THE

OFFICIAL INSTRUCTIONS

AND RULES

FOR

THE PEOPLE GAMES

Copyright Joseph Belotte 1981

THE GAME

The People Games are very special conversation games that provide an interesting and enjoyable way to meet people and get to know them.

PLAYERS

Any number of people can play, as few as two or as many as thirty. Twenty to thirty people make an especially great game. People of any age can play also. And since the game is basically a party game or "getting acquainted game", it works especially well when people don't already know each other well. One player acts as a leader for the game. The leader reads the instructions aloud and guides the players through the various steps of the game.

EQUIPMENT

Official Instructions And Rules Booklet: Use this booklet as a step-by-step guide for playing the game. All of the steps of the game are explained in sequence.

Brochures: These are passed out to people who have not played a People Game before. They include the Rules, How To Play, and other information about the game.

Game Sheets: There are twelve packages of game sheets. Use only one package for any one game. Save the others for other evenings. When the players pair up, one game sheet serves two people.

Round Robin Lists: These are lists of questions used by the leader during the Group Sets. The Round Robin lists are at the end of this booklet.

A Minute-Minder Timer: This is not supplied with the game, but if you have one it can be very handy for timing the various sets.

PREPARATION

Hand out a Welcome Brochure to each player so everyone will have a copy of the Official Rules.

INTRODUCTION

(Please read aloud.)

You are about to play a non-competitive conversation game in which everybody wins.

You'll talk with a number of different people, and discover many interesting things about them. You will get to know them quickly, discover areas of mutual interest, and probably develop enjoyable and meaningful conversations. You'll learn how they think and feel, and you may discover that you have more in common than you previously imagined.

The game consists of several sets of questions which you will ask various people. The questions are designed to be interesting, easy to answer, and deal with many subjects that are fun to talk about. Some of the sets are done in large groups, others are done in pairs. Each set is different from the others, and you will have different partners for each set.

You will not be required to answer all of the questions if you don't want to. However, the more questions you answer, the more fun the game will be.

The purpose of the game is to have a great time getting acquainted with other people, to find out things you have in common, and to get to know people better by discovering how they think and how they feel about various things.

RULES

(Please read aloud.)

1. Do not contradict, challenge, or put down your partner's answers. A prime purpose of the game is getting to know other people, and putting down or challenging their answers usually makes them much less inclined to tell you what they really think or feel. Be accepting during the game and you'll find it very easy to develop an interesting conversation.

2. Be in touch with your partner's answers. The games are designed to develop communication. However, if you don't understand what your partner is saying there is no real communication, and the game will get very dull, very quickly. If you don't feel in touch with his answer, say so, and ask for an explanation. Or, if you would like to learn more about it, be sure to let him know.

3. Answer the questions any way you like. The questions are not meant to put you on the spot. Feel free to answer any way you choose, casually, deeply, humorously, or not at all. If you don't want to answer, just say, "I pass." No further explanation is required or wanted. Your partner will simply acknowledge your reply and you'll go on with the next question.

4. Don't try to give "super" answers. Although we call this a game, we don't mean it to be a contest. So avoid getting involved in anything like, "Can you top this?" To get the most out of the game, give the first answer that comes to mind, no matter how great or small. This works best and keeps things going most smoothly.

THE FIRST SHUFFLE

TO BEGIN: Each person shake hands with at least four other people, and introduce yourselves if you have not met before. Then sit in a circle.

GROUP SET A

The leader selects a question from the Group A Round Robin List found near the end of this booklet. Then, before the question is announced, one player volunteers to be first to answer. The leader begins with the volunteer and asks everyone the selected question.

The leader then continues for 10 to 15 minutes selecting questions from the list and asking everyone in the group each question before going on to the next one.

THE SECOND SHUFFLE

First, each player must touch one other person, and then several other people, one at a time. Next, each player must touch two other people, both at the same time, and then several other pairs of people, touching two at a time.

PREPARING FOR SET 1

Each person gets a partner for the first set, and each pair gets a game sheet from the leader. If there is an extra person, he or she pairs up with the leader or joins a couple to make a threesome.

(Note: if there are many more women than men, or vice versa, form threesomes.)

Then, read "How To Play" and "Suggestions" on the following page and begin Set 1.

HOW TO PLAY

(Please read aloud.)

Players ask each other each question in the set. Both partners answer question 1 before going on to question 2, and so forth down the list. Actually ask each question aloud.

Each set lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. The leader will time it. If you finish answering the questions before the time is over, develop your conversation further, but do not go on to the next set.

SUGGESTIONS

Beginning each set, go through the game questions first. Then, use the remaining time to expand on those subjects you found most interesting.

