Which responses bug you the most?
 

I'm a Fodor regular. Many times I see people post what are basically simple questions. What bugs me is the responses they sometimes get. Say someone asks about staying at a particular hotel in London. They want to know whether they should stay at that hotel or not. Can they get a simple response to that question? No, instead they get responses telling them about another hotel. Another example is someone going to the UK who asks about foot and mouth. What they want is for someone who lives there or has just returned to tell them about their experiences with the problem and whether it affected their trip. What do they get? A lot of responses from people who haven't been there recently mouthing what has been in the newspapers, which is highly exagerated. I recently traveled all over Wales and never once saw the burning pyres of animal bodies one poster indicated were in the area I visited. I just hope that the original poster wasn't talked into canceling their trip. I could go on but I would like to see if others feel the same way I do. What do you think?

I would like to take issue with your first comment... <BR> <BR>There are THOUSANDS of hotels, B&B's and restaurants in any European city. The likelihood of a person that has stayed in that particular hotel and just happens to be looking at this forum at that particular time is "extremely" rare.. <BR> <BR>So, what people (I think) are trying to do is give other hotels that they may have stayed in and maybe in the same area. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, Fodor does not categorize postings, and has a rather limited search function, that is if it works at all. <BR> <BR>It can up to 5 minutes to get through a couple of days postings if you are on a slow phone line. <BR> <BR>There's my two pennies.. <BR>

As pissed off as people will get about this, I hate the mean, snotty responses that hide behind anonomous names. I don't care if someone does use a fake email because they worry about spam but I think the use of an alias when you are writing something mean, rediculous, or sarcastic is cowardly. Use a fake name if you like but be consistent in your use of that name. Book Chick and Capo are great examples of people who made up names but consistently use them and own up to their comments. <BR> <BR> Flame away all you xxx's.

ttt <BR> <BR>That's my least favorite response.

In response to your "What do you think" question ... <BR> <BR>I definitely see your point that the simple questions should elicit simple answers. However, often I find it very informative if I see (or ask) a specific question and posters come back with options (i.e., hotels that are similar and perhaps preferable to the one I asked about). Other times, second-hand news from printed/other sources is better than no response at all. Essentially, people are attempting to be helpful. Ideally, someone(s) would have visited, stayed at, or experienced exactly what the poster inquired about, but it doesn't always work that way.

Maybe the most annoying are the ones where the answer is easily looked up, but people feel compelled to put in their 2 cents. For instance, every so often someone asks about their credit card covering the CDW on a rental car. Several people chime in with their opinions, when the best answer is for the poster to simply call their credit card company or read their cardholder's agreement. When ya think about it, what good is it to speculate on an answer like that? "Gee Rental Car Co., the people on Fodor's thought this damage would be covered. I don't think I should have to pay for it!" See how far that gets you!

I agree with Grasshopper; anonymous, rude people who won't even own up to their snotty responses. If it wasn't for the great folks on here who truly have something constructive to say, I'd leave. So thank you all those who are worth reading!

Amen to that Linda. However, I also love this board for the humor it sometimes provides. Absolutely enjoyed that thread about how much to tip the pilot.

Amen and Hallaluieh,) I know that's not how you spell it) to Linda. <BR>My very least favorite is the snotty "do a search". There are people who come on to this site that are not regulars and if you don't feel like answering then Don't. But why be sarcastic and cruel to newcomer's. They may come back with information that could be of value to you and they will never show up here again. <BR>My other pet peeve is someone topping a question that was asked 1 year ago! where should I stay in London asked in 6/99 and someone is answering it now in 8/2001!!!!!!!!

I think what is equally annoying as the rude ones are the thin skinned ones just looking *any* excuse to be offended. I've seen plenty of people take offence at postings that in no way were directed at them and were none of their business in the first place.

