I have never enjoyed competition and many friends are wondering why!
When we had running races at school, my PT teacher would rage at me as I waited for the slowest pupils and encourage them to try harder!
Maybe it has to do with my distaste of crowds and my early reluctance to appear in photographs, resulting in my mother complaining about it (she died in 2014).
In any case I have always preferred to be the observer rather than the protagonist or foil!
Am I weird?
@Helveticus
Not at all, as far as I’m concerned. I’ve long maintained that I was raised to be cooperative, not competitive. The sports I enjoy most pit me against myself, e.g. skating, gymnastics.
@Helveticus
I've met a fellow traveller 👋 in life!
Principal at brand new hs (opened with grades 9, 10, & 11, added 12 & 13 (it was a thing in Ont 🇨🇦 back in the day, as they were needed) hauled me into his office to ask about my lack of "school spirit".
I was stunned, I ❤️ that school & was glad to have been able to transfer to it.
I didn't go to games after school, nor participate in intramural sports.🙄
So I enlightened him about ppl who hate competition, and still love their school.🤷♀️
@Krysdammit Yeah, I was a teacher in HS and the principal wanted all of us to go to games. So I know what you felt and said something similar!!😀
@Helveticus
One day they roped me into playing an intramural basketball game. "If you don't play we'll lose by default waaah!"
So stupid me, I said I'd play. This was at the previous all girls hs.
I'm 5' 1 1/2" short. My friend, 5' 11", from my own team, ran in front of me to get the ball, jumped, and got me in the nose with her elbow.
Didn't understand why I wouldn't keep playing with the ringing in my ears, stars in front of my eyes and a nosebleed.We lost. Boo hoo.
Last game I ever played.
@Krysdammit #competition
I understand that competition plays an important role in evolution, but humans have reached such an important level of consciousness that observers have become all-important factors!
Animals do not need observers simply because they have no recording devices or abilities!
There is no need for me as a teacher to compete with other teachers! It would be meaningless because I am fully aware of the need to excel to benefit my students!
Food for thought!
@Helveticus
Completely agree with you.
I enjoy playing card games, and board games as a way to socialize. Even darts!
Trash talk is great fun.😂 When someone needs to win every hand, every game, it's too much for me. Too intense.
I'm one of those ppl who don't care whether they win or lose. Time spent with friends, or fam, is what I crave.
Team sports can be fun, the need to win is alien to me.🤷♀️
Excelling at something, seeking knowledge for it's own sake, making things, appeals to me.🤗
@Helveticus You're not alone. Not everyone enjoys the 'victory' of beating someone at something. I'm not big on competition either.