Once every four years, during the winter Olympics, America is reminded of a sport that is fairly obscure and confusing to most of us. Yep, that’s right. It’s time for curling.

This ice sport, first played in 16th century Scotland, involves a long sheet of ice with painted rings on one end, a round stone that a player slides down the ice, and broomsticks that other players use to sweep the ice in front of the sliding stone. Read about detailed rules and game play here.

Anyone who has watched a few curling games has noticed something strange (besides grown adults running around on ice with broomsticks). Curlers are just so darn polite to one another. This isn’t merely coincidence; it’s one of the standards of the game.

Part of the culture of curling is a high level of sportsmanship. For example, even in high-level tournaments, players are expected to call their own fouls. This alone sets it apart from other popular sports such as football and basketball, where intentional fouls are often part of the strategy, as long as you’re careful to make it look unintentional. It is also a major faux pax to celebrate the opposing team’s errors. You will be a very unpopular curler if you make this misstep. On the flipside, when it is apparent that one team is going to win, the losing team is expected to concede instead of playing out the whole game. This allows more time for the post-game socializing (winning team buys the first round).

The sportsmanship in curling does not take away from the intensity of the game, but instead proves that people can compete with passion and drive while maintaining civility and kindness. What could happen if we transferred the standards of curling to other areas of life such as politics, the boardroom, and the marketplace? Would our world look drastically different if we could debate and disagree one moment, but laugh over a pint the next? Isn’t it worth a try?

You can watch curling at this winter Olympics to appreciate the sportsmanship, but an even better way to experience it is to try out the game yourself. Kansas City has its very own curling club that is open even to those who have never stepped foot on the ice before. It could make a great activity for your next staff retreat or family reunion.