I'm with Grasshopper: &lt;&lt; I hate the mean, snotty responses that hide behind anonymous names. &gt;&gt; <BR> <BR>Liz

I started planning our first European trip about 10 months ago & found this site extremely helpful as I was scanning a few minutes each night. I soon found out that there are people with short tempers, or short on time & they ansered w/ "just do a search, you'll find many answers to this post" along w/ many others who answered my questions directly or pointed me to more a specific previous post (very helpful). <BR> <BR>While searching for some is resonable it isn't feasible for others. I'm lucky to have a high speed modem connection (which I pay dearly for) & get searches rather quickly when it isn't "acting up". But, a lot of people don't have this and find the time to do a search very cumbersome. <BR> <BR>I would like for fodors to come up with a way to categorize hotels, restaurants, hot spots, etc. for fodors regulars to input data to & to point people to for "mundane" inquiries. <BR> <BR>I know they try this with their rants & raves section but it seems very few people use and it's directed at specific hotels, restaurants, etc. <BR> <BR>Maybe they could categorize by a list country/area/towns & then break it down by hotels, sites & resuarants that others could add to. <BR> <BR>Would anybody else like to see an easier way to search for country/area/town specific info? <BR> <BR>DFW 8/30/01

Actually what bothers me are questions like this.

Damn, you beat me to it by six minutes!

To Jayne---"The likelihood of a person that has stayed in that particular hotel and just happens to be looking at this forum at that particular time is "extremely" rare.." well it seems the Extreme thing has happened twice to me this week as I answered 2 people about different hotels I happened to stay in. So much for that theory.--Anyway one should be glad to get any response from a posting as I have posted and never got any answer bad or good <BR>

Like Grasshopper, the mean, snotty responses posted by people with anonymous e-mail addresses.

Apparently, we're darned if we do and darned if we don't. <BR> <BR>If we answer with whatever information we happen to have, we are criticized for not being able to address that particular hotel or that particular late-breaking crisis. <BR> <BR>But if we don't answer at all, then the post drops like a stone, newcomers feel ignored, and then we get snippy post headings like "Why Won't Anyone Answer My Question About X." <BR> <BR>If someone makes a good faith attempt to be helpful, that's good enough for me. <BR>

Messages drow very quickly, on this board. A message about another hotel not only provide a possible second choice or possibly an option which has been overlooked by the poster, but also "top" the message, which so stays visible long enough to hopefully be seen by some reader who actually stayed at this hotel. A message without responses dissapears in a matter of hours. so, in my opinion, it's to the best advantage of the original poster to have some responses, even if they don't exactly answer to his question.

Most of questions are usually relevant, and most newcomers don't know how to research the historical data. <BR>I had found the answer to specific question only 3 month after I asked it. It takes time lo learn how to navigate between topics or names. And that might be the reason why someone tops the tread 2-year old thread, like someone did for me. <BR>The only suggestion: thread names should be more clear and specific. <BR>Not "Need help with hotel" but state the city and area or the name of the hotel. It would save a lot of time to those who have no input on a subject.

Well, I love toppers. The search capacity of this website is zero If it weren't for the toppers I wouldn't fine the info. My pet peeve is those who list info, like for hotels, and then say, "I haven't been there but I've heard." Not to be unkind, but I would like first hand experience. Ooops, now I do sound ungrateful. I have a Catholic upbringinig . . .

Hi Geoff, <BR>I guess what bugs me is when a poster asks a broad question, (i.e., What to see in England), someone answers, politely, with a suggestion they tell us more (what are your interests, when are you going, how long, etc.), and the original poster never replies. I think it's just good manners if you post a question, you should reply with at least a thank you to the responses. I've seen a question start a landslide of responses, and the original poster never show his/her face again.

Rudeness...period. Although I choose to use the "xxx" name, I have never responded rudely (but at times, it has been tempting!) The other thing that bugs me are those whose responses carry the tone that they know better than everyone else. We are all just responding with our own opinions and experiences--they aren't gospel.

The response I like the least is from people like a couple of the posters above who respond that they don't like the question asked. Its really simple. If you don't like the question being asked, don't respond. Who wants their question answered by someone who merely wants to tell the questioner that their question is (take your pick) boring/already asked/nonsensical/or otherwise inappropriate. Who appointed these people as the arbiters of what should be asked? If you don't want to help a poster, don't bother the rest of us by responding.

ttt

Thank you, grasshopper! <BR>Muchas smooches, <BR>BC

Rabid politics. Remember all the Dubya stuff last year? Heavens above ...

I agree with the original poster. So many people say: "I was there 20 years ago and it was blah, blah, blah." There are many posts on this board that don't even answer the question that the poster is asking. I recently posted a question seeking some information and received 38 responses of which only 5 were even on the topic that I was asking about. I think it's time for Fodors to have a login system and hopefully get rid of some of the general chit chat.

