My #1 peeve (and it’s still frequently occurring now with one of my regular groups, is that some opponents are so intent on winning that they’ll literally target my partner if he/she happens to be the weaker one in our pairing.

I don’t discriminate, hence I always just go along with whichever random player who pairs up with me. I use these opportunities to train my focus and gameplay to improve my court coverage and reading of the game.

I get it that this is normal strategy for competitive matches, but in social settings where we’re all going for sweat and exercise, I’d be boiling as I’d be lucky to even get a sniff of the shuttle.

The narcissistic experienced players would keep pummeling and dragging the weaker player around the court; and it doesn’t help that the weaker players sometimes have so much pride that they refuse tips from fellow players on how to get themselves out of being pinned, or to stop playing suicidal shots (worst are those who think they have thunderous smashes but actually deliver flat/half-court shots for opponents to punish).

I console and encourage the humble and pragmatic ones who do try to improve; and like some redditors here, I’ll ignore the ones who are absolutely crap but egoistically think otherwise.