I echo Capo's sentiments. Some people word things differently & it can affect the response they get. Folks who ask "is a week enough for Rome?" can get anything from, "No, you'll need at least 3!" to "it depends on how much you enjoy history". When people inquire about smaller towns & want to know "is it worth it?" obviously have a set amount of time alloted for their travel & in some cases have never spoken with anyone who's been there and/or have not been able to successfully research much about the locale. Capo's point is good--if the "inquirer" can furnish us with info on their time, interests, & budget, they're much more likely to get a comprehensive response which covers their needs & interests. <BR>BC

I would agree with the original poster's sentiments, although not the tone. When a new person asks such a broad question, appropriate responses (but not the only appropriate responses) would include going to the library, searching the Fodor's trip-guide section of this website, and/or do a search of this forum. I would note, though, some irony in that the original poster's criticizes people for failing to search. His points and this thread have, in fact, been discussed before. He, too, should have searched and topped, rather than starting this again.

Book Chick, Re: "Some people word things differently & it can affect the response they get." <BR> <BR>So true! Recall the infamous "Getting laid in Europe" thread. If that person had titled it something like "Meeting women in Europe" or "Finding 'romance' in Europe", I suspect he would not have been prompted the many angry visceral responses he got.

what IS all the fuss about? If you want to answer the question or give an opinion to help - do it.If you don't want to - don't. Not everyone's as perfect as others think they are!

So, after having read the above comments I have to ask--How many days should I spend in Scotland?

All I would say Roger, is, next time, get off the train!!

There are NO stupid questions....... <BR> <BR> <BR>Just a bunch of nasty people here who give stupid answers!!!! <BR> <BR>It's been said many times before, for Gosh sake if someones question annoys you then DON'T ANSWER IT!!!!!!!!!!!

fedup: <BR> <BR>That's the whole point in a nutshell. Ask a stupid question and you'll get a stupid answer. If you want an intelligent answer then... <BR>And if someone is too lazy or uninterested to do some of their own work, I'm too busy to help them. Sorry, find another sucker.

I found this website in January 2001, 3 months before my trip to Europe after not having been there in 8 years. I was not a novice traveler, I had been to Europe and Ireland several times in my life. What I was new at was deciphering all the information one has access to on the web. I was overwhelming to me so I found refuge (to a small extent) in this message board where I could ask specific questions and receive specific answers. I feel I "paid" for the valuable time of others by returning the favour, to the best of my ability, sharing my personal travel experience and answering questions as I could. <BR> I did not know my questions did not meet the standards of some of the so called regular pin-head fodorites

So, how about some of you "expert regulars" screen questions? We can all address our questions to you, and if acceptable (to your terms), we can then post. If our question is not worded in the way you deem the correct way, you could simply return our email as : Access Denied!!! Maybe accompanied with a URL on How to Word a Travel Question that Meets Our Standards, if that is not asking too much. <BR> <BR>I have read a post from Meg where she mentioned that she was looking for a Sunday dinner twice in the same post. Then she apologized for doing that, and mentioned how nervous she got when posting a question to this board. Claire must have been blasted, probably by Linda@Kleenex (you get the idea) about using the search engines, which work 50% (that may be high). Her posts now mention that she is sorry if this is a topic already metioned, she tried the search function, and will try again and again. <BR> <BR>Has the thought of consideration left our world???

A.M.: <BR>From the description you just gave, you qualify as a fodorite regular. Don't know that I would call you a pin head though. Which other regulars were you refering to? <BR>I, like you have already paid my dues. Now, I no longer feel the need to answer stupid questions or ones that I have already answered 10 times before. If the search funtion only worked 10%, they could still find the answer. <BR>I answer questions that I feel I may have a unique and helpful anwer too. For free and for fun. If its not fun or I don't like the question, I'm not obligated to answer anything whether I know the answer or not. <BR>The questioner is the one who's asking me the favor, not the other way around.

Everyone just ignore "the Pinheads" They feel so important because they have their pin. THis is Fodors sight, not theirs. They critisize someone's spelling someone'sknowledge of geography.They don't share, they intimidate. Most of them speak from reference books not experience. You new to this site, just ignore the unkind and don't respond to the trolls.

