I have been reading this forum for a while now and I have really tried to ignore the personal comments some posters feel the need to make but for some reason today I just can't understand it anymore. So here are my questions ... <BR> <BR>1) Why is it when someone asks a questions regarding almost anything it is construed to mean the poster wants things to be exactly the way it is in the US? Maybe they just want to know what to expect? <BR> <BR>2) Why is it that posters who want specific things in a hotel or rent car are considered somehow less knowlegable or sophisticated than other travellers who are comfortable with just winging it? <BR> <BR>3) Why is it that many posters seem to be annoyed that many of the same questions are asked again and again? COuld it be that people are new to the forum? Could it be that people just want some updated info? Are the people who are answering the questions(and complaining about it) again and again somehow forced to do so? And on this same note just how many new things are there to ask? Have things changed so radically in Paris recently that a lot a truly new questions can be asked? <BR> <BR>Lastly, it seems to me that many posters who get annoyed on this forum get annoyed because many travellers are trying to simply gather as much information as posssible. What else is the forum for if now info gathering? Whether you think it is pertinent or not doesn't seem to be the point. If it is important to that traveller to make their trip the best it can be for THEM, then it would seem be an important question. <BR> <BR>Most importantly, I want to say that I have received invaluable tips, info and insight from many delightful posters at this sight. To those I say thank you! To the others have at me! <BR> <BR> <BR>

Actually, I have only one gripe about this forum: I can't handle posts with useless titles like "Help!" or "Advice Needed" or "Taking a Trip". I think anyone who takes the time to read and answer such posts is a saint.

I think what we see here is human nature taking advantage of the situation. <BR>At times I think this forum needs a moderator. I am not sure how the moderator role could be implemented, but some editorial control without preventing expression might improve the siutuation. <BR>As it is, I think people often don't say what they mean or do not actually mean what they say. And some comments are just plain mean!! It is a big advantage in terms of hostile expression to hide behind the cloak of anonymity. <BR>In other instances, we sometimes have visitors to the forum whose native language is not English. Few Americans read and write another language fluently, so the poster is limited to English if he or she wants an answer. <BR>

well, as you can see from a few posts down from yours, part of the problem is that people could easily get a lot of information they want just by reading what has already been posted. Instead, they ask a question that may have already been addressed by over 50 answers just one page back on the site. Now is it really too much to ask that people read a few pages back before asking a question that has already been answered? I think not. <BR>Second, I think it is irresponsible of people to ask these broad, open-ended questions like "I'm going to Europe. Where should I go and what should I see?" Libraries and book stores are filled with travel guides and guide books that can give them general ideas. In my humble opinion, the value of this site and other like it is the ability to ask and answer more specific questions which are not covered or inadequately covered elsewhere.

Personally, I don't reply to any post regarding hotels, restaurants or must-see in big cities like Paris, Brussels, ... <BR>It's just boring to give endlessly the same obvious replies which can be found anyway fairly easily by browsing previous mails or other travel websites or portals, or even buying a guidebook. <BR>When I'm able to, I reply to unusual, intriguing or difficult requests. <BR>however I also think posters should refrain from posting unhelpful sarcastic comments when they have nothing useful to say.

I think that, no matter where you go, or what you do, you will find posters, (like michael above) who just don't get it; that these boards are public, free, and open to all....not just them. For some reason they wish to expend more energy complaining, rather than expend zero energy by simply ignoring posts they find annoyingly unsophisticated or imperfect in their eyes. <BR> <BR>When you're alone, in front of a computer screen, it's easy to imagine your own superiority. If you've been posting here for years, passing judgement on newer, inexperienced posters could be considered a form of self entertainment if things are a little dull at work or home. <BR> <BR>When someone takes the time to complain about posts they could expend less energy by ignoring, you really have to wonder about them. We don't need a moderater--we need people to accept the realities of the internet, and to grow up and realize...... (lightbulb!!) "It's NOT all about ME after all!

My opinions (ask, and you've asked for it, so to speak): <BR> <BR>1) When I read posts like "will there be a coffeemaker in my Czech hotel room", I'm assuming the poster is working from what he knows, and his query is informational only. Of course, there are agents provocateurs who deliberately post questions that are designed to raise hackles, and they are quite successful at it, I might add. <BR> <BR>2) When posters ask for details about a hotel, I sometimes get the feeling they've bought a tour or package, and NOW want opinions on whether they did the right thing. Rather than scold, I don't respond. I can also empathize with the poster, because a 3 week vacation in Europe for two is serious coin, and they want to make sure their money is well-spent. And as for less knowledgeable, posters who ask "anybody know where the BigChain Hotel in Paris is located?" show they never looked on the web or asked their travel agent or read the brochure; instead, they stand in the middle of the room and announce "I can't find my shoes" (anyone who has kids will know this scenario). We now know that this tourist will be the sort who'll come back from Rome with "I don't know what the big deal is" because he never went anywhere without the tour. <BR> <BR>3) As for asking a question that's already been posted endless times, I always wonder how observant the poster is. Maybe it's because I love to do research (always got A+ on every paper I ever wrote) that I search the web, the forum, and the library for information before I ask "what about..". Other people, obviously, don't like to do research and would prefer someone else do it for them (I feel that way about housework, which is why I hired a maid). Maybe because I find researching half the fun of the trip, I don't understand someone who can't, or won't, do the research - that's my problem, not theirs, so why lambaste them? Being a control freak, I could never turn over a trip to someone else; on the other hand, the other Loons depend on me to do it all (I think the exact phrase was "Elvira just tell me where, when, how much and what time to show up at the airport"). <BR> <BR>And I'm glad there's no arbitrator who comes in and censors/edits the posts; if a post is inappropriate, you email the editors, give them the details, and they'll delete if necessary (like advertisements). That First Amendment thing still looms large in my legend.... <BR> <BR> <BR>

