Patrick, I hadn't seen your posts for a long time and suddenly the forum is filled with them. Welcome back. You must spend a lot of time here and I am amazed at how many different things you seem to know so much about. Whether it is France and Italy, or Malta, or Scandanavia, you seem to have been everywhere and done everything. Is there anything you don't know?

Susan. enlight me, please. The fact that Patrick is able to provide this great deal of information annoys, amazes, or pleases you?<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>S

Hmmm. I've read Susan's post three times and I'm not totally sure either, Surlok. After being attacked so many times recently I guess I approach things with a little more caution. Was your last comment meant to be sarcastic or were you serious? I'll pretend you were being complimentary (because I'd prefer to believe that). <BR>Yes there's a whole lot I don't know. There are some real experts on this board who know a whole lot of stuff about a few places. Paulo amazes me (but where has he been lately?) with his detailed knowledge of Italy. Who could know more about travel in Britain, especially train travel than Ben Haines. And Elvira qualifies as the true expert on how to really enjoy Paris. These are only a few of the real experts on this board. I've been a lot of places, but I tend to be the opposite of those people. I just know a little about a whole lot of things (and places).<BR>What don't I know? Well, for starters, I don't know:<BR>1) how to shop for bargain airfares. I almost always use FF miles for free ones or upgrades and just stick totally with American Airlines for that reason.<BR>2) much of anything about Russia, and most of Eastern Europe.<BR>3) how to find a hotel at the last minute. I always plan ahead -- way ahead.<BR>4) how to say much of anything beyond "please", "hello", and "thank you" in any language except English.<BR>5) anything about hang-gliding in the Swiss Alps, but I wish I did.<BR>6) anything and I mean anything at all about shopping.<BR>7) how to recommend a really cheap hotel -- say $50 in Paris. <BR>8) anything about cruises -- yeechhh!<BR>9) anything about what people should and should not wear to "fit in", other than I do push Ecco shoes a lot.<BR>10) why so many people find it fun to be rude on this web site.<BR><BR>So you see there are a lot of things I don't know. This list could go on and on. Meanwhile thanks for the compliment, I think! By the way, yes I traveled in the states all summer -- 5 months so didn't post during that time, but you're all stuck with me now until June it looks like.

Patrick,<BR><BR>Hmm..I guess I was being seriously sarcastic, or sarcastically serious...<BR><BR>Honestly, I didn't get Susan point clearly. I think that this is what Fodors is about, providing travel information, and the more, the better. But I didn't surely get Susan's intention. I wanted her to clarify... I guess I have a problem with ambiguity.. and her last sentence was a little ambiguous. ;-)<BR><BR>I'm with you, Fodors has many experts, and others that give us, readers a new and fresh perspective of something that we might have even seen already, but didn't have really "experienced". I do appreciate this interchange of information, the possibility of getting someone's else perspective.. It adds to our own experience if we have been there, and it makes us want to go if we haven't been... <BR><BR>So, Susan, what's your point.. I still want to know!<BR><BR>And, Patrick, please keep Fodors readers informed, share with us whatever you know.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Surlok<BR><BR>

It's tiring to see the "dark side" of some of the people. One starts reading and interesting thread, and finishes up all tired up. Let's be kind to each other. Let's make this place what it was meant to be. Please?

It's hard for me to believe I had a communications minor in college. Seems my communication skills are seriously slipping. Surlok, I meant I wasn't sure if Susan's last remark (is there anything you don't know?) was meant to be sarcastic -- not your comment. Guess I didn't communicate that well. And Ana I don't have a clue what your post is referring to. Am I lost out here?

Shish, I'm lost too. <BR><BR>Ana, what do you mean by " all tired up"..?? And whose dark side are you referring to???<BR><BR>Patrick, I guess that I took it as if you referred sarcasm to my post, because I was being ( a little) sarcastic, towards Susan, not towards you, for sure...And don't blame any misunderstandings on your communication, it's not slippery, it's mostly because I'm not a native English speaker, and sometimes I don't understand things quite clearly. That's why I always try to get clearer answers, to not let things ..hmmm... unclear. ( sorry for the redundancy).<BR><BR>S

Great post Patrick

Patrick-I have been reading your posts and although I have not been on here long enough to notice that you were gone / or now back-I enjoy reading most everything you say~ I like how you try to keep an even temper and give people the benefit of the doubt, how you are able to be attacked by some and still give an answer and not get bogged down in the ugliness that rears its head here, most nights..And I have the same feeling lately about answering these posts, you never know what the response will be to a sincere remark..I have not gotten thick-skinned enough yet..But I will continue to look for your postings, as you do know enough of the important stuff ~C

I have a different opinion of you, Patrick. As far as I am concerned, you are too quick to burn people. Too many times, I have seen you jump on a poster for no reason that I can fathom. I know you are responsible for the hurt feelings of a lot of people. I suspect a superiority complex, but I am only an amateur, you may have some other problem that I can't see. This post is not written by an adolescent, but by a regular who has been here every day for over two years. (I am hiding behind an alias because I don't want to have to suffer your revenge) You have given good advice many times, but you have a mean streak that I wish you would work on. This could be a much pleasanter place from now until June if you would just ease up on people. We have enough sheriffs here.