Hello What's, <BR> I think you have described the attitude of some of the people who frequent this board very well. No one is asking a favour of you! No one knows who you are! People throw out travel questions, hoping they will be answered. No, you are not obligated to answer. It is merely common decency not to trash questions asked in good faith, as self proclaimed regular answerers such as Sullivan, JCE, Elvira, and Rex have done on this thread. I have never received, nor to I wish to receive, a fodor's pin, so I am not a pinhead. My contrbution to this board is small so I do not consider myself a regular answerer. <BR>A.M.

Jeanie@homee -I've been reading these replys and I have to say your's is the most annoying. Go home and contine being BORED with yourself

Gracious! Did not know that one had to pay their dues to contribute or ask questions to this site! Pray tell me, is there a "rite to passage"???

Free site, no complaints, but engine working 50% time way too high estimation. 10% no help unlease lots of time to spare.

I should resist the urge, but I will offer this small reply to A.M. about "trashing" genuinely asked (even if simplistic) questions. I am not sure that either "sullivan" or JCE are self-proclaimed "regulars". If they have trashed any such questioners, it must have been with great rarity. <BR> <BR>Elvira writes some wild answers (but mostly not) - - her style is predominantly just informative, fun to read, useful and/or off-beat. <BR> <BR>And I indeed have been guilty of posting some zinging, sarcastic answers to those who have very nearly set themselves up - - but virtually never for many, monay months now. And for ever poke in the ribs I have offered up, I have answered literally hundreds of questions which ARE poorly phrased, but the jist still "comes through" - - like "I am going to Italy, and I want to know how you get from Rome to &lt;&lt;the tower&gt;&gt; (my emphasis), and what else is &lt;&lt;there&gt;&gt;." <BR> <BR>Best wishes - - and I think I have provided some useful answers to you, too (though I am not suggesting that you ever asked an ill-worded question)... <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Is reading all the posts in this thread worth it? Are there any must-read posts? What should I wear while reading them? Are sneakers okay?

A.M. I agree with you. And its not just the people who ask the questions. Sometimes you just try to give an answer or share an experience and then get called a liar, idiot or whatever by someone who doesn't like your answer or your experience. Tired of defending myself from this, I stopped using my real name and e-mail address(like you) unless I wanted them to e-mail me for further info. I'm not trying to sell anything. So why expose myself to abuse. <BR>Mainly I was commenting on the people who said that you are not obligated to answer a question you don't like. The same people, I might add, that get upset about all the unanswered posts. <BR>A.M. It was you who said " I feel I paid for the valuable time by returning the favour." I feel that if someone takes the time to answer a question from me that they have done me a favor. I too have returned it. Now I get to answer or not answer as I like, not out of a feeling of obligation. <BR>But you don't have to issult a new person to point him in the right direction. <BR>One more thing: Anyone who can find this board and figure out how to post a question, can figure out how to do a search.

Ok, why don't we do good old Public School tracking? <BR> <BR>Once you put your TRAVEL question, its geographic location and all the other "requirements" in the POST, then you state if you WANT TRAVEL experts, advanced, intermediate or beginners to respond! <BR> <BR>OR, you could choose to answer or not answer questions on these boards which is what most do any way. However, it is so easy to "kick the internet cat" when you feel like it... <BR> <BR>My Thoughts <BR>Oaktown

I cannot believe what I am reading here. I have posted 2 questions to this forum, and have received very nice responses - which have been GREATLY appreciated. <BR> <BR>I mostly read the posts and try to learn from others. I HAVE checked out MANY many books at the library (as well as watching travel videos). BUT, there's nothing like getting information FIRST hand. Which is what this great forum offers. I had NO idea that there were people as SNOBBISH as those that have posted here. How do you know that people asking questions have not already consulted guidebooks???? Us 'dummies' are searching for MORE information!!!!! That's why we come here! I THOUGHT this was a wonderful place until now....I'm beginning to question.... <BR> <BR>My husband and I have not been able to afford to travel abroad, and we're taking our first trip soon. I have appreciated the help this board has offered, and certainly hope that Sullivan's post does not discourage others from asking questions!

newtotravel: <BR>These posts are not talking about you. It's about people who expect someone else do all the research and make all the decisions for them. They do not have time to do a search or read a guidebook or even say thank you for your answer. Clearly you do not fall in that category. Please do not take offense. <BR>If someone asks: Is going to Europe worth it? What should I see? How much will I spend? What's the best place to stay? How many days is enough? <BR>How can we answer these except say: Could you please come back when you can ask a better question? Otherwise the answers will be just a shot in the dark guess as to what the questioner might be looking for. <BR>From what I've seen, well thought out and sincere questions usually get sincere answers on this board. The quality of your answers will often depend on your question. Like a poster above said: Ask a stupid question and you get a stupid answer. That's not just on this board. It's true everywhere.

