Status Chain

In the two versions of the Status Chain any number of players can practise status.

Version 1

A situation is set, for example a guest in a restaurant. This guest has the absolute high status.

The wishes or complaints of the high-status player are now passed down the status chain. Each of the players standing next to one another has high status downwards and low status upwards.

Example of a chain: restaurant guest -> waiter -> cook -> kitchen helper -> trainee.

The players don't all act at the same time; only ever two are active. Example: the guest complains that the meat is tough; the waiter, bowing and scraping, apologises and then turns to the cook and angrily blames him. After that the cook shouts at his kitchen helper, etc.

If a player rebels, that is, doesn't keep to their status (so plays high status where low is required, or takes low status although they have high), they then move out of the chain to the last place with the absolute low status.

Version 2

Player A establishes a scene alone on stage. After a certain time another player B comes onto the stage and has, in comparison to the one already present, a higher status. The two players act on stage; then player A leaves the stage with a reason. After a short time a new player C comes onto the stage; they have high status compared to player B. This chain of constantly rising status continues with each player. Reverse also works of course, that is, every new player has low status.

Example:

1. (with location changes) bookseller -> boss -> customer -> wife of the customer -> mother of the wife -> elderly carer of the mother -> priest (who hears her confession) -> Pope -> God

2. (without location change) corpse -> finder of the corpse -> village policeman -> detective -> public prosecutor -> mayor

The status differences don't necessarily have to be the "normal" ones. So it would also be conceivable to start with a doctor, towards whom the receptionist has high status.

A game based on a status chain is, for example, Pecking Order in the form "The Three Rogues".

See also the exercise Status Group