Why are people so nasty to each other on this forum? I thought we were here to help with suggestions and not digs and barbs just because someone has a different idea. It's really disappointing

Some peaple think they are so special and their answers count. You have those who just babble to speak and top for the simple reason to see their names, fame for these forum moments.And you are now left with fashion, spelling police, polical buffoons, area fans, but isn't it still informative? Fun??

I guess it's like anywhere else. Some are bored I guess. Some want to make a difference, others insist on it.

Actually, things are positively civil now. You should have seen it before registration, when people could post anonymously.

As to the "spelling police": please remember that in order to get any help or be of help to others, correct spelling of place names, hotels, restaurants, etc. is very important.

The "spelling police" and the "grammar lady" sometimes get way out of control.

I do enjoy the satire of Americans making fun of Americans in Europe.

Heck, I still post Anonymous-ly!

Like so many other boards, this one has its share of nitwits, but also quite a number of wonderful-well -informed people who share really useful information and insights.

IMHO, the best way to deal with trolls and other undesirables is to just ignore them.

I agree that it was far worse before registration, but Fodor's still beats the other travel sites hands down for useful travel information. Some people aren't so nice, but most ARE and are very willing to share what they know.

I've seen some frank advice, like do some basic homework and then come back with some good questions, but very few no justiifcation hard slams. It happens, but not that often.

Just to stir up the pot, why don't you give us some examples of what you are talking about?

Sometimes people just have a bad day.

Other folks have psychological problems that play out through attacking other people over the internet--it's safe for them to be nasty on forums such as this one.

This board has been very helpful but there are definately some posters with an "air of superiority" about them.

I find the boards much more civil since registration, although there seem to be a few with a tendency to change screen names every day so they can post their own lunacy! Actually, I prefer to post my lunacy under my own name
Pipsil, I tend to read only threads that catch my attention, I really enjoy certain posters so I will look for their postings, and stay away from those who have a reputation for being unkind.
Don't take any of this personally!
Now get out there and post

Please give us examples. Although there were some unpleasant people prior to registration, a lot of what was described as "nastiness" or otherwise was just honest, un-sugarcoated discourse. It got to a point that certain people sought censorship of any post they didn't agree with or that wasn't an out and out lovefest. So, with registration, we lost a few bad apples but also a lot of flavor and tons of humor.

Registration was a significant turning point for this board, and mostly for the better. Satire and sarcasm have been sharply reduced. "You use the term "digs and barbs". There used to be a wider spectrum of everything from mild ribbing to sharp jabs and outright mudslinging. Just as with "humor" at the bar or around the office, one person's "satire" is grossly distasteful to another, and when specific individuals are the butt of satire, this board has seen the ugly side of the slippery slope, descending into obsessive and vicious character attacks.

It's been bottled up for quite a while. Some people seem to have come back to the forum, using names that they used before registration. There are some fairly prolific names that first appeared after registration, and chances those people didn't just show up for the first time right at that time.

It's hard not to be curious about what "old" names correlate to new names post-registration.

Beswt wishes,

Rex

I agree this board is so much more enjoyable and civil since registration (unless God forbid you say anything negative about Venice!!)

Dori,

You thought something negative about Venice. I could tell.

LOL Ira!!!

Frankly, I like to change screen names - it keeps me smiling - I don't attack anyone, so what does it matter -except it seems to occasionally irritate a seniorite.

Bitter and Rex make some good points. Registration has brought a change, for the most part good. But are we expected to post in a certain way, or face ire?

So, shall we simply relax and accept that there's lot of room for a variety of views. It's not rejection, only posting.

Thanks for your replies.I am relatively new to this forum and should just lighten up!!
It would be difficult to give examples as I would have to go through too many postings to find the ones I objected to. By the way I loved Venice.

<But are we expected to post in a certain way, or face ire?>

Of course not, you must face Ira!

I don't think anyone finds the overall tone nasty, thank goodness. However, this forum is somewhat like a little travel village. And you know what they say about villages! Every one has a * and a # and @ and %, so why should it be different here? Those who are snippy are probably that way in person, and you just learn to avoid them. It's easy enough to do.

Scarlett had solid advice--don't take it personally and get out there and post. I've never let the fact that I've been called moronic (post deleted!!) or had the possibility raised that I might have celulite and a fat bottom (post deleted!!) or had my judgement questioned just because I now live in Indiana (post still here--we Midwesterners still have a tough time of it!!) stop me from posting away.