Hey, newtotravel! Are you sure you're not oaktown traveler?

Questions: Thank you for the clarification. I hope I never ask a question that will be classified a "stupid" one. The information I have received from this forum has been very helpful and appreciated. <BR> <BR>Nosy: Oaktown Traveler? No

I dumped AOL because of the travel- snob attitude and I find this forum better but then you will always find self-centered jerks wherever you go--the teacher's way to handle situations is to ignore negative or "stupid" behaviors and reward the positive ones thru education--The old saying goes - there are no stupid questions---Some people are here for the amusement ie"I was drunk" {thanks for the fun!) and some may be altuistic and to those people --thanks for the serious answers at 3:00 in the morning when the library and books store are closed or when you just want a person the answer.

NEWTOTRAVEL: <BR> <BR>Hello, if any poster ask you if you are me consider it a compliment! (roll eyes) <BR> <BR>NOSY: <BR> <BR>If you are going to "study" me then remember I have been to Europe MANY times and newtotravel is going for the first time. <BR>Do you really think folks take the time to "fake" an internet moniker? Try and focus on Travel and then maybe take on Travelers. However if you are a POSTER or LURKER or a TROLL then you don't "hear" me. <BR> <BR>Peace and Happy Travels <BR> <BR>Oaktown <BR> <BR>

When I ask a question, I want an answer. If you don't feel like answering, or feel the question is beneath you, then don't bother. It's fine, really. Someone with the energy and interest will probably come along and answer it eventually, so please save the patronizing "go read a book advice" and just pass up the question. Possibly you are spending way to much time here at Fodors and are becoming too possessive of this site.

"And I indeed have been guilty of posting some zinging, sarcastic answers to those who have very nearly set themselves up - - but virtually never for many, monay months now." <BR> <BR>What a classic "blame the victim" excuse for one's own obnoxious behavior. Doesn't look as if Rex is as rehabilitated as he so desperately wants you to believe. Difficult to sell your tours when you are slamming your potential customers. <BR> <BR>Now I wonder how many others he can blame for his decision to impersonate Fodor's editors and create phony posts from them? Notice that he will comment and argue on any other issue addressed to him or about him, but NEVER that impersonation issue! He thinks if he doesn't acknowledge it, he can't be held responsible, and it will all just go away. <BR> <BR>Good thing some of the old "regulars" can fill in the newcomers about his antics. Forewarned is forearmed.

I am still me, and you - - "only the spots" - - are still you, anonymous, cowardly, and still bearing some kind of grudge against me. <BR> <BR>You have your perceptions, and I have mine. What you call an impersonation, I call a spoof. <BR> <BR>And I acknowledged ON "that" post (which I can send to anyone who wants to see it - - of course, I have a copy of it, since I wrote it), and I wrote about it - - perhaps more than needed to be said, on this thread: <BR> <BR>"Anonymous Postings" <BR> <BR>http://www.fodors.com/forums/crossro...messagesframe& <BR> <BR>Here is the time and date, if you need it to help you find it: <BR> <BR>Author: Rex ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 6/23/2001, 10:11 pm ET <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

Oooooohhhh....so you've finally concocted some post-event damage control have you? Now the whole episode was a "spoof!" Yeah, everyone who witnessed the impersonation and your resulting fall out knew that. How interesting that it took a couple of months for you to come up with your "spoof" defense. <BR> <BR>You fool no one. Then again you never did. But don't get too smug. Old posts have a strange way of resurrecting themselves at times.

What about the umpteen times he impersonated Danny and Aisling with his censorious "tagging this thread for removal tomorrow, for obvious reasons?" Spoof? Or paranoid psychosis? You be the judge.

