Overheard - contributed by TB on 05/24/2007

I Thought War Was Bad

Little Boy: What's the name of this game?

Dad: War.

Little Boy: I thought war was bad.

Dad: It is.

Little Boy: But we're playing war.

Dad: It's different. This is a card game and it happens to be called 'war'. But war, the kind that's real, that is bad.

Little Boy: But we're playing war.

Dad: Right.

Little Boy: But if war is bad, aren't we bad if we're playing war?

Dad: (pauses, sips coffee) Thing of it, you know what Alex, I just realized, I made a mistake. This game isn't called 'war', it's really 'highest number'.

Little Boy: Then what game is war?

Dad: There isn't a game, war.

Little Boy: But you said...

Dad: Finish your juice, pal. Mom is waiting for us. ...overhear more

--Overheard in: Cafe, Brookline MA--

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Love this! I can hear my

- submitted by coffeemom on 05/24/2007

Love this! I can hear my husband say exact same thing. Nice laugh

We had a similar

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/24/2007

We had a similar conversation with our daughter. She couldn't get how war could be name of a game we play. We changed the name too!

Always defer to mom and

- submitted by yukker on 05/24/2007

Always defer to mom and never try to answer your kid's too smart questions, they lead only to frustration and amazement. Nice exhcange here, so so familiar. :)

This boy is so funny and

- submitted by motherof5 on 05/24/2007

This boy is so funny and smart. Poor dad, he never had a chance!

War is bad, son, now pick a

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/24/2007

War is bad, son, now pick a card d***it

I've always wondered about

- submitted by gameexpert on 05/24/2007

I've always wondered about the name. War is so angry. I think it should be friendly competition or cooperative sharing

This takes political

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/24/2007

This takes political correctness too far. Nobody really equates the silly card game with anything more weighty than silly card game. Come on, let's not lose total perspective.

Children should not be

- submitted by politicaldecider on 05/25/2007

Children should not be exposed to the word "war" until they're adults. When they are adults they should be ready to play the card game, war, and go to places like Iraq and Iran and engage in real war. Best play go fish until the child is 18.

Whatever happened to go

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/25/2007

Whatever happened to go fish. I used to love that game. It just doesn't get the buzz it used to.

I loved go fish. 1 of most

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/27/2007

I loved go fish. 1 of most underrated games ever. Make go fish not war.

War games

- submitted by Anonymous on 05/27/2007

The father's mistake started when he disadvantaged his child by teaching, "War is bad." Children tend to think in universals and therefore the child presumes that all war is bad. Children can, no should, be taught that there have been beneficial wars in human history. The notion that all use of force is morally repugnant is the cause of the new type of kidnapping where a child does not fight back. Some of us are getting sick of it and telling our children, "It is not the use of force that makes a man evil, but his intentions for that force." Using force to protect yourself, for instance, is necessary and even morally right.

Interesting point above.

- submitted by sympathetic on 05/31/2007

Interesting point above. Think possibly the father was tired and just hoping things would end with the conversation. There are times i've been there and am almost sleepwalking through it until i realize i've made it unnecesarily complicated.

Great exchange, though. Feel bad for dad. Take a nap. Reading this makes me want one.