-Are you ready for some social?

There are times when being social can feel a lot like a competitive sport. There is a lot of jockeying for position, much contemplating of what play will work the best, and a lot of pressure to not fumble the pass. The one thing better then scoring the social touchdown is, playing against someone who is not from your division. Since the opposing person is not from your division, the score is really pointless. It is a perfect time to exercise your social plays and loosen up the conversation muscle. Allow me to clarify the situation; you are about to play somewhere that is not your home field, your opposing team also lacks the home court advantage and for the rest of the evening you are having a perfectly matched battle of social techniques. Without this opposing stranger there could have been a complete lack of action and you would have been stuck sitting on the sidelines. When the whistle does blow signaling the end, you can both shake hands and walk off the field feeling no attachment and satisfied with the game
This past weekend I went swing dancing; definitely not my social sport of choice. Not only was I giving up all advantages, but I was also dealing with an entire roster of new players. The drive down was full of the usual opening maneuvers that are exchanged between college students; majors, home towns, cliques and best moments of the past week. It was nice, but nice will not last you an entire evening and definitely will not bring home the gold. Upon arriving to the dancehall, I immediately figured out who held home court advantage and avoided them. I then found the perfect player to go up against; someone evenly matched and from a team that was three states away. The entire night was practice for the next time I had to compete in something where the scores mattered and were written on this year’s record. It was a great way of meeting someone new, interesting and lovely; all while honing my social agility.
The night could have turned into nothing but a bunch of flags on the field had I not been given the opportunity of the playing someone who’s defense fit my offense. Playing someone for a one time only game is the best way to get an honest score of your social standings. It allows you to be at the top of your game because the one night opponent will never see the rest of your playbook. Tell all your best stories and greatest trophy moments; no need to hold back or save them for another game. When dealing with a one night opponent you can tell not only your championship success, but also your Superbowl glory moments. By the time the clock runs out, both parties involved leave the night with the satisfaction of having spent the past four hours with someone new and exciting.
Being off your home field is always a tricky matter, but it is something that is part of competing in the National Social League. There comes a time when we can no longer be penalized for laughing out of turn, rushing a play, having too many men on the field or missing an easy pass without having long lasting repercussions. The National Social League keeps very detailed records and you must try to have a good one. Other wise you get traded to a different division or get transferred to the European leagues. Play the game fairly, abide by the rules, get there early to save your seat and please remember that painting your stomach in team colors is always frowned upon.