Don't let any of the questions bog you down. If you can't think of an answer, pass and answer the question later, or skip it altogether. Often, your partner's next answer will remind you of something.

Be sure to go through the questions in order. Don't skip around. Selecting out questions to answer first could leave you with the least liked questions at the end.

Don't worry about specific meanings. Whatever the question means to you is all that counts, so interpret them any way you like.

SET ONE

Players alternate, asking each other each question in Set 1. Time, 15 to 20 minutes.

GROUP SET B

The leader selects questions from the Group B Round Robin List. As in Group Set A, the leader asks everyone each question before going on to the next one. Time, 10 to 15 minutes.

THE THIRD SHUFFLE

Each player must touch two other people, both at the same time, and then several other pairs of people, touching two at a time. Then, touch three other people, all at the same time. Then touch three others, and three others, several times.

SET TWO

Players find new partners, this time for Set 2. Each pair must have a game sheet. Players go through the questions of Set 2 just as they did in Set 1. Time, 15 to 20 minutes.

THE LAST SHUFFLE

Each player must touch three other people, all at the same time. Then touch three others, and three others, several times.

SET THREE

Players find new partners and ask each other the questions of Set 3. Time, 15 to 20 minutes.

GROUP SET C

The leader selects questions from the Group Set C Round Robin List. The leader asks everyone each selected question. Time, 10 to 15 minutes.

WINDUP

Plan to have more People Games, expand on the conversations you've already begun, and enjoy.

ROUND ROBIN LIST

GROUP SET A

(Select questions from this list.)

1. Tell us about a time you saw a beautiful sight.

2. What work do you enjoy doing most? Why?

3. Tell us about a time you acquired something you wanted.

4. Where is your favorite place?

5. Tell us about a time you felt good.

6. What job do you do best?

7. Tell us about one of your favorite possessions.

8. What helpful thing have you learned recently?

9. Tell us about something you really enjoyed.

10. Describe something it might be fun to do.

11. Describe something it might be fun to have.

12. Name two people, living or dead, that you admire, and tell why.

13. Tell us a word that describes a man.

14. Tell us a word that describes a woman.

15. Tell us something you like about the opposite sex.

16. Tell us something you like about people in general.

ROUND ROBIN LIST

GROUP SET B

(Select questions from this list.)

1. Tell us about a time you did something exciting.

2. Tell us about a time you had good luck.

3. What have you done that you thought you couldn't?

4. Tell us about a time you did what you wanted.

5. Tell us about a time you bought something you wanted.

Repetitive Type Round Robin Questions

(When selecting one of the following questions, ask everyone in the room as usual, then go around two more times with the same question to develop additional answers.)

6. Tell us about something you usually enjoy doing. (Repeat question 3 times around.)

7. Tell us about something you have that you like a lot. (Repeat question 3 times around.)

8. Tell us a word that describes you. (Repeat question 3 times around.)

9. Tell us about a place you enjoyed. (Repeat question 3 times around.)

10. Tell us about a time you enjoyed. (Repeat question 3 times around.)

ROUND ROBIN LIST

GROUP SET C

(Select questions from this list.)

1. Tell us about a time you met someone you liked.

2. Tell us about a time you discovered you had something in common with someone.

3. Tell us about a time you found something interesting about someone.

4. Tell us about a time you enjoyed being with a group.

5. Tell us about something you really want to do.

6. Tell us about something you want to start.

7. Tell us about something you would like to continue.

8. Tell us about something you were really involved in.

9. Tell us about a time it was good talking with someone.

10. Tell us about a time it was good working with someone.

11. Tell us about a time it was good playing with someone.

12. Tell us about a time you learned something from someone.

13. Tell us about a time someone gave you assistance.

14. Tell us about a time you enjoyed helping someone.

THE LEADER'S MANUAL

If you would like to use the People Games as a series for clubs or groups, a special leader’s instruction manual has been prepared for you. You will find a copy of it here on the web.

The manual includes chapters on Planning a Series; Basic Purpose; Function of a Leader; Handling Problems; Host Requirements; Leader's Rules; Attitude; and Using Good Communication in Everyday Life. It also includes chapters with detailed information on The Shuffle and The Group Sets and how to make them work best.

A printable copy of the manual will be available on line.

Click here to see the Leaders Manual

The People Games have been used by many different kinds of groups, even in hospitals and Sunday schools, and there have always been pleasant reports about their success. They bring people together in a way that is enjoyable and rewarding, and in a way that brings out the very best in people. If you are the kind of person who likes communicating or sees how rewarding good communication can be, you might wish to use these games or other Lifetalk programs for your special group.

PRINTABLE COPY

For a printable copy of these Instructions click here.