Re: Dirty Tricks that Mother didn't teach me -

> 
> bette suggestion: don't be so mentally weak as to let a little thing like
> trash talking affect YOUR game in any way.
> 
> bob

Bob,
I am anything but mentally weak.  I prefer to think of it as being
mentally keen on understanding "why" someone is trash talking.  It is
sort of like walking down the street and you hear a siren.  You look
to see where you think it might be coming from.  I think in reality
people who trash talk are really just signaling to you that they have
some self confidence issues which you can take advantage of.
However, there are some people who get more fun out of trashing than
they do out of playing.  And, if it is an opponent whom I know that I
can easily beat...I just ignore him.  If it is not a mean spirited
trash talk then I reduce it down to a social.  Because, that's what
tennis, except for tournaments and league standings, boils down to
anyway - social fun.

Your Friend,
Gary
www.awningsleeveshirt.com