I don't blame you if you think me strange for the following behavior, but I was really in the mood to play chess when I surmised the following idea.
In fact, it was more of a small experiment. I printed a sign that read "Want to play chess?" and then went with my newly-purchased chess set to a book store nearby. I bought coffee in the cafe of the store, then sat at a fairly visible table. I then set up my sign under my chess board so it could be seen by anyone who happened to look, and then started reading a book I brought. I guessed that it would be too socially risky to approach a stranger to play chess, even if there is a sign inviting anyone to play, but I hoped I was wrong. Without looking too conspicuous, I glanced to see if anyone was interested. There wasn't. I saw one man hesitate to sit down when he saw the sign, but then he sat two tables away. Whether no one was truly interested-- which is what I felt happened-- or no one wanted to take the risk to play chess with a stranger, I can't say. For my part, I feel I shouldn't have been nervous to do something like this, something that isn't horribly risky; but I was a little nervous. I wanted to challenge myself a little, and at the same time, I wanted to be social. I want to try this again at some point, if for nothing else, than to watch for others' responses. Who knows? I might eventually get someone to play.
In fact, it was more of a small experiment. I printed a sign that read "Want to play chess?" and then went with my newly-purchased chess set to a book store nearby. I bought coffee in the cafe of the store, then sat at a fairly visible table. I then set up my sign under my chess board so it could be seen by anyone who happened to look, and then started reading a book I brought. I guessed that it would be too socially risky to approach a stranger to play chess, even if there is a sign inviting anyone to play, but I hoped I was wrong. Without looking too conspicuous, I glanced to see if anyone was interested. There wasn't. I saw one man hesitate to sit down when he saw the sign, but then he sat two tables away. Whether no one was truly interested-- which is what I felt happened-- or no one wanted to take the risk to play chess with a stranger, I can't say. For my part, I feel I shouldn't have been nervous to do something like this, something that isn't horribly risky; but I was a little nervous. I wanted to challenge myself a little, and at the same time, I wanted to be social. I want to try this again at some point, if for nothing else, than to watch for others' responses. Who knows? I might eventually get someone to play.
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