"Thank you" for serve error
Table Tennis Discussion
Last updated 9 years ago
Jean Balthazar Asked 9 years ago
Hello there,
Here's an idea for a "Ping Skiller's Question Of The Day": "When your opponent makes a service error, do you say "Thank you"?"
I don't now if this is international or just a French thing, but I see this a lot and find it really annoying. I'm sure some do it without any afterthought, genuinely thinking thinking they're being polite, but man, how stupid? And why not being consistent then, and thank them for every allegedly easy shot they miss?
Have a good day.
J-B.
Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago
Hi J-B,
I remember this annoying me a lot too especially when I was young. I am not sure what about it that really annoyed me but it really did.
Does it annoy anyone else? Or do you do it? Come on own up!!
Thoughts on this question
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Gordon Hume Posted 9 years ago
I only say it when a) my opponent is a friend, with whom I can exchange some banter, and b) when they're already in the lead and I really am grateful! Otherwise, yes, it's just rude.
Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago
I often hear it and absolutely totally completely hate this.
D K Posted 9 years ago
I hate when I make a service error and the opponent's fans say that my opponent did well -_-
Dieter Verhofstadt Posted 9 years ago
We have the opposite habit in our club, which is to apologize: "sorry". Some say "thank you". I find "thank you" a bit pestering but in any case more honest than "sorry".
Myself I've grown the habit of knocking the table twice with the palm of my left hand. It's supposed to say something like "serve error acknowledged, I'm lucky here". I find that not too bullish or sarcastic but rather apologetic in a modest way. I could change that habit if people find it disturbing.
Ilia Minkin Posted 9 years ago
Moreover, I avoid any commenting on my opponents game unless we are VERY close friends. Whenever my opponent makes any unwanted comments like "Thank you", or tries to ridicule me for making errors, I just pretend that I'm totally deaf.
Thomas Kunzfeld Posted 9 years ago
I don´t do this.
Exception: When it´s just a relaxed training game and I´m sure that my playing partner is in the same humorous mood like me.