It was Romme night tonight and sadly I believe the whole game has gone down the drain with the loss of Jick one of the founding members of Romme night who has just left us for pastures greener (the UK).
Sigh. The reason there has been a pall on the game for me is that Tin, her replacement, is a little too competitive and pushy and by the end of the evening I wind up feeling depressed (and no, not because I lost…). This was not the original rummy game plan we started with. On top of this is the fact that we have to stop for a smoko break after every other hand and she swears up a blue streak when things aren’t going her way.
Let me interrupt by saying that the worst word in my everyday vocab is bugger… I get a little green around the gills when there other more forceful words used in such light circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, in extremes of emotion even I have been know to go so far as to expound in VERY colourful language. I just save it up for those times and don’t waste the emotion over a card game…
But then, I’m not that competitive… maybe for some, losing, or having a crap (oops, that just slipped out) hand justifies effing and blinding… You be the judge.
To add insult to injury, once again I have come to bed smelling like a smoker. And Tin even smokes outside… it’s just that outside is very close to inside in my little house and half a pack of cigarettes was consumed in the course of the evening…
So, I have to either let Bet and Poleman know that I am finding it really difficult, (actually Bet and I have talked about it already) or I have to suck it up and play on.
Truth is I don’t want to waste my time spending an evening in a fashion I don’t enjoy.
What would you do?
I absolutely hate confrontation too! I have no idea what I would do. I guess Smudgie has the best idea.
As for another hobby? Join another choir!
I’d agree that you don’t have to put up with smoking at your place. If Tin is someone you don’t have to get on with in other circumstances, I think I’d drop out and let it be known that you weren’t enjoying the game any more. No point persevering with something for fun when it isn’t. And it’s unlikely that it will suddenly begin being fun again unless Tin leaves. So I’d find another hobby to enjoy.
Tell ’em you hate the smoking and the extreme swearing doesn’t thrill you … all adults after all … but then, that’s more my response than yours :) … hmm … maybe just comment in future that, when it’s at your place, it’s a completely non-smoking environment (including the balcony) as the space is so small … if this person is so extreme a smoker that they have to have one after every hand it might just prove too much for them and they’ll stop coming?
I’d say (to Tin)that you’re no longer playing due to other commitments (insert appropriate fib here) – then find another person to make up the four – I guess this all depends on how much Tin knows about your social life…it’s a tricky one.
But you do have to stop it.