I was sent a scathing message for my etiquette? What did I do?

Oh.  I thought "grow up" was the extent of it.

My apologies.

If you don't your not very sportsmanlike then are you ? But you seem to imply reason for not following etiquette is because you do not wish to be insincere ??

Is important to '' greet '' your opponent. How you do so is up to you & you need not for example say '' good-luck '' if you do not want to (I don't)

I agree... if I'm at my club... and even if its just a pick up game.. its just common courtesy to acknowledge your opponent. I think the same goes for online chess. Having said that though, if someone does not acknowledge me... no big deal... we play so many games.... I mean just move on.

KingKraven, when you extend your hand for a handshake and the other does not, do you consider this polite or rude?

You sound like an idiot. I'm blocking you.

Why not just be honest with your opponent and say, "I'm gonna crush you like a grape.  Or, as GM Arnold Denker use to say, "I'M GONNA GIVE YA A CLOBBERATION"

That looks great Count! Bananas, Strawberries, Honey and Toast and Juice

People have their reasons. Click the "disable chat" in your next game if you don't want to chat, or go into your settings and click the box that says "always disable chat." There are many privacy settings available to avoid this kind of experience, including limitations as to who can send you messages. Disabling chat would have sent a message loud and clear that you do not want to chat, but it's not personal. As far as your opponent, s/he needs to grow up and realize that not everyone sees the internet as a place to socialize, and that people may have their reasons for not socializing that has nothing to do with him/her nor is it any of his/her business.

Why not just disable chat?

If you keep it on you're inviting people to talk, and you probably should reply.

Although your right in most of what you say. It is not a case of '' not socialising ''.

Is like refusing to shake-hands, or entering a boxing match without tapping the glove your opponent offers & instead start punching.

It is rude !

What's the difficulty here in typing quick '' hi '' then disable-chat. Lousy-manners not to do that.

Well, I noticed the disable chat option when I played a match on this site so yes, I will make sure to do so before hand.

However, I was "inviting" him to speak to me. I had no idea disabling chat was a possible option as it wasn't on this website. I was playing online on another. I really didn't know that you could do that.

You know because breakfast items are very popular on this site. I will have some chocolate chip pancakes and we'll see if my opinion changes. Probably won't but they will be good.

Don't think will matter then if you only play internet-chess. If i was part of OTB tournament-team & you refused to acknowledge opponent I would kick you out of it without hesitation...

( you would not be permitted to play )

http://blog.chess.com/KingsEnemy/chess-etiquette2

http://blog.chess.com/RookedOnChess/chesscomtv-chatroom-rules

Seems odd to me that you need other people to explain to you your rudeness to the other player.

You surely understand that ignoring someone's friendly greeting is rude and ignorant, no matter how much you want to concentrate on the game.

If you behave like that to your 'friends' then I'm surprised you have any.

I'll just make sure to disable the chat prior to someone entering the room. OTB, I don't play too often but when I do if someone offers a handshake then I will accept. I will not offer a handshake. Why? Even if I shake someone's hand it does nothing for me maybe you need it. I don't. Most players in the club I play in now recently don't shake hands either. The only acknowledgement is a nod. They nor I are rude people. It's just the way we play.

One last point, I never analyze the game with my opponent. I understand why people would do it. I never do it because it will serve me no benefit. I've been in tournaments and have been offered to analyze the game with them (victory and defeat). I rather not do that. I always analyze the game alone, if that's not possible then I don't analyze at all. 

Thanks for the links, I read them but my view goes unchanged.

I do agree about being despondent and hostile. There is no need for that. Every time I lose, OTB or internet. I tip over my king as a sign of being mated I leave the board (or room). No despondency or hostility involved just leave, everyone will lose so you just move on as it's just a game. I don't like to socialize with my possible opponents. I don't want people to be offended if I brush you off. I just don't want to talk to you.

I do want to thank the users for at least putting it in my head why people will be like this. I will make sure to avoid the situation altogether the best way I can.