Too Much Nit Picking

     I have been seeing a large number of posts regarding manners, etc during games. While I think the clarification of some of actions has been well needed, especially for the novice player, I am starting to think it's gone too far. I make an effort to be nice to people I play here by saying hello, wishing them a good game (since the term "good luck" has now been shredded by the good manners police), and trying to be a good representative of chess.com. However, it's gotten to the point where every action off of the chess board but related to our online playing is under the microscope of debate. I know, the way one behaves during a face to face tournament game is different from an online or a coffee house game. Yet it seems there is a huge amount of writing going on about this topic. I, for one, think the time would be better spent playing chess and/or discussing chess. Of course, you could say that my even posting this topic is adding to the mess. Any one with me regarding more time talking about and playing chess versus what my mother would call "nit picking?"

I agree but instead of calling it "nit picking" which it is. I think it is one more example of the "PC" world going crazy!!!

How wishing someone "good luck" can be taken for anything other then good manners is hard for me to see!

I've found in my time on the Internet that a discussion board dedicated to any topic is invariably full of people bitching and moaning about everything related to it, large and small.  It's so common a phenomenon that at times I make a point of staying away from generalized discussion boards for things I enjoy, because it actually makes me like them less to wallow in such negativity.

Rest assured that the silent majority are quietly spending their time enjoying said activity, rather than spending their time posting on a message board about it.  And actually, this is a pretty positive forum -- there are plenty of threads about favorite-this, and how-you-play-that, etc.  So don't let the bastards get you down.

Great post Hugh, agree with all the responses too... there's too many pedantic (as Spiffe says) bastards, geeks and old dinosaurs on here who get all uppity at the use of 'good luck', opponents who won't resign (harrumph!), and so on.

To those, I say... let people play the game how they choose, and grow up.

To those of a more positive pursuation, I salute you all, let's perhaps start a group called 'Nit-Pick Free Non-Bastards'

 i would suggest that those of the "silent majority" (lol i can't write that without laughing) actually add to a forum post every now and then even if you'd label it as "complaining" or "nit-picking". we'd all still like to hear your opinions as well.

also, it's a fine line between offerring an opinion and complaining. some might argue that every negative opinion is simply a complaint. i am not of that understanding.

 Oh that would've been a brilliant thread. Everyone chiming in: "My opponent resigned on exactly the turn I would've preferred them to!" or "My opponent logged her moves against me at my precisely preferred rate of play!"

Haha, too good, Tunatin.

NOT ENOUGH NIT-PICKING IN CHESS; MORE NEEDED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hugh, I agree that nit picking goes on, but in most of the forums, both positive and negative view points abound depending on which side of the fence your on.   You have more nit picking going on with just discussing what moves that we make and why, with people who think you made the wrong move. that's just my opinion.

Yes, I should have qualified my statement a bit more. I agree that it is a "good thing" to discuss manners, do's and don'ts, etc. The novice player needs to know what is considered good form when playing against another person here and elsewhere. It's just when it gets out of hand that I wonder if people should play more and type less. Once again, I posted something and gotten some view points I didn't consider. Thanks. Hopefully this post won't become the twenty page marathon and defeat it's purpose (that in itself might be funny and ironic however)!

You spelled "nit" wrong.

LOL Ian ha ha ha.....Thats funny.....I'm going to go kill myself now.