If I said GG...would you hold it against me ?

No

I never say anything like GG, WP, GL etc and don't like when the opponent does the same, for me it is rather insincere than respectful in a competitive game

I ALWAYS SAY "THANKS FOR THE GAME"

Whether I win or lose.

Saying "gg" should never be offensive unless you say it during the game. I'm a 200 so I have to deal with a lot of cocky 200 elo's thinking that they are 10000000 IQ for sacrificing the queen for no reason.

(Ofc then they say "gg")

I didn't know there were all these layers of propriety and the OP not take great offense - makes me wanna never speak at all; no sense making enemies because of simple misinterpretation. There are games that I sweated bricks (most of them) and enjoyed the positional struggles a great deal and want the OP to know I appreciated their play - which I DID otherwise I wouldn't say anything.

It wouldn't make sense to me to say it before the game but (you can tell by my ELO) that I've never done tournaments. I'm learning a lot by these forum threads but it wasn't really the 'learning' I was hoping for! So I completely understand your confusion.

There aren't.

Some people are a bit funny and have weird ideas about doing this or not doing that... but they're a minority. Most people just do what feels natural.

Not me looking at my friend playing chess and seeing both people hang pieces like crazy and miss them

If I completely destroyed you yes. Would be happier with a "sorry I wasted your time."

Wow, really? That, that seems sad for some reason. If you, whatever ELO, are playing someone else then you know their ELO, right? So if they choose to play you then it is not a waste of time or it is a waste you (or anyone) brought upon themselves, no?

All far to uncertain for my taste. Give me CHESS or coding any time. They both have solid, clear rules and endless adventures!

ADDED: A waste if the low ELO person blundered their Queen or Knight or otherwise murdered the game (been there, done it).

I will type gg game when the game is over, but my opponent is still following the game. Often that’s because checkmate is now forced.

Some players take it as a prompt to resign.

its normal to say GG

There's one person I played against who said "GG" when it wasn't even a won endgame. He was a few hundred points higher than me, but we were still deep into the middlegame, and the position was only slightly winning for him.

Did he end up winning? Yes. But regardless, I took it as very rude.

That being said, I often say "GG" when my opponent has Mate in 1, when I have Mate in 1, or when someone is already checkmated. I almost never say GG when the game isn't over, not even when there is M2.

I find the gg people condescending.

And what if you don't say anything? I have over 2,000 games in six months so far and I've never said a thing before, during or after the game until this past week. And in all three of the instances I HAVE said anything, all three were unusual situations having nothing to do with playing chess.

So is silence being rude or is silence being respectful? I'm still unclear.

It seems that MORE SILENCE might be a good thing - from me. One mouth, two VERY VERY LARGE ears ... listen four-times as much as talking (my dad taught me that). You'all decide the proper behaviors. I'm following and listening along for sure!

yes, if it's in the middle of the game.

but if it's M1 or smth then no.

That's certainly very bad manners. I've had that when my opponent only thought he was winning. Then they tell you that you got lucky. Typing it when you're the one who's losing is fine.

You didn't just Say heekaroo? 💀💀

Think it depends how the game went? If it was an intense and close contest then it’s a nice thing to see. If the game was decided by a big one move blunder or was just rubbish then it adds salt to the injury. Context is key.