Good point, JD. Rex's impersonations were not limited to the one time (now deleted by Fodor's) "spoof," as he now tries to call it. And it DID take him awhile to come up with that creative spin -- "oh, uh yeah, it was all a spoof! Didn't you GET it?" Nice try. Pathetic, but at least a try.

Boy, am I a sucker! I actually gave Rex the benefit of the doubt and assumed that someone was trashing his name with the 'spoof.' I can't believe any reasonable person would do that intentionally and then later call it a spoof. Very bizarre. Not only would I not travel with you, but you give me the creeps.

I have been using Fodors for the past three years to help me plan my trips, usually to see what other people have done first. At other times, I have asked for opinions on particular places, tour operators or cruise lines. However, I usually check out the books in the library and I do search the web for information before trying to get a more definitive answer here. In turn, I have replied to some of the questions if I feel I know enough about the topic. I have noticed, especially in the Australian and Asian forums that there are questions being posted that appear to be placed by people who do not want to go further in their search. Sometimes, I don't reply even if I might be of some help because I get the feeling that some of the posters just don't want to do a search on the web. I figure, that if they can get on Fodors, they sure can go do a search on the internet. I've always preferred to do read up as much as I can and then use the Fodor forums to help confirm my selections.

The only one who trashes Rex's name is Rex himself. He needs NO assistance!

Oaktown: <BR> <BR>Nosy wasn't STUDYING you, you little flatterer! It's just that it is DIFFICULT to not NOTICE your style of POSTING! Nosy was just being CURIOUS.

Rex, anon posts <BR>are allowed and <BR>sanctioned <BR>by Fodor's: i.e., no <BR>registration is required <BR>on this site. <BR> <BR>Impersonation, assum- <BR>ing another's identity <BR>and "spoofing" is <BR>not allowed: i.e., <BR>such threads are <BR>immediately pulled <BR>when discovered. <BR> <BR>Fodor's don't like <BR>that, Son. <BR> <BR>

I see by this thread that Rex is still up to his usual tricks, denying and shirking responsibility for his own behavior at any cost. Gee, doesn't he sound like perfect tour guide material? No matter what he does or how he screws up, it will never be his fault! Now, who wants to be the first to sign up for his tours??? He'll spin, deny, blame, twist, cavort, anything to avoid accountability and responsibility. Gosh, where do we send the checks?

You Fodorites are a hoot!

Looks like sullivan has earned himself/herself a place among the Asses: <BR> <BR>Author: ALegend ([email protected]) <BR>Date: 6/09/2000, 3:46 pm ET <BR> <BR>Our Pompous Ass Club is comprised of a select group of individuals who frequent this forum. Induction occurs when someone on this forum refers to one of your elite posts and calls you a Pompous Ass. Forthwith are some guidelines to help you earn a place among the Asses: <BR> <BR>1. Never ever post a travel question or response if you can possibly help it. Spend your time on posts like this one, or better yet, posts which use limericks, rhymes or parodies to put down everyone and everything you've ever read here. Find someone else's topic and start making fun of it. <BR> <BR>2. If someone has the unmitigated gall to post a travel question about something YOU have already answered, for God's sake, waste no time in advising that poster to do a SEARCH on the topic before he bothers you <BR>again! You, after all, have to have time to compose witty insults. <BR> <BR>3. If you ARE forced to answer a travel question (because you know no one else out there can do it), be sure to complain first, then take a swipe at something like the poster's map reading skills or white tennis shoes. Let him/her know that he/she is a traveling idiot. Tell them they have not provided enough information for you to answer their question and lecture them about it. <BR>Create a separate post which complains about this. Throw in a complaint about people who ask what to do and see, just for good measure. <BR> <BR>4. When posting, be sure to use big, complicated words that will have all those ingoramuses (or is it ignorami?) out there running for their dictionaries. Make sure they know that YOU went to university. <BR> <BR>5. Refer posters to other resources rather than give any helpful first hand information. Hey, you had to research it all yourself, so should they! Don't let 'em get lazy. <BR> <BR>6. Finally, be sure to poke fun at their measly incomes and budget hotel choices. Tell them all about your month at the Paris Ritz when they ask about student hostels. Cheap restaurants, they ask? If they can't afford the trip then why are they going? Make sure they know that YOU have plenty of disposable income and are not afraid to use it. <BR> <BR>