Games are always a good way for people to communicate. While playing, idle conversation always begins. Game playing is how children start to interact with other children. Game playing is a good ice breaker for young couples going on their first date. And game playing is sometimes an excuse for old friends to get together - whether it's a weekly tennis or bridge game or a sporadic Settlers of Canaan game. Of course, you can learn a lot about people while playing games. Are they competitive? Easy going? Hostile? Forgiving? Fun? Serious...
When my husband I were first engaged, I found myself spending a Sunday afternoon with him and his parents. After I had gone through his mother's hour long interrogation, I was very relieved when she suggested that we all play a game of Scrabble. Great¸ maybe a chance to impress my future in-laws. I knew all the Z,Q and X words and all possible 3 letter words. Then my future mother-in-law said. We don't play for points - it's fun to just play. No points! Then why play? Not that I'm competitive (OK, maybe I am), but what makes a word "good" if it's not given points? Well, I married my husband anyway, but I realize why he enjoys the social part of games, not the competition.