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.