What a civilized and helpful group all you Fodorites are!
Mar 28th, 2014, 01:34 PM
#42
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I am a new poster and traveller and although I am sure I have asked and may continue to ask some silly questions, it has been my experience that most responses have been kind, helpful and made my trips more enjoyable because of the wealth of information available here. When you are new to travel, the information available in guide books and websites can be overwhelming. It helps to have first hand accounts of where to eat and stay, what to see, and how to get there. I for one am grateful and will just tune out any caustic or unhelpful remarks. We are human after all.
Mar 28th, 2014, 04:00 PM
#44
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Regarding trip reports...
Yeah, some do seem sort of vanity pieces. So what! I don't have to read them or respond to them. No one said that posting here required 24 hours of reading others' posts.
At the same time, how many times have I done searches for countries and cities where those same trip reports I did NOT read suddenly become of great value?
A trip report from four years ago that I would never have read about, say, Slovenia, takes on new meaning when I attempt to GO to Slovenia.
I have often NOT written reports and then later feel bad about how I did not "pay it forward." I know that trip reports I've written years ago with little response can pop up because someone says, "Hey, I saw you stayed here, can you...?" I have to remind myself that those hotel and restaurant lists are often vital to the next tourist trying to simplify his/her planning.
And sometimes, no matter how long I've been travel planning, I've asked really dumb questions simply from travel-planning exhaustion. Eons ago, I asked (paraphrased) "OK, we've been here, here, and here for March/April with the kids, ages blank and blank. I'm dying here. What would be another logical week's stay in any country for the same time period with the same kids?
Dumb question, right? But I received some fab answers within minutes.
I will always be grateful.
AZ
Yeah, some do seem sort of vanity pieces. So what! I don't have to read them or respond to them. No one said that posting here required 24 hours of reading others' posts.
At the same time, how many times have I done searches for countries and cities where those same trip reports I did NOT read suddenly become of great value?
A trip report from four years ago that I would never have read about, say, Slovenia, takes on new meaning when I attempt to GO to Slovenia.
I have often NOT written reports and then later feel bad about how I did not "pay it forward." I know that trip reports I've written years ago with little response can pop up because someone says, "Hey, I saw you stayed here, can you...?" I have to remind myself that those hotel and restaurant lists are often vital to the next tourist trying to simplify his/her planning.
And sometimes, no matter how long I've been travel planning, I've asked really dumb questions simply from travel-planning exhaustion. Eons ago, I asked (paraphrased) "OK, we've been here, here, and here for March/April with the kids, ages blank and blank. I'm dying here. What would be another logical week's stay in any country for the same time period with the same kids?
Dumb question, right? But I received some fab answers within minutes.
I will always be grateful.
AZ
Mar 28th, 2014, 04:37 PM
#45
PQ: I do wish you'd break that tiresome broken record. Every time you get a chance you say 'Fodorgarchs' are mean to newbies. (Silly word but you are so proud of yourself having coined it so you use it over and OVER and <B>OVER</B
A TINY % of responses to newbies are rude but a BIG % of your posts complain about those of us who try to help. I for one am tired of it.
And jamikins - don't go anywhere - just ignore dul_sex, NYFoodSnob, sandra/zeppole, and a few others (And PQ when he is on one of his rants)
Some of us are <i>nice</i> O
A TINY % of responses to newbies are rude but a BIG % of your posts complain about those of us who try to help. I for one am tired of it.
And jamikins - don't go anywhere - just ignore dul_sex, NYFoodSnob, sandra/zeppole, and a few others (And PQ when he is on one of his rants)
Some of us are <i>nice</i> O
Mar 28th, 2014, 05:10 PM
#47
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I just started reading a book I got on kindle about this woman's journey to Italy. It is essentially a trip report and I thought to myself - the majority of trip reports on Fodor's are far better than this (better written, more informative).
I agree that the majority of posts are full of useful information, interesting to read and are generally well meaning - both the questions and the answers. My travel life (and really, what other kind of life is there) would be much poorer without this forum.
