Site etiquette

Hi all.

I am asking you experienced pawn stars what you consider to be good/bad etiquette that isnt in the site rules but just is a given.
I often forget to greet my opponent before I start playing then wonder if this would be considered rude, or do most people just not bother, I myself have found very few actually do bother.

Also, I usually wish my opponent the best of luck in the next round etc if I am beaten or thank them for the game if I win etc, again very few do this I have noticed.I am not really offended by this but I wanted to know what others thoughts were on this, is it necessary or do you think it is not needed?

As for offering draws, I have done this once, but is it better manners to ask via a message before clicking the offer draw or not?

I may not be a very good player but I do try to be a polite player so I am interested to hear your do`s/do not`s

Thanks

Pigface

Usually I send a greeting to my opponent before a game, I feel that it serves a purpose - that they are less likely to do something to judas me like stalling their moves for ages and ages (although it still happens...)

With the draws, I havent offered a draw for ages but usually when my opponent is going to offer one they tell me beforehand that they are planning to draw the game which makes the offer easier to understand.

As long as you are not forceful in your approach people generally are quite amicable, though I am sure that you will hear different opinions in this topic.

I try and be friendly with all my opponents and am always happy chatting during the game. Sometimes about chess, sometimes other things, sometimes even the game we are playing.

Some of my opponents are friendly, others say nothing but none have ever been rude.

I never offer a draw unless I believe the game to be a draw or occasionally when I am playing a stronger opponent and I feel I am slightly up but would be happy with the draw (for example if a draw is all I need to get through to the next round in a tournament or I am challenging in a seige game). I never offer a draw when I am losing as, in my opinion, that is rude. I usually but not always send a brief in game message indicating why I am making the offer.

Remember, of course, that those that say nothing may not actually understand English.

whatever you do, don't smile!



it's frowned upon.

Thats a good point about non english users, but then I usually do greet etc as there are language translators for those that can be bothered.

As for smiling, I was actually reading a thread about an hour ago on somebody getting not a very nice response to that, but then I suppose some may see it as a taunt especially after a blunder.

I hugely blundered myself and was totally blind to a very obvious and direct checkmate, to which my opponent sent the final message of "Cheers!". I must confess that did irk me a little but I have not come across any bad manners or rudeness here .... yet ......

Thanks for your responses.

Pigface

Originally posted by Pigface1
Hi all.

I am asking you experienced pawn stars what you consider to be good/bad etiquette that isnt in the site rules but just is a given.
I often forget to greet my opponent before I start playing then wonder if this would be considered rude, or do most people just not bother, I myself have found very few actually do bother.

Also, I usually wish my ...[text shortened]... do try to be a polite player so I am interested to hear your do`s/do not`s

Thanks

Pigface

>I wouldn't read anything into someone not responding to introductory messages< >as it could be for any number of innocuous reasons.<

On a couple of occasions the other player told me they hadn't seen the messages at first (due to screen size) or weren't aware how to message back.

I don't always remember to greet people, but I do always remember to thank people for the game.

There was once recently however, where I miscalculated a checkmate (ie thought it was mate and it wasn't) and said "thanks for the game". Thankfully, it was forced mate in two (so he resigned, with a nice comment), so I didn't look too much of a plonker, but I did feel that had I not had a chat with the guy earlier in the game it could have been different.

Thanks for the replies, I can agree with all of them, thats a good point about the profile, I should really get round to doing mine!
I dont mind people not greeting etc, I know what its like to suddenly have 20 games in your inbox and having to open in most of them, it is easy to forget.

Originally posted by Mad Mac MacMad
I don't always remember to greet people, but I do always remember to thank people for the game.

There was once recently however, where I miscalculated a checkmate (ie thought it was mate and it wasn't) and said "thanks for the game". Thankfully, it was forced mate in two (so he resigned, with a nice comment), so I didn't look too much of a plonker, ...[text shortened]... el that had I not had a chat with the guy earlier in the game it could have been different.

Originally posted by Pigface1
Hi all.

I am asking you experienced pawn stars what you consider to be good/bad etiquette that isnt in the site rules but just is a given.
I often forget to greet my opponent before I start playing then wonder if this would be considered rude, or do most people just not bother, I myself have found very few actually do bother.

Also, I usually wish my ...[text shortened]... do try to be a polite player so I am interested to hear your do`s/do not`s

Thanks

Pigface

Originally posted by wormwood
whatever you do, don't smile!



it's frowned upon.