Why do people ask a question, get responses and never go back to the thread and respond to the people who have tried to be helpful.

I've always supposed that they found forum participation not to their liking. Plus there are times when people really don't like the answers they get from experienced travelers. Like, no, you can't find an air conditioned room in central Rome for 40 euros a night in July.

I guess sometimes they go off in a huff, and sometimes they just want to pick our brains a little, then go away.

I'd guess some are newbies who register and ask -- but then things change, or they even forget they asked or how to log in. Same thing happens on many websites - not just Fodors.

Also - when someone asks about some gawd awful plan - and no one says "sure - go for it", they go off and ask friends or someone who agrees w/ them.

Those types want enablers - not useful advice

I once did that when I was brand new on the old Fodors, in the lounge I asked a dog question in a moment of panic. I got lost so to speak, I did not know my way back to my post. I eventually did and apologized but felt stupid. It never happened again.

I have notoced a few travel questions posting with no reponse. Ever. What? Hope they are ok.

Maybe they came back but just didn't log in.

I've seen lots of posts where people never came back. You'd think that they would at least post a thank you to all the responders who took time to give advice. I'm glad you posted this, Mary, since it's one of my pet peeves.

I've also seen some folks re-post the same question and never go back to the original post. Maybe they wanted better answers??

I think some new posters do not know how to find their original thread. They don't know if they click on their name their thread(s) will show up on the left side of the screen.

And no doubt some people do not like the answers they receive as janisj said.

And some people just aren't in the habit of saying thank you or acknowledging the answers they have received, just like in day to day "real life".

And possible some posters have found that they cannot afford their trip after all or something comes up in their life so they can't take they trip and they just don't think about or do not want to post back that the trip is not going to take place.

In any case, often answers to a question can help other travelers that are planning a trip, so hopefully all the good information is not a complete waste of time.

Also there can be cultural differencies. For example, there is one country where most of the young people can speak English, they are shy, they can be charming in their special way, they are very practical but most often they are not polite. Their manners are simply practical.
I have lived in this country, and I can tell, that they do not mean to be rude. They are always predictable as soon as you understand their way of thinking, practically.
Also, I know a language, which do not have polite expressions like please or "por favor". It tells something about the culture, ff they don't need expressions like that. In this case, they do have words to say "thank you" though.
So, I believe, there are some people asking questions, and after they get answers, they are just happy traveling.

Even worse; some post the same question on several forums and never respond.

and i dont really get why it matters so much
anything couldve happened

how awful would you feel if something dreadful had happened to the original poster and people are getting indignant that someone hasnt responded to their whispette of wisdom..

if youre giving advice - then throw it to the wind
this is all very cathartic , pleasurable- all this posting and posturing
some people genuinely love helping
some love to skite
either way it helps some travellers

dont expect applause and gratitude i say lol

There is a different culture for each message board. On some forums, it is considered impolite to take up time and space by posting a response just to say thank you, forcing people to click on your post when there is no substantive information there.

What Nikki said. I don't like to top my own threads until/unless I have something substantive to add.

I would feel bad about asking for advice or information and not thanking people who made an effort to help me. And I suspect that people who participate here regularly might notice a failure in courtesy on my part, because they would know that I am familiar with the board and its culture.

I mentally shrug my shoulders when people omit to say thanks, but one type of poster does get up my nose: the person who comes back in the same thread with additional requests without acknowledging the efforts of people who have already made an effort to help them.

I also get miffed when OPs come back and say thank you to specific people and do not thank everyone. Just because you don't agree with the advice is no reason to snub people's efforts.

I consider it good manners to thank all the posters and to close a thread when my questions have been answered.

I prefer to "thank in advance" in the original post.

Why knock someone else's question out of the "TOP 25"
just to add a polite nothing?

If you actually are adding meaningful information, then go ahead and post conclusion.

I wonder if Mary will respond ;-)

ribeirasacra - LOL

I kind of agree with lane....

Turns out the responses to these questions help more than just the folks who ask the questions...