Behind The Symbols – Rock, Paper and Scissors

The three symbols of Rock Paper Scissors are commonly thought to be equal weapons. But great RPS players understand that each symbol holds its own special weight and value. Each symbol has specific characteristics based on the actual item it represents: Rock, Paper, and Scissors. It is virtually impossible for the human mind to see these symbols as anything else but the attributes of their corresponding item.
 

ROCK

According to several studies, the most commonly thrown symbol of all time is rock. First of all, rock is pre-formed and takes the least amount of physical exertion to throw. Secondly, rock is the most aggressive throw, and emotionally feels the most powerful. Rock is formed in a closed fist, which is the same hand position a fighter uses to punch an opponent. Generally, a rock can do more damage than a paper or a scissors. You can't throw a paper through somebody's window. You can't roll a scissors down a hill to crush someone's favorite classic car. But you can both with a big, heavy rock. Rock is usually the go-to throw in a time of need or a time of nervousness, so when your opponent is stuck between a rock and a hard place, he will throw the former. Over the last 16 years, records show that the most common opening throw is rock. As an important caveat, there has been a growing renaissance of papers since 2004 as players catch on to the fact that their opponents' first throw tends to be rock.

If your opponent has the following traits, they will favor throwing rock first: aggressive, strong, Type-A personality, masculine, rugged, angry, obese, vengeful, frustrated, fingerless, bitter, Neanderthal-like, simple, hairy, extroverted or alcoholic.

PAPER

Paper is a very interesting throw. It is the most passive throw yet it defeats the macho rock. A piece of paper is a thin, light material used for writing, folding, and wadding. It can't do much physical damage, though paper cuts can be deceptively painful, and can sometimes even require a band-aid. Paper is formed with an open hand and fingers straightened out, resembling the beginning phase of handshake. It's also the hand position someone would use to wave hello. And yet, that same hand formation was used by various tyrants through history to support genocide.

Clearly, paper is an often friendly and passive maneuver, but deceptively dangerous. If your opponent has the following traits, they will favor throwing paper: Literary, passive, weak, sad, too skinny, melancholy, apathetic, German, affable, humble, short, friendly, soft or insecure.

SCISSORS

Scissors is for the sharpest of RPS players; those who are intelligent, cunning and courageous. Scissors is considered the most cerebral of the throws, because in our society of short attention spans most people hear "Rock Paper Scissors" and stop listening after "Rock Paper." But the smart ones don't forget about scissors. Scissors are tools used for cutting, and can be equally destructive in RPS. Like rock, scissors can serve as an aggressive throw, but it's not reckless aggression, it's well-designed aggression. Scissors looks like a peaceful throw - it even mimics the peace sign - but there is a dark seedy underbelly to scissors, one of manipulation and deviousness.

Surprisingly, or fittingly according to whom you ask, scissors is the most common throw among women. Statistics show that in major tournament play since 2001, females threw scissors more than a whopping 50% of the time. This is likely because men are less likely to throw rock at a woman, so women feel secure to throw scissors. And plus, females like cutting things, so it all makes sense.

Remember, if your opponent has the following traits, they will favor throwing scissors: Sneaky, sly, sharp, calculating, intelligent, feminine, controlled, centered, thoughtful, introspective, deep or bald.