how important is winning?

I'm thinking that men and women (generally) feel differently about this.

I am an avid Carcassonne player...I love the game....it makes me think, but it is not too hard, I find it relaxing...I just enjoy it. I'm rated in the top 10 of rated players, but my win/lose ratio is not too much better than 50/50. I am not a very agressive player unless I get mad and think my opponent is a total jerk.  I like to win, but I enjoy playing whether I win or lose. After playing a game of this type as often as I do, you get to know the other players. So when I  play against an unfamiliar tag, I often give them the benefit of the doubt, expecially if they appear hesitant and new.  Even when I play frequent opponents, I will block to add difficulty to their progress, but I usually don't block so their pieces are permanently disabled; I'd rather outwith them than cripple them. I guess I'm a wimp. 

I've had (in my opinion) jerks ask me why I bother if I lose so much, tell me I'm terrible, ask me why don't I give it up, I'm obviously not learning anything, etc, etc. For me it is not only about winning.  It is the socialization, it is a passtime; I don't think I've ever won a game of Monopoly in my life, but I still like playing with my kids. I guess what I'm saying is, there is more to playing Carcassonne for me than just winning,,,,and the same goes for most other games I play. I certainly don't win most shooters, but it is still fun, and i'm not going to stop playing!