gg is arrogance

Excactly. What would even be the point of intending to be rude using something that most people would consider to be courtesy? A smug smile thinking that they thought he meant it but actually he didn't and nobody will ever know? If these are the true villains of online chess one need not worry, as they will soon be singing "they're coming to take me away, ha ha, to the funny farm" :)

Abusers are verbal, especially in anonymous contexts.

 Hurrah-you make sense

 I never chat "in game".  I find it rather rude.

2 peas in an acidic pond

I still hate the Yankees.

This is not a gaming site it is a chess site.  Chess developed its own etiquette over the centuries, and in chess it is considered bad form for the winner to say good game.  You come to this site a "newbie" (your words) and say I don't care what your customs are this is what I do.   Can you imagine the reception I would get, if I went to a gaming site and announced," although new to gaming, I don't care about your established etiquette, this is what I am going to do; because this is what chess players do".

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

@blake78613: this is preposterous.  First, chess is a game, ergo, this is a gaming site.  Secondly, don't look a gift horse in the mouth.  If someone extends you a courtesy, whether they be winner or loser, accept it, this is a far longer human tradition than any supposed one you claim for chess.    

Why do fourms live forever long after their purpose is done?

Because everyone has something to say.  The chattiness never dies.

the answer is in the question.

see, that response is art work 

Why don't we just hang out and blabber forever?

Already done.

I use good game when I think it was a good/interesting game, regardless if I win or lose (and that is if I feel like typing).

I only "misuse" gg in certain situations where I feel it's appropriate, like if my opponents starts running the clock in a completely lost situation. Sometimes it brings them to their senses and they resign, but of course, usually they just let it run out.

edit: I'll also say good game when I win if for some reason I played against a significantly lower rated opponent that put up a good fight, to acknowledge that they played well for their rating.

gg after a bad game is not arrogance, but rather its opposite: it is a demonstration of gutter standards. (I realize that in American politics arrogant assertion of astounding ignorance is considered a virtue in certain circles)

It shocks me that a thread like this goes on forever because so many seem incapable of accepting a fundamental point of human courtesy.  There is no ulterior motive when I say "good game."  The motive is: I am not playing a computer, I am playing a fellow human being who I only know over the online game; I enjoy the game, whether I win or lose, I say "good game" by way of gratitude.  The inverse of arrogance?  Are you just being rhetorical?  There is nothing as simple as a basic handshake.  Take it or leave it.  Stop sh*tting your pants about it.  

If you don't want to take my word for it, at least give some weight to the WGM.  She has been well schooled and very careful about what she says.  I can assure you that she didn't make it up off the top of head.

From the size of this thread it is obvious that the winner firing off a "gg", is offensive to a large portion of chess players.  Why go out of your way to offend them?

With due respect to the WGM, I think she is wrong, and just illustrates her own hubris.  You compliment the opponent whether you win or die.  Go back to the Homeric epos if you don't believe me.  This is ridiculous, and I don't take someone's grandmaster status as authority.  Anyone is allowed to say good game whether they win or lose.  The winner should be touched that their opponent is not spitting bile.  Where is this "rule" vcoming from?  For God's sake it is just a statement of fair play.  

Indeed, that has been considered the polite remark; and was one the first things I learned when I started playing CC chess in 1963.

and/or an arrogant unnecessary waste of time.