I went to a networking retreat this week. This is a common thing in Silicon Valley. A bunch of people who work in the same industry but at different companies get together around an activity such as skiing or kitesurfing. There were about 30 of us staying in four different houses. At one point I went to the main house and found five people about to start a game of Speed Quarters. They invited me to join them which I did. For those not familiar with Speed Quarters, it is a drinking game. You have to bounce a quarter on the table and into a shot glass. If those around you do it better than you you get to drink a lot... I think the last time I had played Quarters I was in college, so I have to confess I was a bit apprehensive at first. Yet playing seemed like a better alternative than seating in a corner with my iPad. Anyway, we played for about an hour and it was good fun.
As I recalled the experience the next day I realized there was more to it than a bit of fun and alcohol. The experience, as silly and superficial as it was, created a stronger bond among the players than anything else that I did during the retreat. Imagine that at some point in the future I am involved in a business transaction with some of the retreat participants. With whom am I likely to be able to be more candid and direct? With the person I had a "business" conversation or with the person I played Speed Quarters with? I will soon forget most of the conversations that I had during the retreat, but I won't forget the game of Speed Quarters.
Special and intimate experiences boost personal relationships. I imagine this is why fraternities, religions and other such communities have rituals and traditions that at first seem silly, or even backwards. They create lasting bonds... So boys, do silly things with your friends! Of course, be safe & respectful. Our Speed Quarters game was right before dinner and none of us drove there.
The boys only had one question for me: had did I do in the game? Well, I started very poorly. I couldn't get the quarter in the shot glass at all. But then I hit my streak and did pretty well. Only ended up drinking a bottle of beer (which as a lot less than the person who did worst drank).
As I recalled the experience the next day I realized there was more to it than a bit of fun and alcohol. The experience, as silly and superficial as it was, created a stronger bond among the players than anything else that I did during the retreat. Imagine that at some point in the future I am involved in a business transaction with some of the retreat participants. With whom am I likely to be able to be more candid and direct? With the person I had a "business" conversation or with the person I played Speed Quarters with? I will soon forget most of the conversations that I had during the retreat, but I won't forget the game of Speed Quarters.
Special and intimate experiences boost personal relationships. I imagine this is why fraternities, religions and other such communities have rituals and traditions that at first seem silly, or even backwards. They create lasting bonds... So boys, do silly things with your friends! Of course, be safe & respectful. Our Speed Quarters game was right before dinner and none of us drove there.
The boys only had one question for me: had did I do in the game? Well, I started very poorly. I couldn't get the quarter in the shot glass at all. But then I hit my streak and did pretty well. Only ended up drinking a bottle of beer (which as a lot less than the person who did worst drank).
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