______________________________________________________
My favorite holiday gift of the season is a game – it’s actually the #1 game I recommend families and couples to play. It’s called “The Ungame.”
“The Ungame” is different from other games in that there is no competition and there are no losers or complicated strategies. Most games would have players pretending to be or do something. “The Ungame” encourages players to be real, whether there answers to questions be lighthearted (from Deck 1) or more serious and tender-hearted (from Deck 2). You can even mix the decks up and have a bit of both! We spend time together as families or single groups but our conversations are sometimes lacking in substance – but not with “The Ungame.”
This game came about by a mother who lost her voice following a serious throat surgery.
Rhea Zakich was terrified that she would never speak, again. She was ordered by her doctor not to talk for several months which was traumatic for her because she was one busy lady at the time, from PTA president to director of her church choir! We talked recently and she stated that not being able to talk gave her plenty of time to more aware and to think. She began to realize that as a family they had not shared their feelings on many subjects. Even her husband didn’t really know her. She was worried about the things she wasn’t saying to her family and regretted some of the things she had said. From her frustration at her inability to communicate came the concept for the game. She wrote down every question she wished people would ask her and all the questions she wished she could ask them and couldn’t. The first time she and her family sat down and played her new creation they learned more about each other in 20 minutes than they had learned in 12 years. Rhea has since regained her voice and “The Ungame” has become the most popular communication game with sales of over one million units.
In “The Ungame” players remain silent except for their turn, which really sets the stage for respecting each others opinions. Players are also more willing to be open and honest it there is a guarantee that there will be no interruptions, challenges, or criticisms. If players are simply dieing to comment they have to wait until they draw a QUESTION/COMMENT card. This card gives them time to say, “I understand.” “I’m sorry.” “What can I do to help?” Or, they can create their own question for someone, such as, “All of your hobbies, which is your favorite?”
The smaller the group the more honest and intimate the
responses will be; the larger the group the more superficial they will be.
____________________________________________________________________
“The Ungame” retails at $19.95 and can be purchased at www.talicor.com.
Once online, click “Skip Intro” and go right into “Purchasing the Game.”
Add comment