Game: A form of play or sport, esp. a competitive one played according to rules and decided by skill, strength, or luck; A type of activity or business, esp. when regarded as a game; A secret and clever plan or trick; The quality of being game; bravery, courage or pluck; An important part of most traditional Native American cultures, often having spiritual, ceremonial, and/or social implications. Games were often taken very seriously and were marked by intensive preparation, rigid codes of conduct, and wagering. ...
Although "games" is often thought of as those things "children" do for entertainment it does consist of a more critically important definition not found in any readily accessible definition.
In American Mainstream English cultures the game is everything. It drives how that culture sees things and there is a seriousness that is attached that is not a "game." To this culture it is actually a "game of life" with game plans, game rules and game associations that do not fit the general idea of a game. In this game two participants can become frustrated, angry and aggressive to win but will be on a friendly level after the game ends. Rules can be bent and broken in the game with little or no repercussions as long as it is a part of that games plans and rules.
To perceive a game participant in life with assumptions that a threat or confrontation ends in enemies would miss the mark because when the game is done those same combatants will go have drinks and dinner.
In some cultures and at all levels it is a matter of "games." In other cultures it is a matter of "classroom" etiquette where there are no broken rules and the culture allows for no games and all aspects of the classroom are to be taken seriously - it is not a game. In the game it is not personal, in the classroom any deviations or breakage is taken personally and collectively.
If you think games are not serious then consider the types and sizes of the paychecks of professional game players. Football and Golf are games and they are big business.
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