okay. no caps ever.

...My best point of view based on experience...I read a lot and post little and I have learned to be clear, kind, and humorous, and re-read my posts to be sure they don't sound inadvertently offensive, or for lack of a better word-stupid. I enjoy reading the posts very much especially when many people are chiming in with experiences and opinions and it even when it gets a little heated. I find it very much like a dysfunctional family...there are posters that have reputations, good and bad and others who like to point that out frequently...thread responses seem like a Thanksgiving dinner...they all show up, start discussing and let the games begin ! I have learned a great deal from this site about travel and people, food, hints, I have read things that have made me laugh out loud and made me cry, etc. and that I am not the only one out there who may feel a certain way, it is amazing how many different countries, ages, and lifestyles that are represented here...Best rule IMO...Just be prepared for responses you will get !

"and others who like to point that out frequently"
You're right, Wednesday! It's like sibling rivalry!! Only I wonder who the parents are on this board???? Hmmm...

I have my opinions but I am not saying...

And the "siblings" in the "family" have been identified in the coffee thread..."sorry you don't get the joke. I have been a regualar here for a long time. My diatribes are meant as humour for people like Mimi, Scarlett, Sheila, Ira, St. Cirq, Foodsnob, etc., who are in on the joke"

..."sorry you don't get the joke. I have been a regualar here for a long time. My diatribes are meant as humour for people like Mimi, Scarlett, Sheila, Ira, St. Cirq, Foodsnob, etc., who are in on the joke"
Huh, Gracieb, is that a jibe at me? Some of the people you mentioned happen to be my best friends.

Errrr, sorry GracieB, I see what you're referring to now on the coffee thread!!

ciao!

Nope. No jibe toward anyone in particular. But for newbies, it is surprising (and a bit disturbing) "best friends" banter back and forth...especially when they are mocking someone else on the board.

The information on this board is fabulous and wonderful, sharing people are the reason why. It's just when one stumbles into the insider banter (some of it not kind) that one wonders what's really going on.

I've really appreciated some fabulous information presented nicely by folks like Marilyn and Grasshopper.

That was a quote from John ThinGorjus..I cannot make sense of this thread anymore. So many complaints!
Beatchick, yes, we might not be siblings but I do count you as a very BFF!

Wow, I certainly agree!
I offered to "literally give a couple of overnights" to a Fodorite, and my professionally managed property in San Miguel de Allende got trashed by some one named "BOOGER"!
M

mikemo..we are going to San Miguel de Allende this year! I am really looking forward to it. Where is your property? We are staying in town at one of the hotels..near the square.
How do you go from the airport in Mexico City? plane or bus?
Thanks

In regard to "inside jokes" and "people who have no sense of humor", has anyone
noticed how often those two phrases are used as an excuse for rudeness? Even in cyberspace, civility should be the hallmark of behavior. And "newbies" is hardly a term of affection. In my opinion, it is rather a thinly veiled put down of first time contributors, rather like kids on a playground, "I was here before you were!"

I think this forum is not so much like a dysfunctional family as it is like high school. There are different cliques or factions. There are some eccentrics and a few scary people. If you are here long enough and you dialog with enough people, you will notice that there are some whose attitude or humor you find sympatico, and others who annoy or offend you frequently. And you will start to get the insider jokes -- they are not based on private communication but on a shared history here on this forum.

Of course, Danny Mangin is the Principal.

(For you newcomers, Danny is the Senior Editor (?) in charge of this forum. Not sure of his exact title, but he's the Big Cheese. And that's the last time I'll be explaining an "insider" remark!)

PS Thanks, gracieb. It is always gratifying to know you've given someone some useful info.

Well, MikeMo, I hope you *wiped* it away - a little Kleenex works wonders - LOL!!

Wouldn't that be a good name for an alias? Anybody remember Billy Goat's Gruff that used to take care of the trolls around here? Now that was a great name for an alias!!

I'm sorry, GracieB, I suppose it is a little disconcerting to see all this insider joke stuff. I hate elitism & cliquishness yet must to admit to being a guilty party. But when you've been on a board for a long time then it's hard not to forge strong friendships. And it's equally hard not to respond to your friends, especially when you're so happy to see them!

I hope it doesn't keep you away.

Yes, but TWSD, she was using the term for herself!

I think you've got so many people on this board, such a diverse range of age groups and backgrounds, such a range of moods and circumstances (some having a fabulous day, and others a rotten one) that you'd be hard pressed to come up with a single code that could fit everyone.

A lot of times, people who might well have been trying to be polite or even just funny have struck me as rude, and later I wonder if I denied them the benefit of the doubt. At other times, I have seen as innocent actions that others take as objectionable - then I wonder if I went to the other extreme and been insensitive.

I've come to the conclusion that at best, I and my fellow posters are only going to get it right the majority of the time, or even only some of the time, rules or no rules.

Now to lighten things up, I hope you saw the first Shrek movie, cuz if you did you'll never look at rules (or a clothes peg) in the same way again....

Stay in line, stay off the grass
Brush your teeth, and wipe your...FACE
Duloc... is..the..perfect... plaaaaace!

The best advice I can offer, and I think it's already been mentioned is not to take anything personally.If you understand all the previous posts, you're doing better than I am. Welcome and happy travels

I agree with Sheila, who suggested not using irony, because it doesn't travel well. Just ask the person who was charged 100 Euros when he used one and burnt the carpet at a small hotel in Paris! And I believe that was actually a "travel irony" that they brought with them!

Very punny Leona!

Umm... what coffee thread? Why is my name being taken in vain here. Am I in a clique and didn't know it?

"Beatchick, yes, we might not be siblings but I do count you as a very BFF!"

Ditto Scarletto in the stilettos!

Yes, Sheila, I suppose your name is being taken in vain in this vein on this venue.

sheila, bless your bonny heart
It is difficult to talk about friends and not have your name come up!

beatchick,

now, coffee??