should responses be acknowledged?
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:09 AM
#1
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should responses be acknowledged?
I am reasonably new at Fodors and whilst most people acknowledge or say thanks to others who have replied to their questions, there seems to be many folk who ask questions then never reappear on their own thread. I find this a little strange, why ask a question if you don't read the answers, surely it is polite to say a quick thanks when someone has bothered to take the time and effort to help you. Is it just me being "old fashioned" or does it "niggle" others?
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:31 AM
#2
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Actually, I think they probably <b> do </b> read the answers; they simply don't bother to respond or comment further.
Some people are more appreciative than others; some people actually take the time to express that appreciation.
Some people are more appreciative than others; some people actually take the time to express that appreciation.
Jul 5th, 2005, 02:35 AM
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I think sometimes people don't realise how quickly topics disappear "down the list" and they don't see them when they return unless there is a very recent response. Of course you can look under your own log in to see your own posts but I also think many people don't realise that either.
Jul 5th, 2005, 05:24 AM
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Well - you certainly don;t have to respond to every answer - sometimes there are many - or some turn up weeks or months later. But good manners require at least one sort of general thank you.
But I agree - if people bother to post they should at least acknowledge that they have read the responses. (Sometimes I think people don;t respond when they don;t like the answers - often people who have asked unreasonable questions - or for comments on plans that seem to most others to be unworkable.)
But I agree - if people bother to post they should at least acknowledge that they have read the responses. (Sometimes I think people don;t respond when they don;t like the answers - often people who have asked unreasonable questions - or for comments on plans that seem to most others to be unworkable.)
Jul 5th, 2005, 05:32 AM
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I'm torn on this issue. There is a part of me that says a "thank you" without further information simply brings the thread to the top for no good reason. I'm wondering if we wouldn't see the top topics always terminating in "thank you's" rather than in new information, which is what I normally expect in the top entries.
On the other hand, I know that it is polite to acknowledge someone's advice and assistance. I have thanked some people for what I considered very good advice, but I must admit that I have allowed many responses to go unacknowledged and "unthanked" after reading them. There are times when I feel a little sad about that.
On the other hand, I know that it is polite to acknowledge someone's advice and assistance. I have thanked some people for what I considered very good advice, but I must admit that I have allowed many responses to go unacknowledged and "unthanked" after reading them. There are times when I feel a little sad about that.
Jul 5th, 2005, 05:40 AM
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Hi schnau,
Of course, one should respond with a "thank you".
However, in the modern world of generally lessened standards and a "me" attitude, where men wear shorts and Tee shirts to dinner and women have to be told to cover up when entering churches and other houses of worship and where children are encouraged to act out, no matter where they are, what can one expect?
Of course, one should respond with a "thank you".
However, in the modern world of generally lessened standards and a "me" attitude, where men wear shorts and Tee shirts to dinner and women have to be told to cover up when entering churches and other houses of worship and where children are encouraged to act out, no matter where they are, what can one expect?
Jul 5th, 2005, 05:43 AM
#11
not to mention for selfish reasons, when you answer on your own post you bring it back to no. 1 positions, and possibly get more replies!
i'm with the posters above said: 1) new people may not know how to find their posts to see the answers they got, especially if it's been a couple days since they logged on
2) people who don't like the answers they receive... like the impossible itineraries that everyone unanimously says what are you crazy? no way you can do that! etc.
i'm with the posters above said: 1) new people may not know how to find their posts to see the answers they got, especially if it's been a couple days since they logged on
2) people who don't like the answers they receive... like the impossible itineraries that everyone unanimously says what are you crazy? no way you can do that! etc.
Jul 5th, 2005, 06:20 AM
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Frankly I think it's almost silly when someone asks a question and gets maybe ten responses and the original poster posts back after almost every one with another thank you. I think waiting a few days and then responding a general thank you to let people know you've at least looked at the responses is enough.
But more important than thanking people for the responses, I wish more people would return after they have used those responses -- even after several months if that's when they used the information, and report back with the results of how useful that information was or wasn't.
I can't count the number of times I've read "thank you for the information, I'll be sure to report back on that _________"(insert hotel, museum, ticket information, or whatever in the blank). But then we never see such a report.
But more important than thanking people for the responses, I wish more people would return after they have used those responses -- even after several months if that's when they used the information, and report back with the results of how useful that information was or wasn't.
I can't count the number of times I've read "thank you for the information, I'll be sure to report back on that _________"(insert hotel, museum, ticket information, or whatever in the blank). But then we never see such a report.
Jul 5th, 2005, 08:34 AM
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This brings to mind a poster that send a constant stream of posts with very specific questions about her trip to France.
Then, dead silence. I even started a thread to the effect of, Are you disappointed when no one reports back with an update or trip report.
THEN, her actual trip report appears - and it was very strange indeed. Read like a work of fiction IMO. Perfect trip to La-La Land. The report NEVER referenced any of her pre-trip concerns or let us know how any of her quandries worked out. It actually sounded like she dumped hubby and kids by the wayside and she had a solo trip to France - but all was perfect, of course. I'm still scratching my head over that one
Then, dead silence. I even started a thread to the effect of, Are you disappointed when no one reports back with an update or trip report.
THEN, her actual trip report appears - and it was very strange indeed. Read like a work of fiction IMO. Perfect trip to La-La Land. The report NEVER referenced any of her pre-trip concerns or let us know how any of her quandries worked out. It actually sounded like she dumped hubby and kids by the wayside and she had a solo trip to France - but all was perfect, of course. I'm still scratching my head over that one
Jul 5th, 2005, 08:41 AM
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I think it's nice to post a thank you so that the people who responded know you got the information. I do agree that a thank you after each and every suggestion is overkill; if you get a lot of responses, a few inbetween would be enough. And yes, do report back after the trip.
Jul 5th, 2005, 08:42 AM
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Whereas I would agree with Patrick and have often wished that people <b> would/did</b> tell us "what actually happened" I am not convinced that would change anyone's mind.
I say this in light of the recent well-received trip report about Italy in which the person did <b>not</b> stay in the "most favored piazza" in Rome (and got a hotel with bad air conditioning!!) and to make matters Fodorite worse, these people actually wore <b>shorts</b> in Italy.
If anyone really thinks that this "result" or reporting back is going to change a lot of people's minds about "where to stay in Rome" or that it is now OK to wear shorts in Italy, well.......but it is always nice to know what hppened anyway.
I say this in light of the recent well-received trip report about Italy in which the person did <b>not</b> stay in the "most favored piazza" in Rome (and got a hotel with bad air conditioning!!) and to make matters Fodorite worse, these people actually wore <b>shorts</b> in Italy.
If anyone really thinks that this "result" or reporting back is going to change a lot of people's minds about "where to stay in Rome" or that it is now OK to wear shorts in Italy, well.......but it is always nice to know what hppened anyway.
Jul 5th, 2005, 08:42 AM
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My point was lost in my griping. My thoughts during her trip and afterwards were that other Fodorites traveling by train with an infant and wee one would really benefit a lot from her report with her details about her experiences with traveling with kids. The actual trip report barely referenced that anyone was traveling with her - kids included.
Just felt that an inordinate amount of time was spent giving input to someone with no return value to other Fodorites - or a Thank You of any kind.
Just felt that an inordinate amount of time was spent giving input to someone with no return value to other Fodorites - or a Thank You of any kind.
