For 2-6 players
Setting
Clothing stores are recommended, but any store can be used
Objective
Build friendship between players by casually exploring a store. Purchasing items is incidental and should not be treated as an objective.
Setup
The players agree to meet at a store and head to a particular department of the store. Players should stay in close enough proximity of each other to communicate easily.
How to Play
The players peruse merchandise in the store within a close distance of each other, and take turns in no particular order calling attention to the items that they find. This action constitutes the start of a round. After several rounds, the players may move to another department or part of the store. Players continue initiating rounds and changing locations until the end of the game.
During the Round
The player who initiated the round must first explain why they called out their particular item as the subject of the round. The other players are encouraged to then provide their input on this judgement and on the item generally. This can take the form of support for purchasing the item, casual dismissal of the item due to absent or present properties, mild ridicule and charades, etc. Players should not feel pressured to treat the item as seriously under consideration for purchase, and should keep their comments light. Humor is encouraged at the expense of the item or store - other players can be lightly ribbed but should not be mocked.
Store Employees
The size of a store determines how much the humorous aspect of the game should be concealed from store employees. Poking fun at the merchandise is much more acceptable at Target vs a mom-and-pop boutique.
Extended Play
In the case that the game has been occurring in a small store or the players don’t have anything better to do, the game may continue by the players moving to another store.
End of the Game
The game is over when the players have finished perusing the store, or the players decide to purchase several things, or the players are tired and want to go home.