wouldn't play otb chess if you paid me

Like I said, just asking the question, not making any assumptions...

People may insult others for a variety of reasons. Thinking about it some more, maybe they are attention seeking, or maybe they just think it is amusing? Who knows?

I guess people who insult others are no more cohesive or alike than any other random group.

Why would someone find it necessary to insult people they do not even know?

Well, I don't think "necessary" necessarily has any bearing on this case study. Perhaps "ready, willing and able" is the crux of the matter. This, I would narrow down to "able". The "ready" and "willing" are givens.

People are not able to insult someone in person (unless under great duress) because the consequences are potentially high. Things could escalate to the point of someone going to jail (from the assault, broken bar room furniture, etc.).

On the net, the consequences are: nyet.

Sorry to hear your experiences have been bad. You get people like that OTB sometimes. 

I have had my fair share of negative experiences in both OTB and on the Internet. Sadly it seems there is always the chance of having a negative experience. Unless you go against a program, there is always potential for the opponent to be troublesome.

My personl opinion is that people who feel the need to insult other people without any provocation, do so because they have severe personal inadequacies, that bother them so much, they seek a distraction. If this distraction, somehow can seem to elevate them above others, they then can feel better about themselves. I have to quit thinking about this now before I go puke...

I know a few around here for whom it can be attributed to bad potty training.

Yes Yes I can see how you would know that  ROFL.

Nameno1had's and e4nf3's last comments made sense to me, and these guys must be grateful for the internet.  If they were to attempt that kind of behavior around the wrong person offline they'd be wishing their worst problem was that they keep falling in their own crap.

Ok lets go ahead and lets all pretend all groups are equal, that all groups consist of exactly the same kind of people...

Chess doesn't make a person into this and that. It's the this and that qualities that drives a particular person to chess.

This is all stereotyping. But if you have problem with stereotyping you can't ever in your life say "Dog barks" or "Dog has four legs" because that is stereotyping too.

#1 reason to give up "otb" chess they won't let me use my engine or my analysis board.

Here is the bright side, for me: I thoroughly enjoy playing OTB. And, no one has to pay me (not that anyone would). 

Some people get offended over generalities or feel threatened by them and rightfully so. However, labelling and understanding start somewhere, attempting to classify and stereotyping are very similar. It is the intent that matters. My comments are a reflection of people I began to develope before I ever saw a chess board. The reasons people treat others badly most often has little to do with chess.

One of the nice things about OTB chess play is that you don't need electricity. That might come in handy again, someday.

Once again, an insult couched in scientific-sounding terms somehow is supposed to not be taken an insult.  On the other hand, I can hardly fault any post which ends on the verge of puking... 

...or, simply, save yourself a lot of aggravation and drink a glass of water with two or three tablespoons of mustard mixed in.

I would heartily recommend this method to my enemies, who are drooling as they read my posts (and, doing other things as well).

I could better expend my energies than having to insult them (which they self-evidently enyoy).