Life presents us a dizzying array of choices on a daily basis. Invigorating to some and debilitating to others, probing our innermost desires to come up with a decision can be stressful.
Or, it can be great fun.
In recent weeks two forms of the same parlor game have been circling in the orbit of my awareness: “This or That?” and “Would You Rather…” Typically banished to the world of awkward corporate conference ice breakers, “This or That?” and its cousin “Would You Rather…” offers a forced choice between two options and the opportunity to explain their reasoning.
These two versions of the same game can be indistinguishable, but in practice, I have observed that “Would You Rather…” tends to have a darker edge. When my boys engage in “Would You Rather…” their dichotomous options are both equally cringe-inducing. For example, they might say “Would you rather clean the port-a-johns at the fair or pick up trash along the highway for five miles?”
“Would You Rather…” is about choosing from two unpleasant circumstances whereas “This or That?” can be expressing a preference for two otherwise enjoyable items.
Southern culture icon Landon Bryant started a segment on his podcast, “Landon Talks with Kate,” in which together they play “This or that?” In this week’s episode, they had such fun “This or That?” topics as “Putting on airs” or “highfalutin?”; “haint” blue porch ceilings or red doors?; and rummage sale or curb store?
See? Isn’t this fun?
Often during their “This or That?” segment, Landon and Kate will swap positions, which is extra fun, allowing themselves to be talked into a preference other than their gut reaction. The game is more fun when you blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. It’s definitely one of those activities that loses its energy if you put too much thought into it or if you’re indecisive.
The key to either game are the questions. Like everything else in the world, there are plenty of websites with lists of questions to help prime the pump. Two such resources include a post on the Simirity Family Journal and TeamBuilding.com. (I told you this is a staple of corporate meeting icebreakers.)
In my attempt to continue to offer consumers real value from the New South Essays brand, I have generated 10 New South topics for each version of the game. You may use these free of charge at your next family get-together, first date, or quarterly all-hands meeting, just please use the following credit: “Genius ideas generated by Lance Wallace at NewSouthEssays.com, the world’s leading authority on contemporary Southern Culture.”
Ok, enough of the preamble. Here are your New South topics:
This or That?
- Pumpkin spice or cilantro? (flavor)
- Reese Witherspoon or Parker Posey?
- Foot rub or scalp massage?
- The mountains or beach? Does it change if it’s Pigeon Forge or Panama City?
- Android or iPhone?
- Gas or electric? (This could be interpreted in many ways from vehicles to stovetops)
- Nate Bargatze or Leanne Morgan?
- Atlanta or Nashville?
- Netflix’s “Sweet Magnolias” or “Friday Night Lights” (TV version)?
- Dorothea Benton Frank or Ann B. Ross?
- BONUS: Southern Living or Garden & Gun?
Would You Rather…
- Attend your child’s middle school band concert or swim meet?
- Vacuum the house or mow the yard?
- Chaperone a church youth group lock-in or participate in the school candle sale fundraiser?
- Tent camp in the rain or theme park resort with your in-laws?
- Eat a habanero or grits flavored with Stevia?
- Ingrown toenail or juicing lemons with a paper cut?
- Pump out your septic tank or the grease trap at the local catfish place?
- Take the subway in New York City or order sweet tea in Boston?
- Commute to work from Alpharetta to Midtown Atlanta or dental surgery?
- Wear ill-fitting shoes to an outdoor wedding or enter your Netflix password using only the TV remote?
- BONUS: Paint your brick house or have a yard sale?
If you have scenarios you’d like to share so we can keep the game going, please leave a comment with your suggestion.
Thank you for playing!
New South Essays 