"Thank you" for serve error

Jean Balthazar Asked 10 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 10 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!!

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Thoughts on this question

Gordon Hume Posted 10 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 10 years ago

I often hear it and absolutely totally completely hate this.

D K Posted 10 years ago

I hate when I make a service error and the opponent's fans say that my opponent did well -_-

Dieter Verhofstadt Posted 10 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.

Thomas Kunzfeld Posted 10 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.