As usual, I agree with Elvira on all points. Control, research, etc., especially research! I plan only driving independent tours, if someone has a question on a particular route, hotel, location, I am more than happy to share. However, when someone says basically, "Plan my trip", it is a turnoff. That is not assistance. <BR>I think most of us truly enjoy sharing and helping, we relive our adventures, good and "interesting" turns of events. Things we would do again, others we would not. But we do not know others tastes, preferences, dreams, objectives of their travels. That is why specific questions can be helped, for me, overall trip planning for them cannot. Do not get me wrong there is an excellent post elsewhere that recites "How do you plan a trip" which is excellent. <BR>I do find annoying when people ask for 5* hotel recommendations or "best" places to go. First if you want a 5* experience (and pay for it) why go all the way to Europe, the best experience is being out of the hotel. (Again, my opinion) and "Best" is again your own definition. <BR> <BR>My only peeve with the forum is that the Australia, NZ forum gets as many posts in a year that this forum gets in a day! I do not know if it is fewer people go, fewer use the forum, or what! <BR>All I know is planning this trip makes me homesick for planning for Europe!

Mary Ann- a five star hotel isn't a destination for everyone and wanting to stay in a nice 5* isn't synonymous with wanting to live in a hotel room. When I stay in a 5* hotel, all I want is to have a luxurious place to return to at the end of the day or in between walking around the city- it's the total experience. Price is an unreliable indicator of quality so at the $300+ per night level, I can understand why people would ask for recommendations. To each his own...

Mary Ann, <BR> <BR>I won't throw flames on top of flames, especially since Su has already come to the defense of 5 star properties. <BR> <BR>But I will echo the sentiment that 5 star luxury has provided some of my greatest memories in Europe - - and no two 5 star properties are alike. The properties of www.slh.com (Small Luxury Hotels) or www.relaischateaux.com have their own local flavor of how to pamper guests, and each is as different from the Breakers (Palm Beach, FL) or the Biltmore (Santa Barbara, CA) or The Plaza (NYC) as those three are from each other. <BR> <BR>You do get credit for making it clear that your opinion about luxury properties is your opinion, and I am not here to bash you back - - I didn't take your opinions as totally bashing the 5 star seekers. But I am not bashful about defending such choices, for those who want to try them - - SOME of the time. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex Bickers <BR>Westerville, Ohio

Precisely one of the things I like so much about fodors is that it does display lots of good old human nature, good points and not so good points. Warts and all. So I read for the travel escapism and new data and along the way am endlessly entertained by the broad display of human nature. Even when someone is mean spirited, that person gets jumped on. So who needs a moderator? Not us.

Elvira- <BR> <BR>I disagree with #2. When I ask about a hotel, it is before I make a reservation, and because I don't know whether to stay there or someplace else. <BR>

So, Dave, you're the sometimes who don't. Cool

I don't know about Elvira's #2, either. Even if someone wants to know about a hotel because they have already bought a package that includes it, I think it is a valid question. Why? Because if it is horrid, it might be better to brace oneself for the experience than learn about it at the end of a long day. Also, if you learn it is really that bad, perhaps you could make alternative arrangements at your own expense. Obviously, it is better to do a search before you trouble everyone with yet another hotel question.

Purchasing and then doing more research to see if your original purchase was OK is only trying to alleviate what psychologists call post-cognitive dissonance. It is very common behaviour, so why shouldn't we find it amongst us fodorites?

Su, Rex .... <BR>My sincere apologies, I did not intend to be "bashing" 5*s. (Thanks for a least noting it was an opinion) <BR>I wrote it quickly (mistake) before leaving on a trip (domestic). The point I was trying to make was that often posters equate 5* with the "best" and in many instances rule out consideration of anything less or set high prices (that they are willing to spend), equating that with the "best". What is the "best"? Luxury, location, room size, courtesy, quaint, food, clean, view. etc? Yes there are 5* that have it all and do it well, but there are others that do not. And, there are alot of other lesser stars that do a wonderful job for sometimes for a lot less money. We stayed at a hotel on the Riviera. The staff was great, the restaurant superb, the decoration very tasteful, the View fantastic, with an outdoor pool too. We had private WC with shower, TV, queen bed, our own private terrace with umbrella table and view of the harbor. But because they did not have 24 hour room service and some other amenities that 5*s must have, this place only had 3*. <BR>So I guess what I am trying to say is I have nothing against 5* selection or luxury, just make you're wish list and do your research before you limit the "best" to a 5* hotel.