No Name, I am truly concerned about your remarks. Just this week when I mentioned to a Canadian who suggested that everything was so much cheaper for US citizens in Canada, that this summer I found that not to be true, that in fact most things cost more Canadian dollars than they would US dollars, I was attacked about being rude and mean. This poster even said it was too bad I hated Canada when I had not made even the slightest suggestion that I had not loved Canada which I did. Is this the sort of post you are referring to? I would really appreciate your naming some posts which I have been rude on or one where I have "burned" people. I would be happy to search those posts and see what I have done to offend anyone, and change my ways. To my knowledge I have only been to people who were obviously being rude to others, but of course I could be mistaken. I would be happy to work on my "mean streak" if you can kindly point out one or two posts so I know what you are talking about.

Sorry to repost so soon, but just reread the "No Name" post. "I am hiding behind an alias because I don't want to have to suffer your revenge"? Now I know you must either be joking or you are very mixed up. Please give even the slightest example of how you think I have "revenged" any poster on Fodor's.

Oh, dear, look what I've started. I'm sorry I was unclear. I meant my post in a complimentary way.<BR>If Patrick has ever been mean or rude to people, I must have missed those posts. He always seems the perfect gentleman.<BR>Patrick, you also helped me when we came to Naples (Florida) last year by suggesting the Escalante. We also followed your entertainment and dining advice. You even offered to join us for a drink, but my family thought it would be inappropriate to call someone I had only met on the internet. I also apologize for not thanking you at the time. I see on another post today that you sort of "scolded" people in a gentle way for often not reporting back. I guess I fit into that category, but you are right, and I thank you now.<BR>Peace.

Patrick<BR>Just what do you have against cruises? Unless you have taken one perhaps you should not comment. I too thought cruises were yeccccchhhhhh until I finally took one. It changed my attitude completely. I admit they are not for everyone, but you should not bash them without at least first experiencing one. <BR><BR>OK?

This is such a silly thread. He didn't bash cruises, he just implied that he doesn't like them. So what. I have no idea why Susan posted this in the first place. It almost looks like she's trying to stir something up. I like Patrick's posts. He's allowed his opinions like everyone else.

Therere is a post that asks "what is Thanksgiving?". I am sure may get a tad bit confused - Let's see??????? Americans give thanks for what? People who love to bicker, rant and rave about nothing. Lets thing about giving thanks for being able to learn from one another, not argue with one another. PEACE PEOLPE - play nice

I guess cap't Bob's response is the type I just don't get. I wasn't aware that I was bashing cruises, except to say that for me they are yeecchh!. Yes, I've taken two. Hated the first one but got talked into doing a second one with a whole group of friends. Hated it more. What I don't like about them is that I enjoy visiting areas. I found it very annoying to dock at a port, have a few hours or even most of the day to "experience" a place, then get back on the boat and never really experience the place we had visited. I wanted to spend a couple of nights there, stroll the town after dark, eat in neat local restaurants, etc. I get terribly tired of eating on the boat every night -- and although I know some people love the food, I found it on both ships basically elaborate steam table food. I'm not into buffets or seeing how much I can eat, so this did nothing for me. I felt confined to the ship and hated having a bell ring or an announcement made of when we could line up to take the tender into shore. Some people love cruises and love to relax. I'm not good at relaxing and simply hated cruises. By the same token, I also hate spas or remote resorts. I'm just not good at sitting or relaxing. Again, please notice that I am not running cruises down or insulting people who love them. They just are not for me!<BR>And a side note to Susan. I'd appreciate an email if you want to tell me about the Escalante. I recommended it a lot of people on the US board last season as it was opening and I knew they had space when everyone else in town was full. I never heard back from anyone. Should I still recommend it? I walk by it every day, but know nothing about staying there. And thanks for clearing up your original post. You flatter me. Don't worry about the insults, I ignore them unless someone can explain why I deserved them. I'm still hoping No Name will point out some of my meanness so I can figure out how to avoid that.

From another Susan: You and others gave me very good information about the Viaduc des Arts. I think your posts are informative and helpful. Thanks.

Patrick, we are quite the world traveler, aren't we. It seems like you always have your duck in a row and a man with a mind of his own. Let me ask you this~~~~~If you hated the first cruise how the heck did a He-Man like yourself get talked into a second cruise. You pointed out every negative thing there was about a cruise, then WHY did you torture yourself again?

Sorry, I thought I explained that. The second time there was a group of eight of us. The other six were begging us to join them. I agreed since we were all good friends and always have fun together. I must say that part was better -- at least meal times were more fun, but I still didn't like the cruise.<BR>I just kept feeling like we could have stayed home and gotten together and had a better time for a whole lot less money. I've often been known to make the same mistake twice, but it's pretty hard to get me the third time. It's like having a really horrible meal in a highly acclaimed restaurant. I keep trying to tell myself that it must have been my fault and to try it again. But if the second one is just is bad, then I definitely write it off. Same with the cruises.