take the fall, as well as not one person rising above it all.  As there are toxic people, there are toxic situations and everyone is at risk.  Quite an unhealthy situation, but alliances are formed in some places and pity is placed in some situations.  The desire to stick it out overcomes the desire to high tail it out because nobody knows if the grass is actually gonna be greener elsewhere and it becomes easier to be complacent than to rock the boat.

So tell me.....  if everyone is willing to work on making the situation livable, then why do we need to play games in the first place?

As I said before, chances are there are for more game players out there.  These are the ones I managed to highlight today.  Now, being aware of these personality flaws/game player attributes.....  would you be willing to do everything necessary to change if it is to benefit the greater good?