amaclise I'm pretty sure that your blanket statement is untrue; I personally was looking for a travel discussion board and the "respected name of Fodor's" was just one of many that came up on Google; they are lucky to have us. And I've never read any of their travel "guides" or booked at their recommended hotels, etc. Come on, this is the internet not sacred ground.

Would not classify this as a rough crowd at all. The only few times I have seen it get ugly (not counting trolls) is

One or two posters who refused to accept the answers they were given by (very) experienced travellers and kept asking the same questions again and again

A couple of people who were extremely rude to people answering thier posts - again because the answers were not what they wanted - or they felt the responder was "rude" to them - apparently not sufficiently charming/subservient/congratulatory (I think they felt posters on the board were travel agents they had hired - not busy people giving up their free time)

As with any group of people who spend time together there may be someone having a bad day - or someone who teases a little bit - but by and large this group tries their best to be helpful to legitimate posters.

Amaclise, the sword cuts both ways. The "insular," longtime posters are the ones who give the best travel advice. If it weren't for the "devoted," there would be no Travel Talk.

I come here for sage advice. I know that if cigalechanta, ira, or Scarlett offer me the name of some good restaurants in Paris, I will heed their advice. If you offered me the same advice I probably wouldn't use it because I don't know you or your reputation.

Handmaiden

amaclise- I'm not taking offense, I just don't think what you said is true for most people.

I know the difference from a company (i.e., Fodor's, Lonely Planet, Frommers) and the guidebooks they publish vs. what you find on internet forums or bulletin boards... which is from individual PEOPLE and has nothing to do with the company other then they host a website, which we contribute to building a real time and imo priceless body of information.

At some point, the OP will determine for himself/herself that it is definitely NOT the case that longtime posters or those with the most posts are the ones with the most useful travel advice and which will suit one's travel needs or style.

Some longtime posters here, as well some who incessantly post like there's nothing else happening in their lives, tend to lean their advices on the most tourist-friendly suggestions or the cheapest ways to travel, eat or sleep... and to some of us, this is not the preferred way to travel. Other's just seem to post for the heck of it - i.e. no substance, mostly un-related anecdotes and sometimes obsolete information.

There are a lot of posters occasionaly dart in and out with the most accurate information that I find most useful to one's particular travel style and needs.

At the risk of being called a "rough crowd" please understand it ain't paid Fodor's editors sitting 24/7 answering 100's of new posts every day. We are all volunteers here!!
:-)

Good point suze! I never thought of it as volunteer work. I guess we can all feel good today.

M_F, that wasn't quite what I meant by insular but let's forget it. It was not my intention to provoke.

One thing I have learned is that you really need to thank people and let them know if you followed their amazing advice. I have not always been good in that department~ I am ashamed to say. Thanking in advance may be the best way to go...The people who post here are phenomenally knowlegeable...better than any guide book ever printed!

just don't ask about the best way to draw foreign currency in Europe! [it's ATMs in case you want in know].

And I, for one, appreciate you all!

IMO the advice offered by Mary_Fran is very good and will generally keep anyone from appearing to be a "rough crowd" in their responses.

And don't be too thin-skinned. We who are "newbies" both to this forum and to travel in general can learn so much if we just do our own homework and post questions for specific issues. And then we may find that we actually have something valuable to offer in return!

Linda

Hi T,

>I heard you are a rough crowd...

Nah, we are a bunch of pussycats.

>What is the correct way to head a post?

Well, certainly not, "I'm a Newbie".
What is that supposed to mean?
How is anyone supposed to know what you are interested in?

>What is the correct way to word a post?

In general, in the correct grammar, syntax and punctuation of the language in which you are posting.

Look up <style manual> at www.google.com

>Must I read several quide books and do research online before asking questions? <

Nah. We really like the sorts of posts that say, "I'm leaving for Rome tomorrow; where should I stay, what should I do, where should I eat"?

Which bridge do you live under?

((I))

hi Linda, I'm sure you can find ways to contribute. It's easy. People use this forum in different ways.

Since I've been an active poster it changes the way I look at some things. Not in a major way, but say I find a great hotel, restaurant, or even an interesting shop somewhere... I make sure to grab a business card. Because sure as shootin' someone will ask a question about it, that now I can answer for them.

It took years before I ever even read the US board, then I realized I have lots of answers for the city I live in. Again interesting because it makes me pay attention to things in my own hometown, that would be helpful for tourists, that I would not have noticed before.

billy_boy has a point about budget travel advice. Sometimes a person wants to travel with less worry about how much they are spending and Fodors is one of the few Travel Forums where one might be able to get ideas at the higher end of the hotel/restaurant spectrum as well as budget.
But I do not agree in any way with his remarks <i>Some longtime posters here, as well some who incessantly post like there's nothing else happening in their lives, </i>
Since I have no idea what other Fodorites are doing with their time when not on Fodors, since I know nothing about their lives/health/circumstances, I would not agree that this is why they post on Fodors.

And <i>Other's just seem to post for the heck of it - i.e. no substance, mostly un-related anecdotes and sometimes obsolete information. </i>
Maybe to billy_boy but there is a huge audience out there reading and someone might just gain some information or enjoy reading everything that is posted on these forums. Who are we, to judge what is relevant and what is posted &quot;just for the heck of it&quot; ?
And then really, it is called <b>Travel Talk</b> for a reason.
And some posters just post ( not to give information or help) but to critisize or slam other posters for what they post.
Fodors has a little bit of everything.

My best advice is try to keep a sense of humour and don't post when in a pissy mood..or when pissed which I guess goes under DWP ((D))

handmaiden, ((F))

Wise words... I never EVER post after drinking wine!

I am also slightly new to this site. I have found people very nice and helpful. My first trip to London and Paris isn't until next April, but I'm a big planner, so I've done a lot of research and asked a lot of questions that probably sounded dumb to some.

Good advice on not having a thin skin. I am still smarting a bit about being told I shouldn't be eating in public if I ask for a doggie bag. I was simply asking if it was done in Europe, but I'm over it, almost! Anyway, you'll learn more than you ever could imagine or even wanted to know (see thread on bidets)!

:) suze, I have but ordinarily, when I have a glass of wine, I am affectionate/silly so rarely do I regret posting the next morning lol...

&quot;I am affectionate/silly so rarely do I regret.... .&quot;

Boy, I just love that kind of talk from a pretty babe!

Hey, Scarlt and Degas! Get a room! Not near the train station, though. That's a terrible neighborhood in Rome. Let me know if you need recommendations for some cheapies. You want expensive? Too bad. Cheap is what I know and cheap is what you're going to get.

I never open the headers that say something like :
&quot;Really Dumb/stupid question about...&quot;

If it's dumb why ask it? And why would I want to read it?

&quot;Cheap is what I know and cheap is what you're going to get.&quot;

Sounds like something some of my old &quot;girlfriends&quot; told me before one of our &quot;dates&quot;.