HIVE was the 1st new game that I learned since summer camp days. Not many knew about it & I needed new partners to play. That was when I was finishing my classes at community college. So, my idea was to bring the pocket version to school.
“Hey, do you want to learn a new game?,” I would ask classmates at break. “Sure, I guess,” was the common response. Then I would proceed to pour the bag of tiles on the table.
Their eyes would usually open wide like Jack Skeleton discovering Christmas asking “What’s this?” I would give a brief tutorial. We would play a game or 2. Some liked it more than others, but more often than not, I just made a new friend.
Introductions are awkward for me & some say they last a lifetime. “Hi, my name is Damon. What’s yours?” ‘Dang, I just forgot it. Ok, try not to look stupid.’ I have a pretty interesting backstory, from time in the military to working at Hooters in the dirty south. I just haven’t yet framed it into a coherent introductory narrative. How about “Let’s play a game?” instead.
The handshake game doesn’t have to be a gateway game like HIVE. Although, there is something special about teaching someone something new. Common games like Uno or Connect 4 work well. People are always happy to show the skills they have in something they know.
The handshake game’s purpose is to be fun. So when you leave that person you just met with that lasting 1st impression, they will at least remember having fun with you.