or do they just take mean pills each morning. Or do they have some other problem(s) in life and take out their frustrations here?

JC--I think you'll find that there are two kinds of people who use this board:<BR>(1) The kind who sincerely want to give and get travel-related information.<BR>(2) The kind who enjoy making mean comments, asking meaningless questions, or just trying to be funny for purposes of inflating their own egos.<BR><BR>It would be a wonderful thing if all the people fell into the first category and no one in the second. Unfortunately, there are always people who want to spoil a good thing. Maybe it's the only way they can make themselves feel important.

Wayne's probably right, but I think some of these people like (really like) being cruel to others, it fills some kind of need. Sick? Oh Yeah. Why pounce on innocent people/questions for no reason?

Yes, I rather enjoy it - and heaven knows I have tons of other problems too. Have never taken mean pills, it just comes natuarally. Thanks for asking!

Same as poster boy - <BR><BR>Just love being nasty, nasty, nasty <BR><BR>Get a grip, Wayne!<BR><BR>Andre

I've noticed that no matter how innocuous a post is, someone will sooner or later have something rotten to say about it, or the poster. And I'd be willing to bet that at this very moment there's more than one person lusting to get at this post in just such a fashion.<BR><BR>Gerry K

OOOPS! They beat me to it.<BR><BR>Gerry K

Love it curious! nastiness for breakfast, dinner and tea.<BR><BR>Especially to Americans

I have an idea that might help Andre and all the other nasties who clutter up this forum with worthless material. Maybe we could satisfy their thirst for meanness if we identified and dedicated one string as the "nasty string." Then these sickos could get all their kicks in one place and wouldn't have to wander all around the board taking up the time of intelligent and sincere people. These children need to understand that this isn't a joke forum, or a mean forum, or a forum for interfering with others trying to do something constructive. It's a TRAVEL forum, folks.

Well, there are nasty and then there are nasty posts.<BR><BR>For example, one is often accused of being nasty if they merely state a fact, such as "you may not like riding the Metro in Paris in August due to the French being allergic to deodorant."<BR><BR>Now are the French allergic to deodorant, preobably not, and does the Metro smell sometines in August, yes...but you will still be deemed by many to have been a nasty poster even though it is the truth.<BR><BR>OTOH, if you ridicule someone that merely asks a question and make fun of them...then that is nasty!<BR><BR>US

I've gotten a lot of good info from this forum but mostly I don't post a lot because I've seen how people get torn up here by others. It's not something I'd like to happen to me. Call me sensitive if you must, but I can't see why questions can't be answered in a serious manner. The joke threads are funny, like Can I walk from London to Paris, it was not mean spirited.

Gee Wayne,<BR><BR>So this is the nasty thread and who has the most posts on it? YOU - until I added my second one as well... sorry, just couldn't resist <BR><BR>You're obviously not from NY - so touchy!<BR><BR>Anyway, I'll continue providing my "worthless information" on the serious threads and occasionally answer some the offbeat ones - just like you do!<BR><BR>Andre

Personally, I typically am in a very good mood when I come to the site, surf around for a while reading some posts, replying helpfully when I can, and then . . . I read a post from someone that says: "Hi, I'm going to Rome next week and would like any suggestions about what there is to do there - I don't know a damn thing about it and it never occured to me to read a book on it or even the Fodor's miniguide. Also, can I wear shorts?" And then I just can't help myself from posting a response slamming them. Yes, it does give me a certain pleasure.

I gotta agree with the above. <BR><BR>There are legit questions that need advice and then there are the simple,stupid ones that can be answered by going to a bookstore. This forum is more for inside info and not the simple junk like what type of underwear do you wear in Italy on a tour? Or what to pack? Or "I have 2 weeks and have never read a book. Where should I go in Europe and what should I tip the room clerk?" "Is England an island?" "Where is Spain? It is not on my map."<BR><BR>That is why you get nasty responses. Some of these people need to stay in Detroit.

what about the just plain jealous posters? what's up with them. I see so many people getting slammed when it appears they travel more than is 'usual'.

Duke: Right on Target

Nasty because it's my way or no way attitude. They're always the experts and have tunnel vision--stressed out, burned out whatever, we see these people every day don't we? I don't mind an opinion but being civilized doesn't take much effort, however this is a Forum and we are very appreciative of our right to free speech. Just don't post those stupid vulgar messages from idiots who are still wearing their wet diapers!

I can relate to what "Secret" wrote. I just wrote a scathing reply to Nevil in response to his "Europe agenda", and then I decided not to post it. It made me feel good writing it, but it will make him feel bad, and he might not come back.<BR><BR>I wish I could talk to him in person, and say "no, no, no, dear child. you are so naive about so many things". And then I would start to explain, and he would show that he probably has thought about things more than his post indicates, and so on.<BR><BR>Some posts really would be better handled in a chat room type of environment.<BR>