Elena - <BR> <BR>I understand your personal desire for responses based on first hand experience, but why whould it bother you that others may post about what they've heard from others and qualify it as such? Some people here may want as much information as possible, first hand or not, to sift through and draw their own conclusions. I can't imagine why you would begrudge anyone that simply because it may result in some posts that do not interest you. This board is for many people to use - not just one.

<BR>This post has made me rethink my opinions on responses as many make good points. My problem with telling someone to use the "search" is that the info may be outdated and they are looking for current, recent info. I know the Vatican, Stonehedge, etc haven't changed in years but the fees may have.

I agree that people with current and/or specific knowledge about what is being asked provide the most helpful responses.

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Some answers that bug me: <BR> <BR>- Criticism w/o (at least) offering an answer ("That is such a stupid question, get a life" kinda things. <BR> <BR>- "Why would you want to get on the Eiffel Tower / go to the Louvre / go to Venice / etc. <BR> <BR>- Anti-smoking comments any time someone asks anything even remotely related to smoking.

It think the straight-out personal attacks are the most disgusting. Especially when they come from a source that appears to hold a grudge against someone for who knows what offense, real or imagined.

I also hate it when you notice your typo just as the thing posts!

Diane, you too, huh? I just want to SCREAM for it to come back, but my computer never DID listen to me! I always does exactly what I tell it to do, not what I want it to do.

I am planning a trip to Europe and have been pretty much lurking in this board. I have gotten some very good information here. <BR> <BR>But even as a first time Europe traveler, I am annoyed by the people who don't do the basic research, such as the general, "going to London, what should I see". There are so many good basic guide books out there. Perhaps there should be a place to click called "First Time to Europe Essentials". But I think a good guide book would be better. <BR> <BR>I have found the search function on this board to be limited. I remember searching for a post I had seen the day before and tried several key words and the topic did NOT come up in the search. Had to find it after scrolling 6 pages! <BR> <BR>I agree with Beachbum in that I like to see people respond with a thanks if they got the info. <BR> <BR>At least the first timers like myself are asking questions. I have actually met two seperate couples who are going to Europe in a short time, but do NOT speak any of the languages and have not really planned their trip at all! They have let travel agents put them in overpriced hotels and overpriced flights.

Grasshopper, Linda, xxx and others have covered most of the points except for one. When I put in the effort to answer a post, then I see the same question from the same poster again when my and other answers are easily found in the first or second pages. <BR>Regards, <BR>Art <BR>

What bugs me is when people are allowed to use profanity. There is plenty of inexpensive software that Fodors could use to prevent this from happening. It can also be set up to look for key phrases that are offensive and blank them out. This isn't censorship. It's basically an electronic monitor. And since they do not choose or don't have the personpower to do this. Well then. It will make this a more enjoyable environment to have discussions, without the potty mouths that seem to surface from time to time.

Techy Dude: <BR> <BR>"Profanity" is nothing but words that were arbitrarily labeled as "bad". <BR> <BR>To be offensive, rude, disrespectful or annoying you certainly don't need profanity. You can be EXTREMELY offensive without f-words, a-words, n-words or x-words. <BR> <BR>How do you deal with that??

The following are the kind of responses that really bug me: <BR> <BR>Poster: Is it worth spending two days in York? <BR>Respondent: We went to Chester and really loved it, etc. etc. <BR> <BR>Poster: I can stay at either Brown's or the Sheraton in London. Which should I choose? <BR>Responded: On our trip we stayed at the Grosvernor and it was great, etc, etc. <BR> <BR>Poster: Here's our itinerary for a three week trip through the UK. We want to see as much as possible. Are we missing anything? <BR>Respondeent: You dummy, you're doing way too much. Spend all your time in the Cotswolds. <BR> <BR>Poster: Is it worth it to stop in Stratford for a day or two? <BR>Respondent: We never went to Stratford, but we loved Bath. or My wife's third cousin said that her uncle told her that his nephew thought Stratford was wonderful. or I haven't been there in thirty years, but it used to be great. <BR> <BR>Poster: We're going to be driving from Edinburgh to Aberdeen. What is the best route and what shouldn't we miss along the way. <BR>Respondent: You really should go to Glencoe and Isle of Skye instead. If you don't go there, you'll miss the best part of Scotland. <BR> <BR>Thanks to whoever started this thread. I've been wanting to say this for a long time.