Thursday, November 26, 2009

What you can learn from a game of Monopoly...

It's the boys' last day off school today, as their antibiotics finally take effect against ear infections etc. Of course that means that today is a good day for me to go down with their original bug... Fortunately I seem to have a mild dose of it, and am coping well on a regime of light housework, lots of blogging and an on-and-off game of Monopoly. So, what have I learned from this game?Well, this edition is a local one (bought at a Troc Shop, of course), from which we've all learnt a bit about the streets and the economy of Toulouse itself.
The Place du Capitole is in the centre, a huge and very elegant square surrounded by arcaded brick buildings.
Sometimes it seems like we live at the airport... It contributes enormously to Toulouse's wealth and is particularly important to the international community...
...because most Brits, Germans and Americans here work in the enormous aerospatial industry of our city. We're not involved, actually, but many of the families I teach are. Toulouse has plenty of these lovely squares, where eating out of doors is the order of the day.
My parents stayed in Place Wilson when my dad was at a conference in Toulouse. Spot the green plastic houses there? SOMEBODY'S doing well...
So, I noticed early on that the choice of counter tells you something about the player. Son 1 loves dogs...Mummy can't decide between items of clothing or sewing notions...And Son 2 is a warrior. Have you guessed who is winning, yet?Now to playing styles. Son 1 and I are very similar - keen to win but not truly focused, therefore apt to making rash decisions or to miss out on opportunities.Watching Son 2 play is the true education. The boy is ruthless and gifted.

I'm going to stay in with this one. I think he may be able to keep us in our old age!

15 comments:

Michela said...

What a funny and ingenious way to tell us more about you and your town! Thanks!

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Hello Floss

Miss P found the game boring, until we bought her the Disney version of it. Then it became much more interesting!It is good how there are so many versions of it now.
I am quite competitive when I play...
Take care
Isabelle x

Jen Walshaw said...

We have a disney version too and a funfair one. MaxiMad is only 4, but he wins everytime!!

We also bought one for the town we used to live in down south before we came back north!!

Floss said...

UPDATE: Son 2 has just won, having made his brother bankrupt and reducing his mother to distraction...

Sal said...

I used to love playing Monopoly (the London version) when I was younger.
I always wanted 'Mayfair' and tried so hard to get enough money to buy it... but, more often than not, I ended up with the 'Old Kent Road'...that's when I was not lounging around in jail!!
I loved the little counters/charms. My fave was the iron..but don't tell my hubby that... as I loathe ironing! ;-)

Pomona said...

I have always been absolutely hopeless at Monopoly - too dreamy and apt to give away my money, or help other people! The winner in our family is the middle son - he is not called The General for nothing! I see your comment above - those younger brothers are tough nuts, pushed around from birth, and very competitive!

Pomona x

LAURIE said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and introducing yourself...I loved this post! and already feel like I know alittle bit about you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! -Laurie @ Womentakingastand

Serenata said...

Monopoly in our house tends to get rather competitive! We have both the original edition and a NZ edition which is fun.

BadPenny said...

great fun Floss - hope you feel better soon.

We have a New York set we had on a boat we worked on & Mum has a Brighton set !

I remember mammoth games of Monopoly when I was a child !

Sarah said...

How fantastic. We love Monopoly but our older son puts a slight twist in the rules to suit him, which of course ends in arguments with the younger one.....Hope you get better soon!

...Nina Nixon... said...

I love Monopoly though that may have a lot to do with beating hubby 'all' the time - I think our eldest has got my knack too!

Hope your all feeling better soon,

Nina x

Mandy said...

Hope your all starting to get better xxxx
Love the French monopoly x

Sarah - Red Gingham said...

I can't believe there are families out there that can actually finish a game of Monopoly, before someone tips the board over in a tiz! I thought there was one in every family. Our eldest is very good at that. She does like to win at any cost. No.2 is like me, just having a bit of fun. Hubby is quite competitive which can be very funny. Ah it's all good fun.

Looking forward to a few board games over the summer holidays. Lovely to spend a few hours doing quiet activities.

Unknown said...

Oh a french one, I like it! We used to have a canadian one with dollars (of course). I haven't been able to play Monopoly for a while as when I was having my chemotherapy sessions I played it after they had administered the drugs and ever since it makes me fell sick! Maybe there is therapy available. hee hee! suzie. xxx

harmony and rosie said...

Hi Floss, just popped over from Marigold Jam and I love your Blog-Shop! The things I really love have gone so I shall pop back. My son is mad on Monopoly - we play the Bournemouth/Poole version - he buys everything he lands on and still ends up with all the money. It absolutely infuriates me but I have to keep reminding myself he is only nine! Hope you're feeling better, I totally sympathise as I'm just getting over the lurge too!
Kate