Board Games - a Great Way to Reconnect with Your Friends!

Have you noticed how present is technology in our lives? Recently, I've been thinking about it a lot. We meet our friends or family members, to have dinner together or in a bar, but we are never really alone with them, never fully dedicated to the moment. The mobiles. Ever-present intruders are there with us. If not phone calls, then whatsapps, line or whatever other fancy app we are using, don't stop bombarding us during that “quality time” with friends or family. Of course not everyone is always connected. We might be lucky enough to have one or two people in our circles, who draw a clear line, who set the border and know when not to be available. But the rest always has some reason to “be available”.

I can't say I blame them. In fact, I understand. More than once I had my mobile with me, knowing it would be irresponsible to turn it off, to disappear, even if just for an hour or so. Work is the main reason, something we often can't avoid. But I'm not talking here about these moments that we have no influence over. No, I think about when we go out to spend time with people who are truly important to us, but we whatsapp with other group of friends, or we browse the internet, show each other stupid/funny memes, check facebook/twitter/whatever is fancy at the moment. I'm talking about not being capable to spend time talking face to face. I really think many people are oblivious to the simple pleasure of chit-chatting with someone next to us, without using emoticons. I believe some of us have already lost the capability or reading real faces, recognizing sarcasm etc. It even looks like mobiles gained "an official space" on the table: on the right side of the plate, just next to the fork! Does that sound familiar? If so, I guess you might like my idea of how to avoid it.

Some time ago, I rediscovered the pleasure of board games. But I was surprised to notice that the world has moved ahead a lot. It's not only Scrabble and Monopoly anymore. You can literally find any board game on any subject you can imagine. You like travelling and trains? Try Ticket to Ride. You're a foodie? Choose Sushi-Go. You dream of an old world of colonies and its merchants? Mombasa. Zombies? Dead of Winter. Vikings? Blood Rage. Running a hotel? Grand Austria Hotel... I could go on like this forever!

Believe it or not, it's a great way to reconnect with those who up to now were too absorbed by technology to fully focus on your meetings! Most of the games are so entertaining and need all your attention if you don't want to lose. Lots of fun guaranteed! It will help you to relax, enjoy yourself and who knows,maybe learn a thing or two!

There is also one more thing that you could actually use board games for: learn the language. Of course, all of the games I mentioned, have their Spanish versions (some under slightly different title), but why don't you try them out in English? Maybe you could even encourage your friends to use not only instructions in English, but play in that language to practice? Invite some foreigners? You like the idea, but seriously doubt you could convince your friends? In most cities there are groups that meet regularly to play. Join one! Check the local libraries, cultural houses, google them. I promise: you won't regret it!