We're Not Really Strangers

Card Explanations

Final Card: When's the lats time you received a handwritten note? That one time from your 6th grade crush? Us too. Within the deck you'll find the final card that wraps this game. Use the pencil and notepad to write your partner a note. Fold and exchange. Open up only once you two have parted.

You do not have to play with a stranger. Play with any human(s) you wish!

Level 1 Perception: Do you know how others see you? Level 1 is about gaining perspective on what first impressions we give off and challenging the assumptions we make about others.

Answer the first response that comes to mind. If guessed incorrectly by your partner, feel free to reveal the actual answer.
Example:
Player A: What do you think I do for a living?
Player B: You look like an...athlete.
Player A: Interesting, I'm actually an accountant!

If playing with friends, answer the perception questions as if you were meeting for the first time. Feel free to skip any that you two already know about each other.

Level 2: Connection. Who are you really? This round is about asking the rarely asked questions and connecting on a deeper level.

Level 3: Time to reflect on your game experience.

Dig Deeper Cards:
Each player gets a dig deeper card, which can be used once per level. These cards are meant to encourage transparency if you feel your partner is holding you back.

Wildcards: You like the way this sounds, don't you? If you draw a wildcard your partner must complete the instructions unless otherwise stated. These are meant to be spontaneous and a lotta bit silly. These cards can appear at any moment during the game! Certain wildcards have a time limit. Have a phone handy to set the timer.

If you draw a "create your own question" wild card, player holding the card must create their own question for the partner.

We're Not Really Strangers Multiplayer Instructions

This game is optimized for 2 players, however play this game with up to 6 people or an even stranger experience. To begin, sit in a circle with your group and place the game in the center.

Set a pencil in the middle of the group. If you draw a wildcard spin the pencil once. The player that the pencil's sharp end lands on must perform the wildcard with you. (Spin the bottle style).

Set a 'dig deeper' card on each side of the circle for anyone's use throughout the game. Each player can use the dig deeper card one time per level. Remember these cards are to encourage transparency!

To begin, write your first impressions in three sentences of less of each player in the group on a sheet of WNRS paper. Once every player has written their notes for each other, fold and exchange among the group. Make sure notes remain folded and anonymous. These are to be read aloud once the game is over. (Quick tip: rip a single sheet to multiple pieces to write your notes for each player to be eco friendly!)

Skip first impressions questions in level 1

If you are playing with friends, try to remember what your first impressions were. Ignore the 'Final Card' when playing in a group setting.

Person most hesitant to play this game draws first.

Level 1: Each player reads a question aloud and every participant answers the questions.

Example:
Player A: What do you think I do for a living?
Player B: You look like an app developer!
Player C: no offense, but...
Player D, idk, starving art?
etc.

If no one guesses correctly feel free to reveal the answer.

Each player must read at least 2 question cards from this level and answer every question posed by other players to move on to the next level.

Level 2: With the deck face down, each player will draw a card. When it's your turn, read your question aloud and choose one player in the group to answer that question. You may not select a player that has just answered a question.

Level 3: This round is played just like level one. Ask a question that each player must answer about you.

Once level 3 is complete, the final step is to visit the first impression notes that were written for each person at the beginning of the game.

Final Card

Each player write a message to the other, fold and exchange. Open only once you two have parted.

Level 1

Wildcard: Maintain eye contact for thirty seconds. What did you notice?

Level 1

Wildcard: Close your eyes. What color is my shirt?

Level 1

Wildcard: Ask and answer the next question in a different accent (both players).

Level 1

Wildcard: Think of your favorite childhood TV show of all time. One the count of 3, say it out loud! (Both players)

Level 1

Wildcard: Draw a picture together. (30 seconds)

Level 1

Wildcard: Rate your dancing skills on a scale of 1-10. One the count of three, say your answers out loud! (Both players)

Level 1

Wildcard: Draw a portrait of each other to the best of your ability. (1 minute). Then exchange.

Level 1

Wildcard: Make an assumption about me. (Both players)

Level 1

Wildcard: Close your eyes. What color are my eyes?

Level 1

Wildcard: Write down something others would never guess about you just by looking at you. (Both players). Compare.

Level 1

Reminder: Let go of your attachment to the outcome.

Level 1

Wildcard: Think of your favorite brand of cereal. On the count of 3, say your answers out loud! (Both players)

Level 1

Do you think I intimidate others? Why or why not?

Level 1

Do you think I've ever been fired from a job? If so, what for?

Level 1

What does my instagram tell you about me?

Level 1

What is my body language telling you right now?

Level 1

What fast food restaurant do you think I'm most likely to drive through? What's my order?

Level 1

What do you think my go to karaoke song is?

Level 1

What was your first impression of me?

Level 1

Do I seem like a coffee or tea person? Sweetened or unsweetened?

Level 1

What's the first thing you noticed about me?

