A Social Commentary On The "Good Game"

Since the dawn of time man has felt the need to have many forms of congratulations. Most of these congratulations have taken on a vocal manifestation (ie; good work, nicely done, congratulations etc.), but only a few have taken on a physical form. The high five and handshake are the two most common of the physical congratulatory manifestations. One of the most uncommon forms of physical congratulations is the double finger snap and gunpoint. This one was actually very common in the 70’s and 80’s, but quickly died out due to its unwieldy power. Many tried to use it, but all that did failed miserably. I do believe that its place in the timeline will come again, but it didn’t belong in that era and might not resurface for many centuries.

One such physical manifestation came to pass around 150 years ago that basically defined the early ½ of the 20th century. You all know what I’m talking about don’t you? That’s right! The pat on the bum of course! Little did the man who created it know that it would be the defining congratulatory method used by the most powerful men in the country! Presidents, CEO’s and coaches oh my! All the most powerful men in the world use this as a job well done. Sometimes it could be a hard slap due to the excitement of winning the World Series in Major League Baseball, or something as subtle as a soft pat for picking the winning horse at the races.

The pat on the bum, in the early ½ of the century was the most widely used form of the physical congratulations. It basically stopped the high five and handshaking all together as well as stopping all other forms of vocal congratulations. Many birthdays in the early century involved nothing more than saying “happy birthday” and then a slap on the butt!

Over the latter ½ of the century the pat on the bottom started losing interest, especially with the advent of the women’s movement and social rights groups popping up all over North America. The political ramifications of bum patting brought on worldwide conflict between the forces of man and woman. Men, who’ve been patting women on the bum for a job well done for years were forced to stop almost immediately or else they’d be faced with sexual harassment charges. Likewise, women who partook in the bum patting had to stop as well. Now… Most men wouldn’t mind this, but there were some that were too hoity toity let it pass and joined in on the political movement with the women. No longer was it acceptable to pat anyone’s bum for a job well done… Many rejoiced, but even more died a little inside…

Years passed, and no bums were touched, or very few at that. But there were certain groups of people who kept bum slapping alive. Groups like the NFL and MLB who kept it in the public eye, but had it kept at a minimum. Still, it has been a fairly silent activity amongst only the closest of friends and only was done behind closed doors. Like many things great, it was deemed as taboo.

However, in the past few years there have been uprisings of those individuals who strive to bring bum slapping back. Yes, Back with a vengeance! Pun intended! No longer just a pat on the bottom like its predecessor… It now is a symbol. It is a symbol of greatness. Now called the “Good Game”, people around the world rejoice once again at the advent of this old, yet new congratulatory manifestation. No, it may not be socially acceptable amongst men and women in the office, yet anyway. No, it will never truly come back to the point of its highest pinnacle as it was in the days of old. But the “Good Game” extremists from around the world will strive to bring it to new heights in this, the 21st century! I for one will do my part in slapping ass’s whenever the opportunity arises if to say nothing more than “Hey man, good to see ya!” I will stare the man and his political correctness in the face and say “step off”. I will be the foremost bringer of “good games” to this society as I will not bow to conformity! And I, along with my legions and legions of “Good Gamers” will spread the word and once again share this great congratulatory manifestation with the world!

Perhaps one day I will see a politically correct free world in which men and women alike can once again share a friendly pat on the bum.