What makes people so competitive with each other? What is the root cause of it? What do you gain? And do you think men and women enjoy competing against each other, or do they prefer to compete with their same gender? Are you competitive?
I think some people are competitive and some just aren't. No reason or rhyme to it - although I'd say you could guage how competitive someone could be based on their type. Perhaps the root cause is a drive to prove yourself to others, competing with yourself, or maybe you're just good at something and love doing it better than others.
I like competing against both men and women. In areas physical and non-physical. All the boggle/scrabble players that can really kick my ass are women.
I think by competing with people you understand each other better - that could be several things. For example, you realize how much you dislike someone, like someone, respect someone, enjoy being around them in all kinds of situations (not just non-competitive), and you can certainly learn more about yourself when competing.
I, myself,
can be competitive under the right circumstances. But, as an INFJ, it has to be something I'm invested in and care a lot about. I couldn't care less for debating about politics and sports or board games, for the post part, and so I won't go through the trouble and waste energy to endure the conflict and confrontation to put my views out there. I come from a family of competitors and their always saying, 'hey let's play dominoes/cards..." and I don't want to go near that bed of trash talking.
On the other hand, music, movies, food/coffee, and weight lifting (random, yes) I'm very open for debating on/being competitive in.