I agree that the majority of posts are full of useful information, interesting to read and are generally well meaning - both the questions and the answers. My travel life (and really, what other kind of life is there) would be much poorer without this forum.
Mar 29th, 2014, 05:30 AM
#49
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A TINY % of responses to newbies are rude but a BIG % of your posts complain about those of us who try to help>
janis I did not mention your name and did not mean you - I was talking in a general sense - that you think it may have been aimed at you was wrong. Don't take things so personally and give us all the right to say what we think. And let us have our opinions without mean retorts like above.
janis I did not mention your name and did not mean you - I was talking in a general sense - that you think it may have been aimed at you was wrong. Don't take things so personally and give us all the right to say what we think. And let us have our opinions without mean retorts like above.
Mar 29th, 2014, 06:13 AM
#51
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I have been member of Fodor's for less than a year. I am constantly amazed at the time and thoughtful effort strangers spend to answer my questions, support me, provide valuable info, cheer me on. I recently took a very enjoyable walk in Oxford that no guidebook had written about, but that Fodorites recommended. I totally agree with the OP that most people here are NICE and mostly KIND.
And then suddenly, following a compliment from a newbie, a Fodor's thread turn into a version of MEAN GIRLS. How does that happen?
And then suddenly, following a compliment from a newbie, a Fodor's thread turn into a version of MEAN GIRLS. How does that happen?
Mar 29th, 2014, 06:14 AM
#52
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Pal - you do offer helpful information (you have been very helpful to me recently) but I have a question for you.
Why do you object to what you see as mean spirited responses to new posters yet you feel that mean spirited responses are fine when they are directed at people who have been here a long time and have continuously offered helpful advice over the years.
Your ire has been directed at me at times and unjustifiably done.
And you know that I object to the Fodor*^&% term.
Why do you object to what you see as mean spirited responses to new posters yet you feel that mean spirited responses are fine when they are directed at people who have been here a long time and have continuously offered helpful advice over the years.
Your ire has been directed at me at times and unjustifiably done.
And you know that I object to the Fodor*^&% term.
Mar 29th, 2014, 07:32 AM
#53
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<i><font color=#555555>"And then suddenly, following a compliment from a newbie, a Fodor's thread turn into a version of MEAN GIRLS. How does that happen?"</font></i>
Humans are complex and complicated. Hypocritical, too. Ever hear the expression: woke up on the wrong side of the bed?
Some people look in the mirror and post, "Gee, aren't I nice." Then the minute they walk away they say something mean and snarky to someone else. The evidence of human nature exists on every internet board. When picking roses, one has to learn how to avoid the skin pricks.
Humans are complex and complicated. Hypocritical, too. Ever hear the expression: woke up on the wrong side of the bed?
Some people look in the mirror and post, "Gee, aren't I nice." Then the minute they walk away they say something mean and snarky to someone else. The evidence of human nature exists on every internet board. When picking roses, one has to learn how to avoid the skin pricks.
Mar 29th, 2014, 08:55 AM
#54
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Why do you object to what you see as mean spirited responses to new posters yet you feel that mean spirited responses are fine when they are directed at people who have been here a long time and have continuously offered helpful advice over the years>
new posters are special and very valuable to Fodor's success and survival - they buy stuff and click on banner ads. I will not chase any FodorGarch away but I note the criticism and will do some self evaluation and try to be a gentler and kinder pal in the future. Seriously!
new posters are special and very valuable to Fodor's success and survival - they buy stuff and click on banner ads. I will not chase any FodorGarch away but I note the criticism and will do some self evaluation and try to be a gentler and kinder pal in the future. Seriously!
Mar 29th, 2014, 10:44 AM
#55
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"Fodorgarch" is by far the stupidest coined word ever. Instead of trying to be a gentler and kinder "pal" in the future, maybe you could stop the rants and the use of idiotic terminology. I'm sure the newbies you claim to want to help are completely turned off by it.
