Cowboy-Indian-Bear?

[GP_Matt]

I am trying to determine if the game Cowboy-Indian-Bear is racially insensitive.

Our office Christmas party has a gift exchange every year. The normal rules are that you can take a gift under the tree or take a gift from someone who has already opened one and give them the gift from under the tree. This year, someone has suggested that the person with the opened gift be allowed to defend their gift with a quick C-I-B match with the winner picking between the two gifts.

For those who don't know, the game is similar to rock-paper-scissors except you stand up back to back, say C-I-B and then turn around standing in the arms raised position of a bear, guns drawn of a cowboy or holding your fingers behind your head to symbolize the Indian. Bear beats cowboy, cowboy beats Indian and Indian beats bear. When people have a few drinks it is usually an enjoyable way to settle things, but the question remains as to whether or not this game would be considered offensive.

Your input is appreciated.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Just rename the game Cow-human, Native American Aboriginal and Non-Gender Specific Unprejudiced Furry Mammal and you'll be fine.

[icecube]

I think it would be considered offensive to many, personally.

[EverfresH15]

Never even heard of that game. Sounds dumb. You could just suggest the normal way to play it? Item can only be stolen once a round and 3 times the entire game.

[Hemi-Cuda]

who the hell invented that game? what's wrong with RPS?

[browna]

nm

[Locke]

Highly insensitive. I for one am surprised that the 'Bear-fairness' lobby hasnt gotten ahold of this yet.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

That seems like it might be a little insensitive.
I suggest American-Nazi-Jew instead.

Oh, and a general rule of thumb for the future, if you have to ask "Is this game offensive". The answer is pobably "Yes".

[fundmark19]

What is wrong with rock paper scissors? Did scissors get upset because of the years of abuse and being to weak to defend against rock?

[oilyfan]

Not to be a smartass but with a name like Cowboy-Indian-Bear what do you think?

[IliketoPuck]

I wonder which company this is at. A few friends of mine are big C.I.B. supporters and use it to determine the outcome of any disagreement.....

Correlation = Causation? Perhaps.

[GP_Matt]

RPS works, but can't be seen by the rest of the room and doesn't get people out of their chairs. And while I understand the rule that if you have to ask you already know the answer it was brought up as a suggestion so I figured CP was a good source of knowledge and I don't like the ultra PC method which I think took things too far in the 90's. Our office still calls it a Christmas Party despite the fact that some employees may not celebrate Christmas.

As for the American Nazi Jew suggestion, is that a subtle way of bringing up the 911 conspiracy debate?

[CaptainCrunch]

Jeez, I thought that this game was all about the people that were designated to be indian's raiding the Accounts Payable department while the Cowboys made pretend blankets laced with pretend small pox while negotiating to buy the secretarial pool for a handful of pocket link and some month old jelly beans.

Meanwhile the people that played the Bears would slaughter the boss and eat him alive.

[valo403]

Originally Posted by GP_Matt

RPS works, but can't be seen by the rest of the room and doesn't get people out of their chairs. And while I understand the rule that if you have to ask you already know the answer it was brought up as a suggestion so I figured CP was a good source of knowledge and I don't like the ultra PC method which I think took things too far in the 90's. Our office still calls it a Christmas Party despite the fact that some employees may not celebrate Christmas.

As for the American Nazi Jew suggestion, is that a subtle way of bringing up the 911 conspiracy debate?

I don't what the motive was, but if a game called that would be considered offensive your game would be too.

An employer who knowingly allowed something like that to take place would be begging to be sued.

[mikey_the_redneck]

I don't think a Cowboy-Indian-Bear game is offensive at all.

Is there a context of hatred? I didn't think so.

What about the Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins? Abolish them?

Holy crap what a paranoid world we live in....

[THE SCUD]

I don't think American Nazi Jew would work... Who would the jew beat?

Please god tell me know one thinks this is serious.

Seriously, in this game the only logical out is the Jew beats the American, and that seems to be reverse-bigotry.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

why not korean, japanese, chinese? That's far more hilarious.

Wait, what do you mean this isn't suppose to be hilarious?

[THE SCUD]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

I don't think a Cowboy-Indian-Bear game is offensive at all.

Is there a context of hatred? I didn't think so.

What about the Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins? Abolish them?

Holy crap what a paranoid world we live in....

I am very surprised at the position you have taken in this argument, mikey - not like you at all.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

You can always play Rock Paper Scissors Lizard Spock to spice things up.

And don't ask if I'm being serious, because I'm not entirely sure myself.

[Locke]

And personally I dont care, I think its hilarious. People need a sense of humour.