Chatting during chess

Someone has yet to explain the real value of this token. What is the point?

It's definitely possibly that two people can both have good luck in the same game. 

And I don't think it's an empty formality if someone says "good luck" in every game. Just because something is done formally or routinely doesn't mean it is an empty gesture or meaningless. 

Like in boxing matches, for example, at the start of every match the referees brings both pugilists to the center of the ring, explains the rules and tells them he wants a good, clean fight. 

Is this necessary in a heavyweight championship fight? Don't the boxers know the rules? Couldn't we assume that the referee wants a good, clean fight without hearing him say it?

Yes to all questions. 

However, rituals become meaningful and help bring pleasant order to our lives. 

Beautiful comment, padman. 

It's not silence. Cyber handshake?

I don't buy the mind-numbingly automatic "good luck" as fostering any good will amongst chess players on the Internet.

Even worse is the post game "thanks". Ugh.

It is clearly stated in my profile that if you cant be polite, respectful and muster up even the basics of chattting ie: good game, good luck, etc.  then please do not play me.  And if youre going to be rude you will be reported.

Thanks for playing or thanks for the game is a great sentiment. 

I guess we must be complete opposites. But an opponent could have done anything other than play a game of chess and so I always think it's nice when an opponent says "good game" or "thanks."

I've struggled with the same thoughts you talk about in your initial post, Arstan. It does seem like the chat box can become a psychological tactical weapon at times. It's not my cup of tea, though. I think that's why the pros don't speak during a game. Any chatting about the game is best left until after the game.

The one common thread here is that in OTB tournament play everyone wishes each other good luck and after says good game.  I think its the "safety" of sitting behind a monitor that makes people feel like its ok to be rude and not acknowledge a simple gesture of kindness.  At chess club even during casual games people wish each other good luck. 

Yes its rude not to but also understand that these same people are the ones that are acknowleging the same good luck, and good game in OTB play that ignore you online. 

Do the right thing and keep wishing your opponent good luck ,and good game.  be the bigger man.

if some one says hi when the games start,then I will response in the same way,have madr a few friends that way,I came to c.c to play,learn more tha I know;maybe learn other cultures while I am at it.to me it is rude not  to aknowledge the greeting.

I'm not playing the game as a service to you, as your "thanks" implies.

padman, have you ever stopped to think of what the person on the other end is thinking or feeling? That perhaps they are really annoyed by impersonal "good luck" or the trite "thanks". Or do you just assume that your way is the right way?

Personally, I like to talk about random things during chat.  It might distract them from the play, or it might make friends with the person.  I don't like to gloat, and i will congratulate my opponents on strong moves.  However, most of my comments are random, and only sometimes thought provoking quotes that are generally distractions.  THe opponent can choose whether or not to respond, it doesn't really matter to me.

Gosh Loomis, why do you play the game? Complete and total domination? 

I play for fun and if someone plays with me than it's fun. It makes sense to say thanks after the game. 

Whether or not someone intends to provide the service of entertaining me, they do provide that service. 

It's great and wonderful. 

Well, in the original post the guy was accused of cheating because he was chatting, how can one constitute chatting as cheating, he needs grow a brain. It's find to say hi in any form during the game. I also agree some of the younger generation need to show some respect with their comments after a game.

No. I am the original poster so let me clarify. I wasn't accused of cheating because I was chatting. 

I was accused of cheating, period. I guess because I'd played decent moves. 

Maybe my opponent thought because his rating was 2206 and my rating was 1420 or whatever that he'd beat me in 20 moves or something. 

The games almost over so I look forward to seeing the computer analysis and seeing just how good I was actually playing. 

That's a good point, and I should have clarified that I did not mean live chess.  Although the messages I referred to were outside of any chess, live or otherwise, and were just direct messages not tied to any game.

But is rudeness necessarily a commission, or could it also be an omission?  Suppose you write "How are you?" and get no reply.  Is that rude?

I am curious to know why this would bother you.  Especially considering that at any time you are free to play against the computer and avoid the annoyances of dealing with humans as humans.

I hate disabling chat, and people always yell at me when I do it, sooooooooo, that is me.