Loss of face is a hit people do for their bosses or for the company, which ever loyalty resides. I can botch up a deal, and we can still follow through, but there are consequences. The consequences is that I’m out of the discussion. A person removed from discussion is less eyes watching out for danger and pitfalls.
This is similar to “bad cop and good cop tactics”, where a course of action gains the flexibility of changing course or strategy by allowing a “way out”.
I’ve fallen on my sword about twice, with my dad turning the act as an act of a “young man” to give me the opportunity to redeem myself. Excuses, especially by the person with the higher status and influence is a way out, and allows me to get back into the game.
This kind of Social Attrition game is one that is both marvelous to behold and really sucks being caught in one. One real problem with these tactics is that Real Life gets in the way, and there are far more consequences and risks that the theory allows us to see.
Sigh… and I’m a GM with no players… sniff.
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