[StrawDog]

I started answering this questions with a bland yes, Cariadferch's answer being in pretty much direct line with how I think. However, as I thought more my answer became less simple. Maybe I've overthought.

If I'm competing with someone, there has to be an element of reluctance on both sides; loss and victory has to be exactly that, even if it's something small. The reluctance itself is arousing, but it also gives ground to grow from, and to remember. However, I either know the people I compete with well, or terms are ironclad before anything can happen.

If a task is a more casual exchange, reluctance is less of a factor; I'm more interested to see how the person responds and what they report back, if at all, and use that as a building block.