Mar 29th, 2014, 04:37 PM
#56
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Just as an example, here's the type of response I usually get (this one from Sarastro in response to my post asking about La Camargue). I found it with the trouble to include links incredibly helpful, even the comment about the mosquitos! StCirq gave me a restaurant recommendation and then responded back when I thought it was in Arles instead of in the country. Many others chimed in with helpful suggestions. THIS type of response is what I meant and what I usually see from this group!
"What's not to like??
Mosquitoes
I assume you have a car, drive from Arles to Stes Maries de la Mer (the Ornithological park is on the way). Swing by Aigues Mortes on you way back. If you are interested, on rue de l´Espiguette near le Grau du Roi, visit the Maison Méditerranéenne full interesting regional products:
http://www.maisondesvins-lespiguette.com/
You can also visit the salt factory and the Listel winery:
http://www.sites-touristiques-gard.f...-Jarras-Listel
They are usually in the afternoon but in May I would make an attempt to see a bull fight. Don´t worry, this is a team sport and nothing happens to the bull. The circuit includes the towns of le Grau du Roi and Stes Maries de la Mer; check with them about schedules:
http://www.saintesmaries.com/
http://www.vacances-en-camargue.com/
The flamingos are there year around."
'Nuf said...thanks to everyone again.
"What's not to like??
Mosquitoes
I assume you have a car, drive from Arles to Stes Maries de la Mer (the Ornithological park is on the way). Swing by Aigues Mortes on you way back. If you are interested, on rue de l´Espiguette near le Grau du Roi, visit the Maison Méditerranéenne full interesting regional products:
http://www.maisondesvins-lespiguette.com/
You can also visit the salt factory and the Listel winery:
http://www.sites-touristiques-gard.f...-Jarras-Listel
They are usually in the afternoon but in May I would make an attempt to see a bull fight. Don´t worry, this is a team sport and nothing happens to the bull. The circuit includes the towns of le Grau du Roi and Stes Maries de la Mer; check with them about schedules:
http://www.saintesmaries.com/
http://www.vacances-en-camargue.com/
The flamingos are there year around."
'Nuf said...thanks to everyone again.
Mar 30th, 2014, 10:56 AM
#57
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FodorGarch is not a pejorative word like St-Cirq seems to thing but is a legitimate word - the Garch part is to describe a relatively small group of people who dominate a certain entity and think they know what is best for the rest.
Nothing bad about it - I admit to being a FodorGarch.
Nothing bad about it - I admit to being a FodorGarch.
Mar 30th, 2014, 11:56 AM
#59
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"No, you're the Fodorgarch."
"I'm not the Fodorgarch, you're the Fodorgarch."
"No, your mother's the Fodorgarch."
"My mother's not the Fodorgarch, your grandmother's the Fodorgarch."
"By the way, WTF IS a Fodorgarch?"
"I'm not the Fodorgarch, you're the Fodorgarch."
"No, your mother's the Fodorgarch."
"My mother's not the Fodorgarch, your grandmother's the Fodorgarch."
"By the way, WTF IS a Fodorgarch?"
Mar 30th, 2014, 12:41 PM
#60
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it is to complain about other Fodirites>
Well I could say Fodor's is such a wonderful site for those looking for European travel info because of FodorGarchs - the folks keenly interested enough in European travel and doing it often enough to become absolute experts - like janisj has about the U.K. and St-Cirq the Dordogne, that can usually answer even the most esoteric questions, etc.
but it is human nature to point out foibles rather than accolades...but I will try to start using the term, if it fits, to positive things as well! Point taken.
Well I could say Fodor's is such a wonderful site for those looking for European travel info because of FodorGarchs - the folks keenly interested enough in European travel and doing it often enough to become absolute experts - like janisj has about the U.K. and St-Cirq the Dordogne, that can usually answer even the most esoteric questions, etc.
but it is human nature to point out foibles rather than accolades...but I will try to start using the term, if it fits, to positive things as well! Point taken.
