Broken Telephone

Telephone is a game children adore.

The first person whispers a secret message in the ear of another.

Then, the message gets passed down the chain.

The last person recites the message out loud.

By the end of the chain, the message is usually quite different, and often funnier than the original message.

It’s rare for the original message to be repeated by the end of the chain.

This game is a microcosm of how communication often breaks down.

A mere grammatical error can change the meaning of a request.

A cultural norm can lead to a disgruntled customer.

Emphasizing the wrong syllable can turn something generous into something rude.

The game teaches that clear communication is rare.

And that communication requires not just clarity of messaging, but good listening, too.

It’s also useful to get assistance from the “operator” and ask, “Can you repeat that?”