Shaking hands at the end of a match
Table Tennis Discussion
Last updated 10 years ago
Mike Zar Asked 10 years ago
Hi Alois,,
Why do table tennis athletes, both men and women in ITTF events, appear to display bad sportsmanship at the end of a match? Meaning, the majority seems to just slap each other's hands, not shake hands? They don't seem to look at each other when they shake hands, it's a wet fish and sometimes they shake hands with the umpire first before their opponent.
To me, it doesn't help the sport. I've been seeing this a lot, but it really bugged me after watching the women's US Open final and I really had to ask this question.
Is it a culture of the sport? Is is something they do in China and everyone else just adopted it. I specifically, say China, because that's when I see it the most (on videos that is).
It appears this sort of practice is being passed down to club level. I have been on the receiving end of a few hand slaps at the end of a competition match. I hope we don't adopt this sort of gesture in Australia.
*rant over* :-)
Thanks
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Mike,
I think this really does look bad for the general public watching the game.
Let's compare it to Tennis, where the players at the end of each match will get excited, acknowledge their opponent, even have a quick chat to them and then acknowledge the crowd. It makes the whole crowd feel part of the action and it also lets the general public into the personality of the players. Table Tennis doesn't do itself any favours in this area.
It would be great to hear other peoples opinions on this.
Thoughts on this question
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mat huang Posted 10 years ago
I know what you mean. I see that all the time.
I sometimes do slap peoples hand, ONLY in minor tournaments (e.g. friendly club games) and only towards my close friends because it gets kind of awkward if they are close friends.
But most of the time, i think it is respectful, especially to senior players, to shake their hands because it is a sign of respect
Viet Dang Xuan Posted 10 years ago
I totally agree. But let's take a look at shakehand vs penhold challenge. There, players acted really friendly and seems to be very funny too. So that means it's not in every matches (I know shakehand vs penhold is just a small exhibition). But it's quite nice to see players to smile while shaking hands tightly. Alois, how was shaking hands like in your career as a player?
Gordon L Posted 10 years ago
At my club, some people do the fist bump as well. Whether it's the hand shake, the hand slap, the fist bump, doesn't really matter to me. The hand shake is my least favorite because I don't like touching other people's sweaty hands and I'm sure other people feel the same.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Viet,
I am sure we used to shake hands properly when I was playing. There were some players that gave you the wet fish.
eduardo espinosa Posted 10 years ago
Hello, pingskillers. I have seen an umpire pull a yellow card to a player because he did not want to stand w/ his hand extended because he was busy at that moment... after the match was over!! Is it a rule or an act of chivalry?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Eduardo,
It isn't a rule.
Aasim Showkat Posted 10 years ago
Comparing this to the sledging in the Ashes, it is nothing.. :)
eduardo espinosa Posted 10 years ago
Hello, Pingskillers of the world! When somebody gets to the club and say "Good evening" or "Hello", that settles it. To me it is the best assurance of good will for the whole night. Hand shaking should be left for the pros that have to"look good" to the spectators that don't know if they are friends or not. There is still something else that is in the same realm: I have seen how all of them repress their emotions. There are situations on which it would be normal for anyone to laugh or to show disbelief or whatever. They don't. Instead they show "concentration" or "professionalism". All together is like a "ping pong etiquette".