Boy, I came back after a few months and this forum is the drag of the internet...no interesting and funny people need add messages. It used to be such a kick to read about what people used a 'bidet' for..now that IS about travelling, isn't it? It is about other cultures, and the differences,the humor of it, and that is the fun part of travel, I think. If it is a park or lake you want to see, we got them here. Fodors, don't be quite so vigilant.

Well, it WAS boring, until this spine-tingling post...

Poor Andy. People are planning trips, getting info, getting ready.<BR><BR>but what the hay, we can bring back bidets...<BR>

We missed your scintillating wit and brilliant posts, Andy. Did the chat rooms cease to amuse you?

Are all you snide people complaining about Andy the same ones complaining about how people don't take this seriously enough and post those "bad" threads that many of us find so entertaining? I agree with Andy, FUN people please return, you are needed.

If I want fun people I'll go to the circus. Just looking for travel info here, not snide insults.

(Didja hear this'un before?}<BR><BR>Well, old chum, seems to me that ever’ time someone posts something interestin’ er humorous why, the FODOR GRIPIN’ READERS PATROL jumps in with both feet, A’cryin’ and A’whinin’ about someone misspelled this word er that, er how’s somebody needs to do their own research a’fore bothering us busy posters, er that someone is offended by any sort of frank, adult conversational topic ‘cause they jest got outta church er some sech. They worry that the question is too stoopid, er that the person who wrote in is some sort a idjit, er that the question has been asked before an’ “o-my-gawd can you believe someone is ignorant enough to ask some dang fool question sech as this…”<BR><BR>An’ if ya do mention some sort of cultural quirk in another part of the world er some social anomaly that the folks there has, then there’s a mighty big chance you’ll be accused being an elitist, a bigot, er worse. Then, if and when ya finally do find something provocative and/er interesting, then they’s a right goodly chance that the FODOR’S bunch themselves come in and pull the plug on the posting.<BR><BR>There seems to be an old guard here that is so firmly entrenched in their own view of what is etiquette and what is worthy that many newcomers is jest plain scared away. Who wants to join a forum where a simple question er observation can start an avalanche of finger pointing and name calling? Now, as fer me, I’m in this here site fer the long run. Not only can I take it; I can dish it out. If ya missed it so dern'd much, why have ya been gone so long, varmit?<BR>

boobie, boobie, boobie, how you do go on. and such spelling. why i think you got your vernacular caught in your zipper, boobie boy.

Funny people and posts appear here only briefly, then are usually deleted into oblivion by the minimum wage teenage intern Fodor's uses as the omnipotent censor. At least I hope the censor is a teenage intern.

Let me see if I get this straight:<BR><BR>If YOU point out something "unusual" about a culture or people, that's humorous.<BR><BR>If I point out something "unusual" about your post, that's being tight-assed and prudish.<BR><BR>Humor is certainly in the eye of the beholder - and the target.

anyone else having trouble posting?

Rex<BR>Yes! I have had trouble posting. The site would not accept my answer. Thanks for bringing up the subject!

Can't post reply

If all I wanted was travel information I can read a book (Fodors) or veiw a video. While I do do this I also want some "real person" insight. It is that personal touch...often with a humorous story...which makes this such an interesting site.I have been "off" for a few days with an eye problem and it looks as if our upcoming trip is off also...but I still enjoy this site and it will help me when we are able to travel in the future.I think that one of the BEST things about travel is meeting the people..that's what most of us bring back...those memories. And we like to share them and read about the adventures of other travelers. I read this site for a long time before ever posting originally as I did not want to get insults from the die-hards but now if I get flack it just makes me "consider the source". MORE STORIES !!

oh bring me your bra, your thunder thighes, your needy, so we could get back to fun.

And bring me back Rex, Leone, Patrick Oaktown, John, Sandi and who else?

Who really was Oaktown Traveler? I've often wondered. My best guess is Leone.

At least having the yawns is better than having the runs.

&lt;&lt;And bring me back Rex, Leone, Patrick Oaktown, John, Sandi and who else?&gt;&gt;<BR><BR>Is this facetious?<BR><BR>Does someone think I have gone somewhere? Or just my snippier side?<BR><BR>wink...<BR><BR>and...<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR><BR>

Andy:<BR>If you need Fodor's travel talk to get your jollies, you need to get a life.<BR>I personally don't care who filled their sportsbottle in the bidet, I just want intelligent, useful travel advice. Go back to teenchat.com