But let's not forget there are helpful Fodorgarchs as well - most of them - just a minority (many of whom happen to post 24-7) of them are perpetually rude, full of themselves, etc. But the do stand out and are detrimental to Fodor's - often running off brand new posters who are the lifeline of fodor's as an entity making money.

And the majority of Fodorgarchs are experts in a certain field and bring so so much unique and great info to the table - it's just too bad a minority of these cannot put themselves in the position of a newbie poster - a novice European traveler who yes may ask naive downright silly questions - there is a way to say what you want without being rude but too often it seems who can be the rudest, the cutest is the goal. And these types do a terrible amount of damage to Fodor's overall - chasing out the newbie posters as has so so often happened.

<i> but have made an effort to reform. </i>

Why? Isn't basic research in a guidebook the first step towards organizing a trip? Am I to understand that those who complain about those who refer readers to guidebooks never use guidebooks themselves?

Again Michael it's not what one says but HOW one says it:

Example A
"You question is so general it's hard to start answering - you may want to get some kind of guidebook and read up on things and come back with more specific questions."

OR as often the case:
Example B
"Haven't you done any research yourself - don't be so lazy - don't expect us to do your work for you - get a guidebook and do your own reearch first before bothering us with such clueless questions."

"Why?..." Michael

Because it's too obvious a suggestion and too easy to sound condescending and mean, and I'm trying to not participate that that too common exercise here.

I always try to work on a piece of advice I heard years ago. "Don't say anything that you would not say to your mother". Hope that helps.

For some people, that wouldn't be much of a restraint, Bilbo!

What I missed in Paris:

Thank God I did not run into some sanctimonious tour operator pontificating about the majority of restaurants in another country.

Dukey - what the heck are you talking about?

<MmePerdu on Dec 9, 14 at 12:18pm
Forgive stating the obvious, but, regarding chicken fingers, if we're asked to eat something called a part of an animal which it doesn't have, should it not be suspect and not eaten anywhere?>

You are my hero btw and not a Fodorgarch.

One said to me, "she's not as bad as she seems", but I have no evidence of that. MmePerdu, I have a vison in my head of what she looks like and so wish I could confirm my feelings.

Funny, flpab. No, not an F-garch, as far as I know. Au contraire, if being generally ignored is any indication.

I've gotten in trouble before for discussing other members so I'd best not. Our imaginations are usually more fun than the real thing anyway.

Well, I take everything with a grain of salt and love to hear Pal talk and many others. Some I just ignore certain posters. I am sure we would never travel in the same circles or have any of the same interest. Its my vacation and I will eat what I want and if I want to hit five countries in one day I will. We did that once. Was a whirlwind but so much fun.

I've gotten in trouble before for discussing other members so I'd best not. Our imaginations are usually more fun than the real thing anyway.>

Oh at least some tantalizing hint???!!!!

Why Tex Mex - is that a tongue in cheek comment?

PalenQ - self-described as very short. I've always thought of overcompensating as a male trait but apparently not. I think it explains a lot.

Why would anyone need a Tex-Mex fix on a vacation in Paris . . .>

Why Tex Mex - is that a tongue in cheek comment?>

Why? Well that's up to the OP to decide why - if you don't have an answer leave the attitude out - why do they - same reason perhaps a French bloke coming to New York may want to go to a French restaurant - some folks like to experiment and others like sometimes to go somewhere they would really love the food.

Folks have said the same thing to me when I say I like to go to MacDonalds in France - WHY? Because of familiarity with what I want sometimes and just to see how these places are different from our own. If I was a Tex-Mex addict as suggested I'd love to find such a resto in Paris to compare what the French taste is like in this kind of food - assuming those places tailor food to local tastes but that of Mexicans to Texans (though there are no doubt a fair number of these in Paris too).

But for whatever reason to me it's fine whatever they want - if I know something about where these restaurans were I'd tell them where to go - not rudely IMO - disdain their food choices.

I just had the chance to check back into this post. Let's focus on Tex-Mex since it seems to befuddle everyone. It's a religion in Texas. I live in Texas. Most of my readers are in Texas. I happen to meet a ton of Texas expats while in France (it was actually the first country to recognize Texas as an independent state. The plaque commemorating that is located at the Hotel Vendome....I digress). Every time I ask a Texas ex-pat what they miss about Texas they respond with "Tex-Mex". Hence the reference. It's obviously not a primary food choice for anyone in France. It's rarely a primary food choice for those of us living in the Southwest. It's simply...an option, one that would do well in France, IMO.

<i>same reason perhaps a French bloke coming to New York may want to go to a French restaurant - some folks like to experiment and others like sometimes to go somewhere they would really love the food.</i>

And some of us like to see what a particular nation's interpretation of a certain cuisine is.

As GLM pointed out, that particular comment was more for expats and not for tourists. And as an expat, I can relate.

Well that is all food for thought!

No attitude Pal, simply a question....don't get your knickers in a twist......