Level 1

What subject do you think I thrived in at school? Did I fail any?

Level 1

What about me intrigues you?

Level 1

Do I seem like a morning person or a night owl? Why?

Level 1

What does my phone wallpaper tell you about me?

Level 1

If you were to buy me a present, knowing nothing about me other than what I look like, what would it be?

Level 1

What compliment do you think I hear the most?

Level 1

Do I look kind? Explain.

Level 1

What about me is most strange or unfamiliar to you?

Level 1

How likely am I to go camping? How high maintenance is my set up?

Level 1

What do you think is the hardest part of what I do for a living?

Level 1

What reality show do you think I'm most likely to binge watch. Explain.

Level 1

Do I seem like a cat or dog person?

Level 1

What do my shoes tell you about me?

Level 1

Do I seem like more of a creative or analytical type? Explain.

Level 1

How many speeding tickets do you think I've gotten in my life?

Level 1

Do I seem like someone who would get a name tattooed on myself? Why or why not?

Level 1

What do you think I'm most likely to splurge on?

Level 1

Finish the sentence: Just by looking at you I'd think ________.

Level 1

What character would I play in a movie?

Level 1

Do I remind you of anyone?

Level 1

Who do you think my celebrity crush is?

Level 1

Do you think I've ever checked an ex's phone for evidence?

Level 1

Do you think I was popular in school? Explain.

Level 1

On a scale of 1-10, how messy do you think my car is? 1 begin cleanest, 10 being a complete disaster. Explain.

Level 1

Do you think I fall in love easily? Why or why not?

Level 1

Do you think plants thrive or die in my care? Explain.

Level 1

Do you think I'm usually early, on time, or late to events? Explain.

Level 1

If myspace were still a thing, what would my profile song be?

Level 1

As a child, what do you think I wanted to be?

Level 2

Reminder: Be more interested in understanding others than being understood.

Level 2

Wildcard: Press shuffle on your music library. Explain the first song that comes up!

Level 2

Wildcard: Draw your current mood. Then compare. (Both players).

Level 2

Wildcard: Singe the chorus of your favorite song of all time. Get into it!

Level 2

Wildcard: Both players write the three most important things in life to you. (30 seconds). Compare.

Level 2

Wildcard: Create a secret handshake!

Level 2

Wildcard: Both players write an embarrassing fun fact about yourselves. Play a game of rock, paper, scissors. Loser must reveal?

Level 2

Wildcard: Show the first photo in your camera roll. Explain.

Level 2

Wildcard: Think of something you strongly dislike that most people love. On the count of 3 say it loud! (Both players)

Level 2

Wildcard: Questions are an art form. Create your own question.

Level 2

Wildcard: Staring contest. First to blink must reveal a personal problem and ask your partner for advice on how they might handle it.

Level 2

Wildcard: Ask a question you'd be too afraid to ask. Something you wouldn't dare to ask.

Level 2

Wildcard: Admit something.

Level 2

Wildcard: Call someone you admire and tell them why you appreciate them! (Put them on speaker phone)

Level 2

Wildcard: Swap sweats with your partner.

Level 2

What are you more afraid of, failure or success? And why?

Level 2

What is your 1st love's name and the reason you fell in love with him/her?

Level 2

If you have, when was the moment you realized you weren't invincible?

Level 2

What was your mother's name? And the most beautiful thing about her?

Level 2

How can you become a better person?

Level 2

Have you ever told someone I love you but didn't mean it? If so, why?

Level 2

What is the last thing you lied to your mother about?

Level 2

What is a dream you've let go on?

Level 2

Are you missing anyone right now? Do you think they are missing you too?

Level 2

What's the most pain you've ever been in that wasn't physical?

Level 2

If you could get to know someone in your life on a deeper level, who would it be and why?

Level 2

What are you still trying to prove to yourself?

Level 2

Are you lying to yourself about anything?

Level 2

What lesson took you the longest to unlearn?

Level 2

Do you think the image you have of yourself matches the image people see you as?

Level 2

If you could have it your way: who would you be with? Where would you be? And what would you be doing?

Level 2

Is there a feeling you miss?

Level 2

What's been your happiest memory this past year?

Level 2

What's your father's name? And tell me one thing about him.

Level 2

What is something you wouldn't want to change about yourself?

Level 2

What title would you give this chapter in your life?

Level 2

What question are you trying to answer most in your life right now?

Level 2

What is a compliment you wish you received more frequently?

Level 2

What has been your earliest recollection of happiness?

Level 2

When was the last time you surprised yourself?

Level 2

How would you describe the feeling of being loved in one word?

Level 2

What part of your life works? What part of your life hurts?

Level 2

What do you crave more of?

Level 2

What's been the best compliment a stranger has ever given you?

Level 2

Have you changed your mind about anything recently?

Level 2

Describe your perfect day!

Level 2

What is the most unexplainable thing that's ever happened to you?