I'm sure the guy who asked the question understood you were poking fun at his question, and if that amuses you, carry on.

Look, I like a little humor myself, but not at the expense of people who have less experience or knowledge than me. It's all right to make a litte fun of snobs or know-it-alls.

Do you really think I need to be patronized ?
And by you ?

"
"Travel with old raggedy shirts and underwear. You can throw them out as you go along to make room for souvenirs.""

now that is MY real travel strategy and I really do recommend it :-)

In the nicest way possible, and I really mean it, there is a running thread where a lovely lady has said "we are not public transport people", now I know what she means and I will advise where I can but, guys, you have to see how funny that is in Europe??

have a great day.

I love the way this thread has managed to keep the humour running without anyone getting "snarky"...

Yeah.

I've asked to have it removed actually.
Some people here only see the negative in everything and I am giving the stick they are using to beat me.

Feeling a little bit fed up...

Thanks for the positive guys !

Whathello

This thread will soon sink into oblivion. I would't worry too much about it. Humour is always appreciated although it's always subjective.

Do not feel bad. Bobby Kennedy said that 20% of Americans are against Mom and apple pie. Here is probably closer to 60%. I am not sure why this place is a self-righteous magnet.

Yes, don't feel bad. I howled laughing at some of this stuff.

It helps to have humour when you travel. So many things go wrong so laughing it off is way healthier than getting grizzly and ranting. As the Joker once said 'why so serious?'.

It is all a matter of perspective. People find a hair in their soup, take it as a personal affront, and will blame an entire country. Some people get pickpocketed and act like crime does not exist at home. Others call their credit card companies and have a more interesting story to tell.

You are right it all depends on the way you react to the world. Leave home, home.

Humour is a valve. It helps to let off steam and reduce overpressure.

I remember a thread a couple of years ago which dealt with the real persons behind the screen names and their roles they play here on this forum. Someone wrote "This forum is like a schoolyard" - you find the same type of guys here. And a few of them can be pretty annoying.

Thank you, Whathello, for posting this thread.

And let yourself being beaten. A spanking here on this forum is like a comic strip - it looks dramatic but it does not hurt. And it is fun to watch.

We used to have some quitty witty agents provocateurs here on this forum - at least one has died and others have become quite quiet.

And always remember: "Better losing a good friend than missing a punchline."

I always enjoy reading this type of post:
"Hello Experts! Will I experience any trouble with Customs or Immigration officials when my (fill in any country) visa expires during my 3-hour layover in Paris? Will I have time to go into the city to soak up some Parisian atmosphere and take photos from the top of the Eiffel Tower?"

Never understood why people don't go directly to government websites for information on visas, passports, what you can take through Customs, etc.

>>Never understood why people don't go directly to government websites for information on visas, passports, what you can take through Customs, etc<<

Much worse than the questions are the answers to this type of questions. I have read everything - from the ubiquitous "I have done soandso 15 years ago and everything went well" over risky and illegal advice up to the outright stupid.

OP: "I will stay in Italy for four months, but I have a visa only for three months. What shall I do?"

Answers:

"Talk to the officer and tell him the reason for your overstay. He will understand."
"Obey the speed limits. Then, you won't have contact with the police and nobody will notice that your visa has expired."
"Give the officers a smile."
"Go to the U.S. Embassy [!] and get your visa prolonged."
"Write a letter to the President of the United States [!]."
"Stay at cheap B&Bs where they do not want to see your passport."
"Check into the hotel under the name of another tourist. Buy him a drink for doing you the favor."
"After three months in Italy, travel to France or Austria and re-entry into Italy. The three-month period will start again."
"Join Berlusconi on a bunga bunga party and get his permit after showing him the photographs you took of the party."

<I like a little humor myself, but not at the expense of people who have less experience or knowledge than me.>

That is my issue with these thread. Making fun of people who come and ask a sincere question.

<why people don't go directly to government websites for information on visas, passports, what you can take through Customs, etc.>

Maybe newbies this a travel forum like Fodor's IS the place to ask?

"
Maybe newbies this a travel forum like Fodor's IS the place to ask?"


Relaying on posters on a travel forum for information regarding vivas, passports , et..
is not exactly smart.

Many people will believe anything they read on a chat forum, just because they think they know and like the person behind the avatar. The possibility that this person has never set foot in (fill in the travel destination) or has not ever encountered (fill in the problem), but might (or might not be) an ace researcher on Google never enters many people's minds.

I blame everything on the internet, where there's too much undocumented information - and that's the stuff that always appears first in the SEO's and what many people take as gospel truth.

As part of one of my jobs, I used to read government regulations. I would rather ask a human.

I found this today:

XXX (a city): not my favorite place since I had a client there and found it very strict in terms of closing times and limits to activities

No comment needed.