Tuesday 23 November 2010

DR. JOHN'S CASE NOTES : THE GREENER GRASS SYNDROME
When it comes to being fickle, bridge players are in a league of their own. Partners are rejected, cast aside and abandoned willy nilly by those who believe that their failure to achieve is purely down to the person sitting directly opposite. These blame shifting players cling desperately to the belief that there are better partners out there, compared to the current one who is just about to receive his/her marching orders. However, what these dissatisfied players don't realise is that they are all victims of The Greener Grass Syndrome.
This is a psychological disorder which causes the sufferer to constantly keep climbing up those proverbial hills looking for greener grass on the other side. New partners who can offer lush and bountiful resources to feed their hunger for success. Partners who are likely to do them more good than harm. However, it is uncertainty and curiosity which play a big part in the development of the greener grass syndrome. Often a victim becomes increasingly uncertain about whether the current partner is best for him, only for his natural curiosity to lock in as to whether there are better alternatives out there. These two factors constantly gnaw away with ever increasing intensity.
Tragically, the quest for seeking out the perfect partner saps the victim's energy and attention, to such extent that their game begins to suffer. This creates the inevitable cycle of disadvantage, as poor results stiffen their resolve to blame partner, and find another. Sadly, for all those with this disorder , they will never recognise that they might have found the ideal partner. Indeed, their constant failure to put as much energy and effort into developing a perfect relationship and partnership understanding means the quest goes on indefinitely, as opportunity after opportunity goes begging.

No comments: